A09445:62
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.
1Indeed we be mans interpreter by humane teaching, and may interpret the Scriptures, truly and soundly, as a humane book or story for the increase of knowledge, but the divine and spiritual Interpretation, which shall pierce the hart, and astonish the soul of man, must be taught by the inward teaching of the holy Ghost.
1Indeede we bee mans interpreter by humane teaching, and may interpret the Scriptures, truely and soundly, as a humane booke or storie for the increase of knowledge, but the diuine and spirituall Interpretation, which shall perce the hart, and astonish the soule of man, must bee taught by the inward teaching of the holy Ghost.
- 11 Corinth.
Let no man think I here give the least allowance to Anabaptisticall fancies, and revelations, which are nothing, but either dreams of their own, or illusions of the devil, for they contemn both humane learning, and the study of the scripture, and trust wholly to revelations of the spirit; but Gods Spirit worketh not but upon the foundation of the word: only I teach this, that a Minister must be a divine Interpreter, an Interpreter of Gods meaning. And therefore he must not only read the book, but eat it, that is, not only have the knowledge of divine things flowing in his brain, but engraven in his hart, and printed in his soul by the spiritual finger of God: and therefore for this end, after all his own study, meditation, ⟨image 16⟩conference, Commentaries, & after all humane helps, he must pray with David, Open thou mine eyes, 1that I may see the wonders of thy law. The discerning of those wonders requires a spiritual illumination, and the opening of them requires the tongue of the learned. Therefore after all the study which flesh and blood, and humane reason can yield, pray with the Prophet, Lord give me the tongue of the learned, that I may be a right Interpreter of thy holy will.