A73023:19
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.
And if I knew you not, to be such as take more delight in doing well, then in hearing of it, I would prove at large, what I have spoken of you: yet give me leave to say that, which without open wrong, I may not conceal, that beside your rare knowledge, and godly zeal to religion, and other duties of the first table to God himself: your charity & pity to the needy distressed Christians, at home and abroad: your merciful dealing with them, who are in your power; your benevolence to learning, and namely to some in the University; do all proclaim to the world those your due praise: which I (well knowing your modesties) do spare once to name: neither, would I have said thus much, were it not for this cold and barren age, wherein we live, that so, when our preaching cannot move, yet your godly examples might stir up. Pardon me therefore I pray you, ⟨image 9⟩and think it no wrong to you, which is a benefit to Gods Church: But go forward in the strength of the Lord your God, & hold on in that happy 1course you have begun, be faithful unto the end, the Lord will give you the Crown of life, faithful is he, which hath promised, who will also do it: proceed (good Sir) to honour learning in your self and others, and religion especially, which is the principal learning; and proceed both of you, to practise religion in your own persons; and in your family: hold on to shine before your family, and amongst the people, where you dwell, in zeal and holiness: hold on hereby, still to shame popery, to stop your enemies mouths, and to honour that holy religion, which you profess, to gain comfort of good conscience to your selves, & assurance of eternal reward: and lastly, to encourage me in those painful duties which lye ⟨image 9⟩upon me: for I openly profess that your religious zeal and love of the truth, with many other good helps, are principal encouragements in my ministry, & especial motives unto me, to undertake the charge of publication, of so many of the works of this holy man deceased, as may not in better manner be done by others. But I keep you too long from this holy exhortation following, I therefore send you to it, & it to you, and from you to the Church of God, for I dare not make it to be privately yours and mine, wherein the whole Church hath interest, as well as we: It was preached in the field, but it is worthy to be admitted into our hearts: