A09445:271
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.
It were to be wished, that in these days, & for our christian Churches, the Lord had not as great cause to cry out in the want of able, faithful, and godly Ministers, Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us? But alas, this want is too apparent, and his blemish is too notorious, and it is a work worthy the labour of kings and princes to reform it: and is a kings evil, nor to be healed but by the power of a king, for as long as there are so few and mean preferments for painful Ministers, there will never want abundance of such Ministers as ⟨p. 101⟩do want either conscience or ability to discharge their duties.
It were to be wished, that in these daies, & for our christian Churches, the Lord had not as great cause to cry out in the want of able, faithfull, and godly Ministers, Whom shall I send, and who shall goe for vs? But alas, this want is too apparant, and his blemish is too notorious, and it is a worke worthy the labour of kings and princes to reforme it: and is a kings euil, nor to be healed but by the power of a king, for as long as there are so fewe and meane preferments for painefull Ministers, there will neuer want abundance of such Ministers as ⟨p. 101⟩doe want either conscience or abilitie to discharge their duties.
In the mean time, till God put into the hearts of Parliaments, and Princes, to look to this great and needful work; let us Ministers learn our duties: and first, we who are in the Universities, are here admonished to look to our selves. By Gods blessing we are many, and daily grow more and more: let us therefore so furnish our selves▪ as that when God or his Church shall say, Who shall go for us, and whom shall I send? then he may find many amongst us, whom he may send to that great work of the Ministry: and let us fear to be such, as that God may affirm of us, as in the days of Job, that he cannot find one of a thousand.