A73023:329
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.
A doctrine of great comfort, and 1much good use to all Ministers: who first of all may here learn contentment in their calling: for howsoever no calling hath more crosses, so none again hath more comfort: and howsoever none be more disgraced by evil men, yet none is more honoured by the holy Angels: and howsoever in this world they above any calling, are servants to all men, yet none hath the service & attendance of Angels so much as they: for though we have them not to help us to do the outward actions of our ministry with us, or for us, (as some popish Doctors teach, that in their Mass, A men is not said to one […] ⟨p. 124⟩[…] ⟨p. 125⟩⟨p. 126⟩collect, because the Angels say A men to it) yet doubtless they are present always, as at all holy exercises and lawful actions, so especially at the public service of God, performed by the Ministers: and beside that, they are witnesses thereto, and of the pains, and diligence, and faithfulness of a good Minister, they also do Minister unto them oftentimes, bodily strength, and assistance, & many comforts: in their troublesome travels, which they know not how by any natural means they come unto them. And as this Doctrine doth thus yield them 2contentment against the contempt, so also courage against the danger of this calling. For what though thou hast mighty men of this world against thee, when thou hast angels for thee? & what though thou fightest against principalities and powers, when thou hast Cherubins, and Seraphims on thy side? Godly Ministers have many enemies, but if by the eye of faith, they can see as well who are with them, as with the eye of reason who are against them, they will confess with Elisha, ⟨p. 127⟩there are more with us, then against us. The stories of all ages do affirm, and the comfortable experience of these days of ours doth verify the truth hereof. Ministers that live in places very profane, or very popish, it is admirable to see how many dangers they have escaped, and plots they have avoided, which by their enemies, (or rather the enemies of their Doctrine) have bone laid for their lives: which their deliverance, and many other comforts in their Ministries, whence are they but from Gods protection, by the ministry of his