A09445:140
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.
Lastly, let Ministers of care and conscience, be here comforted in the example of the Prophet: who is there, but may find imperfections and blemishes in himself, which will often make him cry out; Woe is me: but let not that discomfort them, but rather rejoice, that they can see their own weakness, as the Prophet did here: If they have cause to exclaim against themselves, they are not alone, as was this, and all other holy Prophets case before them. In having imperfections in themselves, they are no more miserable then the Prophet was: but let them labour to be as blessed in seeing & complaining of themselves as he was: And let every Minister assure himself, that the more he makes conscience, even of the least sins of all, the more he resembleth the ancient holy Prophets, & the more likely is he to work effectually in his Ministry. ⟨p. 19⟩For his duty is to work in his people a conscience, not of great sins only, but even of all: but how can he do that to them, if he have not first of all done it in himself? hence it is therefore, that godly Ministers find fault with themselves, when other men cannot, and cry out against themselves, for their pollution (with the Prophet here) when no other man can accuse them of the least crime: nay, when others do magnify God for his graces on them, and praise their gifts, and commend their good lives, even then do they condemn themselves, and exclaim against their own corruptions: and their own smallest negligences, or omissions, are great wounds to their consciences: & their last sins, and their most pardonable infirmities, are sore burdens unto them: for of all men in the world, a godly Minister is a man of the most tender conscience.
Lastly, let Ministers of care and conscience, be here comforted in the examble of the Prophet: who is there, but may finde imperfections and blemishes in himselfe, which will often make him cry out; Wo is me: but let not that discomfort thē, but rather reioyce, that they can see their owne weaknesse, as the Prophet did here: If they haue cause to exclaime against themselues, they are not alone, as was this, and all other holy Prophets case before them. In hauing imperfectiōs in thēselues, they are no more miserable then the Prophet was: but let thē labour to be as blessed in seeing & complaining of themselues as hee was: And let euery Minister assure himselfe, that the more hee makes conscience, euen of the least sinnes of all, the more he resembleth the ancient holy Prophets, & the more likely is he to worke effectually in his Ministerie.