A73023:132
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.
whereas alas, if we continue & go forward in our sins▪ & impenitency, it is greatly to be feared, that neither the Gospel nor this peace, will reach to our posterities. Therefore now to make an end: I once again: & lastly, commend this doctrine to you all, & every ⟨p. 98⟩one of you (for this merchandise that I bring, is of that nature, that though some take it, yet there is also enough for every one) and I commend it unto you, even from the very mouth of God himself? think of it I charge thee, as ever thou lookest to appear before the face of Christ Jesus the great judge, at the last day; and if thou wouldest escape the rigour of that judgement, enter now into judgement with thy self, and search thy self: if thou now wilt not receive this doctrine, then shall it at the last day be a bill of Indictment against thee, for if it save thee not, it shall condemn thee, think of it therefore seriously, as a matter that concerns thy soul and body: yea, and thy posterity, and this whole Realm, all which shall smart for it, if we repent not. And if the body of our people, and those, whose harts are wedded to this world, will not entertain this doctrine: then I turn unto you that fear the Lord, and to you I direct my last warning, Search, O search, and try your hearts and lives, renew and revive ⟨p. 99⟩your faith and repentance, that if judgements do come and blow upon this Nation, and drive the Gospel from it, and it to hell: that yet you may have a testimony to your consciences, that you did not pull down this general calamity, but for your parts laboured to have prevented it, by your earnest prayers and hearty repentance: that so, the posterity ensuing; may not curse you, but speak reverently of you, and praise God for you, and wish that all had done as you did; for then had they enjoyed this goodly land, and all Gods blessings with it, as we their forefathers did before them: & so shall our names not rot, but flourish amongst the posterities to come, which shall be partakers of the desolation: And when we have renewed our repentance, let us then every one of us, deal with the Lord by earnest prayer for this Church and Nation, that the Lord would show his mercy upon it, and continue unto it, this place & the Gospel:
whereas alas, if we continue & go forward in our sins▪ & impenitency, it is greatly to bee feared, that neither the Gospell nor this peace, will reach to our posterities. Therefore now to make an end: I once againe: & lastly, cōmend this doctrine to you al, & euery