A73023:112
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.
If therefore Ely, and many Elis have spoken to England, and England hears not, England obeyeth not, England repents not: take heed the Lord in heaven say not, England will not hear the voice of the Prophets, because I will destroy it. Let no man say, we take upon us to prophesy: we only give warning, and showeth danger, by example of the like.
If therefore Ely, and many Elyes haue spoken to England, and England heares not, England obeyeth not, England repents not: take heed the Lord in heauē say not, England will not heare the voyce of the Prophets, because I will destroy it. Let no man say, wee take vpon vs to prophesie: wee onely giue warning, and shewethe daunger, by example of the like.
My second reason is this. One judgement executed: and not working Repentance, is always a fore-runner of another, that Rule is certain, and an evident truth, and needs no proving. Now; we have been visited with Famines, Earthquakes, pestilences, inundations, Thunder & lightning in winter, and most strange & unseasonable weather: but alas, all these have taken no effect: where is the humiliation, repentance and reformation which they have wrought? therefore it must needs be, there remains behind a greater judgement. Men may be so mad to think these to be ordinary things, and ⟨p. 81⟩to come by course of Nature, and ordinary causes: but certainly, they are the shaking of the Rod, and fore-runners of a greater judgement, unless Repentance cut of their course. For look as one cloud followeth another, till the Sun consume them: so one judgement hastens after another, and repentance only is the Sun, which must dispel them.
My second reason is this. One iudgement executed: and not working Repentance, is alwayes a fore-runner of another, that Rule is certaine, and an euident truth, and needs no prouing. Now; we haue beene visited with Famines, Earthquakes, pestilences, inundations, Thunder & lightning in winter, and most strange & vnseasonable weather: but alas, all these haue taken no effect: where is the humiliation, repentance and reformation which they haue wrought? therefore it must needs bee, there remaines behinde a greater iudgement. Men may be so madde to thinke these to be ordinary things, and