A89915:2017
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 words are a most portly and deep allegory, and they carry news of a remarkable victory: the battle was fierce, cruel, prodigiously difficult, bloody on the best side, and if Christ had been a jot less then he was, there had been no remedy, nor hope. The battle was first fought between Satan and man, with a depth of fraud and cruelty, and hellish invisible spite:1 the day was lost, man with the woeful issues of the conquest, was either cast down wallowing in blood, or scattered with pursuing cruelty: no sooner sprouting in the life of nature, but smitten with the venom of spiritual infection, plagued with the bondage of more then cruel servitude, not pitied, not helped: more forfeitures laid upon him then he could find words to acknowledge. Now one man cometh into the field in the right of millions, (that could not stand in their own quarrel) challengeth the victors, with singular compassion calleth back the scattered, raiseth a mighty expectation, exposeth himself to the danger, with incredible fury is encountered, one with millions or legions of Devils, of incomprehensible rage, and long beaten experience, and the infinite anger of God was kindled against this one man as a surety for the rest.
The words are a most portly and deep allegorie, and they carrie newes of a remakable victorie: the battell was fierce, cruell, prodigiously difficult, bloudie on the best side, and if Christ had beene a iot lesse then he was, there had been no remedie, nor hope. The battell was first fought between Sathan and man, with a depth of fraud and crueltie, and hellish inuisible spight:1 the day was lost, man with the wofull issues of the conquest, was either cast downe wallowing in bloud, or scattered with pursuing crueltie: no sooner sprouting in the life of nature, but smitten with the venome of spirituall infection, plagued with the bondage of more then cruell seruitude, not pittied, not helped: more forfeitures laid vpon him then hee could finde words to acknowledge. Now one man commeth into the field in the right of millions, (that could not stand in their owne quarrell) challengeth the victors, with singular compassion calleth backe the scattered, raiseth a mighty expectation, exposeth himselfe to the danger, with incredible fury is encountred, one with millions or legions of Diuels, of incomprehensible rage, and long beaten experience, and the infinite anger of God was kindled against this one man as a suretie for the rest.