A09417:119
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.
2. The second main sin of England, is Contempt of Christian Religion; Religion hath bin among us these five and thirty years; but the more it is published, the more it is contemned, and reproached of many; insomuch, as there is not the simplest fellow in a Country town, who, although he knows not one point of religion, yet he can mock and scorn such as are more religious then himself is: this is one of the moths of England, that eats up religion, this is grievous in whomsoever, but most intolerable ⟨p. 91⟩in two sorts of men. First, in them, who are altogether ignorant, that they should mock they know not what. A pitiful thing to here one, who himself cannot give the meaning of one petition in the Lords prayer, to upbraid other men, because they are too forward: but it is the worst of all, when men of knowledge, and such as live civilly, and would be counted good Christians, are indeed of the better sort, cannot abide to see others go a little before them: but if they do, presently they are hypocrites and dissemblers. Thus not profaneness, nor wickedness, but even religion it self is a by-word, a mocking stock, and matter ⟨p. 92⟩of reproach; so that in England at this day, the man or woman that begins to profess Religion, and to serve God, must resolve with himself to sustain mocks and injuries, even as though he lived among the enemies of religion, and not among professors; and as religion increaseth and spreadeth it self, so doth the number of these mockers. O what a cursed sin is this? to contemn the greatest favour that God can give us, that is, his holy religion: for the which we should rather praise him all the days of our lives. All that God can give a man in this world, is his Gospel, what then can God give to be regarded, when his Gospel is contemned?
2. The second maine sin of England, is Contempt of Christian Religion; Religion hath bin among vs these fiue and thyrtie yeares; but the more it is published, the more it is contemned, and reproched of many; insomuch, as there is not the simplest fellow in a Country towne, who, although he knows not one point of religion, yet hee can mock and scorne such as are more religious then himselfe is: this is one of the moaths of England, that eates vp religion, this is grieuous in whomsoeuer, but most intollerable ⟨p. 91⟩