Page:Everlasting love of God, and Mary's good choice.pdf/17

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he was God, into her heart; ſhe ſat at his feet, to hear his preaching. For no ſooner came Christ into the house, but he took occasion to teach and instruct the family; and instead of bodily food, which they bestowed on him, he bestowed upon them the food of the ſoul. Thus doth Christ always ſhew himself a thankful guest: For into whatsoever house he entereth in, he leaveth better things behind him than he findeth: He loves not to be in Zaccheus' debt for his dinner, for instead thereof he bringeth ſalvation to his house: Neither does he here leave his ſupper unpaid; for instead thereof he bestowed on them a heavenly ſermon.—This ſhould be the exercise of all faithful ministers, when they are invited to a great feast; that, as they are called the ſalt of the earth, (Matth. v. 18.) to make meat savoury and well ſeasoned, and to preſerve them from putrefaction; ſo the miniſters and pastors ſhould ſeason the table with ſome godly conferences and communications, to minister grace unto the hearers, Eph. iv. 29.

Both these ſisters were godly women, and both earnest favourers of Jesus Christ; and yet in the manner of their devotions, there is ſuch a difference, that the worldly affections of the one, may, in ſome ſort,