A73023:108
M. Perkins, his Exhortation to repentance, out of Zephaniah preached in 2. sermons in…
M. Perkins, his Exhortation to repentance, out of Zephaniah preached in 2. sermons in Stourbridge Fair. Together with two treatises of the duties and dignity of the ministry: delivered publicly in the University of Cambridge. With a preface prefixed touching the publishing of all such works of his as are to be expected: with a catalogue of all the particulars [sic] of them, diligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word.M. Perkins, his Exhortation to repentance, out of Zephaniah preached in 2. sermons in Sturbridge Faire. Together with two treatises of the duties and dignitie of the ministrie: deliuered publiquely in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge. With a preface præfixed touching the publishing of all such workes of his as are to be expected: with a catalogue of all the perticulers [sic] of them, diligently perused and published, by a preacher of the word.
London: printed by T. Creede for William Welby, 1605
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.
5 Now followeth the last point: the reason of all. Why should we search our selves? The reason is included in the ⟨p. 75⟩fourth point: For there is a Decree come forth against thee. And though the execution be deferred, and though God be unwilling to take it out, yet without Repentance, it is most certain, it shall come forth and be executed at the last. In one word, this is the reason. Repent, or else certainly God will take vengeance: But (will mans heart say) is this true? Or rather these be but words to fear men, and to keep them in awe. I answer, for the proof and experience hereof, never go further, then this place, and present example we have in hand: the Prophet bids them Search, Search, and repent, else, as certainly, as there was a judgement conceived, so certainly it should be executed upon them: they would not hear, nor Search, nor repent: but what followed; let all men judge whether God is not true, of his word to them or no: yea, alas, who seeth not that God hath travelled indeed, and hath brought forth a fearful judgement on them, and hath made them for these thousand ⟨p. 76⟩years and a half, the gazing stock, the by word, and the amazement of all the world.
5 Now followeth the last point: the reason of all. Why should we search our selues? The reason is included in the ⟨p. 75⟩fourth point: For there is a Decree come forth against thee. And though the execution be deferred, and though God be vnwilling to take it out, yet without Repentance, it is most certaine, it shall come foorth and bee executed at the last. In one word, this is the reason. Repent, or else certainely God will take vengeance: But (will mans heart say) is this true? Or rather these bee but words to feare men, and to keepe them in awe. I aunswere, for the proofe and experience hereof, neuer goe further, then this place, and present example wee haue in hand: the Prophet bids them Search, Search, and repent, else, as certainly, as there was a iudgemēt conceiued, so certainly it should be executed vpon thē: they would not heare, nor Search, nor repent: but what followed; let all mē iudge whether God is not true, of his word to them or no: yea, alas, who seeth not that God hath trauelled indeede, and hath brought foorth a fearefull iudgement on them, and hath made them for these thousand