A89915:1650
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.
Lastly, when they are in any measure recovered, they must look to two things. 1. They must forsake all appearance of evil. 2. They must use a continual watchfulness, and with fear and jealousy look to their hearts, even in their best actions: least Satan beguile them, and they revolt again, and then their case of reciduation be worse then the former, blessed is the man that feareth always.
Lastly, when they are in any measure recouered, they must looke to two things. 1. They must forsake all appearance of euill. 2. They must vse a continuall watchfulnesse, and with feare and iealousie looke to their hearts, euen in their best actions: least Sathan beguile them, and they reuolt againe, and then their case of reciduation be worse then the former, blessed is the man that feareth alwayes.
Thus of the loss of steadfastness, especially, as it is in the curable, for there is a loss of steadfastness, and the joy of Gods salvation even in the Elect, which in this life is incurable; Of this I can say little, because the Scripture is in this point exceeding sparing, and because the judgements of God, especially of this kind are exceeding deep, who can wade into them? only a word or two of it. This loss is incurable two ways, sometimes in the cross or judgement it brought upon the offender, sometimes in the unsteadfastness it self; for sometimes though the Lord restore inward joy and assurance, yet he will not remove the outward sign of his wrath, sometimes he draws back the outward affliction, but doth not restore the inward comfort, or not in so great a measure, so as some of Gods children, may die without the sense of the joy of Gods salvation till they come to heaven, yea they may die in great terror and despair: yet the Lord may be reconciled, and they may truly repent, though these terrors or judgements be not released: because God many times will thereby purge the public scandal and clear his own justice: Besides, such spectacles do give warning to a careless world, to let them know that God hath treasures of wrath for sin if they repent not. Thus of the doctrine of steadfastness of faith, and unsteadfastness also; now briefly for some uses of it.