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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A09449	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.; Prophetica, sive, De sacra et vnica ratione concionandi tractatus. English	Perkins, William, 1558-1602.; Tuke, Thomas, d. 1657.	1607 (1607)	STC 19735.4; ESTC S4414	56,791	166

the preaching of Iohn which was like the roaring of a Lion He compares Luke to an Oxe because he beginneth with Zacharie the Priest offering his sacrifice He compareth Iohn to an Eagle because he doth as it were so are vp aloft and begin with the Godhead of Christ. 2 The Acts of the Apostles which is an orderly historie specially relating the deeds of Peter and Paul that there might be an ensample of gouerning the Church extant 2. Tim. 3. 10. 11. 3 The Reuelation which is a propheticall historie concerning the condition of the Church from the age in which Iohn the Apostle liued vnto the ende of the world The Epistles follow 1. thirteene Epistles of Paul 1 To the Romanes of iustification sanctification and the dueties of Christian life 2 The first to the Corinthes concerning the reforming of the abuses of the Church of Corinth 3 The second to the Corinthes containing chieflie the defence of himselfe and of his Apostleship against his aduersaries 4 To the Galatians about iustification by faith without the workes of the Law 5 To the Colossians 6 To the Philippians 7 To the Ephesians 8 The 1. to the Thes. 9 The 2. to the Thes. Which cōfirme the Churches in doctrine and in the dueties of Christian life 10 The 1. to Timothie 11 The 2. to Timothie Which prescribe the forme of ordering the Church aright 12 The Epistle to Titus of ordering the Church of the Cretians 13. To Philemon of receiuing Onesimus The Epistle to the Hebrewes concerning the person and offices of Christ and of faith bringing foorth fruit in good workes The Epistle of Iames concerning works to be ioyned with faith The first and second Epistle of Peter touching sanctification and the works of new obedience The first Epistle of Iohn concerning the signes of fellowship with God The second Epistle of Iohn to the elect Ladie about perseuerance in the truth The third Epistle of Iohn to Gayus concerning hospitalitie and constancie in that which is good The Epistle of Iude of constancie in the faith against false Prophets And thus the Canonicall Scripture is distinguished by her bookes Now there are verie strong proofes which shew that she alone is the word of God and no other besides Of these proofes one doth make a man certainelie to know the same the other doth but declare or testifie it Of the former kind there is onelie one namely the inward testimony of the holy Ghost speaking in the Scriptures and not only telling a man within in his heart but also effectually perswading him that these bookes of the Scripture are the word of God Isai. 59. 21. My Spirit that is vpon thee and my words which I haue put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth from henceforth euen for euer The manner of perswading is on this wise The Eelect hauing the Spirit of God doe first discerne the voyce of Christ speaking in the scriptures Moreouer that voyce which they doe discerne they doe approoue and that which they doe approue they doe beleeue Lastly beleeuing they are as it were sealed with the seale of the Spirit Ephe. 1 13. Wherein also after that ye beleeued yee were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise The Church also may beare witnesse of the Canon perswade she cannot For by this meanes the voyce of the Church should be of greater force then the voyce of God and the whole state of mans saluation should depend vpon men than which what can be said to be more miserable Obiect The Scripture is the word of God by it selfe but it is not so to vs but by the iudgement of the Church Ans. 1. The distinction is vaine For the first part thereof sheweth the manner whereby the Scripture is the word of God the latter part sheweth not the manner how but the person to whom 2. The Scripture doth also testifie the same thing with that kind of testimonie which is surer euen then all the oathes of men For we haue the voyce of the holy Ghost speaking in the Scripture who doth also worke in our hearts a certaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 full perswasion of the Scriptures when we are exercised in hearing reading and meditating of thē Neither doe we beleeue a thing because the Church saith it is to beleeued but therefore we doe beleeue a thing because that which the Church speaketh the Scripture did first speake Yea the Church cannot stand nor yet be imagined without faith faith is not without the word which word is the Rule or Obiect of faith and not the iudgement though it be of most holy men 3. He which doubteth of the Scriptures will doubt as well of the testimonie of the Church Obiect 2. The Church hath a iudgement to determine of matters Act. 15. 