Page:Cry to the whole earth; a sermon preached by the Reverend Mr. John Welch.pdf/16

 begotten and nouriſhed in the hearts of men, Rom. x.17. This is that good part which Mary hath choſen, which is ſo much better than her ſiſter's choice, becauſe it concerneth a better life, and hath the fruition of his preſent life alſo: Mary hath a double portion, ſhe both heard the word, and alſo ate of the meat which her ſiſter dreſſed. For godlineſs hath the promiſe of this life, and of that which is to come, Tim. iv. 8. As for all things, whether they be honours, promotions, pleaſures, or whatſoever elſe, they ſerve only for the maintenance of this preſent life, which is but ſhort, and alſo very ſubject to mutability: But the word of God is the food of the ſoul, the bread of life, that immortal feed which bringeth forth fruit unto eternal life,  Pet. i. 13. Let the word of God be precious unto us, becauſe it is ſo permanent, for heaven and earth paſs away, Luke xxi. 23. but the word of God endureth for ever. If we make choice of any other thing beſides, it muſt be taken from us, or we muſt be taken from it: But if we make choice of this one thing, it ſhall never be taken from us, neither in this life, nor the life to come. The Lord grant that we be not only hearers but doers of the word, James i. 22. that it may be truly ſaid of us, as Chriſt ſaid of his diſciples that heard his preaching, Mat. xi. 50. 'Behold my brother, ſiſter and mother;' or, as he made anſwer to the woman that ſo much commended his carnal kindred, Luke xi. 28. 'Bleſſed are they that hear the word of God, and keep the fame.' Amen.