A09445:168
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.
Now Gods presence hath divers degrees. First, God is present to our conscience, when we think of him. 2. He is present, when we name him, or hear ⟨p. 44⟩him named or mentioned by others, and these are the furthest of: Thirdly, God is nearer unto us in the presence of his Ordinances, as his Word and Sacraments, and public service in the Congregation: Fourthly, there is a most apparent and sensible presence of God, which shall be at the last Judgement, when all men shall stand before him in his immediate presence, to receive their judgement. Now all these presences of God, are hateful to a wicked man: for the first, a wicked man by his good will never thinks of God, and if sometime a thought of God (like lightning) flasheth in his mind, presently he quencheth it, as being a most unwelcome and burdensome thought unto him: therefore saith David; The wicked is so proud, 1he careth not for God: neither is God in all his thoughts: Nay, God himself is so little thought on, by them, that they will willingly think of nothing, that might bring GOD into their thoughts: as namely, Gods great works of his wonderful Judgements: ⟨p. 45⟩of whom the same Prophet saith, in the same place;2 Thy Judgements are far above, out of his sight. As if he had said, he labours to set them far from the eye of his mind, that he may never have occasion to think of them, nor on God by them. That this is true for his thoughts, I have endeavoured thus to prove, by Gods own testimonies, because thoughts cannot be discerned by man. But alas, for the second; that is, for his words, that's too apparent in the sight of all men. For observe it, and you shall never see a wicked man, by his good will have God in his mouth, (unless it be to abuse his name, by swearing or blasphemy) nor willingly doth he hear any other man talk, or discourse largely of God, or of his greatness and his Justice; but such talk is tedious & cumbersome unto him: and if he cannot break it off with other discourse, then he sits as mute as a fish, and inwardly either frets with anger, or is tormented with fear. All this is true in Felix the Governor: who whilst ⟨p. 46⟩