28. It seemeth good to the holy Ghost and to vs. Ans. 1. The soueraigne or supreame iudgement concerning matters of faith belongeth to the holy Ghost speaking in the Scriptures The ministerie of iudgement or a ministeriall iudgement is only giuen vnto the Church because she must iudge according to the Scriptures and because she doth not this alwaies but sometimes faileth 2. The Apostles were present at that Councell which was held at Ierusalem who were men that had authoritie which was * of it selfe to be beleeued which authoritie the Ecclesiasticall ministery now hath not The proofe of declaration or testification is that which doth not demonstrate or perswade but only testifie and by certaine tokens approue the true Canon This proofe is manifold First the perpetuall consent of the Church of the ancient Church of the Iewes Rom. 3. 2. For chieflie because vnto them were of credit committed the Oracles of God And of the new and latter Church 1. From Christ and the Apostles who cited testimonies foorth of those bookes 2. From the Fathers First Origen as Eusebius testifieth Lib. 6. 18. 23. 2. Melito as the same Eusebius witnesseth Lib. 4. 3. Athanasius 4. Cyril Serm. 4. 5. Cyprian or rather Ruffine in his exposition of the Creed 6. In his preface vpon the first Psalme 7. Hierome in Prologo Gal. and in his preface vpon the bookes of Salomon 8. Epiphanius in his booke of weights and measures 9. Damascene in his fourth booke of faith chap. 18. 10. Gregorie Moral on Iob. lib. 9. chap. 27. 3. In Councels the Nicene and Laodiccan Can. 59. With these agree Hugo de Sancto Victore in his first booke of Sacraments chap. 7. N. Lyra in his prologue vpon the bookes of Aprocrypha Hugo Cardinalis in prologo in Iosuam Secondly the consent in part made by the Gentiles and enemies affirming the same things which are deliuered in holie Scriptures 1. Of the creation spake Homer and Plato in Timaeo 2. Of Christ Iosephus lib. 20. Antiquit. cap. 6. 8. and in his sixt booke of the warre of the Iewes chap. 8. and booke the 6. chap. 25. 27. 28. 47. 3. Of the Redeemer of the world who was to

be exhibited in the last times prophecied the Sibylls as Lactantius recordeth lib. 4. cap. 6. and Cicero lib. 2. de Diuinat and Virgil in the fourth Eclogue 4. Of the miracles of Christ Suetonius speaketh in Nero and Tacitus lib. 5. 20. 5. Of the Wisemens starre Plin. lib. 2. 25. 6. Of the slaughtering of the infants Macrobus in Satur. 7. Of the death of Herod Agrippa Iosephus in his 19. booke of Antiquities chap. 7. 8. Of the flood Berosus in those fragments which are extant Iosephus Antiq. booke 1. chap. 3. And the Poets 9. Of the tower of Babel Eupolemus speaketh as Eusebius testifieth De praeparat Euangel 10. Of the Doue which Noe sent out Plutarch mentioneth Lib. quod Bruta sunt rationalia 11. Of Iaphet the sonne of Noe the Poets fable many things 12. Of Abrahams sacrifice Alexander Polyhist 13. Of the miracles of Moses Plinie speaketh though he do ill in calling him a Magitian Thirdly the Antiquitie of the word for it cōtaineth in it a narration of things done from the beginning of the world But the most ancient humane Historie whatsoeuer was not written by any before the daies of Ezra and Nehemiah who were about the yeare of the worlds creation three thousand and fiue hundreth Fourthly the most certaine accomplishment of the prophecies as are these of the calling of the Gentiles of Antichrist of the apostasie of the Iewes c. Fiftly the matter thereof which is of one true God of the true worship of God and that God is the Sauiour Sixtly the consent of all the parts of the Scripture Seauenthly the miraculous preseruation of the Scriptures in the perils of the Church and in the time of generall reuolting Eightly the operation thereof for it conuerteth men and though it bee flatlie contrarie to the reason and affections of men yet it winneth them vnto it selfe Ninthly it is full of maiestie in the simplenes of the words Lastly the holy pen-men set downe their owne corruptions and Moses commendeth himselfe saying that he was the meekest of all men which argueth that they were led by the holie Ghost And Christ who is described in the Gospell affirmeth very plainely that he is the sonne of God and that he is one with God the father and challengeth