A09417:118
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.
First, ignorance of Gods will and worship, (I speak not of that compelled ignorance in many corners of our land, which is to be pitied because they want the means) but wilful and affected ignorance. Men are ignorant, even because they will be ignorant. Means of knowledge were never so plentiful, and yet never more gross ignorance: is not he wilfully blind, who will not open his eyes in the light? & can there be any darkness at noon day, but it must be wilful? But our Nation is dark and blind in the Sun-shine of the Gospel, and grossly ignorant, when the Gospel beats their ears, and light shines round about them: so, as if ⟨p. 89⟩they closed not their eyes, and stopped not their ears, they could not but both hear and see: who would look for ignorance after thirty five years preaching? and yet, many are as ignorant, as if they had been borne and brought up under popery: so that our people are as evil as those in the days of Christ, of whom the holy Ghost saith; Light is come into the world, but men love darkness more then light. So knowledge is come into England: but many English-men love darkness better then knowledge. Alas, how many thousands have we in our Church, who know no more in religion, then they hear in common talk of all men, and ⟨p. 90⟩which is worse, they think it sufficient also, & which is worst of all, whereas they might have more, they will not, but care not for it.
First, ignorance of Gods will and worship, (I speake not of that compelled ignorance in many corners of our land, which is to bee pittied because they want the means) but wilfull and affected ignorance. Men are ignorant, euen because they will be ignorant. Meanes of knowledge were neuer so plentiful, and yet neuer more grosse ignorance: is not he wilfully blind, who will not open his eyes in the light? & can there bee any darknesse at noone day, but it must bee wilfull? But our Nation is darke and blinde in the Sunne-shine of the Gospell, and grosly ignorant, when the Gospell beats their eares, and light shines round about them: so, as if ⟨p. 89⟩they closed not their eyes, and stopped not their eares, they coulde not but both heare and see: who woulde look for ignorance after thirty fiue yeares preaching? and yet, many are as ignorant, as if they had beene borne and brought vp vnder popery: so that our people are as euill as those in the dayes of Christ, of whome the holy Ghost saith; Light is come into the world, but men loue darknesse more then light. So knowledge is come into England: but many English-men loue darknesse better then knowledge. Alas, how many thousands haue we in our Church, who know no more in religion, then they heare in common talke of all men, and