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 because it may seem very much to the worldly minded man, who respecteth nothing but temporal things, to think that he must be so liberal toward his Minister, as to provide him all things that he hath need of (although the children of God which are already called, and have tasted how sweet the Lord hath been to them by the Ministers means, whom the Lord hath used as an instrument to bring them home, will not think it much to do their duty, & that very liberally in providing for their Pastor) you shall understand in what sort you ought to provide for him. First, you must see that he hath sufficient for to find himself and his family necessary food and apparel ⟨p. 355⟩for their bodies. Secondly, you must give him wherewith to keep hospitality, that he may be able honestly and decently to entertain strangers which come unto him to ask his counsel in matters of conscience concerning their faith and salvation. Thirdly, you must provide him books for his study, and all such as may enrich his knowledge, whereby he may the better he able to answer and help all their doubts which come to him. Thus must you provide for him that he may not be troubled with any cares that may with draw him or hinder him in doing of his duty. And whereas the Apostle saith, make him partaker of all your goods, it is nothing less meant than that your goods should be at his pleasure, or that you should make him abound in superfluity, wherewith he should be filled until he burst as they say, there is no such thing, but to provide for him for those causes aforesaid.

But because it may seeme very much to the worldly minded man, who respecteth nothing but temporall things, to thinke that he must be so liberall toward his Minister, as to prouide him all things that he hath neede of (although the children of God which are alreadie called, and haue tasted how sweete the Lord hath beene to them by the Ministers meanes, whom the Lord hath vsed as an instrument to bring them home, will not thinke it much to do their dutie, & that very liberally in prouiding for their Pastor) you shall vnderstand in what sort you ought to prouide for him. First, you must see that he hath sufficient for to finde himselfe and his familie necessarie foode and apparell ⟨p. 355⟩for their bodies. Secondly, you must giue him wherewith to keepe hospitalitie, that hee may be able honestly and decently to entertaine strangers which come vnto him to aske his counsell in matters of conscience concerning their faith and saluation. Thirdly, you must prouide him bookes for his studie, and all such as may enrich his knowledge, whereby he may the better hee able to answere and helpe all their doubts which come to him. Thus must you prouide for him that he may not be troubled with any cares that may with draw him or hinder him in doing of his dutie. And whereas the Apostle saith, make him partaker of all your goods, it is nothing lesse meant than that your goods should be at his pleasure, or that you should make him abound in superfluitie, wherewith he should be filled vntill he burst as they say, there is no such thing, but to prouide for him for those causes aforesaid.