A09445:269
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.
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:1 but this calamity was upon the Church of the Jews, never but then, when there was no King in Israel, and every one did that which was good in his own eyes. If therefore there be any in our Church, & in Christian Nations, which go up and down, and offer their service at such rates, it is much more miserable,2 seeing now there are kings in Israel: and therefore it is no reason that every man rob the Church, as it shall please his covetous mind. But ceasing to enquire whether thi• be so or no: and ⟨p. 99⟩if it be so, leaving the reformation thereof to those Churches and States whom it may concern: I answer, for the matter in hand, that this may be so, and yet the Lord may complain as here he doth. Whom shall I send? for the Lord meaneth not such as bear the name of Levites or Priests in the old, or of Ministers in the new: for there were always more of them: who, some for preferment sake, some for their ease, and some for a refuge how to live, are willing to enter that function, and accordingly in that calling, seek not the Lord, but themselves, and their own ends.
First, hereby hee would giue vs to vnderstand, how hard a thing it is, to finde an able and godly Minister, for if ⟨p. 98⟩there were not a great scarcitie of such men, the Lorde needed not aske this question. But some will obiect against this, that there are in many Christian Churches so many Ministers, as they cannot all bee maintained, but some goe vp and downe, vndisposed, and vnprouided for. I answere, this is too true in all ages: there were Wandering Leuits in the Olde Testament, which went vp and downe and offered their seruice, and serued for 10. shekels of siluer, and a sute of apparell, and meate and drinke: