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 4against Moses, the Lord will punish it with leprosy. What a comfortable thing is this to the godly, that the king of kings will take their parts, and will not suffer them to sustain any wrong?
These two sisters, that in other thinges agreed so well together, in this doe differ so much, that Christ must haue the ⟨image 22⟩hearing of the matter, and decide the controuersie, Martha playeth the plaintife, and accuseth her sister. Mary the defendant answereth by her aduocate, and Christ himselfe that tooke vpon him the office of an Aduocate, is become the Iudge, and giueth sentence on Maries side: Martha complaineth of her sisters slouthfulnesse, and seemeth after a sort to blame our Sauiour for winking at it, requiring him to see the matter redressed speedilie. But Christ first reprooueth Marthaes curiositie, and then excuseth, yea, and commendeth Maries care. In Martha it appeareth how willing wee are to please our selues in our owne conceites, and how readie to conceiue amisse of others doings, yea, sometimes to preferre our owne defects, before the perfections of other men. If Dauid chasten his soule with fasting, it shall bee turned to his reproofe. If he put on sackcloth, to testifie his contrition, 1they iest at him, and the drunkardes make songes of him. If Iohn Baptist be temperate in his apparrell and diet, 2they will say he hath a diuell. If Paule answere discretlie for himselfe, he shall be charged to be madde with ouermuch 3learning; yea, if our Sauiour Christ himself frequent the cō panie of sinners, to reclaime them from sinne, they will not sticke to call him a friend and companion of Publicans and sinners. Amongst vs, if there be any that bee more forward in religion than the rest, and more diligent to heare the word, as Marie was, there shall not want some or other to censure them at their pleasure, yea, to find fault, & to condemne thē for so doing, yet are not the godly to be discouraged herewith, or to desist from their godlie exercises: for as the Lorde answered for Marie, when she helde her peace: so the Lorde will defend their cause, and take their parte against their aduersaries. The Lord cannot abide to heare his seruants ill spoken of, but is alwayes ready to maintayne their right, and to answere for them. He will not suffer Lab an to speake an ill word to his seruant Iacob. And if Aaron & Miriam murmure 4against Moses, the Lord will punish it with leprosie. What a comfortable thing is this to the gadly, that ye king of kinges will take their partes, and will not suffer them to sustaine any wrong?
- 1Psal. 69
- 2Luke. 7. 33
- 3Acts. 26 Luke. 7. 34Actes. 26 Luke. 7. 34
- 4Gen. 3. 24 Num. 12
