A89915:2004
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.
Hand-writing] This hand-writing is by divers diversly referred, for some think it is to be referred to the covenant with Adam; all mankind in him was bound to God, this obligation he brake and so the forfeiture, lay still upon our necks till Christ paid the debt, and cancelled the obligation. Some refer it to the law of Moses in general, and say the people did bind themselves unto it, Exod. 14. by the rites there used. This bond was forfeited by the Jews and lay upon them. Some refer it to the moral law in special, and therein we did enter into bond which was called the covenant of works: the rigour and curse of this law lieth upon all mankind, and when God sues out this bond men are carried to prison, even to the prison of hell. Some refer it to the conscience of men, and say that an evil conscience is a Chirograph, a bill of debt, and it accuseth by ordinances, that is, it taketh conclusions from the law of God to arrest, or condemn the sinner. But most usually it is referred to the ceremonial law, by some of them men did enter into bond, as by circumcision, so faith the Apostle, he that is circumcised is bound to keep the whole law, Gal. 5.5. By others of them men made bills of debt, circumcision confesseth corruption of nature by propagation. The washings were open confessions of the foulness of our lives x; in the sacrifices men subscribed to their own death and damnation: for they confessed they had deserved to die in steed of the beast.
Hand-writing] This hand-writing is by diuers diuersly referred, for some thinke it is to be referred to the couenant with Adam; all mankinde in him was bound to God, this obligation he brake and so the forfeiture, lay still vpon our neckes till Christ paid the debt, and cancelled the obligation. Some referre it to the law of Moses in generall, and say the people did binde themselues vnto it, Exod. 14. by the rites there vsed. This bond was forfeited by the Iewes and lay vpon them. Some referre it to the morrall law in speciall, and therein we did enter into bond which was called the couenant of works: the rigor and curse of this law lieth vpon all mankinde, and when God sues out this bond men are carried to prison, euen to the prison of hell. Some referre it to the conscience of men, and say that an euill conscience is a Chyrographe, a bill of debt, and it accuseth by ordinances, that is, it taketh conclusions from the law of God to arrest, or condemne the sinner. But most vsually it is referred to the ceremoniall law, by some of them men did enter into bond, as by circumcision, so faith the Apostle, he that is circumcised is bound to keepe the whole law,