A09445:145
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 the next place, whereas the Prophet complaineth of the pollution of his lips: As of the peculiar sin of his place: Ministers are here taught, to avoid that sin above all other; and to labour in that duty above any other: for the doing of it, is his most comfort: the want of it is his most vexation: his tongue is the Instrument given him to honour God, if he use it well, it yields him comfort, more then any other duties. ⟨p. 24⟩But if he use not, or abuse his tongue, the pollution of his lips will be the heaviest burden of all: they therefore are greatly deceived, who think a Minister to discharge sufficiently his duty, though he preach not, if he keep good Hospitality▪ and make peace amongst his […], and perform other works of charity and good life: for if a Minister have not this virtue, he hath none: If he preach not; If he• abuse his lips: or if he open them not, he hath no conscience, nor can have any comfort, for that is the principal duty of a Minister (though all the other be required to make •him complete): the want of them may condemn him before men, but it is the pollution of his lips, which presently checks him before GOD, as we see here in this holy Prophet: The Conclusion then is to every Minister, that if he had all the virtues and good properties, that can commend a man in the world, ⟨p. 25⟩yet if his lips be polluted, either by not preaching, or by negligent, idle, or careless preaching, this pollution will so stain his conscience, and so burden him in the presence of God, that the time will come (notwithstanding all his other good qualities) he will cry out in far more pitiful manner then here the Prophet doth; Woe is me, I am undone, because I am a man of polluted lips. It followeth;
In the next place, whereas the Prophet complaineth of the pollution of his lippes: As of the peculiar sinne of his place: Ministers are heere taught, to auoide that sinne aboue all other; and to labour in that dutie aboue any other: for the dooing of it, is his most comfort: the want of it is his most vexation: his tongue is the Instrument giuen him to honour God, if hee vse it well, it yeeldes him comfort, more then any other duties. ⟨p. 24⟩