A89915:1774
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.
The sum of all is, that in as much as the Lord hath saved us by so wonderful salvation in Christ, and in that our Saviour was true God as well as man, as being the second person in Trinity,1 therefore we should wholly rest upon him, and not distract our thoughts, or faith, or services, with either philosophy, or traditions, or ceremonies, as supposing that our salvation should be any ways furthered by those. Now in that the holy Ghost is so careful to teach the divinity of Christ, we should also learn to be affected with the wisdom of God, that hath designed the second person in Trinity to be our mediator: Think of it often, and weigh with your self the glory of Gods wisdom herein; who is fitter to restore the world then he that made ita? Incarnation is a mission; now it was not fit he should be sent by another, that was not of another, as the Father was not. It is wonderful suitable that the natural son should make sons by adoptionb. Who fitter to restore the image ⟨p. 36⟩of the Father lost in us, then he that was the eternal image of the Fatherc? Who was fitter to break open the fountain of Gods love, then he that was the son of his loved? The personal word became the enunciative word, to declare unto us his Fathers nature and will: he that is the middle person in the Trinity, is fittest to be the middle man, or mediator between God and man.
The summe of all is, that in as much as the Lord hath saued vs by so wonderfull saluation in Christ, and in that our Sauiour was true God as well as man, as being the second person in Trinitie,1 therefore we should wholly rest vpon him, and not distract our thoughts, or faith, or seruices, with either philosophie, or traditions, or ceremonies, as supposing that our saluation should be any wayes furthered by those. Now in that the holy Ghost is so carefull to teach the diuinitie of Christ, wee should also learne to be affected with the wisdome of God, that hath designed the second person in Trinitie to be our mediator: Thinke of it often, and weigh with your selfe the glory of Gods wisdome herein; who is fitter to restore the world then he that made it