A09417:56
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.
Concerning this duty of searching, let us observe first, that the holy Ghost urging the Jews to repent, useth not the word Repentance, but bids them search themselves: yet meaning, he would have them to repent: giving us to understand, that no man can have true & sound repentance, but he who hath first of all searched and examined ⟨p. 6⟩him self: and this stands with good reason, for no man can repent, who first of all doeth not know himself, and his own wretchedness. But no man can see into himself, nor know himself, but he that doeth diligently search himself: so that the beginning of all grace, is for a man to search, & try, and fan himself, that thereby he may know what is in himself: that so upon the search, seeing his fearful and damnable estate, he may forsake himself and his own ways, and turn to the Lord. Thus speaketh the holy Ghost in the hearts of holy men;1 Let us search and try our ways: and mark what followeth; and turn again to the ⟨p. 7⟩Lord: as though there were no turning again unto the Lord, but after a searching of our selves. With this testimony of the holy Ghost, agreeth the testimony of all holy mens consciences, who all know, that the first beginning of their turning unto the Lord, was a searching of themselves. Let any repentant sinner ask his conscience, & call to mind his first calling and conversion, and he will remember that the first thing in his Repentance was this; that he searched into himself, and looked narrowly into his ways, and finding his ways dangerous, & his case fearful, did thereupon resolve to take a new course, & turn to the Lord for pardon & ⟨p. 8⟩mercy, and for grace to enter into more holy, and more comfortable courses.
Concerning this dutie of searching, let vs obserue first, that the holy Ghost vrging the Iewes to repent, vseth not the word Repentance, but bids them search themselues: yet meaning, he wold haue them to repent: giuing vs to vnderstand, that no man can haue true & sound repentance, but he who hath first of all searched and examined ⟨p. 6⟩