A89915:1506
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.
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, ⟨p. 5⟩and how can comfort dwell, where evil angels have their throne? the powers of hell prevail in every child of disobedience: and the joys of the holy Ghost are altogether restrained from them, neither can there arise any true consolation from outward things, for in their own judgments most an end they are at a want of contentment, they are daily fretted with the interruptions befall them: and vanity and vexation of spirit, are the inseparable companions of earthly things, or if they were not, what were the possession of all things, if they be set before the thoughts of death or Gods wrath,2 or the last judgment, or hell? Imagine a man driven out of the light by devils, where he should see nothing but his tormentors, and that he were made to stand upon snares or grins with iron teeth ready to strike up and grind him to pieces, and that he had gall poured down to his belly, and an instrument raking in his bowels, and the pains of a travailing woman upon him, and an hideous noise of horror in his ears, and a great giant with a spear, running upon his neck, and a flame burning upon him round about, do you imagine this man could be solaced in this distress, with bringing him straws or trifles to play withal? Alas, alas, this is the estate of every wicked mans if he had eyes to see what belongs unto him, and what is his danger, as these places show, whence these comparisons are taken, Job 18.18.7.8. & 20.24.15. & 15.20.21.26.30. certainly heaven and earth shall pass away before one jot of these miseries shall be removed out of the way so as they should not fall upon wicked men being impenitent: and alas what then can outward things do unto them?