A09417:137
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.
1. First, the Gospel hath been preached these five and thirty years, & is daily more and more, so that, the light ⟨p. 119⟩therefore never shone more gloriously, since the Primitive Church: yet for all this, there is a general ignorance, general of all people, general of all points, yea, as though there were no Preaching at all: yea, when Popery was newly banished, there was more knowledge in many, then is now in the body of our Nation: and the more it is preached, the more ignorant are many, the more blind, and the more hardened (even as a Stithy the more it is beaten upon, the harder it is) so they, the more they hear the Gospel, the less esteem they it, and the more they contemn it: and the more God calls, the deafer they are: and the more they are ⟨p. 118⟩commanded, the more they disobey. We Preachers may cry till our Lunges fly out, or be spent within us, and men are moved no more then stones. Oh alas, what is this, or what can this be: but a fearful sign of destruction? Will any man endure always to be mocked? then how long hath GOD been mocked? Will any man endure to stand knocking continually? If then God hath stood knocking at our hearts five and thirty years: it is now time to be gone, unless we open presently?
1. First, the Gospell hath bene preached these fiue and thirty yeares, & is daily more and more, so that, the light ⟨p. 119⟩therefore neuer shone more gloriouslie, since the Primitiue Church: yet for all this, there is a generall ignorance, generall of all people, generall of all points, yea, as thogh there were no Preaching at all: yea, when Poperie was newely bannished, there was more knowledge in manie, then is nowe in the bodie of our Nation: and the more it is preached, the more ignorāt are many, the more blind, and the more hardened (euen as a Stithie the more it is beaten vppon, the harder it is) so they, the more they heare the Gospell, the lesse esteeme they it, and the more they contemne it: and the more God calles, the deaffer they are: and the more they are ⟨p. 118⟩commaunded, the more they disobey. We Preachers may crie till our Lunges flye out, or bee spent within vs, and men are mooued no more then stones. Oh alas, what is this, or what can this bee: but a fearefull signe of destruction? Will anie man endure alwayes to bee mocked? then howe long hath GOD beene mocked? Will anie man endure to stande knocking continuallie? If then God hath stoode knocking at our heartes fiue and thirtie yeares: it is nowe time to be gone, vnlesse we open presently?