A09445:301
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 controls the carnal courses of many amongst us in the Universities, who think it sufficient to live there, and send out other men, and give testimonies and Letters of commendations to other men, but themselves stir not: when question is made; Who shall ⟨p. 117⟩go to such a place? or who shall be sent to such a Parish? they say not, Here am I, but either it is too little a living, or too great a charge, or ill seated, or some fault it hath, that they will not be sent to it: but will answer God and his Church, there is such a man, and give him Letters of testimony, or commendation, and so all is well: but for themselves, they live too sweet and easy lives, willingly to undertake the attempt and burden of the Ministry. Let such men therefore learn, when God and his Church give them a calling, to answer with the Prophet: Here am I, send me.
It controlles the carnall courses of many amongst vs in the Vniuersities, who thinke it sufficient to liue there, and send out other men, and giue testimonies and Letters of commendations to other men, but themselues stirre not: when question is made; Who shall ⟨p. 117⟩goe to such a place? or who shall be sent to such a Parish? they say not, Here am I, but either it is too little a liuing, or too great a charge, or ill seated, or some fault it hath, that they will not bee sent to it: but will answere God and his Church, there is such a man, and giue him Letters of testimonie, or commendation, and so all is well: but for themselues, they liue too sweet and easie liues, willingly to vndertake the attempt and burden of the Ministerie. Let such men therefore learne, when God and his Church giue them a calling, to answere with the Prophet: Heere am I, send me.
And let all such as are Students of Divinity in the Universities, mark here the Prophets answer, not I will be ready, but here I am; why takes he no longer time? because he was now sufficiently qualified. Where let them learn, not to linger and lye rioting too long in their specdaie courses: but when they are competently furnished with learning, and other qualities befitting