A73023:172
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.
The next use is for the hearers, and they are here taught, that if their Ministers be 1Angels sent them from God, then are they to hear them, gladly, willingly, reverently, 2and obediently: gladly and willingly, because they are Ambassadors, reverently and obediently, because they are sent from the high God the King of Kings, and do deliver his embassage. God saith, the people must seek the Law at his mouth: 3and good reason, for if the law be the revealed will of God, and the Minister the Angel of God, then where should they seek the will of God, but at the mouth of his Angel? The reason therefore followeth well in that place: they should seek the Law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the lord of hosts: and this must all Christians do, not only if their Doctrine be pleasing unto them, but though ⟨p. 9⟩it cross their corruptions, and be quite contrary to their dispositions, yea though 4it be never so unsavoury and hard unto nature, yet in as much as it is a message from thy God and King, and the teacher the Angel or messenger of that God: therefore both he and it must be received with all reverence, and with the very obedience of the heart and soul. And this is the cause why a convenient reverence and honour is to be given of all good Christians, even to the persons of Gods Ministers (especially when they adorn their high calling with a holy life:) even because they are Angels of God. Saint Paul teacheth, that women ought to be modestly attired in the congregation 5because of the Angels: it is not only, because the holy Angels are present, and always beholders of our service of God, but even because the Ministers, which are Angels and messengers sent from God, are there, delivering their message and Embassage received from God: And thus we have the first title given to the Minister: he is an Angel.
The next vse is for the hearers, and they are here taught, that if their Ministers bee