A09445:73
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 let us make use of this doctrine:1 the use is manifold, and yields instructions to many sorts of people:2 first Rulers and Magistrates are here taught, if good Ministers be so scarce, therefore to maintain and increase, and do all good they can to the schools of the Prophets, to Universities, Colleges, and schools of ⟨image 20⟩good learning, which are the Seminaries of the Ministry: herein the example of Samuel is very worthy to be followed, in whose days the schools of the Prophets flourished,3 and even Saul himself, though he did much hurt in Israel, yet when he came to the schools of the Prophets, his hard hart relented, he could do them no hurt, nay he p•t of […] robes, and prophesied amongst them: So should all Christians Princes and Magistrates, advance these schools, and see them both well maintained, and well stored, the reason is evident and forcible. A good Minister is one of a 1000: If therefore they would have the number increased, maintain the Seminaries. And again, if Antichrist to uphold his kingdom, the kingdom of satan be so careful herein,4 to erect Colleges, and endow them with living, to be Seminaries for his synagogue, and use so great means to sow his rares in the harts of young men, that so they may sow them in the harts of the people abroad: shall not Christian Princes be as careful, or rather much more zealous, for the ⟨image 20⟩increasing of the number of godly Ministers? shall Baal have his 400 Prophets, 5and God have his Elijah alone: great shame must it be to A•ab, or to any King, whose Kingdom is in that estate.
Now let vs make vse of this doctrine:1