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These two sisters, that in other things agreed so well together, in this do differ so much, that Christ must have the ⟨image 22⟩hearing of the matter, and decide the controversy, Martha playeth the plaintiff, and accuseth her sister. Mary the defendant answereth by her advocate, and Christ himself that took upon him the office of an Advocate, is become the Judge, and giveth sentence on Mary's side: Martha complaineth of her sisters slothfulness, and seemeth after a sort to blame our Saviour for winking at it, requiring him to see the matter redressed speedily. But Christ first reproveth Martha's curiosity, and then excuseth, yea, and commendeth Mary's care. In Martha it appeareth how willing we are to please our selves in our own conceits, and how ready to conceive amiss of others doings, yea, sometimes to prefer our own defects, before the perfections of other men. If David chasten his soul with fasting, it shall be turned to his reproof. If he put on sackcloth, to testify his contrition, ¹they jest at him, and the drunkards make songs of him. If John Baptist be temperate in his apparel and diet, ²they will say he hath a devil. If Paul answer discreetly for himself, he shall be charged to be mad with overmuch ³learning; yea, if our Saviour Christ himself frequent the company of sinners, to reclaim them from sin, they will not stick to call him a friend and companion of Publicans and sinners. Amongst us, if there be any that be more forward in religion than the rest, and more diligent to hear the word, as Mary was, there shall not want some or other to censure them at their pleasure, yea, to find fault, & to condemn them for so doing, yet are not the godly to be discouraged herewith, or to desist from their godly exercises: for as the Lord answered for Mary, when she held her peace: so the Lord will defend their cause, and take their part against their adversaries. The Lord cannot abide to hear his servants ill spoken of, but is always ready to maintain their right, and to answer for them. He will not suffer Lab an to speak an ill word to his servant Jacob. And if Aaron & Miriam murmur ⁴