A73023:94
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.
2 The second main sin of England, is: Contempt of Christian Religion. Religion hath bin among us these five and thirty years: but the more it is published, the more it is contemned, and reproached of many: in so much, as there is not the simplest fellow in a country town, who, although he knows not one point of religion, yet he can mock, and scorn such as are more religious then himself is: this is one of the moths of England, that eats up religion, this is grievous in whomsoever, but most intolerable in two sorts of men. First, in them, who are altogether ignorant: that they should mock they know not what. A pitiful thing to hear one, who himself cannot give the meaning of one petition in the Lords prayer, to upbraid other men, because they are too forward: but it is the worst of all, when men of knowledge, and such as live civilly, and would be counted good christians: and are indeed of the better sort: cannot abide to see others go, a little before them: but if they do: presently, ⟨p. 61⟩they are Hypocrites and dissemblers: Thus not profaneness, nor wickedness; but even Religion it self is a by-word, a mocking-stock, and matter of reproach: so that in England, at this day, the man or woman that begins to profess religion, and to serve God, must resolve with himself to sustain mocks, and injuries, even as though he lived among the enemies of religion, and not among professors: and as religion increaseth and spreadeth it self: so doth the number of these mockers: O what a cursed sin is this? to contemn the greatest favour, that God can give us; that is his holy religion: for the which, we should rather praise him all the days of our lives. All that God can give a man in this world, is his Gospel: what then can God give to be regarded, when his gospel is contemned?
2 The second maine sin of England, is: Contempt of Christian Religion. Religion hath bin among vs these fiue and thirtie yeares: but the more it is published, the more it is contemned, and reproached of many: in so much, as there is not the simplest fellow in a country town, who, although he knowes not one point of religion, yet he can mock, and scorne such as are more religious then himself is: this is one of the moaths of England, that eates vp religion, this is grieuous in whomsoeuer, but most intollerable in two sorts of men. First, in them, who are altogether ignorant: that they should mocke they know not what. A pittifull thing to hear one, who himselfe cannot giue the meaning of one petition in the Lords praier, to vpbraide other men, because they are too forward: but it is the worst of all, when men of knowledge, and such as liue ciuilly, and would be counted good christians: and are indeede of the better sort: cannot abide to see others go, a little before them: but if they doe: presently,