A09445:74
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.
The Jesuits diligence is such in teaching, & the readiness of some of their novices such in learning, (the devil himself doubtless, putting to his help withal) that in three years (as some of them say of themselves) they proceed in humane learning, and in the fourth, in divinity: which if it be so, then it may be a good lesson, for these our schools of learning, and an inducement to move all that have the government thereof, to labour to advance learning, by all good means, and to give it more speedy passage: And it may shame some that spend so many years in the University▪ and yet alas for all that prove not one of a 1000. In these our schools are by Gods mercy, many young trees planted by the river side, of this goodly orchard, which by good ordering and dressing, may prove goodly trees in the temple of God, & strong pillars in the Church, ⟨image 21⟩but they are like tender plants, and must be cherished. Princes and great men, by allowing maintenance, and the governors by stablishing good orders, and looking carefully to their execution, must see that these plants have sufficient moisture, to grow speedily to perfect ripeness, and that then they be transplanted in due time, into the Church and common-wealth: these be the trees spoken of in Ezekiel,1 which grow by the sides of that river, which floweth out of the Sanctuary: Waters out of the Sanctuary must nourish them, and so they grow unto their perfection: but take away these waters, take away the liberality of princes, and good discipline from the Universities, and these trees must needs decay and weather: which if they do, then the small number of good Ministers, will be fewer and fewer, and of one of a 1000, there will not be one of 2000.2 In the next place, Ministers themselves are here taught: first if good Ministers be so scarce, then let every man fear to make them fewer then they be: every man therefore for himself, labour first for ability, then for ⟨image 21⟩conscience to discharge his duty: namely to be an Angel, to deliver faithfully Gods Embassage, and a true Interpreter betwixt God and his people▪ thus if thou dost, then howsoever the number of good Ministers is small, yet it shall be nothing smaller for thee.