A09449:368
The Art of Prophesying
The art of prophesying, or, A treatise concerning the sacred and only true manner and method of preaching first written in Latin by Master William Perkins ; and now faithfully translated into English (for that it containeth many worthy things fit for the knowledge of men of all degrees) by Thomas Tuke.The arte of prophecying, or, A treatise concerning the sacred and onely true manner and methode of preaching first written in Latine by Master William Perkins ; and now faithfully translated into English (for that it containeth many worthie things fit for the knowledge of men of all degrees) by Thomas Tuke.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for E.E., 1607
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.
When Trial is made, the Remedy must be applied unto them out of the Gospel, which is double. First, some evangelical meditations are to be often inculcated and pressed upon them: as 1. That their sin is pardonable. 2. That the promises are general in respect of believers, and that they are indefinite in respect of particular men, and do exclude no man. 3. That the will to believe is faith, Psalm. 145. 19. Revel. 21. 6. 4. That sin doth not abolish grace, but rather (God turning all things unto the good of those that are his) doth illustrate it. 5. That all the works of God are done by contrary means. Secondly, they must be entreated to stir up in them in the very bitterness of ⟨p. 119⟩the temptation, their faith which hath lien in a swoon, and bin *covered (as it were with ashes) and that they would certainly set down with themselves that their sins are forgiven them, and that it would please them to struggle manfully in prayer either alone or with others against carnal sense and humane hope. And that they may perform these things, they must be very earnestly beaten upon, and those that are unwilling must in a manner be constrained. Psalm. 130. 1. Out of the depths have I called to thee, O Lord. 2. Lord listen unto my voice: let thine ears attend to the voice of my prayers. Psalm. 77. 1. My voice came to God when I prayed, my voice went to God, that he would turn his ear (ut aduertat aurem) unto me. 2. In the day of my distress I besought the Lord. Rom. 4. 18. Who (Abraham) against ([Greek or Hebrew]) hope believed under hope, that he should be the father of many nations.
When Triall is made, the Remedie must be applied vnto them out of the Gospell, which is double. First, some euangelicall meditations are to bee often inculcated and pressed vpon them: as 1. That their sinne is pardonable. 2. That the promises are generall in respect of beleeuers, and that they are indefinite in respect of particular men, and doe exclude no man. 3. That the will to beleeue is faith,