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,…

We have also heard that when the Lord determineth to beget souls, he appointeth spiritual fathers fit and able for that purpose, by reason that he giveth them gifts for the accomplishing of that business: and herewithall we have learned what is the duty of these spiritual fathers or Ministers, which we find to consist in four principal points. 1. He must read and study the word of God diligently, that he may be able to teach and instruct his people. 2. When he hath studied he must come forth and deliver wholesome doctrine, that their souls may be refreshed; for therefore must he study to have knowledge for them, and sing to himself and his muses, not filling himself so full of knowledge, till he become as a tun that will give no sound, but he must keep knowledge not¹ only in his heart, but also in his lips; for the Minister must be the mouth of the Lord, from whence Gods people must know the will and counsel of God: also he must observe the true order of teaching, that is, to build upon the true foundation Jesus Christ: for he that buildeth upon any other foundation is an Antichrist, and not the Minister of God, but the messenger of Satan. Moreover, he must by all means prick forward the godly to increase in godliness, beat down the obstinate and hardhearted with the terrible judgements of God, and after to raise up th• penitent with the sweet promises of the Gospel: the which he must do not only openly in the pulpit among the congregation, but privately also in every house, because that general doctrine doth not drive the people to such a consideration of their estate, as when they are particularly admonished of their sins, & exhorted to repent for them. Thus must the Minister labour to make his doctrine profitable, and that continually, supposing it not sufficient to be done now and then, but he must do it in season and out of season, omitting no opportunity wherein the Lord may call home some into the Church of Christ: and that God may the rather vouchsafe to bless his ministry, he must pray continually for himself and his people both openly and privately, & be very circumspect in administering the Sacraments. 3. He must live a godly life, and set himself as example for his flock to follow:

We haue also heard that when the Lord determineth to beget soules, he appointeth spirituall fathers fit and able for that purpose, by reason that he giueth them gifts for the accomplishing of that busines: and herewithall we haue learned what is the duty of these spirituall fathers or Ministers, which we finde to consist in foure principall points. 1. He must reade and study the word of God diligently, that he may be able to teach and instruct his people. 2. When he hath studied he must come forth and deliuer wholesome doctrine, that their soules may be refreshed; for therefore must he study to haue knowledge for them, and sing to himselfe and his muses, not filling himselfe so full of knowledge, till he become as a tunne that will giue no sound, but he must keepe knowledge not