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,…

All that is to be desired of a man is this, that he be virtuous, godly, and truly religious. This, because it is in it self most excellent and most contrary to our nature, therefore the Scripture useth many arguments and reasons to persuade us thereunto: as in this place, where the Wise man would stir us up to the love of virtue, by setting before our eyes two principal effects and fruits which we may receive ⟨p. 260⟩by it. The first of these is, a good name: the second is, loving favour: both which as they do¹ proceed from virtue and godliness, so they do maintain and increase one another. For as a man findeth much favour with those that do speak and report well of him: so those that will show a man loving favour, will, or at least ought to show it in this, that they may willingly afford him a good report. Now both these are preferred before great riches, both these are accounted better than gold and much silver: and surely whosoever is truly wise will make this account of them, whosoever doth rightly know to discern what is good, he will first and especially labour for them: for a good name doth commend us to² God and to his holy Angels, in whose eyes those virtues whereof a good name doth arise, are most acceptable. But riches are not able to do this, no, the abundance of silver and gold is often an occasion of sin, whereby we are most out of the favour of God. Again, whereas riches, especially if they be evil gotten, do cause men many times to hate us, this³ good name and loving favour doth win the hearts of many, yea it doth sometimes cause our enemies to be at peace with us. And this ever hath been and ever will be most certain and true, whether we look to prosperity or adversity, whether we look to the common callings of this civill life, or the callings of the Church. For such is the corruption of mans nature, that naturally they do not love the Magistrates, that God hath placed over them▪ but when the Magistrate hath gotten a good report by the due execution of justice, by his⁴ pitiful dealing with the poor, and by his fatherly favour to all that be good, then will his subjects love him, then will they embrace him, then will they willingly commit their matters into his hands, and then will they with faithful and friendly hearts clean and stick fast unto him.