all the glorie of God vnto himselfe Which if it had not bin right and true he should haue felt the wrath of God with Adam and with Herod who would needes bee like vnto God But on the contrarie God hath reuenged his death both vpon Herod and vpon the Iewes and vpon Pilate and vpon those Emperours that persecuted the Church And thus we haue seene the tokens of the Scripture Whereby it appeareth that the booke of Tobit the prayer of Manasses the boooke of Iudith the booke of Baruch the Epistle of Ieremy the additions to Daniel the third and fourth booke of Ezra the additions to the book of Hester the two bookes of Machabees the booke of Wisedome and Ecclesiasticus are not to be reckoned in the Canon Reas. 1. They are not written by the Prophets 2. They are not written in Hebrew 3. Christ and his Apostles alledged in the new Testament no testimonies out of those bookes 4. They containe some feigned things and contrarie to the Scriptures CHAP. IIII. Of the interpretation of the Scriptures HItherto hath been spoken of the obiect of Preaching The parts thereof are two Preparation for the sermon and the Promulgation or vttering of it Matth. 13. 52. Then said he vnto them therefore euery Scribe which is taught vnto the kingdome of heauen is like vnto an housholder which bringeth forth out of his treasure both new and old In preparation priuate studie is with diligence to be vsed 1. Tim. 4. 13. Till I come giue attendance to reading to exhortation and to doctrine 1. Pet. 1. 10. Of the which saluation the Prophets haue inquired and searched which prophecied of the grace that should come vnto you Dan. 9. 2. In the first yeere of his raigne I Daniel vnderstood by bookes the number of the yeeres Concerning the studie of Diuinitie take this aduice First diligently imprint both in thy mind and memory the substance of Diuinitie described with definitions diuisions and explications of the properties Secondly proceede to the reading of the Scriptures in this order Vsing a grammaticall rhetoricall and logicall analysis and the helpe of the rest of the arts reade first the Epistle of Paul to the Rom. after that the Gospell of Iohn as being indeed the keyes of the new Testament and then the other books of the new Testamēt will be more easie when they are read When all this is done learne first the dogmaticall bookes of the old Testament especiallie the Psalmes then the Propheticall especially Esay Lastly the historicall but chieflie Genesis For it is likelie that the Apostles and Euangelists read Esay and the Psalmes very much For there are no bookes of the old Testament out of which we can reade more testimonies to be cited then out of these There are about threescore places alledged out of Esay and threescore and foure out of the Psalmes Thirdly out of orthodoxall writings we must get aid not onely from the latter but also from the more ancient Church Because Sathan hath raised vp from the dead the old Heretiques that he might hinder the restoratiō of the Church which is begun to bee made in our time For the Antitrinitaries haue newly varnished that opinion of Arius and Sabellius The Anabantists renew the doctrines or sects of the Essees Catharists Enthusiasts and Donatists The Swenkseldians reuiue the opinions of the Eutychians Enthusiasts c. Menon followeth Ebion and the Papists resemble the Pharisies Encratites Tatians Pelagians The Libertines renew the opinions of the Gnosticks and Carpocratians Seruetus hath reuiued the heresies of Samosatenus Arrius Eutyches Marcion and Apollinaris Lastly the Schismatiques that separate themselues from euangelical Churches receiue the opinions facts and fashions of Pup●anus in Cyprian of the Audians and Donatists Therefore in like manner wee must not so much seeke for new repealings and confutations of these heresies as wee are for our vse to fetch those ancient ones out of Councils and Fathers and to accompt them as approued and firme Fourthly those things which in studying thou meetest with that are necessarie and worthie to be obserued thou must put in thy tables or Common-place books that thou maiest alwaies haue in a readines both old and new Fiftly before all these things God must carnestly be sued vnto by prayer that hee would blesse these meanes and that he would open the meaning of the Scriptures to vs that are blind Psalm 119. 18. Open mine eies that I may see the wonderfull things of thy Law Reuel 3. 18. I aduise thee to buy gold for thee and to annoint thine eyes with eye-salue that thou maist see Hitherto pertaineth the framing of Common-place bookes Concerning which obserue this slender counsel 1.

