A09445:314
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.
Thirdly, these persons have no protection, nor safety, unless they be Gods Ambassadors: and how are they so, unless they be called and sent by God, and have authority given of God? For these causes, no man is to thrust himself into the Ministry, without a calling from God, and therefore no marvel, though those men who will be Choosers, and Callers of themselves, and run when they are not sent, be in their persons, subject to all dangers: because they are out of Gods protection, & their labours without profit because no blessing, nor promise of God was given unto ⟨p. 122⟩them: for GOD may justly say unto them: Let him that sent you, protect your persons: let him that sent you, bless your labours.
Thirdly, these persons haue no protection, nor safetie, vnlesse they bee Gods Ambassadors: and how are they so, vnlesse they be called and sent by God, and haue authoritie giuen of God? For these causes, no man is to thrust himselfe into the Ministerie, without a calling from God, and therefore no maruell, though those men who will bee Chusers, and Callers of themselues, and run when they are not sent, bee in their persons, subiect to all dangers: because they are out of Gods protection, & their labours without profite because no blessing, nor promise of God was giuē vnto ⟨p. 122⟩them: for GOD may iustly say vnto them: Let him that sent you, protect your persons: let him that sent you, blesse your labours.
But it will then be demanded, how may I know if God bid me go: God speaks not now from heaven as in old time, and as to this Prophet: I answer, It is true, we are to look for no such visions, nor apparitions from heaven, for ordinarily there are none such, and the Popish Church doth but deceive themselves, and cozen the world, who tell us of so many apparitions that happen to their Monks and Fryers: for now ordinarily, God speaketh in another manner to his Church: for in General duties God speaketh to us out of his word and holy Scriptures, and in particular and personal duties, (where the word in plain terms serveth not) he speaketh to a man by his own conscience, and by the voice of his Church.