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,…

Let us learn this of Abraham, who refused to take so much of the Egyptians himself, as a shoo-latchet; and yet to others that would take, he would not deny the law of arms. He confesseth that he refused for his nephews sake, and therefore gave liberty to others to do as they would. See this good father was more strait to himself, than to others; and gave more liberty to others, than to himself. So Paul seeing that in some places he could not so conveniently live of other mens charges, as at Corinth, and Thessalonica, although at Colossos he received somewhat, where they were more able to bestow on him, refused to take any thing; would he that all men should be tied to his example to do the¹ like? surely no, for what one thing doth he labour about more than this, that Ministers ought sufficiently to be provided for? For we see he was strict to himself in many things, yet evermore he left liberty unto others: as we may see Rom. 14 1 Cor 8. and 10 where he entreateth of the use of things indifferent▪ Wherefore he would have Christians of this mind, that they might say thus with themselves: I can do this by Christian liberty, but if it be any hindrance or offence to my brother or any slander to the Gospel, I will not do it: if they do it not, so they make conscience of other good things, I will not in this wage war with them, I will not oppose battle against them, but to join with them in greater and better matters, through love I will pardon the less. We must now most strictly deal with our selves, both for these reasons alleged, as also because we know what mercies of God we have received more than others: we must give liberty unto others, because we know not whether they have received the like gifts, graces, and mercies of God, as we have. If this had been used long ago, what unity had there been established in the Church of God: for want of this, what troubles have risen therein? Here we must beware that we flatter not a man, no not in the least sin, that is far from the nature of love whereof we speak; but we must so tolerate, as we purpose not to let any man lie in sin, but labour to reclaim it; yet always with the zeal of Gods glory, and the hatred of his sin, and with the spirit of meekness, and pity of his person.

Let vs learne this of Abraham, who refused to take so much of the Egyptians himselfe, as a shooe-latcher; and yet to others that would take, he would not deny the law of armes. He confesseth that he refused for his nephewes sake, and therefore gaue libertie to others to doe as they would. See this good father was more streight to himselfe, than to others; and gaue more libertie to others, than to himselfe. So Paul seeing that in some places he could not so conueniently liue of other mens charges, as at Corinth, and Thessalonica, although at Colossos he receiued somewhat, where they were more able to bestow on him, refused to take any thing; would he that all men should be tied to his example to doe the