A89915:1504
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.
This is the fruit of the care and earnest strife of godly Teachers in their painful labours of the Gospel, that it breeds much comfort in the hearts of Gods people, and likewise greatly confirms them, and settles them in the mutual love one of another: it knits their hearts together. And contrariwise we may generally here note the hurt and mischief that false and corrupt teachers bring upon men. They hinder the consultations of Gods people, in that they draw them away from God the fountain of all consolation: and likewise they withdraw them from the society and fellowship with the Saints. But this is but general. I consider distinctly of each of these effects.
This is the fruit of the care and earnest strife of godly Teachers in their painefull labours of the Gospell, that it breeds much comfort in the hearts of Gods people, and likewise greatly confirmes them, and settles them in the mutall loue one of another: it knits their hearts together. And contrariwise we may generally here note the hurt and mischeefe that false and corrupt teachers bring vpon men. They hinder the consultations of Gods people, in that they draw them away from God the fountaine of all consolation: and likewise they withdraw them from the societie and fellowship with the Saints. But this is but generall. I consider distinctly of each of these effects.
That their hearts might be comforted]
The people whose harts are not effectually wrought upon by the Gospel, Doct. 1 are void of the consolations of God. They are in comfortless distress; a natural heart is a comfortless heart;1 and they must needs be without comfort, for they are without God and Christ, and the promises, and communion with the godly, which are the wells of comfort: besides by reason of the veil of ignorance, their souls sit in darkness: and what comfort can they have in such a continued spiritual night of darkness? neither will the disorder of their affections, passions or lusts, suffer their hearts to enjoy any true ease or rest, or joy,