prays to the Father touching them that are His: “that they may be one even as We are
One.”3318 And in the Acts of the Apostles; “And the multitude of them that believed were
of one soul, and of one heart.”3319 Therefore, “Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt
His Name in one together.”3320 For one thing is necessary, that celestial3321 Oneness, the
Oneness in which the Father, and the Son, and Holy Spirit are One. See how the praise of
Unity is commended to us. Undoubtedly our God is Trinity. The Father is not the Son the
Son is not the Father, the Holy Spirit is neither the Father, nor the Son, but the Spirit of
both; and yet these Three are not Three Gods, nor Three Almighties; but One God, Almighty,
the whole Trinity is one God; because One thing is necessary. To this one thing nothing
brings us, except being many we have one heart.
5. Good are ministrations done to the poor, and especially the due services and the reli-
gious offices done to the saints of God. For they are a payment, not a gift, as the Apostle
says, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal
things?”3322 Good are they, we exhort you to them, yea by the word of the Lord we build
you up, “be not slow to entertain” the saints. Sometimes, they who were not aware of it, by
entertaining those whom they knew not, have entertained angels.3323 These things are good;
yet better is that thing which Mary hath chosen. For the one thing hath manifold trouble
from necessity; the other hath sweetness from charity. A man wishes when he is serving, to
meet with something; and sometimes he is not able: that which is lacking is sought for, that
which is at hand is got ready; and the mind is distracted. For if Martha had been sufficient
for these things, she would not have demanded her sister’s help. These things are manifold,
are diverse, because they are carnal, because they are temporal; good though they be, they
are transitory. But what said theLord to Martha? “Mary hath chosen that better part.” Not
thou a bad, but she a better. Hear, how better; “which shall not be taken away from her.”3324
Some time or other, the burden of these necessary duties shall be taken from thee: the
sweetness of truth is everlasting. “That which she hath chosen shall not be taken away from
her.” It is not taken away, but yet it is increased. In this life, that is, is it increased, in the
other life it will be perfected, never shall it be “taken away.”
6. Yea, Martha, blessed in thy good serving, even thou (with thy leave would I say it)
seekest this reward for all thy labour—quiet. Now thou art occupied about much serving,
3318 John xvii. 22.
3319 Acts iv. 32.
3320 Ps. xxxiv. 3.
3321 Supernum.
3322 1 Cor. ix. 11.
3323 Heb. xiii. 2.
3324 Luke x. 42.
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On the words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, ‘And a certain woman named Martha…