A09445:197
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.
The first circumstance,1 is the time when this Prophet was comforted and raised from his fear. Then saith the text: that is, after his fear and astonishment, but not afore. Thus dealt God always with all his Saints, he bestoweth no graces on them pertaining to salvation, but after he hath by some means or other brought them to true humiliation in themselves, and to sorrow for their sins: Humiliation is the preparative for grace: for when by sight and sense of their sins, and their own misery by sin, he hath even driven them quite ⟨p. 64⟩out of themselves, finding nothing in themselves, but cause of fear and astonishment, then pours he the oil of grace, and of sweet comfort into their hearts, and refresheth their weary souls with the dew of his mercy: this point needs no further proof, for look into the scriptures, and we shall find, God never called any man to the state of grace, or to any notable work or function in his church, but he first humbled them, and then brought them out of all conceit with themselves, & then wrought in them, and by them, his wonderful works.
The first circumstance,1 is the time when this Prophet was comforted and raised from his feare. Then saith the text: that is, after his feare and astonishment, but not afore. Thus dealt God alwaies with all his Saints, he bestoweth no graces on them pertaining to saluation, but after he hath by some meanes or other brought them to true humiliation in themselues, and to sorrow for their sins: Humiliation is the preparatiue for grace: for when by sight and sence of their sinnes, and their owne misery by sin, hee hath euen driuen them quite ⟨p. 64⟩out of themselues, finding nothing in themselues, but cause of feare and astonishment, then powres hee the oyle of grace, and of sweete comfort into their hearts, and refresheth their weary soules with the deawe of his mercy: this point needes no further proofe, for looke into the scriptures, and wee shall finde, God neuer called any man to the state of grace, or to any notable worke or function in his church, but he first humbled them, and then brought them out of all cōceit with themselues, & then wrought in them, and by them, his wonderfull workes.