A89915:1648
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.
4. Q. But if his losses be thus many and miserable, is there any thing left in him? Answ. There is. 1. His seed abides in him, the holy seed of the word can never be rooted out of him wholly. 2. He hath faith though it be in a trance. 3. Grace is alive in him, though he be in the state of a palsy man, or as one that hath a dead palsy, and yet is alive. 4. He hath the spirit of God in him, but he is locked up and taken prisoner.
4. Q. But if his losses be thus many and miserable, is there any thing left in him? Answ. There is. 1. His seede abides in him, the holy seede of the word can neuer be rooted out of him wholly. 2. Hee hath faith though it bee in a trance. 3. Grace is aliue in him, though hee bee in the state of a palsie man, or as one that hath a dead palsie, and yet is aliue. 4. Hee hath the spirit of God in him, but he is locked vp and taken prisoner.
Now for the remedies of this loss of steadfastness,1 they must know that there is required of them, a special humiliation, note that I say a special humiliation: For they must in private afflict their souls before the view of their special sins, and Gods fierce wrath, with strong cries and sighs unspeakable making their moan before God, They must cry unto God out of the deep, as the Psalmist saith. Besides they must shame themselves openly by making ⟨p. 22⟩themselves vile before the people of God, so did David, and Solomon, and Paul; yea they must voluntarily resign over themselves unto Gods scourging hand, being so desirous to be cleansed of their sins, as to be contented God should wash them throughly though it were with many crosses. And further they must be revenged of their own flesh, by straitening and curbing themselves in their lawful desires and delights. Thus of their special humiliation: Now secondly, they must take special pains to recover their faith in God, and to get pardon of their sins, They must cry daily unto God, they must search again and again in the records of Gods promises, especially waiting upon the preaching of the Gospel, to see when the Lord will return and have mercy by reviving of their hearts with the comforts of his presence. And for this they must be wonderful careful of the spirit of grace, to stir it up by daily prayer, and to observe with all watchfulness the stirring of it, resolving with all thankfulness to acknowledge any measure of the reviving of the spirit.