a more speciall manner 1. Tim. 5. 20. Them that sinne rebuke openly that the rest may also feare But alwaies in the very hatred of sinne let the loue of the person appeare in the speeches and let the Minister include himselfe if he may in his reprehension that it may bee more milde and gentle Dan. 4. 16. Then Daniel said My Lord the dreame be to them that hate thee and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies 17. The tree which thou sawest it is thou 19. Gal. 2. 15. We that are Iewes by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles 1. Cor. 4. 6. These things Brethren I haue by a kinde of figure translated to my selfe and to Apollo for you that yee might learne by vs not to be wise aboue that which is written Now these foure kinds of application doe offer themselues in euery sentence of the Scripture I will also set downe that example which Illyricus hath propounded Illyricus in his booke of the way to vnderstand the Scriptures Tract 1. Matth. 10. 28. Feare yee not them which kill the bodie but are not able to kill the soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell 29. Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father 30. Yea and all the haires of your head are numbred 31. Feare yee not therefore yee are of more value than many Sparrowes It were easie to draw from hence many doctrines partly of the confession of the faith and partly concerning Gods prouidence Doctrine 1. That it is needfull for vs publikely to professe the doctrine which we know so often as there is need 2. That wee must make confession also with the hazzard of goods and life 3. That our life should bee contemned in comparison of Christ and his trueth 4. That eternall punishments to be suffered both in soule and bodie are prepared for those that are not affraid to denie Christ and his trueth 5. That God is intent and readie to gouerne vs that we might make our confession aright 6. That the prouidence of God is not onely generall but also speciall which is diligently occupied about all our smallest matters yea euen the haires of our head Redargution 1. Those doe erre who thinke it to bee sufficient if in heart they doe embrace the faith and a right opinion concerning religion and that it is at a mans choise in the meane season to graunt or affirme any thing before men as the condition of the place time and persons requireth especially when the life seemeth to be in imminent danger to be lost 2. The Epicures erre in that they denie the diuine prouidence because they thinke it too base for the Maiestie of God to take care of humane affaires 3. The Stoicks doe erre who imagine that all things are gouerned by the fate or an vnresistable violent necessitie 4. They doe erre who make chaunce and fortune without any wise ordination of the diuine prouidence 5. The Pelagians do erre in giuing more than is due to mans strength as if it were put in mens power to embrace the faith at their pleasure to continue constant in the same and to confesse it to the end without feare 6. They doe erre who doe leane more vpon outward things and inconstant riches than vpon the power and goodnesse of God Instruction 1. Thou must to the vtmost of thy power labour to haue the true feare of God before thine eyes because thou now hearest that one God is to be feared aboue all men 2. Thou must learne such a contempt of humane things as that thou maist alwaies desire hauing forsaken them to depart hence and to bee ioyned together with Christ in the heauens 3. The consideration of Gods speciall prouidence doth cause thee to thinke of the presence of God that Beholder to craue his helpe and also to beleeue that thou art helped in all things and finally that there is no danger so terrible but hee both can and will deliuer thee from when it is fit Correction 1. These words of Christ correct their negligence who in their prayers do not craue of God sincere loue that being inflamed with it they may not refuse to lay downe their life for his name 2. The negligence of those men is also taxed which doe not acknowledge and behold the prouidence of God shewing it selfe in all things 3. Those are reproued who giue not God thanks for vouchsafing to gouerne and defend vs and all things that belong vnto vs by his prouidence 4. Those are reprooued that abuse the good creatures of God seeing that it is manifest that God hath care