Two sermons, of Jonahs punishmentTwo sermons, of Ionahs punishment

These two sisters, that in other things agreed so well together, in this do differ so much, that Christ must have the 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 reproveth Martha's curiosity, and then excuseth, yea, and commendeth Mary's care.

These two sisters, that in other thinges agreede so well together, in this doe differ so much, that Christ must haue the hearing of the matter, and decide the controuersie: Martha playeth the plaintife, and accuseth her sister. Marie the defendant answereth by her aduocate, and Christ himselfe that tooke vppon him the office of an aduocate, is become the Iudge, and giueth sentence on Maries side: Martha complayneth of her sisters slothfulnesse, and seemeth after a sort to blame our Sauiour for winking at it, requiring him to see the matter redressed speedily. But Christ reprooueth Marthaes curiositie, and then excuseth, yea, and commendeth Maries care.

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