A09383:130
A commentary or exposition, upon the five first chapters of the Epistle to the…A commentarie or exposition, vpon the fiue first chapters of the Epistle to the…
A commentary or exposition, upon the five first chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians: penned by the godly, learned, and judicial divine, Mr. W. Perkins. Now published for the benefit of the Church, and continued with a supplement upon the sixth chapter, by Rafe Cudworth Bachelor of DivinityA commentarie or exposition, vpon the fiue first chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians: penned by the godly, learned, and iudiciall diuine, Mr. W. Perkins. Now published for the benefit of the Church, and continued with a supplement vpon the sixt chapter, by Rafe Cudworth Bachelour of Diuinitie
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1604Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1604
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Touching the Successors of the first preachers, their calling was altogether ordinary, and they were ordained of their predecessors. It is objected, that their callings are corrupt. I answer thus. All actions Ecclesiastical, that tend to binding §20or loosing, appertain properly to the person of Christ, and men are but ministers, and instruments thereof. And therefore to call men to the ministry and dispensation of the Gospel, belongs to Christ, who alone giveth the power, the will, the deed. And the Church can do no more but testify, publish, and declare whom God calleth, by Examination of parties §25for life and doctrine, by Election, and by ordination. This is for substance all that the Church can do: and all this is allowed, and prescribed by the laws of this Church, and land. And therefore our callings for their substance are divine, whatsoever defects there be otherwise.
Touching the Successours of the first preachers, their calling was altogether ordinarie, and they were ordained of their predecessours. It is obiected, that their callings are corrupt. I answer thus. All actions Ecclesiasticall, that tende to binding §20or loosing, appertaine properly to the person of Christ, and men are but ministers, and instruments thereof. And therefore to call men to the ministerie and dispensation of the Gospel, belongs to Christ, who alone giueth the power, the will, the deede. And the Church can doe no more but testifie, publish, and declare whome God calleth, by Examination of parties §25for life and doctrine, by Election, and by ordination. This is for substance all that the Church can doe: and all this is allowed, and prescribed by the lawes of this Church, and land. And therefore our callings for their substance are diuine, whatsoeuer defects there be otherwise.
This assurance that our callings are of God, is of great use. It makes the Minister to make a conscience of his duty: it is his comfort in trouble.