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.
Nicholas Byfield 1579–1622London: 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.
To be thus established, would fortify us against all the changes,1 and alterations of estate, or Religion in aftertimes: and as the Coherence imports, it would much further us, in the attainment of an unstained and unrebukeable life: whereas of doubting can come nothing but the shunning of God, the liberty of sin, and desperation, and the like. Besides, this grounded establishment in Faith, would free our profession from the dishonours, which an unsettled or discontented Faith, or life, doth cast upon us. Atheists, Papists, Epicures, and Belly-gods, if this were in us, would be astonished to see the power of Religion, in our resolved contentment, and to consider how unmoveable we were; so as the gates of Hell could not prevail against us. Besides the unsearchable solace that a peaceable and restful conscience would breed in us.
To be thus established, would fortifie vs against all the changes,1 and alterations of estate, or Religion in aftertimes: and as the Coherence imports, it would much further vs, in the attainement of an vnstained and vnrebukeable life: whereas of doubting can come nothing but the shunning of God, the libertie of sinne, and desperation, and the like. Besides, this grounded establishment in Faith, would free our profession from the dishonours, which an vnsetled or discontented Faith, or life, doth cast vpon vs. Atheists, Papists, Epicures, and Belly-gods, if this were in vs, would be astonished to see the power of Religion, in our resolued contentment, and to consider how vnmooueable wee were; so as the gates of Hell could not preuaile against vs. Besides the vnsearchable solace that a peaceable and restfull conscience would breed in vs.
1The privileges of an established and grounded heart.The priuiledges of an established and grounded heart.
; we must be daily conversant in the Scriptures. 2. We must be much in prayer, but in practise of prayer we must nourish the hatred of every sin; and daily labour to increase in the reformation of evil. And it is a great help to be much with such as fear God, and call upon God with a pure heart. It would much establish us, to see the faith, affections, fervency, and power of Gods spirit in other, in prayer
. 3. There is a secret blessing of God, in settling a mans heart, follows upon well doing: so as to be abundant in Gods work, is a great means of steadfastness; whereas a fruitless and barren life, is both uncomfortable, and unsettled
: we must pray to God to give us a mind, cheerful, speedy, full of incitations to good, glad of all occasions to do good, free from the stain of the sins of the Time, Nation, or calling, and from the reign of former lusts, inclineable to serve God, and our Brethren by Love: fearing the Gospel more then the Law, and Gods goodness more then his justice. 5. We must set an order in Faith and Life. It is exceeding behoovefull in matter of opinions, to deliver up our souls to some sound frame of Doctrine, in which we will ever quietly rest; and in matters of life, to gather out of the Commandments a platform of living, that might fit our own case
. 6. We are not usually settled, and soundly stablished, till we have been shaken with affliction, and have gotten the experience which the Cross learns us
. Lastly, we must consecrate our selves to God, endeavouring daily to practise what we daily hear: for he that cometh to CHRIST, and heareth his sayings, and doth them, is like a man which hath built a House, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a Rock; and when the flood arose, and the stream beat vehemently upon that house, it could not shake it, because it was founded on a Rock
That wee might be thus grounded, and stablished,1 diuers things are carefully to be obserued. 1. Wee must be founded on the Prophets, and Apostlesf; we must be daily conuersant in the Scriptures. 2. We must be much in praier, but in practise of prayer wee must nourish the hatred of euery sinne; and daily labour to encrease in the reformation of euill. And it is a great helpe to be much with such as feare God, and call vpon God with a pure heart. It would much establish vs, to see the faith, affections, feruencie, and power of Gods spirit in other, in prayerg. 3. There is a secret blessing of God, in setling a mans heart, followes vpon well doing: so as to bee abundant in Gods worke, is a great meanes of stedfastnesse; whereas a fruitlesse and barraine life, is both vncomfortable, and vnsetledh. 4. Wee must pray God to giue vs a free and ingenuous spiriti: wee must pray to God to giue vs a minde, cheerefull, speedy, full of incitations to good, glad of all occasions to doe good, free from the staine of the sinnes of the Time, Nation, or calling, and from the raigne of former lusts, inclineable to serue God, and our Brethren by Loue: fearing the Gospell more then the Law, and Gods goodnesse more then his iustice. 5. Wee must set an order in Faith and Life. It is exceeding behoouefull in matter of opinions, to deliuer vp our soules to some sounde frame of Doctrine, in which wee will euer quietly rest; and in matters of life, to gather out of the Commandements a platforme of liuing, that might fit our owne casek. 6. Wee are not vsually setled, and soundly stablished, till wee haue beene shaken with affliction, and haue gotten the experience which the Crosse learnes vsl. Lastly, wee must consecrate our selues to God, endeauouring daily to practise what wee daily heare: for hee that commeth to CHRIST, and heareth his sayings, and doth them, is like a man which hath built a House, and digged deepe, and layed the foundation on a Rocke; and when the flood arose, and the streame beat vehemently vpon that house, it could not shake it, because it was founded on a Rockem.
1What we must do, that we might be grounded and stablished.What we must doe, that wee might bee grounded and stablished.
Quaest. 1What should be the reason why many after long profession, and much hearing, and some comfortable signs of assurance,2 at sundry times conceived, should yet be unsettled, and distracted,3 and show so much perplexity and want of firmness, either in contentment or practise?
