A73023:323
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.
Again, here is a comfort to all such 1as are distressed in mind, in sense of their fins, and sight of Gods wrath: their state is not miserable, much less desperate, for they are in the high way to grace and favour. God justifieth not, but him that repents: God exalts not, but him that is humbled: God comforts not, but him that is distressed: God hath mercy on none, but such as both known ⟨p. 122⟩and feel they want it: and know also, that they know not where to have it, but at his hands. Happy therefore is that soul, that feels the weight and burden of sin, for to him will Christ bring most ease and comfort. Gods Ministers therefore are hereby to comfort distressed consciences, to assure them, that if with this Prophet they be so deeply touched with sight of their sins, and Gods justice, as that they cry, Woe is me, I am undone. Then, even Then, are they most capable of comfort, and best prepared to receive it, as here it sell out to the holy Prophet. Thirdly, here is the 2way taught us how to attain to any excellent graces of God, either for our own salvation, or the good of the Church, namely to labour for a sensible feeling of the want of them in our selves: for God useth to bestow no gifts on any man, but such as do in humility & low-linesse, confess to God, & acknowledge in themselves, the want of them. So the blessed Virgin singeth, God filleth the 3hungry with good things, but the rich he ⟨p. 123⟩sends empty away: And so the Psalmist, God satisfieth the hungry soul, and filleth the empty soul with goodness. So then if thou be rich in thy conceits, God hath not for thee: but if thou be hungry, he is ready to fill thee with good things: and dost thou acknowledge thy soul empty, then behold treasures of goodness, to feed and fill thee: and art thou cast down with the Prophet, and is thy soul empty of hope, and fraught with fear, then behold, even then, God and his Angels ready to raise thee up, & to fill thee with consolation. Thus much for the time of his consolation: the minister, by whom was,