A89915:1039
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.
1The political Head is the glory of the World; and the mystical Head is the glory of the Church: yet the mystical Head excels the political many ways. For, 1 CHRIST is the Head of such as are not together in the being of Nature or Grace. 2 CHRIST is a perpetual Head; the other is but for a time. 3. CHRIST is a Head by Influence, the other but by Government. 4. CHRIST is an absolute Head; the other but subordinate to Christ, and his Vice-gerent.
1The politicall Head is the glory of the World; and the misticall Head is the glory of the Church: yet the misticall Head excells the politicall many wayes. For, 1 CHRIST is the Head of such as are not together in the being of Nature or Grace. 2 CHRIST is a perpetuall Head; the other is but for a time. 3. CHRIST is a Head by Influence, the other but by Gouernement. 4. CHRIST is an absolute Head; the other but subordinate to Christ, and his Vice-gerent.
- 1Our head is more glorious then all political heads.Our head is more glorious then all politicall heads.
That Christ might become our Head, we must consider what he did in fitting himself thereunto: and secondly, what he doth in us. For himself, he took the same Nature with his Church; else had the Church been like Nebuchadnezzars Image. Yet as he took our Nature, so we must know that he bettered it. The Head differs in worth from the Body, because therein is seated the mind, which is the noblest part of man: so in the humane Nature of Christ, dwells the Godhead bodily; and by expiation, in his own person, Christ takes away the sins of the Church, which else would have letted all Union. And lastly, he exalted his suffering Nature, and seated himself aloft, as meet to have the preeminence, and become Head of all the faithful: And as the Head is thus fitted, so are the Members: for, 1. they are collected out of the World, by the sound of the Gospel: (Let them lie hidden in the world that mean to perish with the world.) 2. They are framed, formed, proportioned, and begotten, by daily hearing. 3. They are ingrafted in an unspeakable, and invisible Union; presently in truth, afterwards in sense.