A09445:204
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.
A doctrine of great comfort, and much good use to all Ministers: who first of all may here learn contentment in their calling: for howsoever no calling hath more crosses, so none again hath more comforts: and howsoever none be more disgraced by evil men, yet none is more honoured by the holy Angels: and howsoever in this world they above any calling, are servants to all men, yet none hath the service & attendance of Angels so much as they: for though we have them not to help us to do the outward actions of our ministry with us, or for us, (as some Popish Doctors teach, that in their Mass, Amen is not said to one collect, because the Angels say Amen to it) yet doubtless they are present always, as at all holy exercises and lawful actions, so especially at the public service of God, performed by the Ministers: and beside that, they are witnesses thereto, and of the pains, and diligence, and faithfulness of a good Minister, they also do Minister unto them oftentimes bodily strength, and assistance, & many ⟨p. 70⟩comforts: in their troublesome travels, which they know not how by any natural manes they come unto them. And as this Doctrine doth thus yield them contentment against the contempt, so also courage against the danger of this calling. For what though thou hast mighty men of this world against thee, when thou hast angels for thee: & what though thou fightest against principalities and powers, when thou hast Cherubins, and Seraphims on thy side? Godly Ministers have many enemies, but if by the eye of faith they can see as well who are with them▪ as with the eye of reason who are against them, they will confess with Elisha, there are more with us, then against us. The stories of all ages do affirm, and the comfortable experience of these days of ours doth verify the truth hereof. Ministers that live in places very profane, or very Popish, it is admirable to see how many dangers they have escaped, and plots they have avoided, which by their enemies, (or rather the enemies of their Doctrine) have been ⟨p. 71⟩laid for their lives: which their deliverance, and many other comforts in their Ministries, whence are they but from Gods protection, by the ministry of his Angels.
A doctrine of great comfort, and much good vse to all Ministers: who first of all may here learne contentment in their calling: for howsoeuer no calling hath more crosses, so none againe hath more comforts: and howsoeuer none bee more disgraced by euill men, yet none is more honoured by the holy Angels: and howsoeuer in this world they aboue any calling, are seruants to all mē, yet none hath the seruice & attendance of Angels so much as they: for though wee haue them not to helpe vs to do the outward actions of our ministery with vs, or for vs, (as some Popish Doctors teach, that in their Masse, Amen is not said to one collect, because the Angels say Amen to it) yet doubtlesse they are presēt alwaies, as at all holy exercises and lawfull actions, so especially at the publike seruice of God, performed by the Ministers: and beside that, they are witnesses thereto, and of the paines, and diligence, and faithfulnesse of a good Minister, they also do Minister vnto them oftentimes bodily strength, and assistance, & many