M. Perkins, his Exhortation to repentance, out of Zephaniah preached in 2. sermons in…
M. Perkins, his Exhortation to repentance, out of Zephaniah preached in 2. sermons in Stourbridge Fair. Together with two treatises of the duties and dignity of the ministry: delivered publicly in the University of Cambridge. With a preface prefixed touching the publishing of all such works of his as are to be expected: with a catalogue of all the particulars [sic] of them, diligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word.M. Perkins, his Exhortation to repentance, out of Zephaniah preached in 2. sermons in Sturbridge Faire. Together with two treatises of the duties and dignitie of the ministrie: deliuered publiquely in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge. With a preface præfixed touching the publishing of all such workes of his as are to be expected: with a catalogue of all the perticulers [sic] of them, diligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word.
William Perkins 1558–1602London: printed by T. Creede for William Welby, 1605
[32], 101, [19], 184 p. · 58k words · STC 19706.5 · ESTC S123485
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.
Fourthly, here it is apparent, that as the Angels are sent out for the help & service 1of the elect: so especially of Gods ministers, as is plain in this place, where the Prophet being affrighted, a holy Angel is ready to give him comfort: and so over the whole course of the Prophets: and ⟨p. 125⟩at this day, their protection, and comfortable assistance, is no less present to the godly Ministers of the new Testament, though not in such sensible signs, and such visible manner, as in the old: for if they be ministering spirits, sent out for the good of them which shall be saved, how much more for their good, which shall be both saved themselves, and save others also.
Fourthly, here it is apparāt, that as the Ange's are sent out for the helpe & seruice 1of the elect: so especially of Gods ministers, as is plaine in this place, where the Prophet being afrighted, a holy Angel is ready to giue him comfort: and so ouer the whole course of the Prophets: and ⟨p. 125⟩at this day, their protection, and comfortable assistance, is no lesse present to the godly Ministers of the newe Testament, though not in such sensible signes, and such visible manner, as in the olde: for if they bee ministring spirits, sent out for the good of them which shall bee saued, howe much more for their good, which shall bee both saued themselues, and saue others also.
1Doct. That they have special charge and care of godly ministers.Doct. That they haue speciall charge and care of godly ministers.
much good use to all Ministers: who first of all may here learn contentment in their calling: for howsoever no calling hath more crosses, so none again hath more comfort: and howsoever none be more disgraced by evil men, yet none is more honoured by the holy Angels: and howsoever in this world they above any calling, are servants to all men, yet none hath the service & attendance of Angels so much as they: for though we have them not to help us to do the outward actions of our ministry with us, or for us, (as some popish Doctors teach, that in their Mass, A men is not said to one […]
⟨p. 124⟩
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⟨p. 125⟩
⟨p. 126⟩
collect, because the Angels say A men to it) yet doubtless they are present always, as at all holy exercises and lawful actions, so especially at the public service of God, performed by the Ministers: and beside that, they are witnesses thereto, and of the pains, and diligence, and faithfulness of a good Minister, they also do Minister unto them oftentimes, bodily strength, and assistance, & many comforts: in their troublesome travels, which they know not how by any natural means they come unto them. And as this Doctrine doth thus yield them
contentment against the contempt, so also courage against the danger of this calling. For what though thou hast mighty men of this world against thee, when thou hast angels for thee? & what though thou fightest against principalities and powers, when thou hast Cherubins, and Seraphims on thy side? Godly Ministers have many enemies, but if by the eye of faith, they can see as well who are with them, as with the eye of reason who are against them, they will confess with Elisha,
⟨p. 127⟩
there are more with us, then against us. The stories of all ages do affirm, and the comfortable experience of these days of ours doth verify the truth hereof. Ministers that live in places very profane, or very popish, it is admirable to see how many dangers they have escaped, and plots they have avoided, which by their enemies, (or rather the enemies of their Doctrine) have bone laid for their lives: which their deliverance, and many other comforts in their Ministries, whence are they but from Gods protection, by the ministry of his
