A09449:408
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
THE ART OF PROPHESYING. › Chapter 10THE ARTE OF PROPHECYING. › Chapter 10
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 parts of sanctity are especially, 1. A good conscience. 2. Cor. 1. 12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, and not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world. 1. Timothy 1. 19. Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some having put away as concerning the faith have made Ship-wreck. Act. 24. 16. And herein I endeavour my self to have alway a clear conscience towards God, and towards men. If this be wanting, the mouth of the speaker is shut. Isai. 56. 10. Their Watchmen are all blind: they have no knowledge, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, they lie and sleep, and delight in sleeping. 2. An inward feeling of the doctrine to be delivered. Wood, that is capable of fire, doth not burn, unless fire be put to it: and he must first be godly affected himself, who would stir up godly affections in other men. Therefore what motions a sermon doth require, such the Preacher shall stir up privately in his own mind, that he may kindle up the same in his hearers. 3. The fear of God, ⟨p. 141⟩whereby, being throughly strucken with a reverent regard of Gods Majesty, he speaketh soberly and moderately. 4. The love of the people. 1. Thess. 27. But were gentle amongst you, as a nurse that cherisheth her children. And that this affection may appear, the Ministers duty is to pray seriously and fervently for the people of God. 1. Sam. 12. 23. God forbid that I should sin against the Lord and cease praying for you. 5. The Minister must also be ([Greek or Hebrew]) venerable, that is, such a one as is to be reverenced for constancy, integrity, gravity and trueth-speaking, who also knoweth how to perform reverence to others either privately or publicly, as is befitting the persons of all his hearers. 6. He must be ([Greek or Hebrew]) temperant, who restraineth inwardly his over vehement affections, and hath his outward fashions and gestures moderate and plain, by the which dignity and authority may be procured and preserved. Therefore he must be neither covetous ([Greek or Hebrew] a lover of silver) nor ([Greek or Hebrew]) a follower of wine, nor litigious, nor a striker, nor wrathful: And let the young men exercise themselves