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 if the case standeth so in earthly matters, that every man enjoyeth the fruit of his labour, and is maintained by the same; how much more ought the Ministers and Pastors live of their flock, to whom they are so profitable, and for whose sake they take such pains? If therefore you will have such an one placed over you, that shall refuse no pains in studying night and day, in preaching the word in season and out of season, in exhorting and trying all means to do you good; and that shall love you so tenderly that his own life shall not be dear unto him for your sake: you must know it is your duty to provide all things necessary for him, for you must not make him your slave, but you must so minister unto him, that he may give himself wholly unto the faithful doing of his duty, that he may not be drawn away with other cares from the same. If the Lord hath commanded not to muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn, much¹ less to withhold the Minister from things necessary to preserve his life. The labourer is worthy of his wages. How wonderfully forward were the Galatians in fulfilling of this duty, when as they would not have refused to pull out their eyes, if it had been possible,² and have given them to the Apostle? Which words although they be of supererogation, yet do they express such love and readiness in administering of their worldly commodities, that they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them unto him also, if by that means they might have pleasured him. Truly there is good cause why they should thus love and provide for their Minister which laboureth faithfully: for if the child cannot recompense the pains & kindness of his parents in bringing him into this world, and providing things necessary for his education; neither the scholar the pains of his master, which hath garnished his breast with wisdom and knowledge: much less can the child of God recompense his spiritual father who hath begotten him unto the Lord. Refuse not them to bestow part of thy worldly commodities upon him, that hath brought³ thee such heavenly treasure, without the which thy estate were more miserable than the condition of brute beasts.

But if the case standeth so in earthly matters, that euery man enioyeth the fruite of his labour, and is maintained by the same; how much more ought the Ministers and Pastors liue of their flocke, to whom they are so profitable, and for whose sake they take such paines? If therefore you will haue such an one placed ouer you, that shall refuse no paines in studying night and day, in preaching the word in season and out of season, in exhorting and trying all meanes to doe you good; and that shall loue you so tenderly that his owne life shall not be deare vnto him for your sake: you must know it is your dutie to prouide all things necessarie for him, for you must not make him your slaue, but you must so minister vnto him, that he may giue himselfe wholy vnto the faithfull doing of his dutie, that he may not be drawne away with other cares from the same. If the Lord hath commanded not to mousell the mouth of the oxe that treadeth out the corxe, much