A89915:1487
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.
If any ask how this fight should grow: I answer: First, it is manifest the devil is the enemy of all goodness, and will cross the Gospel what he can: Besides, the flesh both in Ministers and people will lust and strive against the spirit; a Minister should have something to do to beat down his own fleshf. And in the Apostles times Tyrants with their civill or rather uncivil sword did fight against the truth: so did heretics with the tares and poison of their infectious doctrine: so did the Infidels also with slanders and outrages. And though these cease, yet opposition will rise from other sorts of men: for in general all men of wicked life will be contrary to sound doctrineg; and particularly both worldlings and epicures do in all places discover their dislike of the faithful and diligent preaching of the Gospel, in as much as the word would restrain the excess of their pleasures and cares of life; yea the civill honest men of the world, though they give heaven good words, and can be long more quiet then the former, yet let once their inward corruption be ransacked, or their special evils powerfully unmasked, they will become like horses and mules, they will strike at all that crosseth the praise of their quiet estate. And for temporizers, it is wonderful evident, that in all places they hold it a point of their care, to see that sound preaching be disgraced. For howsoever by Gods singular mercy amongst us in this Nation, by the laws of the Kingdom, preaching is both established and protected with honour, yet because in practise people of all degrees tend to liberty, and many great ones like not that preaching that should discover or restrain the grievous excesses of the time: hence it is that such as serve the humours of men, and run in the current or profaneness, do every where take all advantages to disgrace painful and godly Preachers and preaching. Besides, such is the hellish spite and rage of Papists and popish persons in all places, that in imitation of their ⟨p. 3⟩holy father, who is noted to oppose and exalt himselfh, they, especially the locusts among them are as horses prepared to the battlei