A73023:225
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, authority is given to 1a Minister of God to redeem a man penitent, from hell & damnation: not that he is the means of working out this redemption, for that wholly and only is Christ himself: but he is Gods instrument and Christs instrument: First, to apply those means unto him: Secondly, to pronounce his safety and deliverance when these means are used. Here is the principal honour ⟨p. 50⟩of all, belonging to that calling: and 2it is the greatest that ever was vouchsafed to any creature, Man or Angel: for it is a plain Commission, to go and deliver such a man from the power of hell, & to redeem him into the state of Gods children, and to make him heir of heaven: Angels never had this Commission, they are Messengers set out for the good of those whom 3Ministers have redeemed, and they have brought many comfortable messages unto them: but it was never said to any Angel, Deliver that man that he go not down into the pit: as it here is said unto a Minister, 4nor any man but Ministers have this Commission. To some callings GOD saith, work thou for man, build him houses, provide him sustenance; to the Physician, heal that man: to the Lawyer, do that man justice: to the soldier, fight for him: to the Magistrate, defend him: to the King, govern him, & see that every one do his duty: to none but to the Minister doth he say, Deliver him that he go not down into the pit.
In which words, authoritie is giuen to 1a Minister of God to redeeme a man penitent, from hell & damnation: not that hee is the meanes of working out this redemption, for that wholy and onely is Christ himselfe: but hee is Gods instrument and Christs instrument: First, to apply those meanes vnto him: Secondly, to pronounce his safetie and deliuerance when these means are vsed. Here is the principall honour ⟨p. 50⟩