A73023:300
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.
Besides these, there is another way, whereby God showeth his presence: 1and that is, by extraordinary revelation of his glory immediately: which was usual in the old Testament, as here to the Prophet, but now is not to be expected. But how terrible that is to the sinful nature of man, appears in this place: for if the Prophet a most holy man, whose conscience accused him, but of a few and small sins, yet thus cries out, amazed & affrighted, at the revelation of some part of Gods glory: alas, how would they be terrified with it, whose consciences are burdened with great and grievous sins, & that without repentance? Thus we see the ground of his reason, how true it is, that a man in his sin, cannot cheerfully come, nor boldly stand in Gods presence. The 2use of this Doctrine: First of all, let us see the monstrous presumption of such minister as dare venture rashly into the ministry, to tread upon the holy ground ⟨p. 104⟩of God, with unclean feet; to handle 3the holy things of God with unwashen hands: For what is it to enter into the Ministry, but to enter into the chamber of presence of the great King? and should not a man look about him, 4afore he come there? Therefore if God rebuked Moses, for stepping too hastily towards the Bush, where his presence is, and said; Come not too near, for 5the place where thou standest is holy ground: then how will God rebuke and check the consciences of such carnal men, as carelessly & carnally rush into the Pulpit, and to Gods holy Table, where God is present, in a far more excellent manner then he was in the Bush? And if they be so to be blamed, who 6enter into this calling without fear and reverence, then how much more faulty are they, who being Ministers, dare venture to preach, or minister the holy Sacraments, without holy and private preparation, & sanctification of themselves: but rush upon them, as upon common & profane actions? Whereas