A doctrine of great comfort, and 1much good vse to all Ministers: who first of all may here learne contentment intheir calling: for howsoeuer no calling hath more crosses, so none againe hath more comfort: and howsoeuer none bee more disgraced by euillmen, yet none is more honoured by the holy Angels: and howsoeuer in this world they aboue any calling, are seruāts to all men, yet none hath the seruice & attendance of Angels so much as they: for though we haue them not to helpe vs to do the outward actions of our ministery with vs, or for vs, (as some popish Doctors teach, that in their Masse, A men is not said to one 〈…〉⟨p. 124⟩〈…〉⟨p. 125⟩⟨p. 126⟩collect, because the Angels say A men to it) yet doubtlesse they are presēt alwaies, as at all holy exercises and lawfull actions, so especially at the publike seruice of God, performed by the Ministers: and beside that, they are witnesses thereto, and of the paines, and diligence, and faithfulnesse of a good Minister, they also do Minister vnto them oftentimes, bodily strength, and assistance, & many comforts: in their troublesome trauels, which they know not how by any naturall meanes they come vnto them. And as this Doctrine doth thus yeeld them 2contentment against the contempt, so also courage against the danger of this calling. For what though thou hast mightie men of this world against thee, when thou hast angels for thee? & what though thou fightest against principalities and powers, when thou hast Cherubins, and Seraphims on thy side? Godly Ministers haue many enemies, but if by the eye of faith, they can see as well who are with them, as with the eye of reason who are against them, they will confesse with Elisha, ⟨p. 127⟩there are more with vs, then against vs. The stories of all ages doe affirme, and the cōfortable experience of these daies of ours doth verifie the truth hereof. Ministers that liue in places very prophane, or very popish, it is admirable to see how many daungers they haue escaped, and plottes they haue auoided, which by their enemies, (or rather the enemies of their Doctrine) haue bone laide for their liues: which their deliuerance, and many other comforts in their Ministries, whence are they but from Gods protection, by the ministry of his 3Angels.4
1Use to Gods ministers. I let them be content with their calling though it be full of crosses and contempts for it is honoured of the Augels above others.Vse to Gods ministers. I let them be content with their calling though it be full of crosses and contempts for it is honoured of the Augels aboue others.
22 Ergo, Let them have courage, for though men be against them, Angels are with them.2 Ergo, Let them haue courage, for though men be against them, Angels are with them.
32 Questions
41. Ergo, Whence is it that Angels attend ministers more then other men. Ans. 2. reasons.1. Ergo, Whēce is it that Angels attend ministers more then other men. Ans. 2. reasons.
First if any ask, whence comes it that Angels perform more service to good Ministers then to other men: I answer, the reason is partly from God, 1partly from the Angels: first God hath a principal care of them above other men, because they work his work above all other callings: for their labours ⟨p. 128⟩immediately concern the good of mens souls: whereas others do first concern the body, and consequently the soul: therefore, whereas he hath given his Angels charge over all his elect, to keep them 2in all their good ways, they have a special charge doubtless over all godly and faithful Ministers, whose ways are Gods in a special manner.
First if any aske, whence comes it that Angels performe more seruice to good Mlnisters then to other men: I answere, the reason is partly from God, 1partly from the Angels: first God hath a principall care of them aboue other men, because they worke his worke aboue all other callings: for their labours ⟨p. 128⟩immediately cōcerne the good of mens soules: whereas others do first concerne the body, and consequently the soule: therefore, whereas he hath giuen his Angels charge ouer all his elect, to keepe them 2in all their good waies, they haue a speciall charge doubtlesse ouer al godly and faithfull Ministers, whose waies are Gods in a speciall manner.
11 From God' he will have it so, because they work his work more then other callings.1 From God' he will haue it so, because they worke his worke more then other callings.
Again, Angels themselves as they 1willingly perform any service to the Church, or to any part thereof, so most willingly of all are they employed for the good of godly Ministers, and that for two causes.
Againe, Angels themselues as they 1willingly performe any seruice to the Church, or to any part thereof, so most willingly of all are they imployed for the good of godly Ministers, and that for two causes.
12 From the Angels themselves.2 From the Angels themselues.
First, because they are their fellow-labourers, both for that that Angels & good 1Ministers are both called Gods ambassadors, & Gods own servants or officers, in a more peculiar manner then any other calling: & for that their service is so like, that their names are common, one to the other. Angels being called Ministers, and Ministers Angels, as though they were almost all one.
