A09417:113
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.
But what doth this belong to them alone? and is Israel a Nation not worthy to be beloved? Nay, I may cry out with as good cause: O England, a Nation not worthy to be beloved: For, God hath been as good a God to us, as he was to them: and we have been as unkind a people to him, as they were to him. But that I may be free from discrediting our nation, & from defiling my own nest: let us prove both these points, ⟨p. 84⟩and lay them open to the view of the world.
But what doth this belong to them alone? and is Israel a Nation not worthy to bee beloued? Nay, I may cry out with as good cause: O England, a Nation not worthy to be beloued: For, God hath beene as good a God to vs, as he was to them: and wee haue beene as vnkind a people to him, as they were to him. But that I may be free from discrediting our natiō, & frō defiling my owne nest: let vs prooue both these points, ⟨p. 84⟩and laye them open to the viewe of the world.
1. First therefore, the same mercies, and far greater, have been poured and heaped upon us: he hath called us out of the darkness: First, of Heathenism, and then of Popery: his covenant of grace and salvation, he hath confirmed with us, his treasures of his word and Sacraments, he hath imparted to us, his holy word never better preached, and the mysteries thereof never more plainly opened, since the time of the Apostles: and as we have Religion, so we have it under a Religious Prince, whereby it comes to pass, that these blessings of salvation, we enjoy not in secret, ⟨p. 85⟩or by stealth: but we have it countenanced by authority; so that religion is not barely allowed, but even as it were even thrust upon men. Besides all this, we have a land also that floweth with milk and honey, it is plentiful in all good things: we have liberty & peace under a peaceable Prince, and the companions of peace, prosperity, plenty, health, wealth, corn, wool, gold, silver, abundance of all things, that may please the heart of man: thus hath God deserved the love of England.