A73023:272
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 the next place, whereas the prophet complaineth of the pollution of his lips: As of the peculiar sin of his place: Ministers are here taught, to avoid that sin above all other; and to labour in that duty above any other: for the doing of it, is his most comfort: the want of it is his most vexation: his tongue is the Instrument given him to honour God, if he use it well, it yields him comfort, ⟨p. 80⟩more then any other duties.
In the next place, whereas the prophet complaineth of the pollution of his lippes: As of the peculiar sinne of his place: Ministers are heere taught, to auoide that sinne aboue all other; and to labour in that dutie aboue any other: for the dooing of it, is his most comfort: the want of it is his most vexation: his tongue is the Instrument giuen him to honour God, if hee vse it well, it yeeldes him comfort, ⟨p. 80⟩more then any other duties.
But if he use not, or abuse his tongue, the pollution of his lips will be the heaviest burden of all: they therefore are greatly deceived, who think a Minister to discharge sufficiently 1his duty, though he preach not if he keep good Hospitality and make peace amongst his Neighbours, and perform other works of charity and good life: for if a Minister have not this virtue, he hath none: If he preach not; If he abuse his lips: or if he open them not, he hath no conscience, nor can have any comfort, for that is the principal duty of a Minister (though all the other be required to make him complete): the want of them may condemn him before men, but it is the pollution of his lips, which presently checks him before GOD, as we see here in this holy Prophet: the conclusion then is to every Minister, that if he had all the virtues and good properties, that can commend a man in the world, ⟨p. 81⟩