AnA, first, we should be sure to reprove out of love to the paHij, else the proud nature of man will not endure it.
* That is, reduplication. Cf. Eichardson sub voce. — G.
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290 Mary's choice.
SecondJ}/, It must be done in wisdom; first advise, then speak, else shame will return on us, and the other will bo hardened.
Thirdli/, It must be with lilicrt)/ of speech. We must conceal nothing ; and thus disposed was Christ. In him was the fountain of love and the treasures of wisdom ; nay, he was wisdom itself, and he took liberty of speech. Though he was entertained, he doth not therefore sell his liberty; and though w^e say he that receives a benefit sells his liberty, but it was not so with Christ. Some there are if they give entertainment to a minister, they think they are bound to silence, and not to tell them of anything they see amiss in them ; and therefore it was St Paul's wisdom not to take the offered kindness of the Corinthians, 2 Cor. xii. 14, seq., lest he should be engaged to them. These things should be precedents to us, that we should be friends upon no other terms than to speak what is for their good ; for some proud persons there are that think none friends but flatterers. Let us take heed of base engagements to such; for Balak will engage Balaam with gifts, if he can win him no other way to his humour. And it is reason that we should maintain this liberty of speech, for friends suffer disgrace for the folly of their friends. He that keeps company with adulterers shall be defamed, and therefore it is reason a man should have liberty of speech to reprove such.
* Thou art careful and troubled about many things.'
Not that Christ mislikes domestical business and hospitality ; but by this Christ shews his pity of his* troublesome cares and distractions, which might have been passed over with far less burden to her, and hereby therefore he took occasion to heal her error in judgment, who thought Christ came to be feasted when he came to feast them ; as also that he might free her from that hard opinion that she began to carry towards Mary her sister, whom she thought either negligent or proud in not helping her. It is therefore a ground to be supposed, that hospitality becomes both men and women. It is a part of that calling God commits to us, and it is commended to us from the example of Abraham, and the event of it, that he thereby enter- tained angels into his house, Heb. xiii. 2 ; and in this place it is implied under the words care and trouble, as if he had said. Thou dost trouble thy- self too much, and more than there is need, giving us this lesson,
Doct. That in things that are lawful excess is easy in holy persons, for what more lawful than a calling ? What more commendable than hospi- tality ? Yet in this Martha is too much troubled.
The reason is, because there is little or no fear of sin ; and where there is least fear there is most error ; and security breeds neglect, and therefore it is the common plea, for excess in recreations and apparel, is it not lawful ? Yes ; who denies it ? But is there not a mean ? Nay, in their calling here may be excess, for there must be measure observed in them, and that is the reason no doubt.
And again, in lawful things defect in any one circumstaiice makes the thing ill, though in itself never so good, and therefore reformation of the state is good, but not by private persons. So here hospitality is good, but not when we should be hearing Christ speak. To a good action there is required not only that the nature of it be good, but that it be well done in every circumstance, for, failing many, one makes it vicious.
Use. And therefore ive should have a principal watch over our affections, and that in lawful things ; for good meanings do not always justify actions. Christ Vi as crucified, and the martyrs burnt ; and the actors in it thought they did
* Qu. ' her ' ?— Ed.
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God good service, and shall this excuse ? Peter had a good intent when he would have persuaded Christ from going to Jerusalem, yet received no better thanks than ' Get thee behind me, Satan,' Mat. xvi. 23. Therefore let us look in all our actions, how lawful soever they be, in the matter. It is not enough, but they must be lawfully done, according to the rule of the word of God, else it is sin to the doer, whate'er his intent be.
In the next place observe from the translation of the words, which is more exactly thus : ' Thou troublest thyself (a), and true it is, that we bring upon oumelves oftentimes more trouble than God lays on tis ; and those that have lived any long time, if they advisedly consider of their labours past they shall find they may thank themselves for most of it; and in truth, without God's Spirit, we are self-tormentors, and our error is double in this kind ; for either we pidl too great burdens on us, or they being laid on us, we make them too grievous to be borne by our careless laying them on us, or by our unhandsome and unseemly carriage under them, as it is in ordinary burdens. Those that are skilful can carry a burden with a great deal less pain than another man can that wants skill, though it may be he be the stronger.