A89915:1540
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.
As the knitting together of Gods people is wonderful comfortable, and a gracious effect of the Gospel: so to disturb the love and unity of the Church and people of God, is most execrable and abominable. It is a grievous sin to disquiet and disjoin Gods servants. Now if we observe in our own times who they are that are that are disturbers of the Church and unity amongst true Christians,1 we shall find four sorts of men may be justly taxed with this grievous fault. 1. Papists and half-Papists, these in all places labour to hinder the progress of the Gospel, and the unity of the Church: 2. Ambitious temporizers: Diotrephes had his hand deep in this sin. Too many there are that scarce know any readier way to cover their damned Simoniacal practises, and to advance their own aspiring ends, then to blaze and enlarge, and with bitter exasperations to proclaim that heavy rent and dissent of opinion, that hath divided the sons of the same mother. 3. Men of flagitious and wicked life: for wicked men disturb Gods Church, both by their sins vexing the righteous, and by their railing opposing the truth, and cause God by his judgement to afflict his own Israel. 4. Sectaries and humorous persons, that out of their hellish pride, despise all the assemblies of Gods people, because they favour not the fantastical projects. These many of them divide from us both in Church and habitation.
As the knitting together of Gods people is wonderfull comfortable, and a gracious effect of the Gospell: so to disturbe the loue and vnity of the Church and people of God, is most execrable and abominable. It is a greeuous sinne to disquiet and disioyne Gods seruants. Now if we obserue in our owne times who they are that are that are disturbers of the Church and vnitie amongst true Christians,1 wee shall finde foure sorts of men may bee iustly taxed with this greeuous fault. 1. Papists and halfe-Papists, these in all places labour to hinder the progresse of the Gospell, and the vnitie of the Church: 2. Ambitious temporizers: Diotrephes had his hand deepe in this sinne. Too many there are that scarce know any readier way to couer their damned Simoniacall practises, and to aduance their owne aspiring ends, then to blaze and enlarge, and with bitter exaspirations to proclaime that heauie rent and dissent of opinion, that hath diuided the sonnes of the same mother. 3. Men of flagitious and wicked life: for wicked men disturbe Gods Church, both by their sinnes vexing the righteous, and by their rayling opposing the truth, and cause God by his iudgement to afflict his owne Israel. 4. Sectaries and humorous persons, that out of their hellish pride, despise all the assemblies of Gods people, because they fauour not the fantasticall proiects. These many of them diuide from vs both in Church and habitation.