A09417:58
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 when as Gods Spirit hath by the Light of Gods word opened his eyes, and touched his heart to consider ⟨p. 11⟩his estate, then he seeth the frail bridge of this narrow life, and how little a steppe there is between him and damnation; then he seeth hell open due for his sins, and himself in the high-way to it: sin being the craggy rock, and hell the gaping gulf under it; this life being the narrow bridge, and damnation the stream that runneth under it.
But when as Gods Spirit hath by the Light of Gods word opened his eyes, and touched his heart to consider ⟨p. 11⟩his estate, then hee seeth the fraile bridge of this narrowe life, and howe little a steppe there is betweene him and damnation; then hee seeth hell open due for his sinnes, and himselfe in the high-way to it: sinne beeing the craggy rocke, and hell the gaping gulfe vnder it; this life beeing the narrowe bridge, and damnation the streame that runneth vnder it.
Then he wondereth at his miserable estate, admireth the mercy of GOD in keeping him from falling into the bottom of hell, wondereth at the presumptuous boldness of his corruption, which so securely plodded on towards destruction, and being ashamed of himself, ⟨p. 12⟩and these his ways, he turns his heart to the God that saved him from these dangers; and sets himself into more holy ways, and more comfortable courses, and confesseth that ignorance made him bold, and blindness made him so presumptuous; but now he seeth the danger, & will by no means go the same way again: & thus the searching and seeing into the foulness of sin, and the danger thereof, is the first beginning of repentance, and the first step into grace.
Then he wondereth at his miserable estate, admireth the mercie of GOD in keeping him from falling into the bottome of hell, wondereth at the presumptuous boldnesse of his corruption, which so securely plodded on towards destruction, and being ashamed of himselfe,