A89915:1873
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.
3. These sins may be called a body, because they are committed by the body, as the external means of them.
3. These sinnes may be called a body, because they are committed by the body, as the externall meanes of them.
4. The mass of sin in the fleshly man may be called a body of sins, for that it hath many things like unto the body of man: or many comparisons may be taken from the body of a man to express the sins of the flesh. As the body of man is a fair substance made of base matter: so sin in it self is most vile,1 though it be coloured over by the devil or the world with the fair proportion of profit or pleasure. And as there be many members in the body, so there are in the sin of the fleshly man: as some members in the body are outward, some inward, so are our sins. As men would be ashamed of their bodies, were it not for their clothing, especially if there be any deformity: so would men of their sins, were it not for their great places, or fair excuses, and wretched shifts they have to hide their deformities. And as the body of the prisoner in a dungeon is alike a true body, with his that sitteth on the throne: so sins that are secret, that are never so closely committed, are sins, as well as such as are openly done. As his body is a true body, that yet wants a leg or an arm: so it is in some, though they be not murderers ⟨p. 50⟩or adulterers, yet they may have a body of sin in them. As the natural body cannot live, if you take away food and clothing: so neither would sin, if we did not love it, approve it, defend it, excuse it, and if we take away carnal reason, and ill company. And as the body of Princes is better clad, then the bodies of poor men, yet it is alike, a body of clay and corruption: so are the sins of great men, though men do not speak so openly of them.
4. The masse of sinne in the fleshly man may be called a body of sinnes, for that it hath many things like vnto the body of man: or many comparisons may be taken from the body of a man to expresse the sinnes of the flesh. As the body of man is a faire substance made of base matter: so sinne in it selfe is most vile,