A73023:130
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.
Now then amongst those many businesses, with which this world doth cumber every one of us (all which shall perish with the world it self) let us good brethren, spare some time for this ⟨p. 94⟩great business. Martha may be cumbered about many things, but this is that one thing, which is necessary: therefore whatsoever is done, let not this be undone. Once a day put thy self and thy life under the fan of Gods law, try thy self what thou art and thy life, how thou livest. Once a day keep a Court in thy conscience, call thy thoughts, thy words, and thy deeds to their trial: let the ten Commandments pass upon them, and thy sins and corruptions which thou findest to be chaff, blow them away by repentance, so shalt thou remain pure and clean wheat, fit for the house and Church of God in this world, & for his kingdom in heaven. But, if we will not do this, then alas, what will follow? my heart grieveth to utter it: but I must unless I should be a false prophet: And therefore I will. Our long peace, plenty, and ease, have bred great sins, so great that they reach to heaven, and provoke Gods Majesty to his face, and so strong, that they will violently draw down judgments ⟨p. 95⟩from God upon us: which when they come, they will be so powerful, and so violent, that they will blow us away like chaff, and bring this kingdom to some miserable ruin. O therefore how happy are we, if we can entertain this Doctrine, and practise it: for in so doing, we shall prevent Gods judgements, we shall continue the Gospel to this land, and preserve this glorious Nation from being destroyed or dispeopled, by some fearful judgement.
Now then amongst those many businesses, with which this world doth comber euery one of vs (all which shall perish with the worlde it selfe) let vs good brethren, spare some time for this ⟨p. 94⟩great businesse. Martha may be combred about many things, but this is that one thing, which is necessarie: therefore whatsoeuer is done, let not this bee vndone. Once a day put thy selfe and thy life vnder the fanne of Gods lawe, try thy selfe what thou art and thy life, how thou liuest. Once a day keepe a Court in thy conscience, call thy thoughts, thy wordes, and thy deedes to their tryall: let the ten Commaundements passe vpon them, and thy sins and corruptiōs which thou findest to be chaffe, blow them away by repētance, so shalt thou remaine pure and cleane wheate, fit for the house and Church of God in this world, & for his kingdome in heauen. But, if we will not doe this, then alas, what wil follow? my heart grieueth to vtter it: but I must vnlesse I should be a false prophet: And therefore I wil. Our long peace, plentie, and ease, haue bred great sinnes, so great that they reach to heauen, and prouoke Gods Maiestie to his face, and so strong, that they will violently drawe downe iudgments