A09417:81
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.
And if God did not thus moderate & restrain the natures of men, but suffer them to break out to the full: there would then be no order, but all confusion in the world; therefore, (as especially for his Churches quietness, so also for the preservation of public peace, and the upholding of society in the world, between man and man,) the Lord holds a hand over every mans nature, and keeps every one in a certain compass limited by the wisdom of his power, which restraining hand of his, if the Lord should take away, all societies and Common-wealths, would be turned up-side down, because every man by the universal corruption ⟨p. 45⟩of his Nature, would break out into every sin: I end this point with appealing to the testimony of the consciences of all men, and especially of the best and holyest men, of whom I would ask this question: whether they find not in their natures an inclination, even to the fowlest sins in the world; if shame, or fear, or else the grace of God restrained them not? so that the best men do know well enough, what ado they have with their corrupt natures, to keep them within the compass of obedience.
And if God did not thus moderate & restraine the natures of men, but suffer them to break out to the full: there would then bee no order, but all confusion in the worlde; therefore, (as especiallie for his Churches quietnes, so also for the preseruatiō of publike peace, and the vpholding of societie in the worlde, betweene man and man,) the Lord holds a hand ouer euerie mans nature, and keepes euery one in a certaine compasse limited by the wisdome of his power, which restraining hand of his, if the Lord should take away, all societies and Common-wealthes, woulde bee turned vp-side downe, because euerie man by the vniuersall corruption ⟨p. 45⟩of his Nature, would breake out into euery sinne: I ende this point with appealing to the testimonie of the consciences of all men, and especiallie of the best and holyest men, of whom I would aske this question: whether they finde not in their natures an inclination, euen to the fowlest sinnes in the worlde; if shame, or feare, or else the grace of God restrained them not? so that the best men doe know well enough, what adooe they haue with their corrupt natures, to keep them within the compasse of obedience.