more than a prophet, for he is one that has power on earth to forgive sins, and to whom are owing the affections of penitent, pardoned sinners. Without free forgiveness none of us can escape the wrath to come; this our gracious Saviour hath purchased with his blood, that he may freely bestow it on every one that believes in him.

Christ, by a parable caused Simon to acknowledge that the greater sinner this woman had been, the greater love she ought to show to Him when her sins were pardoned. Now we, being obliged to forgive, as we are, and hope to be forgiven, may from hence learn our duty; for be assured, those shall have judgment without mercy, who show no mercy to others.

Now, with his twelve, the noisy town he leaves, And Martha them at Bethany receives; Solicitous her guest to entertain; While Mary did at Jesus' feet remain.

MARTHA ENTERTAINS CHRIST.

One thing is needful: O, let that be sure,
The way to bliss that ever shall endure:
But Mary doth with happier judgment choose;
Her's is the better part which she shall never loose.

MARTHA complained that her sister Mary neglected to assist her in providing for the company expected at her house.

"And Jesus 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." (Luke x. 41, 42.)

Our Lord, as soon as he came into Martha's house, applied himself to his great work of preaching the gospel. Mary sat with great attention at his feet; but her sister was cumbered about much serving, when she should have been with her sister,

sitting at Christ's feet, to hear his word. Worldly business is a snare to us, when it hinders us from serving God, and getting good to our immortal souls.

What needless time is wasted, and expense often incurred, in the entertainment of friends, and even of ministers and professors of the gospel! Sometimes the persons employed for this, like Martha, lose their temper, break the Sabbath, and compel their servants and others to neglect the duties and privileges of religion. Martha, being angry at her sister, appealed to Christ.

Though Martha was on this occasion faulty, yet she was a true believer, and in her general conduct she did not neglect "the one thing needful." We may therefore suppose that Christ's seasonable reproof had its proper effect. He reproved her that she should think to please him