A89915:1835
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.
Here is the fifth reason, and is peculiarly addressed against those Christians of the Jews which joined the Law with the Gospel as necessary to salvation. By circumcision they were initiated to the Law of Moses: and if circumcision can add nothing to us nor perfect us any way in Christ, then neither can the Law it self. We have that in Christ of which circumcision, and the law were signs, we are circumcised in the spirit and therefore need not to be circumcised in the flesh, and in Christ we have the accomplishment of what was shadowed in the law.
HEere is the fifth reason, and is peculiarly addressed against those Christians of the Iewes which ioyned the Law with the Gospell as necessarie to saluation. By circumcision they were initiated to the Law of Moses: and if circumcision can adde nothing to vs nor perfect vs any way in Christ, then neither can the Law it selfe. We haue that in Christ of which circumcision, and the law were signes, we are circumcised in the spirit and therefore neede not to be circumcised in the flesh, and in Christ we haue the accomplishment of what was shadowed in the law.
Might some one say the consequence is strange:1 we are circumcised in spirit therefore we need not be circumcised in the flesh. Why Abraham was circumcised in spirit as well as we, yet he needed to be circumcised also in the flesh. For answer hereunto,2 we must know that in the time of the old Testament this consequence was of no force: yet now in the new it is exceeding strong. For now we have not only accomplished what was signified by circumcision, but Christ hath appointed another sign in steed of it, viz. Baptism, especially this is clear amongst the Gentiles, which never were circumcised in the flesh.
Might some one say the consequence is strange:1 we are circumcised in spirit therefore we need not be circumcised in the flesh. Why Abraham was circumcised in spirit as well as we, yet he needed to be circumcised also in the flesh. For answere hereunto,