The Art of Prophesying and The Calling of the Ministry
by William Perkins (revised by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson) | Book Summary
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Author: William Perkins (revised by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson)
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By understanding this calling as laid out for us in Job 33:23-34 and Isaiah 6, a picture of what ministers are called to be and do unfolds. "It is a general rule that as it goes with the pulpit so it goes with the people." (p. xiii) A true minister must be faithful to his calling and his duties while leading his people by his example of personal holiness. There is no higher calling and no weightier responsibility than that of a minister of the gospel. |
William Perkins (1558-1602) attended Christ's College at Cambridge where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1581 and a master's degree in 1584.
Legend has it that while at Cambridge, Perkins once overheard a mother threatening to hand her young son over to "drunken Perkins" if he didn't straighten up. It was then that he felt conviction for the way he was living and was converted. He turned from his studies of mathematics, black magic, and the occult and spent the remainder of his life in service to God through the study of theology and preaching, first in the castle jail and then at Great St. Andrews.
In his book, Puritan Portraits, J.I. Packer wrote, "No Puritan author save Richard Baxter ever sold better than Perkins, and no Puritan thinker ever did more to shape and solidify historic Puritanism itself." He had a great impact on the post-Reformation Church that can still be appreciated through his many writings today.
The Art of Prophesying and The Calling of the Ministry
by William Perkins (revised by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson)
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | William Perkins (revised by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson) |
| Publisher | Banner of Truth Trust |
| Date | 1996 |
| Pages | 206 |
Overview:
Old Testament prophets were tasked with proclaiming God's Word to His people and praying to God on behalf of the people. This great responsibility was then placed on the Apostles of the early church. In our day, this position has been succeeded by the ministers of the gospel as they are called to this charge. Their duty is not to receive private revelations and impressions from God and then forward those messages to others; they have been charged with presenting the Word as it has been revealed in the Holy Scriptures, exactly as it has been given, and approaching God in prayer as a representative of the people to God.
By understanding this calling as laid out for us in Job 33:23-34 and Isaiah 6, a picture of what ministers are called to be and do unfolds. "It is a general rule that as it goes with the pulpit so it goes with the people." (p. xiii) A true minister must be faithful to his calling and his duties while leading his people by his example of personal holiness. There is no higher calling and no weightier responsibility than that of a minister of the gospel.
William Perkins (1558-1602) attended Christ's College at Cambridge where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1581 and a master's degree in 1584.
Legend has it that while at Cambridge, Perkins once overheard a mother threatening to hand her young son over to "drunken Perkins" if he didn't straighten up. It was then that he felt conviction for the way he was living and was converted. He turned from his studies of mathematics, black magic, and the occult and spent the remainder of his life in service to God through the study of theology and preaching, first in the castle jail and then at Great St. Andrews.
In his book, Puritan Portraits, J.I. Packer wrote, "No Puritan author save Richard Baxter ever sold better than Perkins, and no Puritan thinker ever did more to shape and solidify historic Puritanism itself." He had a great impact on the post-Reformation Church that can still be appreciated through his many writings today.