A89915:2104
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.
Ignorance is of divers kinds. There is a natural ignorance, and that is of two sorts. For there is an ignorance of mere negation, and so Christ knew not the day of judgement, so it is no sin in an Husbandman, if he be ignorant of Astronomy or Physic, &c. There is a natural ignorance which is of corrupt disposition: as to be blind in our judgement in spiritual things from our birth; this is sinful, but not here meant.
Ignorance is of diuers kindes. There is a naturall ignorance, and that is of two sorts. For there is an ignorance of meere negation, and so Christ knew not the day of iudgement, so it is no sinne in an Husbandman, if hee be ignorant of Astronomie or Phisicke, &c. There is a naturall ignorance which is of corrupt disposition: as to be blinde in our iudgement in spirituall things from our birth; this is sinnefull, but not here meant.
There is a profitable ignorance, and that is likewise of two sorts. For it is either profitable absolutely and simply, or but only in some respects. It had been simply profitable and good for the Jews, if they had never known the fashions of the Gentiles; so it had been good for Sampson if he had never known Delilah. But it had been profitable for the Pharisees but in some respects, not to have seen or to have had so much knowledge.1 So the Apostle Peter saith it had been good for Apostates if they had never known the way of truth, &c.
There is a profitable ignorance, and that is likewise of two sorts. For it is either profitable absolutely and simply, or but only in some respects. It had beene simply profitable and good for the Iewes, if they had neuer knowne the fashions of the Gentiles; so it had beene good for Sampson if he had neuer knowne Dalilah. But it had beene profitable for the Pharisies but in some respects, not to haue seene or to haue had so much knowledge.1 So the Apostle Peter saith it had beene good for Apostataes if they had neuer knowne the way of truth, &c.