A73023:261
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.
Lastly, whereas he exclaimeth, Woe is me, I am undone: being words of a soul humbled and dejected, and hereby showeth himself to be in that case, which a poor sinner is, when the preaching of the Law hath humbled him, by showing him his sins and his extreme danger by them. We may learn, that to be called to the Ministry, is to be as it were converted and regenerate: and that when a man is called thereunto, it is a work little less then that whereby GOD calleth a sinner from his sin, to the state of repentance: for as God first casteth down the sinner, before he give him grace, or any feeling of his love in Christ: so here, he first abaseth and casteth down the Prophet in the sight of GODS Majesty, and his own misery, afore he honour him with a Commission to preach his word unto his people. Which I note against those men, which hold it so ordinary a matter 1to enter into the Ministry, as many do, which take it upon them in ⟨p. 68⟩worldly and politic purposes. And 2some of a better rank, which think if a man have learning, degrees and age, he is sufficiently qualified for that calling. But alas, this is not all; there is a greater work to be wrought then so, he must be humbled and cast down in sight of the greatness of that calling, of the majesty of that God whose room he is to execute, and of the unworthiness of himself to so great a work: he must be resolved, that to call a man to the Ministry, is the greatest work that GOD worketh in his Church, but the converting of a sinner, and calling him to the state of grace: nay it is a work even like unto it: for as a sinner in his conversion, so he at his Vocation to that place, is often to cry out in the amazement of his soul, Woe is me, I am undone. As therefore they are foully deceived, which think any holiness or sanctification, can sufficiently qualify a man without learning, so are they no less which think all outward complements to be sufficient without this work, which here was ⟨p. 69⟩wrought in the holy Prophet. Thus Causes of we see the fear & astonishment of the his fear 2. Prophet. It followeth.
Lastly, whereas hee exclaimeth, Woe is mee, I am vndone: being words of a soule humbled and deiected, and hereby sheweth himselfe to bee in that case, which a poore sinner is, when the preaching of the Lawe hath humbled him, by shewing him his sinnes and his extreame daunger by them. Wee may learne, that to bee called to the Mnisterie, is to be as it were conuerted and regenerate: and that when a man is called thereunto, it is a worke little lesse then that whereby GOD calleth a sinner from his sinne, to the state of repentance: for as God first casteth downe the sinner, before hee giue him grace, or any feeling of his loue in Christ: so heere, hee first abaseth and casteth downe the Prophete in the sight of GODS Maiestie, and his owne miserie, afore hee honour him with a Commission to preach his word vnto his people. Which I note against those men, which holde it so ordinary a matter