A89915:1038
An exposition upon the Epistle to the Colossians Wherein, not only the text is…An exposition vpon the Epistle to the Colossians Wherein, not onely the text is…
An exposition upon the Epistle to the Colossians Wherein, not only the text is methodically analysed, and the sense of the words, by the help of writers, both ancient and modern is explained: but also, by doctrine and use, the intent of the holy Ghost is in every place more fully unfolded and urged. ... Being, the substance of near seven years week-days sermons, of N. Byfield, late one of the preachers for the city of Chester.An exposition vpon the Epistle to the Colossians Wherein, not onely the text is methodically analysed, and the sence of the words, by the help of writers, both ancient and moderne is explayned: but also, by doctrine and vse, the intent of the holy Ghost is in euery place more fully vnfolded and vrged. ... Being, the substance of neare seuen yeeres weeke-dayes sermons, of N. Byfield, late one of the preachers for the citie of Chester.
London: printed by Edward for Nathaniel Butter, 1617
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.
Great are the benefits which come to the Church from CHRIST, as her Head. I instance: in six, viz. Love, Sympathy, Audience, Aduocation, Union, 1and Influence. First, Infinite Love: no man so loves his Wife, as Christ loves his Churchb. Secondly, Sympathy, by which Christ hath a fellow-feeling of the distresses of all his members, that which is done to them, he takes it as done to him, whether it be good or evilc. Thirdly, Audience, and willing acceptance of all the desires and prayers of all his members: the Head hears for the Body. Fourthly, Aduocation, no natural Head can so plead for his members, as doth our mystical Head for us. Fifthly, Union, we as members, are honoured with the Union of Essence; in that he hath taken our nature: with the Union of Office, so as the members ⟨p. 122⟩are anointed Kings, Priests, and Prophets, in their kind, as well as Christ: and also with the Union of Virtue, and benefits: by which Union we partake of his Righteousness, Holiness, and Glory. By Virtue of this Union with Christ, the faithful have the everlasting presence of Christ; to and after the end of the Worldd. The last benefit is influence; influence I say, both of Life (for the second Adam is a quickening spirite) and Light, (for Christ is the Fountain of all true Wisdomf: the Head seeth for the Body, and the Body by, and from the Head) and Grace, (for of his fullness we receive all grace,) and Motion, for all good desires, feelings, words, and works, come from the working of the Head in us.
Great are the benefits which come to the Church from CHRIST, as her Head. I instance: in sixe, viz. Loue, Sympathie, Audience, Aduocation, Vnion, 1