Two sermons, of Jonahs punishmentTwo sermons, of Ionahs punishment

Thus is Martha reprehended for her curiosity: now let us see how Mary is excused and commended for her godly care. One thing is necessary (saith Christ:) and what is that one thing: Even to hear the word preached, which is the power of God to salvation, to every one that believeth. A man may better want all things, then that one needful thing, and yet we desire all other things, and neglect that one thing, which is so needful.

Thus is Martha reprehended for her curiousitie: nowe let vs see how Mary is excused and commended for her godly care. One thing is necessary (sayth Christ:) and what is that one thing: Euen to heare the word preached, which is the power of God to saluation, to euery one that beleeueth. A man may better want all thinges, then that one needefull thing, and yet wee desire all other thinges, and neglect that one thing, which is so needfull.

This one thing hath Mary chosen, and therefore hath chosen the better part. Martha's part is good, because it provideth for this present life: but Mary's part is better, because it leadeth to eternal life. It is good to be occupied about our calling, to get our living: but it is better to be occupied in hearing the word which is able to save our souls. As the head and the foot are both needful in the body, so Mary and Martha are both needful in a Common-wealth: man hath two vocations, the one earthly, by his labour: the other heavenly, by his prayer. There is the active life, which consisteth in practising the affairs of this life, wherein man showeth himself to be like himself, and there is the contemplative life, which consisteth in the meditation of divine and heavenly things, wherein man showeth himself to be like the Angels: for they which labour in their temporal vocations, do live like men, but they which labour in spiritual matters, live like Angels. When they hear the word, God speaketh unto them: when they pray, they speak unto God: so that there is a continual conference between God and them, because they are continually, exercised in hearing and praying.

This one thing hath Marie chosen, and therefore hath chosen the better part. Marthaes part is good, because it prouideth for this present life: but Maries part is better, because it leadeth to eternall life. It is good to bee occupied about our calling, to get our liuing: but it is better to be occupied in hearing the word which is able to saue our soules. As the head and the foote are both needfull in the body, so Mary and Martha are both needefull in a Common-wealth: man hath two vocations, the one earthlie, by his labour: the other heauenly, by his prayer. There is the actiue life, which consisteth in practising the affaires of this life, wherein man sheweth himselfe to be like himselfe, and there is the contemplatiue life, which consisteth in the meditation of diuine and heauenly things, wherein man sheweth himselfe to bee like the Angels: for they which labour in their temporall vocations, doe liue like men, but they which labour in spirituall matters, liue like Angels. When they heare the word, God speaketh vnto them: when they pray, they speake vnto God: so that there is a continuall conference betweene God and them, because they are continually, exercised in hearing and praying.