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heavenly host, who "cease not, day or night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

And for that glorious day of consummation and bliss, may the Lord fit and prepare us all, through the riches of his love in Jesus Christ; to whom, with the Father and the blessed Spirit, be rendered immortal praise. Amen.

SERMON XIX.

ON THE NECESSITY OF A RELIGIOUS REGARD TO

OUR SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST.

Luke x. 41, 42.

Thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful.

WHEN We contemplate the amiable character of the person to whom these words of our Saviour were addressed, it would seem that very few could less need the reproof which they imply. But he perfectly knew the hearts and the wants of men, what we are and what we need. As the physician of our souls, he was equally wise and faithful; he came into the world not to please, but to save mankind; and his doctrines were accommodated, not to our humours, but to our wants.

As he was passing with his disciples through the country, dispensing, "as his manner was," works of mercy and words of life, it came to pass that he entered into a certain village, and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had

a sister, called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered with much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her."

Here was a scene highly interesting and instructive. For this happy family, consisting of these two sisters, and their brother Lazarus, Jesus their Saviour had a particular friendship. He entered their hospitable mansion, and as he never neglected the business of his ministry, was soon engaged in imparting religious knowledge to those who had ears to hear. Martha, who was mistress in the family, received him courteously, and was very naturally anxious to honour her divine guest and entertain his disciples with the best that her house would afford. Having undertaken more than she could well do, and (as is too common on like occasions,) more than was necessary, she was burdened and perplexed with the hurry of her business and the multiplicity of her cares. But Mary seems to have given herself little or no concern with the household affairs, nor at this time, with any worldly things. Her mind was intent on things of eternal moment. Humbly seated at the feet of her beloved Master, she listened with eager attention to his words and doctrine. Regardless, at the moment, of what the body needs, she was intent only on feasting her mind; she was regarding the things of a better world; she was receiving the bread

which cometh down from heaven, and nourisheth to eternal life.

One fault naturally produces another. Martha, having encumbered herself unseasonably, and too much with worldly cares, is exposed to other temptations; her mind is disturbed with improper feelings. She is offended that her sister takes no part in entertaining the guests; and even expostulates with the Saviour himself, for permitting her to be idle. So easily do some sins beset us; so suddenly, without constant vigilance, are we hurried into unchristian conduct; so much more readily do we see another's faults than our own. These sisters, I doubt not, were both good and truly religious; but none are faultless; we are all in peril. While Martha blamed her sister's neglect of worldly cares, she did not, as she ought, consider how profitably Mary was spending her time; nor did she think of her own folly in being so worldly at such a season, and suffering her mind to be agitated with unkind reflections, when her whole soul should have been filled with gratitude and love. Suppose that Mary was at the time too neglectful of her share in the household labours, Martha was neglecting what is infinitely more important. For choosing this better part, Mary was not blamed by her divine Master. She was not, we may believe, deficient in hospitality, nor in any social duties; and God forbid, that any one should be encouraged, by a misunderstanding of her example, ever to neglect them. She knew, she felt that the things which engaged her attention, were of eternal moment; she knew that there is a time for all things. It was no common visiter who honoured their dwell

ing, and condescended to sit under their roof; it was a messenger from heaven; it was the Son of God, sent into the world to teach men the way of life and salvation. They had a guest who was neither pleased nor honoured by the formal civilities of fashionable life; by delicate food, or splendid festivity. His meat and drink were to do his heavenly Father's will; he was honoured most by hearing his words and obeying his precepts. At other times, and on ordinary occasions, Mary no doubt would have been reasonably careful, and engaged in all the affairs of hospitality; but to have encumbered her mind with worldly affairs, when Christ was the preacher, and her own salvation the theme, would have been foolish. Such an opportunity for her soul's benefit, she might never again be blessed with; so great, so wise a teacher, might never again come under their roof.

Considering these things, how gentle and how instructive was our Lord's reproof. Casting his eyes with tender compassion upon the fretful, murmuring sister, "Martha, Martha," he says, repeating her name to fix her attention, and to signify the importance of what he was about to say, "thou art careful and troubled about many things;" you have much business on your hands; you are deeply engaged in your domestic concerns; your earnest desire hospitably to entertain your guests, cannot be questioned; but these things which so very much engross your attention are temporal; they are not all necessary; they deserve not the trouble which you bestow upon them. They divert your thoughts from your better interest; they make you forgetful of things of far greater moment. "One thing is needful;" there is

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