A73023:171
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.
In which words, observe an admirable 1plainness, and an admirable powerfulness (which a man would think could not so 2well stand together.) First plainness, for whereas the unlearned man perceiveth his faults discovered, it followeth necessarily he must needs understand, and if an unlearned man understand it, then consequently it must needs be plain: Secondly powerfulness, in that his conscience is so convinced, his secret faults so disclosed, 3and his very heart so ripped up: that he saith, certainly God speaks in this man. This is the evidence and demonstration of Gods spirit: It is thought good commendation before the world, when men say of a Preacher, surely this man hath shown himself a proper scholar, of good learning, great reading, strong memory, and good delivery, 4and so it is, and such commendation (if just) is not to be contemned: but that, that commends a man to the Lord his God, and to his own conscience, is when he preacheth ⟨p. 8⟩so plainly to the capacity, and so powerfully to the conscience of a wicked man, as that he thinks doubtless God is within him. Art thou therefore an Angel of God, then magnify the spirit of God, and not thy self in thy preaching of his word.
In which words, obserue an admirable 1plainesse, and an admirable powerfulnesse (which a man would thinke coulde not so 2well stand together.) First plainnesse, for whereas the vnlearned man perceiueth his faults discouerrd, it followeth necessarily he must needes vnderstand, and if an vnlearned man vnderstand it, then consequently it must needes be plaine: Secondly powerfulnesse, in that his conscience is so conuinced, his secret faults so disclosed, 3