A09445:139
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.
And furthermore, if these small sins thus afflicted the Prophet, then alas what is to be thought of those Ministers, who ⟨p. 17⟩make no conscience of foul & scandalous sins? how shall Simony, Incontinence, Usury, inhospitality, covetousness, Ignorance, Idleness, careless Nonresidency, how shall these (I say) and other like grievous crimes oppress and burden the soul, when as the smallest sins do so affright this holy man? Surely, when God shall visit them, their states will be most fearful, nor, shall any mans case be so miserable, as an unconscionable Ministers: And though now such loose and licentious Ministers seem to live in Jollity, & without •ny fear, yet when God shall appear •nto their consciences, then will they cry out in fearful anguish, Woe is me, I am undone. And again, if these small faults so affrighted this holy Prophet, and burdened his conscience, then what pitiful consciences have those Ministers, whose daily negligence, and unconscionable carelessness in their places is such, as all men speak of, and yet they are not touched: surely, these men are not of so tender consciences ⟨p. 18⟩as the Prophet was: and either the Prophet here was much more nice then needed, or▪ else these men will prove to be in a miserable estate.
And furthermore, if these small sinnes thus afflicted the Prophet, then alas what is to bee thought of those Ministers, who ⟨p. 17⟩make no conscience of foule & scandalous sinnes? how shal Symonie, Incontinencie, Vsurie, inhospitality, couetousnesse, Ignorance, Idlenesse, carelesse Nonresidencie, how shall these (I say) and other like greiuous crimes oppresse and burthen the soule, whē as the smallest sinnes doe so affright this holy man? Surely, when God shall visite thē, their states will be most fearefull, nor, shall any mans case be so miserable, as an vnconscionable Ministers: And though now such loose and licentious Ministers seeme to liue in Iolitie, & without •ny feare, yet when God shall appeare •nto their consciences, then will they cry out in fearefull anguish, Woe is mee, I am vndone. And againe, if these small faults so affrighted this holy Prophet, and burdened his conscience, then what pittifull consciences haue those Ministers, whose daily negligence, and vnconscionable carelessenesse in their places is such, as all men speake of, and yet they are not touched: surely, these mē are not of so tender consciences