A27016:117
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But the plain truth lieth between these two extremes: Martha, though most probably a true Disciple, was here too blame, in preferring a lesser duty before a greater, and doing that unseasonably, which in due time was to be done, and in neglecting an opportunity for the hearing of Christs word, which Mary took. It was not only blameless, but a duty in it self, to make provision for Christ and his attendants: but •he should have been hearing first while he was preaching, and taken that opportunity for the benefit of her soul: It was no ordinary Preacher that was come under her roof: His stay was not like to be long: his doctrine concerned her salvation: She knew not whether ever she should have the like opportunity again: And therefore she should have rather stayed for his own direction, when to go make provision for their bodies, then to have omitted the hearing of his word.
But the plain truth lieth between these two extreams: Martha, though most probably a true Disciple, was here too blame, in preferring a lesser duty before a greater, and doing that unseasonably, which in due time was to be done, and in neglecting an opportunity for the hearing of Christs word, which Mary took. It was not only blameless, but a duty in it self, to make provision for Christ and his attendants: but •he should have been hearing first while he was preaching, and taken that opportunity for the benefit of her soul: It was no ordinary Preacher that was come under her roof: His stay was not like to be long: his doctrine concerned her salvation: She knew not whether ever she should have the like opportunity again: And therefore she should have rather stayed for his own direction, when to go make provision for their bodies, then to have omitted the hearing of his word.
But you'll ask perhaps, [When a Sermon and other worldly business fall out at once, are we always bound to hear the Sermon?]
But you'l ask perhaps, [When a Sermon and other worldly business fall out at once, are we alwayes bound to hear the Sermon?]