Page:Cry to the whole earth (2).pdf/20

 20       occupied about our calling to get our living; but it is better to be occupied in hearing the word, which is able to save our souls. As the head and the foot are both needful to the body, so Mary and Martha are both needful in a commonwealth. Man hath two vocations, the one carthly by his la- bour, the other heavenly by his prayer. -       There is the active life, which consisteth only in practising the affairs of this life, wherein man shews himself to be like unto himself, which is an earthly man, caring for earthly things; and there is the con- templative life, which consisteth in the meditation of heavenly things, wherein man shows himself to be like to the angels, for they who labour in their temporal vo- cations do but live like men; but they who labour in spiritual matters, live like angels. When they hear the word, they hear God speaking unto them, but when they pray, God hears them speaking to him; so that there is a continual conference betwixt God and them that are thus exercised, ei- ther in hearing, or yet in praying. Christ loves Martha for hospitality, as Isaac loved Esau for his venison; and the Lord loves Mary for her care and diligence in hearing his word, as Rebecca loved Jacob for the