A09445:183
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.
Thirdly, the people may here learn; First, 1in that Gods presence is so glorious and fearful to mans nature, how mercifully God hath dealt with them, in teaching them not by himself, or by his Angels from heaven, which they could never endure; but by men, who are like themselves: and how vain and fond these men are, who would be taught from heaven, and not by men, who are so full of wants. In the old Testament, when the people received the law from Gods own mouth, it is said, they ran away ⟨p. 59⟩and cried out, why should we dye? if we hear the voice of God any more, 2we shall dye: for what flesh ever hard the voice of the living God & lived? therefore they said to Moses, Go thou near and hear, all that the Lord shall say, and declare thou unto us, what God saith to thee and we will hear it, and do it. And then saith the text, the Lord said, I heard the words of this people, they have said well in all that they have spoken. And so, from that day forward, God ordinarily taught his church by men like themselves; & we see, that the beginning of it, was not in judgement, but in mercy unto them. It is is therefore the duty of all men, both to acknowledge this mercy of God, in due thankfulness, and withal to remember, when they see infirmities in Ministers, that they are but men, and that, if they had not the Ministry of men, how hard it would go with them: considering, that the least measure of Gods own presence, cannot be endured by any man.
Thirdly, the people may here learne; First, 1in that Gods presence is so glorious and fearefull to mans nature, how mercifully God hath delt with them, in teaching them not by himselfe, or by his Angels from heauen, which they could neuer endure; but by men, who are like themselues: and how vaine and fond these men are, who would be taught from heauen, and not by men, who are so ful of wants. In the old Testamēt, when the people receiued the lawe from Gods owne mouth, it is said, they ranne away ⟨p. 59⟩and cryed out, why should we dye? if wee heare the voice of God any more,