Pvblius Virgilius (Prince of Latin Poets) being1 demanded why he read the writings of old Ennius, made this answer, Aurum colligo ex Ennij stercore: that is, I gather gold out of Ennius his dunghill; meaning thereby, that though Ennius his Poems were not so exquisitely penned as they might have been, by Virgil himself; yet much good matter might be picked out of them. Surely (right Worshipful) if one heathen man could gather gold out of the writings of another, how much more may we (being Christians) gather not gold only, but pearls and precious stones out of the religious and holy labours of Master Richard Greenham (though not all polished by his own pen) being a most godly brother, yea more than a brother, even a most painful Pastor, zealous Preacher, and reverend Father in the Church of God, of whom I am persuaded that for practical divinity (which ought worthily to have the preeminence) he was inferior to few or none in his time. Wherefore the same providence of God, which moved that faithful Minister, Master2 Henry Holland, to collect and publish so many of his worthy labours for the good of the Church, doth call and allure others to the reading of them; and namely you right Worshipful, who have showed singular kindness (as Naomi saith of Boaz) both to the3 ⟨image 10⟩living, and to the dead: that is, both to good Master Holland while he lived, and to his desolate widow and fatherless children since his death. In respect whereof, she desired by my hand to testify her thankfulness to both your Worships, as it were by these two mites4 of this dedicatory Epistle; which office of love to my dear brother deceased, and to his widow and children living, I do the more willingly tender to your Worships, because I am partly privy to your kindness and bounty, both towards them & towards others. The Lord give mercy (saith Paul) to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often 5refreshed me, &c. The same might faithful Holland say, and the same may his widow and children say, The Lord give mercy to your houses and posterity, for you have often refreshed them; which being done (as I doubt not) in faith, and from love, out of a pure heart, shall be put to your reckoning, and brought in as a clear evidence,6 for a comfortable sentence to pass on your side in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ:
PVblius Virgilius (Prince of Latine Poets) being1 demaunded why he read the writings of old Ennius, made this answere, Aurum colligo ex Ennij stercore: that is, I gather golde out of Ennius his dunghill; meaning thereby, that though Ennius his Poems were not so exquisitely penned as they might haue been, by Virgil himselfe; yet much good matter might be picked out of them. Surely (right VVorshipfull) if one heathen man could gather gold out of the writings of another, how much more may we (being Christians) gather not gold only, but pearles and pretious stones out of the religious and holy labours of Master Richard Greenham (though not all polished by his owne penne) being a most godly brother, yea more than a brother, euen a most painefull Pastor, zealous Preacher, and reuerend Father in the Church of God, of whom I am perswaded that for practicall diuinity (which ought worthily to haue the preheminence) he was inferiour to few or none in his time. VVherefore the same prouidence of God, which moued that faithful Minister, Master2 Henry Holland, to collect and publish so many of his worthie labours for the good of the Church, doth call and allure others to the reading of them; and namely you right VVorshipfull, who haue shewed singular kindnes (as Naomi saith of Boaz) both to the3 ⟨image 10⟩liuing, and to the dead: that is, both to good Master Holland while he liued, and to his desolate widow and fatherles children since his death. In respect whereof, shee desired by my hand to testifie hir thankfulnes to both your VVorships, as it were by these two mites4 of this dedicatory Epistle; which office of loue to my deare brother deceased, and to his widow and children liuing, I doe the more willingly tender to your VVorships, because I am partly priuie to your kindnes and bountie, both towards them & towards others. The Lord giue mercie (saith Paul) to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often 5refreshed me, &c. The same might faithful Holland say, and the same may his widow and children say, The Lord giue mercie to your houses and posteritie, for you haue often refreshed them; which being done (as I doubt not) in faith, and from loue, out of a pure heart, shall be put to your reckning, and brought in as a cleare euidence,6
- 1Donat. in vit. Virgil.
- 2Gen. 6. 9.
- 3Ruth. 2. 20.
- 4Luk. 21. 1. 2.
- 52 Tim. 1. 26.
- 6Mat. 25. 34.
