Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

First, If the words of a Minister must be wholesome, then he must be diligent, because his words must be health and Physic, if he neglect this, then he hinders them both of the profit of health and Physic. And as none must do this, so especially not those that have a flock depending on them. For if he be worse then an infidel that provides not temporal food for his family, what is he then that provides not spiritual food for them that depend on him, as much as a family doth upon a master? if he loves not his brother that hath this worlds goods, and seeth him want, and gives not to him, how then doth he love God, that hath spiritual food and seeth others want and gives it not? As we count rich men cursed who are hoarders up of corn when the year is plentiful, by not bringing it into the markets; So there is no famine of the word, knowledge doth abound as water in the sea, yet a famine is made, because Ministers bring it not out into the congregations that the people may feed thereof and live. As any thing has more in nature, so it communicates more to others. The greatest luminary gives the greatest light, the fullest fountain the most water, the most fruitful soil brings forth the most fruit; so ought we in good things to do as the preacher did, Eccl. 12 9. The more wise he was, the more he taught the people knowledge.

First, If the words of a Minister must be wholesome, then he must be diligent, because his words must be health and Physick, if he neglect this, then he hinders them both of the profit of health and Physick. And as none must do this, so especially not those that have a flock depending on them. For if he be worse then an infidel that provides not temporal food for his family, what is he then that provides not spiritual food for them that depend on him, asmuch as a family doth upon a master? if he loves not his brother that hath this worlds goods, and seeth him want, and gives not to him, how then doth he love God, that hath spiritual food and seeth others want and gives it not? As we count rich men cursed who are hoarders up of corn when the year is plentiful, by not bringing it into the markets; So there is no famine of the word, knowledge doth abound as water in the sea, yet a famine is made, because Ministers bring it not out into the congretions that the people may feed thereof and live. As any thing has more in nature, so it communicates more to others. The greatest luminary gives the greatest light, the fullest fountain the most water, the most fruitful soil brings forth the most fruit; so ought we in good things to do as the preacher did,