First, because they are their fellow-labourers, both for that yt Angels & good 1Ministers are both called Gods embassadors, & Gods own seruants or officers, in a more peculiar manner then any other calling: & for that their seruice is so like, that their names are common, one to the other. Angels being called Ministers, and Ministers Angels, as though they were almost all one.
1Because they are fellowlabourers. 1 Cor. 4. 2. Heb. 1. 1•▪ Mal. 27. Reve. 2. &. 3, Chap.Because they are fellowlabourers. 1 Cor. 4. 2. Heb. 1. 1•▪ Mal. 27. Reue. 2. &. 3, Chap.
Secondly, because the Ministers duty ⟨p. 129⟩is, to convert & save souls, being a 1work which (next to the glorifying of God, and doings his will) the Angels do take most delight in above any other: for if they be sent out for the good of them which shall be saved, how much more willingly for their good, by whom they are saved, which shall be saved? & if the Angels rejoice at the conversion of a sinner▪ surely they much love him, & desire to do him good, by whom the sinner is converted: and in these respects, that Angels and Ministers have the same names: and are both employed in the same great work; namely, doing good to the elect.
Secondly, because the Ministers dutie ⟨p. 129⟩is, to conuert & saue soules, being a 1worke which (next to the glorifying of God, and doings his wil) the Angels doe take most delight in aboue any other: for if they be sent out for the good of them which shal be saued, how much more willingly for their good, by whom they are saued, which shal be saued? & if the Angels reioice at the cōuersion of a sinner▪ surely they much loue him, & desire to doe him good, by whom the sinner is conuerted: and in these respects, that Angels and Ministers haue the same names: and are both imployed in the same great worke; namely, doing good to the elect.
1Because they convert souls, which delighteth the Angels above any in this world. Heb. 1. 14. Luke 15. 10.Because they conuert soules, which delighteth the Angels aboue any in this world. Heb. 1. 14. Luke 15. 10.
Therefore is it, that the Angel calls himself S. John the Evangelists fellow in the Revelation: If then they be fellows, 1even fellow-servants, & fellow-labourers, in a more special manner then any other, what marvel though the angels be most willingly employed, in doing any service of help or comfort to godly Ministers.
Therefore is it, that the Angel calles himselfe S. Iohn the Euangelists fellow in the Reuelation: If then they be fellowes, 1euē fellow-seruants, & fellow-laborers, in a more special maner then any other, what maruel though the angels be most willingly imployed, in doing any seruice of helpe or comfort to godly Ministers.
In the second place, If any ask, if it be so, then what duties are Ministers ⟨p. 130⟩to perform to angels, for this their so 1careful service, & especial attendance upon them, above other men?
In the second place, If any aske, if it be so, then what duties are Ministers ⟨p. 130⟩to performe to angels, for this their so 1carefull seruice, & especiall attendance vpon them, aboue other men?
12. Question: what duties then are good Ministers to perform to Angels. Not worship them so as the Papists do.2. Question: what duties then are good Ministers to performe to Angels. Not worship them so as the Papists doe.
A Papist would answer; Ministers must therefore worship them, and keep their fasting, & Holy-days, and say their service, and pray unto them, as to their keepers and Mediators. But alas, cannot the Kings Messenger or Officer be honoured, unless he be set upon the Kings throne? will nothing serve him, but the Crown and Sceptre? so cannot Angels be honoured, unless they be made Gods, or Saviours, or mediators? But I answer therefore, we dare not go so far, least we remember the servant so much, that we forget the master: but rather we answer thus: seeing angels are thus serviceable to Gods ministers, 1it should first of all, teach all men to honour that calling, with all due reverence: For they cannot but please the angels, in honouring good Ministers, whom they esteem their fellows.2
A Papast would answere; Ministers must therefore worshippe them, and keepe their fasting, & Holy-dayes, and say their seruice, and pray vnto them, as to their keepers and Mediators. But alas, cannot the Kings Messenger or Officer be honoured, vnlesse he be set vpon the Kings throne? will nothing serue him, but the Crowne and Scepter? so cannot Angels be honoured, vnlesse they be made Gods, or Sauiours, or mediators? But I answere therefore, wee dare not go so farre, least we remember the seruant so much, that we forget the master: but rather we answere thus: seeing angels are thus seruiceable to Gods ministers, 1it should first of all, teach al men to honour that calling, with all due reuerence: For they cannot but please the angels, in honouring good Ministers, whom they esteeme their fellowes.2
1As all men should therefore honour that calling.As all men should therfore honour that calling.
