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.
Nicholas Byfield 1579–1622London: 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.
Use. 4 Lastly, it should teach us to learn the lesson given by our Saviour Christ, Math. 6.1 neither to enlarge our affections to the immoderate desires of superfluity in outward things, nor yet to rack our hearts with the faithless and fruitless care of things necessary. This latter branch is urged with eight or nine worthy reasons: but of these in another place afterwards. And thus much generally.
Vse. 4 Lastly, it should teach vs to learne the lesson giuen by our Sauiour Christ, Math. 6.1 neither to inlarge our affections to the immoderate desires of superfluitie in outward things, nor yet to racke our hearts with the faithlesse and fruitlesse care of things necessarie. This latter branch is vrged with eight or nine worthy reasons: but of these in another place afterwards. And thus much generally.
Grace] If Grace (that is, Gods favour, and the graces spiritual that flow from thence) be of so great worth and excellency; divers things may be inferred §1by way of profitable instruction, for our use, out of several Scriptures. First, if it be so great a privilege to obtain grace from God, we should strive to be such as are within the compass of the promise of grace;1§2
especially, we should get humble and lowly hearts: for, God gives grace unto the humble, but resisteth the stubborn, wilful, and proud sinner. Again, if Gods Love, and Christs Grace be Jewels of so great value, it should teach us, when Grace is offered in the means, or any way bestowed by Gods Spirit,
prayer, reading, conference, and meditation, to stir up the Graces given us, to labour for spiritual strength in Grace, and to search so carefully into the evidence of Faith, for what we have, and Hope, for what we want, as never to give over to examine our selves by the signs and promises
§6
of Gods Love, till our hearts were settled and stablished in Grace. Lastly, Gods Children should solace themselves in the feeling and experimental knowledge of Gods grace;
so as their hearts should never carry them away to make them account the Consolations of God small, or to despise the Grace given them; but rather in the middest of all combats with temptations within, or afflictions without, to support their Souls with that gracious Promise, My Grace shall be sufficient for you,
Grace] If Grace (that is, Gods fauour, and the graces spirituall that flow from thence) be of so great worth and excellencie; diuers things may be inferred §1by way of profitable instruction, for our vse, out of seuerall Scriptures. First, if it be so great a priuiledge to obtaine grace from God, wee should striue to be such as are within the compasse of the promise of grace;1§2especially, we should get humble and lowly hearts: for, God giues grace vnto the humble, but resisteth the stubborne, wilfull, and proud sinner. Againe, if Gods Loue, and Christs Grace be Iewels of so great value, it should teach vs, when Grace is offered in the meanes, or any way bestowed by Gods Spirit,2 neuer to receiue it in vaine: so as it should be tendered without effect, §3or kept without aduantage; but especially, let it euer be farre from vs, to turne the grace of God into wantonnesse, 3to abuse either the promises of Grace, or the pledges of Gods Loue, to become either bawds for perseuerance §4in sinne, or props to secure and bolde presumption. And aboue all things wee should with all watchfulnesse take heede of wronging the Spirit of Grace, 4eyther by resisting, tempting, greening, quenching, or dispising §5it. And further; wee should learne by all good meanes, as constant hearing,5 prayer, reading, conference, and meditation, to stirre vp the Graces giuen vs, to labour for spirituall strength in Grace, and to search so carefully into the euidence of Faith, for what wee haue, and Hope, for what wee want, as neuer to giue ouer to examine our selues by the signes and promises §6of Gods Loue, till our hearts were setled and stablished in Grace. Lastly, Gods Children should solace themselues in the feeling and experimentall knowledge of Gods grace;6 so as their hearts should neuer carry them away to make them account the Consolations of God small, or to despise the Grace giuen them; but rather in the middest of all combats with temptations within, or afflictions without, to support their Soules with that gratious Promise, My Grace shall bee sufficient for you, 7and my Power made knowne in your weakenesse.
Peace.] The second thing here wished for, and to be desired of all that love their own good, is Peace, that is, tranquillity of heart, with other spiritual blessings accompanying it with outward things also, so far as they may further our happiness: but the Scripture lays a restraint upon the getting of this peace, and gives rules for the use of it. For if ever we would have Peace, we must first be righteous persons, that is, men that are broken in heart for our sins, humbled at Gods feet for forgiveness; and such as hang upon the Word of GOD, to receive the certain means of our souls reconciliation, and the righteousness of CHRIST imputed unto us: such, as to whom there is a way, and their path is holy. 1But on the other side, unto the wicked is no peace: and they are taken by the Prophet for wicked men, that are never humbled in the duties of Mortification for sin, that in the hardness of their hearts frustrate the power of Gods Ordinances, so as they cannot work upon them:2 these have no Peace, neither with GOD, Angels, men, the Creatures, or their own Consciences.
