A09445:305
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.
The Prophet might have said; Oh, now I feel a motion from the Spirit, therefore I will go and preach: but he stayeth till he be sent in express terms: Let no man therefore presume to press into this function, till he be fully resolved in his conscience, that God and his Church hath said unto him, Go.
The Prophet might haue said; Oh, now I feele a motion from the Spirit, therfore I will goe and preach: but he stayeth till he be sent in expresse tearms: Let no man therfore presume to presse into this function, till he bee fully resolued in his conscience, that God and his Church hath said vnto him, Goe.
And though a man be never so well qualified with all manner of sufficiency, yet let him sit still and stay Gods leisure, and let him say, Here I am, send me: and so rest contented until he be sent. If any man say it is unfit that a man should say so of himself; I answer, let him not say so in words, but in deeds: let him therefore make proof of himself, and give the Church trial of his gifts. Upon which experience of his gifts, if he be found sufficient, that practise of his is all one, and much more then if he had said, Here I am, send me.
And though a man be neuer so well qualified with all maner of sufficiency, yet let him sit still and stay Gods leisure, and let him say, Here I am, send me: and so rest contented vntill he bee sent. If any man say it is vnfit that a man should say so of himselfe; I answere, let him not say so in wordes, but in deeds: let him therefore make proofe of himselfe, and giue the Church tryall of his gifts. Vpon which experience of his gifts, if he be found sufficient, that practise of his is all one, and much more then if hee had said, Heere I am, send me.
Thus we see the Prophet would not stir till he were sent, and therefore in the next words, he is bid to Go.