There are two things in this speech of Christ to be observed. The first is, his modest reprehension of Martha's immoderate care: the other is, his friendly defence of Mary's choice. Though Martha was very careful to entertain Christ in the best manner, yet if he perceive any thing in her worthy of reprehension, he will not stick to tell her of it: he will not soothe 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 for as much 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 ⟨image 23⟩us. When Christ dined with the Pharisee, Luke 11. and was misliked for not washing before dinner, he took occasion to reprove their hypocrisy, their outward show of holiness, 1which was the sin of the Pharisees: and at another time he noteth them, for pressing to the chief places at banquets, & 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, when 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 & oppression, that you would leave your swearing and blaspheming the name of God, that you would forbear to profane the Lords Sabbath, that you would leave your pride and excess in your diet and apparel, that you would forbear to speak ill of any behind their backs, or to bear any malice or hatred to any of your neighbours.
There are two thinges in this speach of Christ to be obserued. The first is, his modest reprehension of Marthaes immoderate care: the other is, his friendly defence of Maries choise. Though Martha was verie careful to entertain Christ in the best manner, yet if hee perceiue any thing in her worthie of reprehension, hee will not sticke to tell her of it: hee will not soothe her in her saying, nor smooth her in her owne conceit, for al the trouble and cost that shee bestowes vppon him. If we be often inuited to some mans table, and kindlie entertained, it would be vnkindly taken, if wee should finde fault with any disorder: but for as much as all Christ his actions are the instructions of Christians, therefore euery Christian, but especially preachers, whom it more specially concerneth, must learne by this example how to behaue themselues, when they are inuited to great feastes, namelie, to speak their conscience freely when they see a fault. The best requitall that wee can make for our good cheare, is to giue good counsell and wholesome admonition to them that inuite ⟨image 23⟩vs. When Christ dined with the Pharisie, Luke 11. and was misliked for not washing before dinner, he tooke occasion to reproue their hypocrisie, their outward shew of holines, 1which was the sin of the Pharisies: and at another time he noteth them, for pressing to the chief places at banquets, & sheweth what modesty is to be obserued in sitting down to meate, and what guests should be biddē to our table. So should Preachers behaue themselues towards those that inuite them to great feastes, vvhen they see perhaps some fault or disorder, either in the master of the house, or in some other of the guests, to say vnto them thus, or otherwise as the case requireth: I will warne you of one thing that will doe you good, that you would leaue your vsury and extortion, your couetousnes & oppression, that you would leaue your swearing and blaspheming the name of God, that you woulde forbeare to prophane the Lordes Sabboth, that you woulde leaue your pride and excesse in your diet and apparell, that you would forbeare to speake ill of any behind their backes, or to beare any malice or hatred to any of your neighbours.
- 1Luke. 14
