A09445:174
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.
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, ⟨p. 52⟩but dishonour him, by comming into his presence in their sinnes: therefore hee cannot abide them, nor giue any blessing to their labours.
All ministers therefore, as they would see any fruit of their Ministry, let them first sanctify themselves, & cleanse their hearts by repentance, afore they perfume, to stand up to rebuke sin in others: else let them not think, that their golden words shall do so much good, as their leaden lives shall do hurt: and they may hap to confirm men, that already are converted, but hardly shall any such men, convert any souls from Popery or profaneness. And it is a vain conceit for men to imagine, there is any force in eloquence, or humane learning, to overthrow that sin in others, which ruleth and reigneth in themselves. Our Church, and all reformed churches, may make use of this doctrine: for it is the glory of a Church to have their doctrine powerful, & effectual for the winning of souls, therefore it concerneth them, to take order, as