A89915:1604
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.
Now that men may attain to this Eutaxy and good order in Common-weals, they must read the law of God, and let that be a general guide to them, and they must propound sanctity as well as felicity, as the end of their government; and in calling to office, they must be careful not to set the feet where the head should be, but to choose men that fear God and hate covetousness, and are men of courage. The fear of God and courage is wonderfully wanting in all sorts of Magistrates. And as for courage, in respect of the people, what are they the better if they have a good man, that will do no good, then if they had evil men, that would do no evil? Yet in truth Magistrates, whether good or evil men, do much evil by suffering evil to be unpunished. But to return to the point, Magistrates that would preserve order, must give good example themselves, and mend the disorders of their one households, and bring such a sympathy and love of the people, as they should both preserve their authority, and yet remember that they rule their brethren. And in their government they cannot observe order, unless they punish vice as well as command or provide for virtue and wealth. Besides, they must take away the persons or places that are occasions of disorder, and they must charge and remunerate as well as punish. Finally, the people out of the obligation of conscience must strive to live in order, with reverence and fear ⟨p. 16⟩yielding ready obedience and furtherance to those that are placed in authority over them.
Now that men may attaine to this Eutaxie and good order in Common-weales, they must reade the law of God, and let that bee a generall guide to them, and they must propound sanctitie as well as felicitie, as the end of their gouernment; and in calling to office, they must be carefull not to set the feet where the head should be, but to chuse men that feare God and hate couetousnesse, and are men of courage. The feare of God and courage is wonderfully wanting in all sorts of Magistrates. And as for courage, in respect of the people, what are they the better if they haue a good man, that will doe no good, then if they had euill men, that would doe no euill? Yet in truth Magistrates, whether good or euill men, doe much euill by suffering euill to be vnpunished. But to returne to the point, Magistrates that would preserue order, must giue good example themselues, and mend the disorders of their one households, and bring such a sympathie and loue of the people, as they should both preserue their authoritie, and yet remember that they rule their brethren. And in their gouernment they cannot obserue order, vnlesse they punish vice as well as command or prouide for vertue and wealth. Besides, they must take away the persons or places that are occasions of disorder, and they must charge and remunerate as well as punish. Finally, the people out of the obligation of conscience must striue to liue in order, with reuerence and feare