The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

But some will pretend a more usual necessity in certain and peculiar callings, of which, as they say, standeth a further question, as among makers of coal, and iron, Herdsmen, Shepherds, Carriers, Drovers, and traffic men, all which indeed have great and laborious callings: yet must we say, and hold this ground, that in these & like ordinary callings, the ordinance of the Lord doth not hinder the good order of man, but they are so¹ subordinated the one to the other, as if we give to each of them their time and their place, the works of man may be used, and yet the worship of God preferred: because as our callings serve to Gods worship, so Gods worship sanctifieth our callings. True it is, that the Lord requireth not only the worship of the Sabbath day, but also of other week days either privately at the least, or publicly, if our callings so permit: and howsoever we deny not unto these men some larger liberty on the six days, yet they must not be exempted from the duties of the Sabbath day, which generally is laid upon all men, and especially on these men, whose labours as they are the more troublesome and continual in the week days, so they ought the rather to rest on the Sabbath days. And seeing they will not discharge themselves of the like graces with other men concerning their creation, redemption and sanctification, if they make not a supply on the seventh day for their liberty in the six days, they are inferior to the condition of beasts: for the beasts on that day have their rest, and they have not. Besides in pretending such excuses, they openly bewray their want of spiritual wisdom. For there is no such calling: But if they were as wise to God, as they are politic in increasing their riches, they could tell how to divide their times & seasons for the easing of their bodies, and refreshing of their souls on the Sabbath. And here men are to be charged with looking to their servants. For the commandment is flat and express▪ ²even thou and thy servant. It is not sufficient for men to come to the Church themselves, but they must bring their servants also. The Lord saw how men would be ingenious in deceiving their own souls, by not bringing their charges and families with them to the congregation, who notwithstanding being created, redeemed and sanctified, are as highly indebted to the worship of God as the masters.