A09445:142
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.
Particularly, he exclaimeth against the pollution of his •ippes. But why will some say, complains he of the pollution of his •ippes, rather then of his heart, or his hands, or any other part of him? were they not all polluted? yes, all in some measure: and was not he grieved at them all? yes assuredly, we must grant that also. But the reason is, he was a Prophet, his duty was to use his tongue, the practise of his calling consisted in the use of his tongue: for a Minister is an Interpreter, as he is called, Job. 33.23. that is, the peoples to God by prayer, and Gods to the people by preaching: he is Gods mouth, and the peoples mouth: so that the tongue of a Minister is that part of his body, which is to be used as a principal instrument of Gods glory, and more to the setting forth of his honour then any other: Now every man is to be tried what he is by his calling, rather then by any other accidental or collateral courses: therefore the honour or dishonour of a Minister, is the use or the abuse of his tongue: and ⟨p. 21⟩his comfort or discomfort is the well using, or not using of it. The Prophet therefore here affrighted at Gods presence, and therefore retiring into himself, presently his conscience checks him for his most proper sins: namely, for some fault or negligence in his Ministry, (which is the proper sin of that calling) and therefore is it that he exclaimeth against the pollution of his lips: out of which practise of his we may learn;
Particularly, hee exclaimeth against the pollution of his •ippes. But why will some say, complaines hee of the pollution of his •ippes, rather then of his heart, or his hands, or any other part of him? were they not all polluted? yes, all in some measure: and was not he grieued at them all? yes assuredly, wee must grant that also. But the reason is, he was a Prophet, his dutie was to vse his tongue, the practise of his calling consisted in the vse of his tongue: for a Minister is an Interpeter, as he is called, Iob. 33.23. that is, the peoples to God by prayer, and Gods to the people by preaching: he is Gods mouth, and the peoples mouth: so that the tongue of a Minister is that part of his body, which is to be vsed as a principall instrument of Gods glorie, and more to the setttng foorth of his honour then any other: Now euery man is to be tryed what he is by his calling, rather then by any other accidentall or collaterall courses: therefore the honour or dishonour of a Minister, is the vse or the abuse of his tongue: and