Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 9:7

7 Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges ? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof ? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? .

The work of the Ministry is a warfare, the Ministers work in that Age was so in a more eminent manner, as the opposition which those first Ministers of the Gospel, both from the Jews, and from the Heathens, was greater than what Ministers have in later Ages met with. Now, saith the Apostle, none that lists an Army, expects that his Souldiers should maintain themselves without any pay.

It is like the planting of a Vineyard. The Church in Scripture is called a Vineyard, Isa. 5.1, 2. The plants are the Lords, but he useth Ministers hands in the planting of them; none planteth a vineyard, but in expectation of some fruit; none imployeth servants to plant a vineyard, but he resolveth to uphold them with food and raiment, while they are in his work.

The Church is compared to a flock (saith the Apostle) no man feeds a flock either personally, or by his servants, but he eateth, or alloweth his servants to eat of the milk of the flock. By these three instances commonly known amongst men, the Apostle sheweth the reasonableness, that the Ministers of the Gospel should be maintained from the people, to whom they are Ministers.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter] Cor. 10.4.; [illegible: 1 word] 3.6, [illegible: 1 letter], 8.; [illegible: 1 word]. 21.15. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 letter].2.