A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

As Jesus entered into Bethany, Martha (who it seems was the Owner of the house) received and entertained him: No doubt but a great company followed Jesus; or his Disciples that ordinarily accompanied him, at the least. Martha thinks that having entertained such a guest, it were a great neglect, if she should not provide for him and for his followers: and therefore she is busy in doing what she can; but the number is so great, that she is oppressed with the care and trouble, and findeth that she hath more to do then she is able: Her sister that she thought should have helped her in such a case, is sitting with the Disciples, at the feet of Christ, to hear his Word. Martha seeing this, is offended at her sister, and seems to think that Christ himself is too neglective of her, or partial for her sister; and therefore thus ••e••s her cause with Christ, [Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.] As if she had said, [Is it a fit thing that both thy self and all this company should be unprovided for, and have neither meat no• drink? O• is it fit that all should be laid on me, even more then I can do, while she sits hearing with the Disciples? Deal equally and mercifully and bid her help me.] And indeed most people would think that this was but a reasonable motion, and that when Christ was made the Judge between them, he should have decided the case on Martha's side: But he did not so: But 1. instead of commending Martha for her care and diligence, he showeth her error, by a gentle, but yet a close reproof: [Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things]. 2. Instead of reproving Mary for negligence of her duty in the house, he highly commendeth her for the seasonable doing of a greater work. [Mary hath chosen the good part.] 3. He groundeth the Reason of his Judgement on the different Nature and Use of their employments: [One thing is Needful] in comparison of which, the rest were all unnecessary things, and such as then might have been neglected. 4. And so he passeth sentence on Mary's side, that the good part which she hath chosen [shall not be taken away from her]: In which •e not only answereth Martha with an express denial, as if he should say, [I will not take off Mary from the work which she hath chosen];

As Jesus entred into Bethany, Martha (who it seems was the Owner of the house) received and entertained him: No doubt but a great company followed Jesus; or his Disciples that ordinarily accompanyed him, at the least. Martha thinks that having entertained such a guest, it were a great neglect, if she should not provide for him and for his followers: and therefore she is busie in doing what she can; but the number is so great, that she is oppressed with the care and trouble, and findeth that she hath more to do then she is able: Her sister that she thought should have helped her in such a case, is sitting with the Disciples, at the feet of Christ, to hear his Word. Martha seeing this, is offended at her sister, and seems to think that Christ himself is too neglective of her, or partial for her sister; and therefore thus es her cause with Christ, [Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.] As if she had said, [Is it a fit thing that both thy self and all this company should be unprovided for, and have neither meat no drink? O is it fit that all should be laid on me, even more then I can do, while she sits hearing with the Disciples? Deal equally and mercifully and bid her help me.] And indeed most people would think that this was but a reasonable motion, and that when Christ was made the Judge between them, he should have decided the case on Martha's side: But he did not so: But 1. instead of commending Martha for her care and diligence, he sheweth her errour, by a gentle, but yet a close reproof: [Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things]. 2. Instead of reproving Mary for negligence of her duty in the house, he highly commendeth her for the seasonable doing of a greater work. [Mary hath chosen the good part.] 3. He groundeth the Reason of his Judgement on the different Nature and Use of their employments: [One thing is Needful] in comparison of which, the rest were all unnecessary things, and such as then might have been neglected. 4. And so he passeth sentence on Marie's side, that the good part which she hath chosen [shall not be taken away from her]: In which e not only answereth Martha with an express denyal, as if he should say, [I will not take off Mary from the work which she hath chosen];