of all things Thus any place of Scripture ought to be handled yet so as that all the doctrins be not propounded to the people but those onely which may bee fitly applied to our times and to the present condition of the Church And they must not onely be choice ones but also few lest the hearers bee ouercharged with their multitude CHAP. IX Of Memorie in Preaching BBecause it is the receiued custom for Preachers to speak by heart before the people some thing must bee here annexed concerning memory Artificial memorie which standeth vpon places and images will very easilie without labour teach how to commit sermons to the memorie but it is not to be approoued 1. The animation of the image which is the key of memory is impious because it requireth absurd insolent and prodigious cogitations and those especially which set an edge vpon and kindle the most corrupt affections of the flesh 2. It dulleth wit and memorie because it requireth a threefold memorie for one the first of the places the second of the images the third of the thing that is to be declared It is not therefore an vnprofitable aduise if he that is to preach doe diligentlie imprint in his mind by the helpe of dsposition either axiomaticall or syllogisticall or methodicall the seuerall doctrines of the place he meanes to handle the seuerall proofes and applications of the doctrines the illustrations of the applications and the order of them all in the meane time nothing carefull for the words Which as Horace speaketh will not vnwillingly follow the matter that is premeditated Uerbaque praeuisam rem non inuita sequentur Their studie hath many discommodities who doe con their written sermons word for word 1. It asketh great labour 2. He which through feare doth stumble at one word doth both trouble the congregation and confound his memorie 3. Pronunciation action and the holie motions of affections are hindred because the mind is wholly bent on this to wit that the memorie fainting now vnder her burthen may not faile CHAP. X. HItherto hath bin spoken of the preparation or prouision of the sermon the Promulgation or vttring of it followeth In the Promulgation two things are required the hiding of humane wisedome and the demonstration or

was a good man Mark 6. 20. Well saith Nazianzene He that teacheth sound doctrine and liues wickedly reacheth that with one hand which he cleeketh away with the other Chrysostome vpon the 25. of Matthew saith The doctor of the Church by teaching well and by liuing wel instructeth the people how they ought to liue well but by liuing ill he doth instruct God how to condemne him And in his 30. Hom. in Act. It is an easie matter to shew wisedome in words teach me to liue by thy life this is the best teaching For words make not such an impression in the soule as workes doe 5. A Minister that is wicked either openly or secretly is not worthie to stand before the face of the most holy and the almightie God Ier. 15. 19. Therefore thus saith the Lord If thou returne then will I bring thee againe and thou shalt stand before me Isai. 6. 6. Then flew one of the Seraphims vnto me with an hot coale in his hand which hee had taken from the Altar with the tongues 7. And hee touched my mouth and said Loe this hath touched thy lips and thine iniquitie shall bee taken away and thy sinne shall bee purged 8. Also I heard the voyce of the Lord saying Whom shall I send and who shall goe for vs Then I said Here am I send me Leuit. 10. 3. Then Moses said to Aaron This is that which the Lord said I will be sanctified in them that come neere vnto me and I will bee glorified before the sight of all the people And hence it is that the iudgements of God remaine for wicked Ministers to tremble at 1. Sam. 2. 17. Therefore the sinne of the young men was very great before the Lord for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. c. ver 25. They obeyed not the voyce of their father because the Lord meant to slay them The parts of sanctitie are especially 1. A good conscience 2. Cor. 1. 12. For our reioycing is this the testimonie of our conscience that in simplicitie and godly sinceritie and not in fleshly wisedome but by the grace of God wee haue had our conuersation in the world 1. Timothie 1. 19. Keeping faith and a good conscience which some hauing put away as concerning the faith haue made Ship-wreck Act. 24. 