A09445:274
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.
For else let them know, God hath no need of them: for had the Lord pleased or contented himself with such kind of men, as seek to be Ministers for themselves, and not for his sake: or being Ministers, do feed themselves, and not their flock: or preach themselves, and not Christ: then had he not needed to have made this Proclamation, for all Ages have yielded store of such. But contrariwise, he that is painful and faithful in this Function, let him know, that God and his Church hath need of him.
For else let them know, God hath no neede of them: for had the Lorde pleased or contented himself with such kinde of men, as seeke to bee Ministers for themselues, and not for his sake: or being Ministers, doe feede themselues, and not their flocke: or preach themselues, and not Christ: then had he not needed to haue made this Proclamation, for all Ages haue yeelded store of such. But contrariwise, he that is painefull and faithfull in this Function, let him know, that God and his Church hath neede of him.
Lastly, here the Romish Clergy are justly to be taxed, whose number is infinite: but it is lamentable to see how few among them be such as the Lord here seeketh for. Their Orders of Regulars are exceeding many, beside all their Secular Priests, and it is almost incredible, how many thousands there be of Dominicans or Franciscans, or in some one of their orders: and yet amongst the many millions of their Monks, there is scarce to be found ⟨p. 103⟩one of many, who for his learning & other gifts, is fit to be sent to the work of God: nay, their ignorance was palpable and ridiculous to the world, until of late, being by Luther, and others of our Church, made ashamed thereof, they have laboured (especially the Jesuits) to become learned. How foul a thing is it that amongst so many, the Lord should have cause to complain; Whom shall we send? The Jesuits indeed many of them are learned, but for other qualities, they are fitter to be plotters, & practisers in State matters, Spies or In•elligencers, reconcilers, seducers, and subverters, then Ministers: and fitter to be instruments of policy to evil kings, then Ministers of the Gospel unto God. But take away them, and some few selected Monks (and those but few out of many millions & then even for learning, also God may cry, and call & proclaim in their Monasteries; Whom shall I send? And if it be a shame and misery? to a Church, to want such as God may send, or to have but a few, then the Romish Church is shameless,