A09445:198
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 use of this doctrine, is first of all to teach all men, 1to esteem aright of the afflictions that God layeth upon them in this world: commonly men take them impatiently, & our nature grudgeth against them: but let a Christian man consider with himself, how God hath always dealt with his children, and he hath cause not to think so: for doth God lay some great affliction on thee? it may be he hath some mighty work of ⟨p. 65⟩his grace to work in thee, or some great work of mercy to be wrought by thee in his Church, and hereby prepareth thee for the same. Say therefore with the holy Prophet;2 I held my tongue • Lord, and spake nothing, because it was thy doing: and what God may intend in his so doing to thee, thou canst not tell:3 and therefore in silence and patience possess thy soul. Again, here is a comfort to all such as are distressed in mind, in sense of their sins, and sight of Gods wrath: their states is not miserable, much less desperate, for they are in the high way to grace and favour. God justifieth not, but him that repents: God exalts not, but him that is humbled: God comfort not, but him that is distressed: God hath mercy on none, but such as both know and feel they want it: and know also, that they know not where to have it, but at his hands. Happy therefore is that soul, that feels the weight and burden of sin for to him will Christ bring most ease and comfort. Gods Ministers therefore are hereby to comfort ⟨p. 66⟩distressed consciences, to assure them, that if with this Prophet they be so deeply touched with sight of their sins, and Gods justice, as that they cry, Woe is me, I am undone. Then, even Then, are they most capable of comfort, and best prepared to receive it, as here it fell out to the holy Prophet. Thirdly, here is the way taught us how to attain to any excellent graces of God,4 either for our own salvation, or the good of the Church, namely to labour for a sensible feeling of the want of them in our selves: for God useth to bestow no gifts on any man, but such as do in humility & lowliness, confess to God, & acknowledge in themselves, the want of them. So the blessed Virgin singeth,