A09445:173
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.
This is the cause, why the labours of such men are almost unprofitable: because they dare come into Gods presence ⟨p. 51⟩in their sins. In many places of our land, there is by Gods blessing much teaching, yet there is little reformation, in the lives of the most: but contrariwise, some fall to Atheism: some to Papism: some into foul sins, not to be named amongst Christians.
This is the cause, why the labours of such men are almost vnprofitable: because they dare come into Gods presence ⟨p. 51⟩in their sinnes. In many places of our land, there is by Gods blessing much teaching, yet there is little reformation, in the liues of the most: but contrariwise, some fall to Atheisme: some to Papisme: some into foule sinnes, not to be named amongst Christians.
Where is the cause? surely not in the Gospel: nor in our doctrine, nor in the teaching of it; but one very principal cause is, many Ministers come into Gods presence, unsanctified, & in their sins: not caring how loosely they live, in the face of their people: and therefore God in justice, though he instantly smite not them, with visible vengeance for their presumption: yet he smites the people, with spiritual blindness, that they regard not their Doctrine, but look at their lives, and do rather follow the profaneness of the one, then the holiness of the other. Ministers are such, in whom God will be sanctified, therefore because they do not so, ⟨p. 52⟩but dishonour him, by coming into his presence in their sins: therefore he cannot abide them, nor give any blessing to their labours.
Where is the cause? surely not in the Gospel: nor in our doctrine, nor in the teaching of it; but one very principall cause is, many Ministers come into Gods presence, vnsanctified, & in their sins: not caring how loosely they liue, in the face of their people: and therfore God in iustice, thogh he instanstly smite not them, with visible vengeance for their presumption: yet hee smites the people, with spirituall blindnesse, that they regard not their Doctrine, but looke at their liues, and doe rather follow the prophanenesse of the one, then the holinesse of the other. Ministers are such, in whome God will be sanctified, therefore because they doe not so,