A89915:177
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.
1The Christian mans faithfulness ought to show it self, first, in spiritual things; secondly, in temporal things: unto faithfulness in spiritual things five things are requisite. First, faith in Christ, to get sound reasons from the Word and Spirit of God, and a sure evidence for the particular persuasion of the heart, that God in Christ is graciously reconciled with the sinner. He §1cannot be a faithful man that hath not a justifying Faith: all that time of a mans life, only receiveth he this honour, to be accounted faithful, when above all things he travels after the sense of Gods favour in the forgiveness §2of his sins. Secondly, faithfulness stands in the performance of all those Promises, Purposes and Vows, which men in their distress inward or outward do make unto God.2 And therefore the Israelites are charged not to §37be faithful, because when the wrath of God turned upon them, and the strongest of them were slain, and their chosen men were smitten, and that §31their days did consume in vanity, and their years hastily, then they cry §32unto him, and seek him in their distress, they return and seek him early, §34they acknowledge that GOD is their strength, and the most High their Redeemer: §35but when the Lord had been merciful unto them, forgiven their iniquities, so as he destroyed them not, and called back his anger; then they §38returned and provoked the LORD again, they flattered him with their tongue, they tempted GOD and sinned still, and therefore they are censured §37thus: Their heart was not upright, neither were they faithful in Gods Covenant. §3Thirdly, it shows it self in constant sincerity in Gods worship, when men will worship God according to the rules of his revealed will, without mixture of mens inventions, or the customary sins of profaneness and hypocrisy.