A09445:63
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.
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.2
Let no man thinke I heere giue the least allowance to Anabaptisticall fancies, and reuelations, which are nothing, but eyther dreames of theyr owne, or illusions of the deuil, for they contemne both humane learning, and the study of the scripture, and trust wholy to reuelations of the spirit; but Gods Spirit worketh not but vpon the foundation of the word: onely I teach this, that a Minister must be a diuine Interpreter, an Interpreter of Gods meaning. And therfore he must not onlie reade the booke, but eate it, that is, not only haue the knowledge of diuine thinges flowing in his braine, but ingrauen in his hart, and printed in his soule by the spirituall finger of God: and therfore for this end, after all his owne study, meditation, ⟨image 16⟩conference, Comentaries, & after all h••mane helps, hee must pray with Dauid, Open thou mine eyes, 1