There are two things in the 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 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 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 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 admonitions 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 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, 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 1themselves 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 other wise as the case requireth ⟨image 48⟩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 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 things in the speech of Christ to be obserued. The first is, his modest reprehension of Marthaes immoderate care: the other is, his friendly defence of Maries choyce. Though Martha was very carefull to entertaine Christ in the best maner, yet if hee perceiue any thing in her worthy reprehension, hee will not sticke to tell her of it: hee will not sooth her in her saying, nor smooth her in her owne conceit, for all the trouble and cost that shee bestowes vpon him. If wee be often inuited to some mans table, and kindly entertained, it would be vnkindly taken if wee should find fault with any disorder: but for as much 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 feastes, namely speake 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 admonitions to them that inuite 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, which was the sinne of the Pharises and at another time hee noteth them for pressing to the chiefe places at banquets, and sheweth what modesty is to be obserued in sitting downe to meate, and what ghests should bee bidden to our table. So should Preachers behaue 1themselues towards those that inuite them to great feastes, when they see perhaps some fault or disorder, either in the master of the house, or in some other of the ghests, to say vnto them thus, or other wise as the case requireth ⟨image 48⟩I will warne you of one thing that will doe you good, that you woulde leaue your vsurie and extortion, your couetousnes and oppression, that you would leaue your swearing and blaspheming the name of God, that you woulde forbeare to prophane the Lords Sabboth, that you would leaue your pride, and excesse in your diet and apparell, that you woulde forbeare to speake ill of any behinde their backes, or to beare any malice or hatred to any of your neighbours.
- 1Luke. 14.
