In Martha it appeareth how willing we are to please ourselves 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 they 1jest at him, and the drunkards make songs of him. If John Baptist be temperate in his apparel and diet, they will say, 2he hath a devil. If Paul answer discreetly for himself, he shall be charged to be mad with overmuch learning, 3yea, if our Saviour Christ himself frequent the company ⟨image 47⟩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 then 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, and 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 Laban to speak an ill word 4to his servant Jacob. And if Aaron and Miriam murmur against 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? He is a most sure and trusty friend, that will not abide his friends to be back-bitten or ill spoken of, but either he will answer in their defence, or he will find some means to stop their mouths, and restrain the slanderous tongues of their enemies, as sometime he stopped Balaam's passage, when he went to curse Gods people, and caused the dumb beast to speak, and reprove 5the madness of the prophet, rather then he would have his people to be cursed.
In Martha it appeareth how willing wee are to please ourselues in our owne conceits, and how ready 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 contritiō they 1iest at him, and the drunkards make songs of him. If Iohn Baptist be temperate in his apparell and diet, they will say, 2he hath a deuill. If Paul answere discreetly for himselfe, hee shall bee charged to bee mad with ouermuch learning, 3yea, if our Sauiour Christ himselfe frequent the company ⟨image 47⟩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 bee any that bee more forward in religion then the rest and more diligent to heare the word, as Mary was, there shall not want some or other to censure them at their pleasure, yea, to find fault, and to condemne 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 shee held her peace, so the Lord will defend their cause and take their part against their aduersaries. The Lord cannot abide to heare his seruants ill spoken of, but is alwayes ready to maintayne their right, and to answer for them, Hee will not suffer Laban to speake an ill word 4to his seruant Iacob. And if Aaron and Miriam murmure against Moses, the Lord will punish it with leprosie. What a comfortable thing is this to the godly, that the king of kings will take their parts, and will not suffer them to sustaine any wrong? Hee is a most sure and trusty friend, that will not abide his friendes to bee back-bited or ill spoken of, but eyther hee will answere in their defence, or he will find some meanes to stop their mouthes, and restraine the slandrous tongues of their enemies, as sometime hee stopt Balaams passage, when hee went to curse Gods people, and caused the dumbe beast to speake, and reproue 5the madnesse of the prophet, rather then he would haue his people to be cursed.
- 1Psal. 69.
- 2Luke 7 33
- 3Act. 26 Luke. 7. 34.
- 4Gen. 3. 24. Nu. 12.
- 5Nu. 22. 2. Pet 1. 5.
