John 2:5

Secondly; by way of preparation to the miracle; Maries part with the servants is recorded, She taking with the reproof, and being humbled, and yet gathering hope from what he said; directeth the servants to give simple and absolute obedience to Christs directions, that so they might not fall in her fault, and he might do the work. Whence learn, 1. As we are not to think of Mary above what is meet, so we are not to run on another extremity, in not thinking reverently of her, and as becometh; for, John notwithstanding of Christs sharp word, calleth her Christs mother still. 2. It is an evidence of a truly gracious heart, and of one that sinneth of ignorance or infirmity, and not of pride or obstinacie, that it taketh with a reproof from Christ, and humbly submitteth to it; for, so doth Mary, in not answering again, though sharply reproved. 3. As Christ by reproving his peoples faults, taketh not away ground of hope that he will do them good; So it is the mark of one who taketh kindly with a reproof, that their humility hindereth them not to take advantage, and grip to any thing that may give hope; whereas proud discouragement is ready, under a pretence of humility, to cast away all ground of hope when it is reproved; for, humbled Mary her speech to the servants, importeth that she gathered from Christs word, some ground of hope, which she laid hold on. 4. Such do take rightly with a reproof, and do prove that they are bettered by it, who do labour to prevent the ill they have fallen in, in others as well as in themselves; for, so doth Maries direction to the servants teach, that she would have them humble and submissive, and not to prescribe. 5. Christs commands ought to be the rule of our actions, to which we ought to give simple, implicit and absolute obedience, without questioning or murmuring; and the best way to come speed at Christs hands, is to give him all his will by submission, especially in things outward, and in the time, manner and measure of giving spiritual things also: providing that in things outward, we do not pretend to submission onely out of designe, to get our will; And in things spirituall, that our submission flow not from carelesse security, and produce not negligence in the use of meanes; but that it be a fruit of faith and humility, and a guard to keep the heart from fretting, when it hath done duty; This subjection and submission is held forth in Maries direction, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it