A09417:61
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.
Furthermore, let us in the second place, observe better the signification of the word: it signifieth to search narrowly, as a man would do for a piece of Gold, or a precious Jewell, which is lost in a great house: Or as a man may search for Gold in a Mine of the earth, where is much earth, and but very little gold Oar.
Furthermore, let vs in the second place, obserue better the signification of the word: it signifieth to searche narrowely, as a man would doe for a peece of Gold, or a precious Iewell, which is lost in a great house: Or as a man may searche for Golde in a Mine of the earth, where is much earth, and but very little golde Oare.
Here we may learn, that in true Repentance, and conversion, we must not search so only, as to find the ⟨p. 16⟩gross and palpable sins of our lives: but so as we may find those sins which the world accounts lesser sins, and espy our secret faults & privy corruptions. Some corruptions seem more near a kin of our nature, & therein men hope to be excused, when they forsake many other greater sins. But a true penitent sinner must search for such, so as a good Magistrate searcheth for a lurking traitor which is conveyed into some close and secret corner, and he must ransack his heart for such corruptions, as wherein his heart takes special delight, and must think that no sin can be so small, but it is too great to be spared, and that every sin great ⟨p. 17⟩or little, must be searched for, as being all traitors to Gods Majesty.
Heere wee may learne, that in true Repentance, and conuersion, wee must not search so onely, as to find the ⟨p. 16⟩grosse and palpable sinnes of our liues: but so as wee may finde those sinnes which the world accounts lesser sinnes, and espie our secret saults & priuie corruptions. Some corruptiōs seeme more neere a kin of our nature, & therein men hope to bee excused, when they forsake many other greater sinnes. But a true penitent sinner must search for such, so as a good Magistrate searcheth for a lurking traitor which is conueied into some close and secret corner, and he must ransacke his heart for such corruptions, as wherin his heart takes speciall delight, and must thinke that no sinne can be so small, but it is too great to bee spared, and that euery sin great