Quaest. 1What should be the reason why many after long profession, and much hearing, and some comfortable signes of assurance,2 at sundry times conceiued, should yet be vnsetled, and distracted,3 and shew so much perplexitie and want of firmenesse, either in contentment or practise?
1Quest.
2Ans.
3The causes why many after long profession, and some signs of hope, are still so unsettled.The causes why many after long profession, and some signes of hope, are still so vnsetled.
Answ. This is occasioned diversly. First, sometime for want of a distinct direction, or careful examination, about the application of the signs of Gods favour: some Christians have not the signs clearly & distinctly collected: others that have them, & know the use of them, grow slothful and ⟨p. 148⟩negligent, and are justly scourged with the want of the glory of this establishment.
Answ. This is occasioned diuersly. First, sometime for want of a distinct direction, or carefull examination, about the application of the signes of Gods fauor: some Christians haue not the signes cleerly & distinctly collected: others that haue them, & know the vse of them, grow sloathfull and ⟨p. 148⟩negligent, and are iustly scourged with the want of the glory of this establishment.
Thirdly, it is so sometimes with Christians, because of some sin they lye in, without repentance; there may be some sin, which they too much favour; and are loath to forsake, whether it be secret, or more open.
Thirdly, it is so sometimes with Christians, because of some sinne they lye in, without repentance; there may be some sinne, which they too much fauour; and are loath to forsake, whether it be secr•t, or more open.
Fifthly, many are grievously pressed, under legal perfection, being not able distinctly to discern the benefit of the Covenant of grace, in freeing them from the curse, and rigour of the Law. The ignorance of this one point, hath, and doth cover the faces and hearts of millions of Gods Servants, with a perplexed confusion, and fear without cause.
Fiftly, many are grieuously pressed, vnder legall perfection, being not able distinctly to discerne the benefit of the Couenant of grace, in freeing them from the curse, and rigour of the Law. The ignorance of this one point, hath, and doth couer the faces and hearts of millions of Gods Seruants, with a perplexed confusion, and feare without cause.
Seventhly, there is a kind of luke-warmness in practise, after hearing, which is in many scourged with the withholding of this rich grace of spiritual steadfastness. I say, luke-warmness in practise: for it may be observed, that many hear with great affection, and continue to be stirring, in expressing their liking of the Word, and yet are exceedingly negligent in the conscionable and daily practise of such rules, as in the ministry of the Word they seem to receive with admiration, and great liking.
Seauenthly, there is a kinde of luke-warmenesse in practise, after hearing, which is in many scourged with the withholding of this rich grace of spirituall stedfastnesse. I say, luke-warmenesse in practise: for it may bee obserued, that many heare with great affection, and continue to be stirring, in expressing their liking of the Word, and yet are exceedingly negligent in the conscionable and daily practise of such rules, as in the ministerie of the Word they seeme to receiue with admiration, and great liking.
Eighthly, this comes by reason of the want of patience, and a meek spirit: some Christians are froward, passionate, transported with violent affections, either of anger, or worldly grief: and these seldom or never, gain any long rest, or continual contentment: troubled affections, greatly hinder settledness, even in the best things.
Eightly, this comes by reason of the want of patience, and a meeke spirit: some Christians are froward, passionate, transported with violent affections, either of anger, or worldly griefe: and these seldome or neuer, gaine any long rest, or continuall contentment: troubled affections, greatly hinder setlednesse, euen in the best things.
To conclude, many professors revolt to the world, and give themselves to an unjustifiable liberty, in following either their profits, or their pleasures. And therefore no marvel, though Grace and true Religion, thrive so slowly in them, when they eat up their hearts and lives with these cares and delights of life.
To conclude, many professors reuolt to the world, and giue themselues to an vniustifiable liberty, in following either their profits, or their pleasures. And therefore no maruell, though Grace and true Religion, thriue so slowly in them, when they eate vp their hearts and liues with these cares and delights of life.
Though by Faith we are interested in Gods favour, and our souls garnished on earth with divers graces, as the fruits of Faith, and our lives protected with celestial privileges; yet the glory of our kingdom is neither of this world, nor in this world. Hope must guide us to future things, as well as Faith to present: and therefore the Apostle Peter doth with great reason teach us to bless God, for begetting us again to a lively hopen: our whole happiness may be branched out into these two parts. First, what we have already on earth; and secondly, what we look to have hereafter in Heaven. The one, Faith procures, the other, Hope assures. Now in that we have not all our happiness here, but hope for it elsewhere, it should teach us divers things.
Though by Faith wee are interressed in Gods fauour, and our soules garnished on earth with diuers graces, as the fruits of Faith, and our liues protected with caelestiall priuiledges; yet the glory of our kingdome is neither of this world, nor in this world. Hope must guide vs to future things, as well as Faith to present: and therefore the Apostle Peter doth with great reason teach vs to blesse God, for begetting vs againe to a liuely hopen: our whole happinesse may be branched out into these two parts. First, what wee haue already on earth; and secondly, what wee looke to haue hereafter in Heauen. The one, Faith procures, the other, Hope assures. Now in that wee haue not all our happinesse here, but hope for it elsewhere, it should teach vs diuers things.
First, we should effectually pray unto GOD to give such sound wisdom, and revelation, by his word and spirit, that we may indeed know this hope of our callingo.
First, wee should effectually pray vnto GOD to giue such sound wisedome, and reuelation, by his word and spirit, that wee may indeede know this hope of our callingo.
