An A.B.C. for layemen, othervvise called, the lay-mans letters An alphabet for lay-men, deliuering vnto them such lessons as the holy Ghost teaches them in the worde, by thinges sensible, very necessary to be diligently considered.

Labourers.

WHen we see painfull l••bourers, if we bee ministers we shoulde by their example learne, what paines we ought to bestowe vppon Gods flock: if we be common persons, wee are in them to viewe the care and paine, that vigilant pastors take for vs, and to consider howe worthy they are of their reward.* 1.1 Againe, when wee see eyther for want of labourers, or by negligence of those which are set on work,* 1.2 thinges doe perishe and be lost: then we shoulde consider, howe many thousands of soules are in daunger of perishing,* 1.3 for want of painefull and carefull ministers, and should earnestly call vpon God to thrust out labo∣rers into his haruest,

Further, the viewe of labourers sweating, toy∣ling, and taking paines,* 1.4 shoulde put vs in minde whereunto we are borne, and also that that there is a penalty laid vpon men by God,* 1.5 in the sweat of their browes to eate their bread. To the pain∣full labourer sleepe is sweete,* 1.6 whether hee eateth much or little. Hee that for neede stole, let him steal no more,* 1.7 but let him labour with his hands the thing which is good, that he may both eate his owne bread,* 1.8 and also be able to giue to him that needeth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Cor. 3.9.
• * 1.2

  Math. 10.10
• * 1.3

  Math. 9.37.38.
• * 1.4

  Iob. 5.7.
• * 1.5

  Genes. 3 19.
• * 1.6

  Eccle. 1.11
• * 1.7

  Ephesi. 4.28.
• * 1.8

  ••. Thes 33.12