3. Note here, how carefully we should take the present opportunities for our souls, to hear and learn as Mary did. She stands not cavilling like our full stomached hearers, that ask, How can you prove that I am bound to hear such a Lecture, or to come to Church and hear a Sermon twice on the Lords day, or to come to the Minister to ask advice, or be instructed by him? No more then a hungry man will ask, How prove you that it is my duty to eat every day? Or then a sick man will say, How prove you that I am bound to seek to the Physician, to go or send to his house, and to look after him? As there is much in the very New nature, and health, and relish of a gracious soul, to decide such Controversies as these without any subtlety of argument; so a Christians prudence and care of his salvation will tell him, that when Christ hath a voice to speak to him, it beseemeth him to have an ear to hear; and that the Sermon telleth the hearer the season of his duty, and the offer of a mercy telleth us when it is our duty to accept it, without any other more particular obligation: unless when we can truly say as before God, that some duty that at that time is greater, hindereth us. These are easy questions to those that savour the things of the Spirit. When Christ is speaking, Mary will be hearing; and lesser things shall not call her off.
3. Note here, how carefully we should take the present opportunities for our souls, to hear and learn as Mary did. She stands not carelling like our full stomackt hearers, that ask, How can you prove that I am bound to hear such a Lecture, or to come to Church and hear a Sermon twice on the Lords day, or to come to the Minister to ask advice, or be instructed by him? No more then a hungry man will ask, How prove you that it is my duty to eat every day? Or then a sick man will say, How prove you that I am bound to seek to the Physicion, to go or send to his house, and to look after him? As there is much in the very New nature, and health, and relish of a gracious soul, to decide such Controversies as these without any subtilty of argument; so a Christians prudence and care of his salvation will tell him, that when Christ hath a voice to speak to him, it beseemeth him to have an ear to hear; and that the Sermon telleth the hearer the season of his duty, and the offer of a mercy telleth us when it is our duty to accept it, without any other more particular obligation: unless when we can truly say as before God, that some duty that at that time is greater, hindreth us. These are easie questions to those that savour the things of the Spirit. When Christ is speaking, Mary will be hearing; and lesser things shall not call her off.
