Page:Cry to the whole earth (1).pdf/9

A CRY TO THE WHOLE EARTH. another time he noteth them, Luke xiv. for preſſing to the chief places at banquets, declaring that modeſty is to be uſed, at the ſitting down to meat, what gueſs ſhould be bidden to our tables: So ſhould preachers behave themſelves towards thoſe that do invite them, when they ſee perhaps ſome fault or diſorder either in the maſter of the feaſt, or in ſome other of the gueſts, even to ſay unto them thus, or otherways, as the cauſe requireth; I will warn you of one thing, that if you follow counſel, will do you good, that is, that you would leave off your uſury or your extortions, or your covetouſneſs, or oppreſſion : That you would leave off your ſwearing, and blaſpheming the name of God : That you would forbear to profane the Lord's ſabbath. That you would leave your pride, and exceſs in your diet and apparel: That you would forbear to ſpeak ill of any behind their backs, or to bear any malice or hatred to any of your neighbours: Theſe or the like; are the faults which are eaſy to be eſpied, almoſt in every place; and theſe are the faults which every faithful miniſter of Chriſt Jeſus ſhould not leave unreproved whereſoever be cometh. But as Elias told Ahab of his idolatry, I Kings xiii. although he was king: And as John Baptiſt told Herod of his adultery, altho' he did many things for him, Matth. xiv. Mark vi. 20. 'and heard him gladly;' ſo ſhould the preachers reprove the people for their notorious offences, notwithſtanding ſome favours and courteſies received of them before.

If Chriſt took occaſion to find fault with Martha for her too much diligence, in his entertainment, it ſeems he was not very curious of his diet,