A09445:155
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.
It may be therefore good counsel to all godly Ministers in the placing and disposing of themselves, not to enquire only how good a living such ⟨p. 34⟩and such a place is, how well seated, how healthful, and beneficial it will be, (which are alas the common and almost the only questions now adays) but principally, to regard what a people they be: and how affected, amongst whom they are to live: if godly and well disposed, or at least tractable and gentle, and willing to be taught, then less to regard other incommodities: but if wicked, & profane, or (which is worse) stubborn, froward, & untractable, then less to regard the greatest commodities: and certainly if this point be well considered of, and how bitter it hath been in the end to many who have not regarded it, it will appear, that this is the best encouragement or discouragement, the greatest commodity, or discommodity, and the best reason, either to win a man to a place, or to draw him from it, how good soever it be otherwayes: they that neglect this duty and are led (or misled rather) with carnal and worldly respects, how just ⟨p. 35⟩is it upon them when they are made to cry in the sorrow of their soul, Woe is me, I dwell in the midst of a people of polluted lips.
It may be therefore good counsell to all godly Ministers in the placing and disposing of themselues, not to enquire onely how good a liuing such ⟨p. 34⟩and such a place is, how wel seated, how healthfull, and beneficiall it will bee, (which are alas the common and almost the onely questions now adayes) but principally, to regard what a people they be: and how affected, amongst whom they are to liue: if godly and well disposed, or at least tractable and gentle, and willing to be taught, then lesse to regard other incommodities: but if wicked, & prophane, or (which is worse) stubborne, froward, & vntractable, then lesse to regard the greatest cōmodities: and certainly if this point be wel considered of, and how bitter it hath bene in the end to many who haue not regarded it, it will appeare, that this is the best encouragemēt or discouragement, the greatest commoditie, or discommoditie, and the best reason, either to winne a man to a place, or to drawe him from it, how good soeuer it be otherwayes: they that neglect this dutie and are ledde (or misled rather) with carnall and worldly respects, how iust