A09445:153
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 for our further instruction, here we may see of what a creeping and encroaching nature sin is, which like a secret venom in the natural body, so it in the politic body rests not in the place, or pa•tie poisoned, but closely creeps ⟨p. 32⟩and diffuseth it self into every part and member of the whole: it creeps from man to man, yea from an evil man to a good, from the worst man to the best: from profane men, to godly Ministers: and as from public persons (as Magistrates and Ministers) it descendeth visibly, and the example of their evil life is palpably scandalous: so from the people to the Magistrate or Minister, it creepeth closely, and ascendeth in more secret and insensible manner, yet in the effect it is too sensible: for it is always seen, that they are something touched with their peoples pollutions: sin is not only as a poison spreading from the heart to all parts, from the Minister to the people: but as a gangrene, if it begin in the foot, will without speedy prevention spread privily to the hart: so sin shows it self, even from the people to the Ministers: So great cause is there for all men to stop sin in the beginning, to break it in the egg, to give water no passage, no not a little: for let this gangrene begin at the feet, it ⟨p. 33⟩will not rest till it be in the heart.
And for our further instruction, here wee may see of what a creeping and incroaching nature sinne is, which like a secret venome in the naturall bodie, so it in the pollitique bodie restes not in the place, or pa•tie poysoned, but closely creepes ⟨p. 32⟩and diffuseth it selfe into euery part and member of the whole: it creepes from man to man, yea from an euill man to a good, from the worst man to the best: from prophane men, to godly Ministers: and as from publike persons (as Magistrates and Ministers) it descendeth visibly, and the example of their euill life is palpably scandalous: so from the people to the Magistrate or Minister, it creepeth closely, and ascendeth in more secret and insensible maner, yet in the effect it is too sensible: for it is alwaies seene, that they are something touched with their peoples pollutions: sinne is not onely as a poison spreading from the heart to all parts, from the Minister to the people: but as a gangreue, if it begin in the foote, wil without speedy preuention spred priuily to the hart: so sinne shewes it selfe, euen from the people to the Ministers: So great cause is there for all men to stop sinne in the beginning, to breake it in the egge, to giue water no passage, no not a little: for let this gangreue beginne at the feete, it