A89915:1216
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.
That we might be thus grounded, and stablished,1 divers things are carefully to be observed. 1. We must be founded on the Prophets, and Apostlesf; 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 prayerg. 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 unsettledh. 4. We must pray God to give us a free and ingenuous spiriti: 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 casek. 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 usl. 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