A73023:114
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.
3 Thirdly, it stands with the justice of God, according as he hath revealed it in the Scripture, especially in Deut. 28. out of the whole Chapter, it must needs be gathered as a Rule. I will curse that people which break my laws: now we may not deny but this land of ours, is for abundance of sin, a people of Sodom. All kind of sins, in all estates of men, rage and reign every day more and more: therefore I conclude, that unless we repent, and so dissolve this cloud of judgement, that hangs over our heads: it cannot be, but a most fearful tempest is to come at the last, and when it is come, it will be ⟨p. 82⟩too late to wish we had done it. Therefore in the bowels of Christ Jesus, Let this be to entreat and exhort you all, to search and look into your selves, that so Repenting and changing your ways, you may get the sword again into his sheath, which is already drawn out, but yet hath not stricken home, & may quench the wrath which is already kindled, but yet burns not out as it will do, if by repentance we quench it not: & do this every one as you tender the salvation of your own souls, & the continuance of the Gospel to this glorious Nation, and the peace and prosperous state of this Church & common wealth. For let men make what causes they will, it is certainly sinfulness that overturns kingdoms, and changeth states, as all these kingdoms and states have felt, who have continued finally to contemn the Gospel.
3 Thirdly, it stands with the iustice of God, according as he hath reuealed it in the Scripture, especially in Deut. 28. out of the whole Chapter, it must needs be gathered as a Rule. I wil curse that people which breake my lawes: now we may not deny but this land of ours, is for abundance of sinne, a people of Sodome. All kinde of sinnes, in all estates of men, rage and raigne euery day more and more: therefore I conclude, that vnlesse wee repent, and so dissolue this cloude of iudgement, that hangs ouer our heads: it cannot be, but a most fearefull tempest is to come at the last, and when it is come, it will be ⟨p. 82⟩too late to wish we had done it. Therefore in the bowels of Christ Iesus, Let this be to intreate and exhort you all, to search and looke into your selues, that so Repenting and changing your wayes, you may get the sword againe into his sheath, which is already drawn out, but yet hath not stricken home, & may quench the wrath which is already kindled, but yet burns not out as it wil do, if by repentance we quench it not: & do this euery one as you tender the saluatiō of your owne soules, & the continuance of the Gospel to this glorions Nation, and the peace and prosperous state of this Church & common wealth. For let men make what causes they will, it is certainely sinfulnesse that ouerturnes kingdomes, and changeth states, as all these kingdomes and states haue felt, who haue continued finally to contemne the Gospel.