A09445:104
Of the calling of the ministry two treatises, describing the duties and dignities of…Of the calling of the ministerie two treatises, discribing the duties and dignities of…
Of the calling of the ministry two treatises, describing the duties and dignities of that calling. Delivered publicly in the University of Cambridge, by Master Perkins. Taken then from his mouth, and now diligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word with a preface prefixed touching the publishing of Master Perkins his works, & a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to be expected.Of the calling of the ministerie two treatises, discribing the duties and dignities of that calling. Delivered publickly in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, by Maister Perkins. Taken then from his mouth, and now dilligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word with a preface prefixed touching the publishing of Maister Perkins his workes, & a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to bee expected.
London: printed by I. Roberts for William Welby, 1605
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.
In which words, authority is given to a Minister of God to redeem a man penitent, from hell & damnation: not that he is the means of working out this redemption, for that wholly and only is Christ himself; but he is Gods instrument, and Christs instrument, first, to apply those means unto him: secondly, to pronounce his safety and deliverance when these means are used. Here is the principal honour of all belonging to that calling: and it is the greatest that ever was vouchsafed to any creature. Man […] Angel: for it is a plain Commission to go and deliver such a man from the power of hell, & to redeem him into the state of Gods children, and to make him heir of heaven: Angels ne•er had this Commission▪ they are Messengers sent out for the good of those whom Ministers have redeemed, 1and they have brought many comfortable messages unto them: but it was never said to any Angel, Deliver that man that he go not down […] the pit, as it h••r• is said unto a Minister: nor any men but Ministers have this Commission. To some callings God saith, work• thou for man, build him houses, ⟨image 33⟩provide him sustenance; to the Physician, heal that man, to the Lawyer, do that man justice, to the soldier, fight for him, to the Magistrate, defend him, to the King, govern him, and see that every one do his duty:• to none but to the Minister doth he say, Deliver him that he go not down into the pit.
In which words, authoritie is giuen to a Minister of God to redeeme a man penitent, from hell & damnation: not that he is the meanes of working out this redemption, for that wholy and onely is Christ himselfe; but hee is Gods instrument, and Christs instrument, first, to apply those meanes vnto him: secondly, to pronounce his safety and deliuerance when these means are vsed. Here is the principall honour of all belonging to that calling: and it is the greatest that euer was vouchsafed to any creature. Man 〈…〉 Angell: for it is a plaine Commission to goe and deliuer such a man from the power of hell, & to redeeme him into the state of Gods children, and to make him heyre of heauen: Angels neer had this Commission they are Messengers sent out for the good of those whom Ministers haue redeemed,