A73023:206
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.
That we see in some measure, what it is ⟨p. 34⟩to declare unto a man his righteousness. And 1this is the peculiar office of a Minister of God, and this is the height and excellency of his office. In the want of godly ministers, I confess that godly Christian men may one help another in the performance of these duties, and that with profit, but it is the proper function of a godly Minister to do it, and the promise and blessing belong properly to him: as the consciences of all penitent sinners, will testify in this case: let Davids serve for many, who when he was cast down even to the mouth of hell, by that fearful discovery of his two hideous sins by Nathans preaching; & when the faith of his soul began to wrestle against Hell, and strive against despair, and to apprehend the mercy of God in Christ: then I say, could not the testimony of all the men in the world have given him that joy, comfort and assurance, that Nathan did, when he said in the word of a 2Prophet, and of a true Minister, God hath taken away thy sin, thou shalt not dye: what did Nathan here, but declare unto man his ⟨p. 35⟩righteousness? what did Nathan here, but the duty of every true minister?
That we see in some measure, what it is ⟨p. 34⟩to declare vnto a man his righteousnes. And 1this is the peculiar office of a Minister of God, and this is the height and excellencie of his office. In the want of godly ministers, I confesse that godly Christian men may one helpe another in the performance of these duties, and that with profit, but it is the proper function of a godly Minister to doe it, and the promise and blessing belong properly to him: as the consciences of all penitent sinners, will testifie in this case: let Dauids serue for many, who when hee was cast downe euen to the mouth of hell, by that fearefull discouery of his two hideous sinnes by Nathans preaching; & when the faith of his soule beganne to wrestle against Hell, and striue against despaire, and to apprehend the mercy of God in Christ: then I say, could not the testimonie of all the men in the worlde haue giuen him that ioy, comfort and assurance, that Nathan did, when hee saide in the word of a