Though Martha was very careful to entertain Christ in the best manner, yet if he perceive any thing in her ⟨image 36⟩worthy of reprehension, he will not stick to tell her of it: he will not sooth her in her saying, nor smooth her in her own conceit, for all the trouble and cost that she bestows upon him. If we be often invited to some mans table, and kindly entertained, it would be unkindly taken, if we should find fault with any disorder, but forasmuch as all Christ his actions are the instructions of Christians, therefore every Christian, but especially Preachers, whom it more specially concerneth, must learn by this example how to behave themselves, when they are invited to great feasts: namely to speak their conscience freely when they see a fault. The best requital that we can make for our good cheer, is to give good counsel and wholesome admonition to them that invite us. When Christ dined with the Pharisee, Luke. 11. and was misliked for not washing before dinner, he took occasion to reprove ⟨image 37⟩their hypocrisy, their outward show of holiness, which was the sin of the Pharisees: and at another time he noteth them, for pressing to the chief places at banquets,1 and showeth what modesty is to be observed in sitting down to meat, and what guests should be bidden to our table. So should Preachers behave themselves towards those that invite them to great feasts, where they see perhaps some fault or disorder, either in the Master of the house, or in some other of the guests; to say unto them thus or otherwise, as the case requireth: I will warn you of one thing that will do you good, that you would leave your usury and extortion, your covetousness and oppression, that you would leave your swearing and blaspheming the name of God, that you would forbear to profane the Lords Sabaoth, that you would leave your pride and excess in your diet and apparel: that you would forbear ⟨image 37⟩to speak ill of any behind their backs, or to bear any malice or hatred to any of your neighbours. These are the faults which are easy to be espied almost in every place, and these are the faults which the faithful minister of Christ Jesus should not leave unreproved wheresoever he cometh,2 but as Elijah told Ahab of his Idolatry, though he were his king, and John Baptist told Herod of his adultery,3 though he did many things for him, and heard him gladly:
Though Martha was very carefull to entertaine Christ in the best manner, yet if he perceiue any thing in hir ⟨image 36⟩worthie of reprehension, he will not stick to tell hir of it: he will not sooth hir in hir saying, nor smooth hir in hir owne conceit, for all the trouble and cost that she bestowes vpon him. If we be often inuited to some mans table, and kindely enterteyned, it would bee vnkindlye taken, if wee should finde fault with any disorder, but forasmuch as all Christ his actions are the instructions of Christians, therefore euery Christian, but especially Preachers, whome it more specially concerneth, must learne by this example how to behaue themselues, when they are inuited to great feasts: namely to speake their conscience freely when they see a fault. The best requitall that wee can make for our good cheere, is to giue good counsell and wholsome admonition to them that inuite vs. When Christ dined with the Pharisey, Luke. 11. and was misliked for not washing before dinner, hee tooke occasion to reprooue ⟨image 37⟩their hypocrisie, their outward show of holinesse, which was the sinne of the Pharises: and at another time he noteth them, for preasing to the chiefe places at banquets,1 and sheweth what modestie is to bee obserued in sitting downe to meate, and what guests should be bidden to our table. So should Preachers behaue themselues towards those that inuite them to great feasts, where they see perhaps some fault or disorder, either in the Maister of the house, or in some other of the guests; to saye vnto them thus or otherwise, as the case requireth: I will warne you of one thing that will doo you good, that you would leaue your vsurie and extortion, your couetousnesse and oppression, that you would leaue your swearing and blaspheming the name of God, that you would forbeare to prophane the Lords Sabaoth, that you would leaue your pride and excesse in your dyet and apparrell: that you would forbeare ⟨image 37⟩to speake ill of any behind their backes, or to beare any malice or hatred to any of your neighbors. These are the faults which are easie to be espyed almost in euery place, and these are the faultes which the faythfull minister of Christ Iesus should not leaue vnreprooued wheresoeuer he commeth,2 but as Elias tould Ahab of his Idolatrie, though hee were his king, and Iohn Baptist tould Herod of his adulterie,
- 1Luke. 14.
- 21. King. 18.
- 3Math. 14 Mark. 6.20
