A89915:2006
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.
Ordinances] Some read for ordinances, some read by ordinances, some with ordinances, and some of ordinances. They that read for ordinances, say the hand-writing was for ordinances, that is, either in favour of the decrees that were against ⟨p. 67⟩us, or for the better assuring of the keeping of the ordinances; it was by ordinances viz evangelical, for they say the decrees of Christ did evacuate the laws of Moses. They that read with ordinances, say that the hand-writing was the debt of death which Christ took away with the ordinance; that is the external rites and rudiments of Moses. But I think the sense is clear as it is here rendered of ordinances.
Ordinances] Some read for ordinances, some read by ordinances, some with ordinances, and some of ordinances. They that read for ordinances, say the hand-writing was for ordinances, that is, either in fauor of the decrees that were against ⟨p. 67⟩vs, or for the better assuring of the keeping of the ordinances; it was by ordinances viz euangelicall, for they say the decrees of Christ did euacuate the lawes of Moses. They that read with ordinances, say that the hand-writing was the debt of death which Christ tooke away with the ordinance; that is the externall rites and rudiments of Moses. But I thinke the sense is cleare as it is here rendred of ordinances.
And so the point to be observed is, that the ceremonies imposed upon the Jews were Gods ordinances, which may show us that God did take upon him the right to bind the conscience, of men, by ceremonies. 2. Seeing Christians are freed from them by God himself, therefore the Apostle would have them stand to their liberty. 3. This should exalt the praise of the moral law; if they were bound to observe the very ceremonies because they were Gods ordinances, then much more should we be careful to keep the moral.
And so the point to be obserued is, that the ceremonies imposed vpon the Iewes were Gods ordinances, which may shew vs that God did take vpon him the right to binde the conscience, of men, by ceremonies. 2. Seeing Christians are freed from them by God himselfe, therefore the Apostle would haue them stand to their libertie. 3. This should exalt the praise of the morrall law; if they were bound to obserue the very ceremonies because they were Gods ordinances, then much more should wee bee carefull to keepe the morrall.