A09445:156
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 here such Ministers as have poor livings, but good people, let them not faint nor be discouraged, they have more cause to bless God, then to be grieved, for doubtless they are far better then those who have great livings, and an evil people.
And here such Ministers as haue poore liuings, but good people, let them not faint nor bee discouraged, they haue more cause to blesse God, then to bee grieued, for doubtlesse they are farre better then those who haue great liuings, and an euill people.
But as for those to whom God hath been so good, as to bestow upon them, competent livings, and a willing and well disposed people, let them think themselves double blessed of God, and treble bound to honour God, and to do good in his Church: and if such men go not before their brethren in all Ministerial care and duty, their fault is above all mens, and they make themselves unworthy of so great mercies. Again, if that a polluted people, pollutes their Minister, here is a good warning for all ministers to be wary and ⟨p. 36⟩choice of their company, with whom they will most privately converse: for, as on the one side they may not retire themselves into solitariness, nor sequester themselves from all society with their people, (which is rather a Cynical and fantastical, then any way a religious practise: so of all men are they to be most careful, that they do not loosely and lavishly bestow themselves on all companies, as too many do in our Church, to the great scandal thereof, who care not with whom they converse, but all companies, all places, all times, all sports and recreations, all meetings, all occasions, are one with them: but alas what marvel, though such men keep not themselves unspotted of the world, but prove too offensive to their calling: for seeing the best men cannot live with the best people, but they shall receive some contagion from them, how carefully ought ordinary Ministers to make difference of men and meetings, times and places, and not diffusedly and carelessly ⟨p. 37⟩