A09445:60
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.
And this is the ⟨image 13⟩cause why a convenient reverence […], honour is to be given of all good christians, even to the persons of Gods Ministers: (especially when they adorn their high calling with a holy life) even because they are Angels of God. Saint Paul teacheth,1 that women ought to be modestly attired in the congregation because of the Angels: it is not only, because the holy Angels are present▪ and always beholders of our service of God, but even because the Ministers, which are Angels and messengers sent from God, are there, delivering their message and Embassage rece••ed from God: And th•s we have the first title given to the Minister he is an Angel ▪ Secondly he is an […], that is, one that […] to deliver […] the reconciliation,2 made betwixt God and ma•• I say not, the author of that reconciliation, for that is the godhead […] of the […], for […] second person, Christ Jesus […] the […] for that is the holy Ghost, nor […] of it, for […] the glad •idings of the gospel: […] I say he is the •• •••preter of it, that i• first one that […] ⟨image 14⟩and explain the covenant of grace, and rightly lay down the means how this reconciliation is wrought: Secondly, one that can rightly and justly apply those means, for the working of it out. Thirdly, one that hath authority to publish and declare it when it is wrought: and by these three actions he is Gods interpreter to the people: then he is also the peoples interpreter to God, by being able to speak to God for them, to lay open their wants & nakednesses, to confess their sins, to crave pardon and forgiveness, to give thanks in their names for mercies received, and in a word to offer up all their spiritual sacrifices unto God for them: and so every true minister is a double interpreter, Gods to the people, and the peoples to God: In which respects, he is properly called, Gods mouth to the people, by preaching to them from God, and the peoples mouth to God, by praying for them to God: and this title showeth how great and glorious a calling this Ministry is, if it be rightly conceived. Now then for the use of it.