Page:Cry to the whole earth; a sermon preached by the Reverend Mr. John Welch.pdf/9

 for Martha to labour, no more than it was unlawful for Peter to ſleep; but when Chriſt was preaching, it was then no time for her to buſy herſelf in ſerving, no more than it was for Peter to ſleep, when as Chriſt did ſo earneſtly will him to watch and pray,' Mat. xxv.

When Chriſt preached out of Simon's ſhip to the people that ſtood upon the ſhore, Luke v. it was no time then for Peter to play the fiſherman; but when Chriſt had left ſpeaking, and commanded him to launch out into the deep, then was it time for him to let out his net. There a time wherein we ought to labour in our vocation, and a time wherein we ought to hear the word of God; and as we may not utterly neglect our lawful callings to follow ſermons, ſo we muſt not beſtow the ſabbath, which is conſecrated to the ſervice of God, in following the works of our vocation; all things have their appointed time, faith the wiſe man, and every thing is ſeemly in its convenient ſeaſon, Eccl. iii. but when things are done prepoſterouſly, and out of order, then followeth confuſion Although Martha did not hear Chriſt, yet did ſhe labour for Chriſt; yet there be many in theſe our days, that will neither labour for Chriſt, nor hear of Chriſt, but as the Iſraelites were weary of their journey in the wilderneſs, Numb. xxii and loathed that heavenly manna, ſo theſe men are weary of every godly exerciſe, and are ſoon clogged with the word of God. The five fooliſh virgins, Mat. xxv. waſted their oil to no purpoſe, and when they went to buy, they were excluded the marriage; and theſe fooliſh men ſpend this time and day of grace, vainly and wantonly, as though after this life, there were no time of juſtice and vengeance to be feared. The day ſerveth for their pride, the night is ſpent in ſport and pleaſure, and no time is