A09445:319
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.
Now then (to draw to an end) let us observe in the last place, with what authority a Minister of God comes unto us, and executes his Function: even with an immediate authority & Commission from God: whereby he is bid, Go, and speak. If it be so, let it persuade the world, to fear to do any wrong, either to that calling, as to those persons who come with so fair a commission from God himself. But if it do not persuade the profane world, at least let this be a comfort & encouragement to all true Ministers, for if God bid them go he will go with them himself: If he send them, he will not forsake them, but assist them, and bless them, and open their mouths, and enlarge their hearts, and harden their foreheads, and give power unto their words to convert his children, & to confound and astonish the hearts of his enemies. If he send them, he will defend and protect ⟨p. 127⟩them, so that one hair of their heads shall not fall to the earth without his providence. If he send them, he will provide for them, and sufficiently reward them: and will honour them in the hearts of his own people, and magnify them in the faces of their enemies. And lastly, if he send them, he will pay them their wage, even an eternal might of comfort here, and of glory in heaven. And as they are here bid go, so once they shall be bid Come:1 and that not only with the general call of all the Elect. Come ye blessed of my father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you. But even with that particular Call, with especial blessings to them that are faithful in this service: Come thou good and faithful servant, enter into thy Masters joy.
Nowe then (to drawe to an ende) let vs obserue in the last place, with what authoritie a Minister of God comes vnto vs, and executes his Function: euen with an immediate authoritie & Commission from God: whereby he is bid, Goe, and speake. If it bee so, let it perswade the world, to feare to doe any wrong, either to that calling, as to those persons who come with so faire a commission from God himselfe. But if it doe not perswade the prophane worlde, at least let this be a comfort & encouragement to all true Ministers, for if God bid them goe he will goe with them himselfe: If hee send them, he will not forsake them, but assist them, and blesse them, and open their mouthes, and enlarge their hearts, and harden their foreheads, and giue power vnto their words to conuert his children, & to confound and astonish the hearts of his enemies. If he send them, he will defend and protect