A09417:111
A faithful and plain exposition upon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reverend…A faithfull and plaine exposition vpon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reuerend…
A faithful and plain exposition upon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reverend and judicious divine, M.W. Perkins. Containing a powerful exhortation to repentance: as also the manner how men in repentance are to search themselves. Published by a preacher of the word. With a preface prefixed, touching the publishing of M. Perkins his works. And a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to be expected.A faithfull and plaine exposition vpon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reuerend and iudicious diuine, M.W. Perkins. Containing a powerful exhortation to repentance: as also the manner hovve men in repentance are to search themselues. Published by a preacher of the vvord. With a preface prefixed, touching the publishing of M. Perkins his vvorks. And a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to be expected.
London: printed by T. Creed for William Welby, 1609
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.
Now, although every sin in it self, is of that ill desert, as it is able to cast us out of Gods favour, and deprive us of his love: yet, behold, here God complains, not upon a little cause, but for wonderful, and exceeding unthankfulness, & unkindness in them: who of all other should have loved the Lord.
Now, although euery sinne in it selfe, is of that ill desert, as it is able to cast vs out of Gods fauour, and depriue vs of his loue: yet, behold, here God complaines, not vppon a little cause, but for wonderfull, and exceeding vnthankfulnes, & vnkindnes in them: who of all other should haue loued the Lord.
As a man cares not for hard usage from him, whom he esteems not: but a little unkindness doth greatly grieve a man, from him who is loved and respected: so is it with the Lord our God, he loved not the Gentiles, as he did the Jews,1 neither was he so bountiful unto them:2 and therefore, (as we may see) though they lived ⟨p. 82⟩always in ignorance, and continued always in disobedience; yet, the Text saith, the time of that ignorance God regarded not: but when as the Jews, his own people, whom he chose out of all people, and bestowed his love upon them, and made his Covenant of grace with them, when they became unkind, unthankful, forgetful, stubborn, and rebellious, that caused the Lord even to complain of that indignity, and to cry out by Moses, Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? And hereby the Prophet, O Nation not worthy to be beloved: and therefore there is no man, but if he be asked what he thinks of this Nation of ⟨p. 83⟩the Jews: he will answer, that they are a most vile and wicked people, a froward generation, and that they are worthy to taste deeply of all Gods plagues, who so far abused his love and mercy.