A09445:209
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.
Secondly, because the Ministers duty is, to convert and save souls, being a work, which (next to the glorifying of God, and doing his will) the Angels do take most delight in above any other: for if they be sent out for the good of them which shall be saved, 1how much more willingly for their good, by whom they are saved, 2which shall be saved? & if the Angels rejoice at the conversion of a sinner, surely they much love him, & desire to do ⟨p. 73⟩him good, by whom the sinner is converted: and in these respects, that Angels and Ministers have the same names: and are both employed in the same great work; namely, doing good to the elect. Therefore is it,3 that the Angel calls himself S. John the Evangelists fellow in the Revelation: If then they be fellows, even fellow-servants, & fellow-labourers, in a more special manner then any other, what marvel though the Angels be most willingly employed, in doing any service of help or comfort to godly Ministers.
Secondly, because the Ministers dutie is, to conuert and saue soules, being a work, which (next to the glorifying of God, and doing his will) the Angels doe take most delight in aboue any other: for if they bee sent out for the good of them which shal be saued, 1how much more willingly for their good, by whom they are saued, 2which shall be saued? & if the Angels reioyce at the cōuersion of a sinner, surely they much loue him, & desire to doe ⟨p. 73⟩him good, by whom the sinner is conuerted: and in these respects, that Angels and Ministers haue the same names: and are both imployed in the same great worke; namely, doing good to the elect. Therfore is it,3 that the Angel calles himselfe S. Iohn the Euangelists fellow in the Reuelation: If then they bee fellowes, euen fellow-seruants, & fellow-laborers, in a more special maner then any other, what maruel though the Angels be most willingly imploied, in doing any seruice of helpe or comfort to godly Ministers.