16. And herein I endeauour my selfe to haue alway a cleere conscience towards God and towards men If this bee wanting the mouth of the speaker is shut Isai. 56. 10. Their Watchmen are all blind they haue no knowledge they are all dumbe dogges they cannot barke they lie and sleepe and delight in sleeping 2. An inward feeling of the doctrine to be deliuered Wood that is capable of fire doth not burne vnles fire be put to it and he must first be godly affected himselfe who would stirre vp godly affections in other men Therefore what motions a sermon doth require such the Preacher shall stirre vp priuatly in his owne mind that hee may kindle vp the same in his hearers 3. The feare of God whereby being throughly strucken with a reuerent regard of Gods Maiestie hee speaketh soberly and moderately 4. The loue of the people 1. Thess. 27. But were gentle amōgst you as a nurse that cherisheth her children And that this affection may appeare the Ministers dutie is to pray seriously and feruently 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 venerable that is such a one as is to be reuerenced for constancie integritie grauitie and trueth-speaking who also knoweth how to performe reuerence to others either priuatly or publikely as is befitting the persons of all his hearers 6. Hee must bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 temperant who restraineth inwardly his ouer vehement affections and hath his outward fashions and gestures moderate and plaine by the which dignitie and authoritie may bee procured and preserued Therefore hee must be neither couetous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a louer of siluer nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a follower of wine nor litigious nor a striker nor wrathfull And let the young men exercise themselues to godlines and flie the lusts of youth 1. Tim. 4. 7. The grace of the ministerie is 1. to be apt to teach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Timothie 3. 2. Now Pauls meaning is that it is not only decent and laudable if this gift be had but also that it is so necessary as that may not be wanting For this consideration Nazianzene refused a bishopricke and Theophylact vpon this place saith that this dutie of teaching is especially of all other necessarie to be found in Bishops In the Nicene and Miletian Councell this was imposed in stead of a punishment to hold the name of a Minister but not to preach the Gospell 2. Authoritie whereby he speaketh as the Embassadour of the great Iehouah Tit. 2. 15. These things speake and exhort and rebuke with all authoritie 1. Pet. 4. 11. If any man speake let him speake as the oracles of God 3. Zeale whereby being most desirous of Gods glory he doth endeuour to fulfill and execute the decree of election concerning the saluation of men by his ministerie Iob 32. 18. I an full of matter and the spirit within me compelleth me 16. Behold my bellie is as the wine which hath no vent and like the new bottels that brast 2. Tim. 2. 25. Instructing them prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the trueth Col. 1. 28. 29. Admonishing euery man that wee may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus Gesture is either in the action of the voyce or of the bodie The voyce ought to be so high that all may heare Isai. 58. 1. Crie aloud and spare not lift vp thy voyce like a trumpet Iohn 7. 37. In that last and great day of the feast Iesus stood vp and cried Act. 2. 14. And Peter standing with the eleuen lift vp his voyce and said In the doctrine hee ought to bee more moderate in the exhortation more feruent and vehement Let there be that grauitie in the gesture of the body which may grace the Messenger of God It is fit therefore that the trunke or stalke of the bodie being erect and quiet all the other parts as the arme the hand the face and eyes haue such motions as may expresse and as it were vtter the godly affections of the heart The lifting vp of the eye and the hand signifieth confidence 2. Chron. 6. 13. Salomon made a brazen scaffold and set it in the middest of the court and vpon it hee stoode and kneeleddowne vpon his knees before all the congregation of Israel and stretched out his hands towards heauen 14. And said O Lord God of Israel c. Act. 7. 55. And Steuen being full of the holy Ghost bending his eies vp to heauen beheld the glory of God The casting downe