21. So Ministers should labour to be faithful in their calling.1. So Ministers should labour to be faithfull in their calling.
Secondly, it should teach all Ministers, not to content themselves with ⟨p. 131⟩the name and title, but to labour to be good and faithful. For so doing, they are fellows to the Angels, and it is a disgrace to the Angels, when those that are their fellows are unfaithful.
Secondly, it should teach all Ministers, not to content themselues with ⟨p. 131⟩the name and title, but to labour to bee good and faithfull. For so doing, they are fellowes to the Angels, and it is a disgrace to the Angels, when those that are their fellowes are vnfaithfull.
And it should further teach them, 1to adorn their Calling with a holy life, for as sin is that, that grieves the angels, & drives them away, so it is grace and holiness, which makes them delight in the fellowship of men.
And it should further teach them, 1to adorne their Calling with a holy life, for as sinne is that, that grieues the angels, & driues them away, so it is grace and holinesse, which makes them delight in the fellowship of men.
And it may also encourage any man, 1to take pains in that holy Calling, wherein he is sure to have Gods angels, in a special manner to attend him, to assist him, to protect him, and to be a witness of his faithfulness: and who would not work cheerfully in that labour, wherein he hath the Angels to be in a sort fellow-workers with him?
And it may also encourage any man, 1to take paines in that holy Calling, wherein hee is sure to haue Gods angels, in a speciall manner to attende him, to assist him, to protect him, and to bee a witnesse of his faithfulnesse: and who would not worke cheerefully in that labour, wherein hee hath the Angels to bee in a sort fellow-workers with him?
13. To be painful in their calling.3. To be painfull in their calling.
To do these three duties, is to honour good angels: and that Minister 1that conscionably performeth them, the angels will take themselves sufficiently honoured of that man.
To doe these three duties, is to honour good angels: and that Minister 1that conscionably performeth them, the angels will take themselues sufficiently honoured of that man.
And if beside this honour, we would 1rejoice Gods angels, and minister matter of joy unto them, then in the fourth place, let all Ministers propound to themselves above all things, the conversion of souls, rather then their own praise, or living, or pleasing of men, and so endeavour it both in teaching, and all their other courses, that the angels may see it, and be witness of it: for if they rejoice at the conversion of a sinner, (as Christ saith they do, then those men make them oftest rejoice, which do most seriously aim at the conversion of sinners.
And if beside this honour, we would 1reioyce Gods angels, and minister matter of ioy vnto them, then in the fourth place, let all Ministers propounde to themselues aboue al things, the conversion of soules, rather then their own praise, or liuing, or pleasing of men, and so endeuour it both in teaching, and all their other courses, that the angels may see it, and bee witnesse of it: for if they reioyce at the conversion of a sinner, (as Christ saith they doe, then those men make them oftest reioyce, which doe most seriously aime at the conversion of sinners.
1And if a Minister would rejoice thē, let him labour seriously, so to preach as he may win souls.And if a Minister would reioyce thē, let him labour seriously, so to preach as he may winne soules.
And thus we see, both the service of angels to Gods Ministers, and the duties they are to perform to them in that regard. The due consideration of this point, may raise the world to a better conceit of this Calling, and persuade fathers to dedicate their sons to it, and stir up young students to consecrate themselvest hereto, & turn their studies to that end: for no man in no calling hath so special attendance, and ⟨p. 134⟩assistance of Gods angels, as godly Ministers have: At least, if it work not this in the world, yet it may yield comfort & contentment to all faithful Ministers in their painful calling.
And thus we see, both the seruice of angels to Gods Ministers, and the duties they are to performe to them in that regard. The due consideration of this point, may raise the world to a better conceit of this Calling, and perswade fathers to dedicate their sonnes to it, and stirre vp young students to consecrate themseluest hereto, & turne their studies to that ende: for no man in no calling hath so speciall attendance, and ⟨p. 134⟩assistance of Gods angels, as godly Ministers haue: At least, if it worke not this in the world, yet it may yeeld comfort & contentment to all faithfull Ministers in their painfull calling.
