A09445:86
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.
Thus we see in some measure, what it is to declare unto a man his righteousness. And this is the peculiar office of a Minister of God, and this is the height and excellency of his office. In the want of godly Ministers, I confess that godly Christian men may one help another in the performance of these duties, and that with profit, but it is the proper function of a godly Minister to do it, and the promise and blessing belongs properly to him: as the ⟨image 25⟩consciences of all penitent sinners, will testify in this case: let Davids serve for many, who when he was cast down even to the mouth of hell, by that fearful discovery, of his two hideous sins by Nathans preaching, & when the faith of his soul, began to wrestle against hell, and strive against despair, and to apprehend the mercy of God in Christ: then I say, could not the testimony, of all the men in the world, have given him that joy, comfort and assurance, that Nathan did, when he said in the word of a Prophet, and of a true Minister, God hath taken away thy sin, thou shalt not die: what did Nathan here, but declare unto man his righteousness: what did Nathan here, but the duty of every true Minister?
Thus we see in some measure, what it is to declare vnto a man his righteousnes. And this is the peculiar office of a Minister of God, and this is the height and excellencie of his office. In the want of godly Ministers, I confesse that godly Christian men may one helpe another in the performance of these duties, and that with profit, but it is the proper function of a godlie Minister to doe it, and the promise and blessing belongs properly to him: as the ⟨image 25⟩consciences of all penitent sinners, will testifie in this case: let Dauids serue for many, who when he was cast downe euen to the mouth of hell, by that fearefull discouery, of his two hideous sinnes by Nathans preaching, & when the faith of his soule, beganne to wrestle against hell, and striue against dispaire, and to apprehend the mercy of God in Christ: then I say, could not the testimonie, of all the men in the world, haue giuen him that ioy, comfort and assurance, that Nathan did, when hee said in the word of a Prophet, and of a true Minister, God hath taken away thy sinne, thou shalt not die: what did Nathan heere, but declare vnto man his righteousnes: what did Nathan heere, but the duty of euery true Minister?