A09445:268
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.
In which Proclamation, and inquiry of the Lord, we are not to imagine that the Lord, was either unprovided of such as should execute his will, or knew not who were able, or who were willing to go preach his wo•d: For as the Apostle saith, in the matter of Election▪ The Lord knoweth who are his:1 so much more in particular vocations. The Lord knoweth who are his, and need not to ask whom shall I send, or who shall go? But then it may be demanded, why the Lord saith so? I answer, not for his own sake, but for ours: whom hereby he would instruct, in divers points of holy doctrine.
In which Proclamation, and inquirie of the Lord, we are not to imagine that the Lord, was either vnprouided of such as should execute his will, or knewe not who were able, or who were willing to goe preach his wo•d: For as the Apostle saith, in the matter of Election▪ The Lord knoweth who are his:1 so much more in particular vocations. The Lord knoweth who are his, and neede not to aske whom shall I send, or who shall goe? But then it may bee demaunded, why the Lord saith so? I answere, not for his owne sake, but for ours: whom hereby he would instruct, in diuers points of holy doctrine.
First, hereby he would give us to understand, how hard a thing it is, to find an able and godly Minister, for if ⟨p. 98⟩there were not a great scarcity of such men, the Lord needed not ask this question. But some will object against this, that there are in many Christian Churches so many Ministers, as they cannot all be maintained, but some go up and down, undisposed, and unprovided for. I answer, this is too true in all ages: there were Wandering Levites in the Old Testament, which went up and down and offered their service, and served for 10. shekels of silver, and a suit of apparel, and meat and drink: