A09417:68
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.
Now in that this duty of searching, is both the beginning of all true grace, and the means to stay Gods ⟨p. 27⟩judgements, and therefore is so pithily, and forcibly, urged by the holy Ghost, it must teach us all a necessary lesson: namely, to make great conscience of searching our selves. First, because God hath so commanded, and we are to make conscience of obedience to every commandment. Secondly, because thereby we shall reap two so great commodities, as first, thereby we shall lay a sure foundation for the good work of grace in us, and secondly, shall stay the hand of God, and his judgements, from being executed upon us. Let us therefore hearken to this counsel of the holy Ghost, let us take the fan of the Law, and there with search and ⟨p. 28⟩winnow our hearts and lives. Our hearts for secret and hidden corruptions. Our lives, for committing of evil, and omitting of good. Do with your hearts as men do with their wheat: they will not suffer their corn to lye long in the chaff, least the chaff hurt it, but commits it to the fan, that the wind may separate them: So the graces of God in our hearts are but corn, our sins and corruptions are chaff: look well, and thou shalt find in thy self much chaff, and but little corn: let not then the chaff lye too long mingled with the corn, lest it corrupt the corn. Let not thy sins lye mingled with the grace of God in thee, if thou ⟨p. 29⟩do, they will choke it in the end, and so deprive thee of all grace; therefore rip up thy heart, and look into thy life, and when thou hast sinned, enter into thy self, ask thy conscience what thou hast done, and be not quiet till thou hast found out thy sin, and the foulness of it: and never think that thou knowest any thing in Religion, till thou knowest what is in thine own heart. And what are in thy special and priviest corruptions, and look into thine own faults, not with a partial eye, but with a censorious, and a strait judgement, spare sin in no man, but especially condemn it in thy self.
Nowe in that this dutie of searching, is both the beginning of all true grace, and the meanes to staye Gods ⟨p. 27⟩iudgements, and therefore is so pithelie, and forceablie, vrged by the holie Ghost, it must teach vs all a necessarie lesson: namely, to make great conscience of searching our selues. First, because God hath so commanded, and we are to make conscience of obedience to euerie commandement. Secondly, because thereby we shall reape two so great commodities, as first, therby we shal lay a sure foundation for the good worke of grace in vs, and secondly, shal stay the hand of God, and his iudgements, from beeing executed vpon vs. Let vs therfore hearken to this counsaile of the holie Ghost, let vs take the fanne of the Law, and there with searche and