A09449:4
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.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR WILLIAM ARMIN Knight.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL SIR WILLIAM ARMIN Knight.
SIR, many and excellent benefits hath the Lord in mercy vouchsafed to us these eight and forty by-past years together: of which this is not the least, if not the greatest, that he hath dispelled the dusky clouds of Popish darkness as palpable as that of Egypt, and hath caused the Sunlight 1of the Gospel to shine clearly in all our coasts. He showeth his ⟨image 3⟩word unto us, as he did unto Jacob, 2his statutes and his judgements, as he did sometimes to Israel. He hath given us his Prophets and Ambassadors, which do serve like that cloud and pillar of fire to direct us 3in our pilgrimage through the wilderness of this wicked world into celestial Canaan. He hath thrust forth many faithful and industrious labourers into his Vineyard to prune and to dress the vines of our souls, that we may bring forth the grapes of piety and the clusters of justice; (unless we will needs be like to the Cypress, which, as Pliny saith, can endure no husbanding, but maketh that her malady, which is a medicine to other trees) Amongst whom the Author of this learned Tractate did show himself with the foremost; carrying always with him a Light of learning, and a Lamp of godly ⟨image 3⟩living. And, qualis vita, finis ita; As he was a Lamp whiles he lived, so like a Lamp, alijs inseruiens seipsum consumpsit. His whole life was labour, seribenda dicens & legenda scribens. One whereof was this present discourse and platform concerning the true understanding and using of the Scriptures, written in his younger years: which I am bold to present and dedicate to your Worship in this plight you see; partly because it is a Thesaurus and store-house of excellent precepts, (as Domitius Piso saith that books should be such) having in it [Greek or Hebrew], sufficient furniture to further perfection in that sacred science: and partly to demonstrate my gratitude, and devoted affection to you, who have always bin a constant patrone (etiam minitante Fortuna) to my nearest and dearest friends.