Peace.] The second thing here wished for, and to bee desired of all that loue their owne good, is Peace, that is, tranquillity of heart, with other spirituall blessings accompanying it with outward things also, so farre as they may further our happinesse: but the Scripture layes a restraint vpon the getting of this peace, and giues rules for the vse of it. For if euer wee would haue Peace, wee must first be righteous persons, that is, men that are broken in heart for our sinnes, humbled at Gods feete for forgiuenesse; and such as hang vpon the Worde of GOD, to receiue the certaine meanes of our soules reconciliation, and the righteousnesse of CHRIST imputed vnto vs: such, as to whom there is a way, and their path is holy. 1But on the other side, vnto the wicked is no peace: and they are taken by the Prophet for wicked men, that are neuer humbled in the duties of Mortification for sinne, that in the hardnesse of their hearts frustrate the power of Gods Ordinances, so as they cannot worke vpon them:2 these haue no Peace, neyther with GOD, Angels, men, the Creatures, or their owne Consciences.
Again, hast thou gotten peace and tranquility of heart, even rest and ease from CHRIST, then let this peace preserve thy heart and mind, 1and let it rule. Be careful to reject all matters in thoughts, or opinion, in affections, or desires, in words, or actions, that it might any way interrupt thy peace: but by all means nourish it, delight in it, and let it guide to all holy meditations, and affections, and gainful practises, and endeavours. Let the peace of thy heart, and Gods spiritual blessing be a rule for all thy actions. And lastly, with all good Conscience and holy conversation hold out, that when Christ shall come, either by particular Judgement to thee in death, or by general judgement to the whole world in the last day,2 thou mayest be found of him in Peace, so shall Christ be unto thee a Prince of Peace, and guide thy feet for ever into the way of Peace.
Againe, hast thou gotten peace and tranquility of heart, euen rest and ease from CHRIST, then let this peace preserue thy heart and minde, 1and let it rule. Be carefull to reiect all matters in thoughts, or opinion, in affections, or desires, in words, or actions, that it might any way interrupt thy peace: but by all meanes nourish it, delight in it, and let it guide to all holy meditations, and affections, and gainefull practises, and endeuours. Let the peace of thy heart, and Gods spirituall blessing be a rule for all thy actions. And lastly, with all good Conscience and holy conuersation hold out, that when Christ shall come, eyther by particular Iudgement to thee in death, or by generall iudgement to the whole world in the last day,2 thou maist be found of him in Peace, so shall Christ be vnto thee a Prince of Peace, and guide thy feet for euer into the way of Peace.
Secondly, GOD is here plainly affirmed to be a Father, and that he is in divers respects: first, to all by Creation: secondly, to all the faithful by Adoption: thirdly, to Christ, by the grace of Union as man, and a natural Father, as God.
Secondly, GOD is here plainely affirmed to be a Father, and that hee is in diuers respects: first, to all by Creation: secondly, to all the faithfull by Adoption: thirdly, to Christ, by the grace of Vnion as man, and a naturall Father, as God.
Fourthly, seeing believers have a God, a Father, a Christ, a Saviour, a Lord, they are sure to be in a happy case, and may have what is needful, if they will seek for it.
Fourthly, seeing beleeuers haue a God, a Father, a Christ, a Sauiour, a Lord, they are sure to be in a happy case, and may haue what is needfull, if they will seeke for it.
Fifthly, we may observe, we can have no comfort in the enjoying or hope of any favour or blessing, spiritual or temporal, unless, first, God be our Father; secondly, we be in Christ.
Fiftly, wee may obserue, we can haue no comfort in the enioying or hope of any fauour or blessing, spirituall or temporall, vnlesse, first, God be our Father; secondly, we be in Christ.
Lastly, if GOD be a Father, and CHRIST a Lord, it stands us upon to look to it, that we perform both honour and service. And thus of the Salutation. The Preface followeth.
Lastly, if GOD be a Father, and CHRIST a Lord, it stands vs vpon to looke to it, that we performe both honour and seruice. And thus of the Salutation. The Preface followeth.
1THE Salutation hath been handled already, the Preface followeth, and is contained in this Verse, and those that follow to the 12. Verse: in which the end and drift of the Apostle is, to win affection to the Doctrine afterwards to be propounded: and this he doth by showing his exceeding great love to them, which he demonstrates by two things which he did for them, (viz.) he both gave thanks unto God in their behalf, and also made many a prayer for them: which spiritual duties are better kindnesses and signs of true affection and respect, then all civill courtesies or outward complements are or can be.
1THE Salutation hath beene handled already, the Preface followeth, and is contained in this Verse, and those that follow to the 12. Verse: in which the end and drift of the Apostle is, to winne affection to the Doctrine afterwards to be propounded: and this he doth by shewing his exceeding great loue to them, which he demonstrates by two things which hee did for them, (viz.) he both gaue thankes vnto God in their behalfe, and also made many a prayer for them: which spirituall duties are better kindnesses and signes of true affection and respect, then all ciuill curtesies or outward complements are or can be.
These things in the Preface are first generally set down in this Verse, and then particularly enlarged in the Verses afterwards: first, the Thanksgiving, from ver. 4. to the 9. Secondly, Prayer, v. 9.10.11. In this Verse he doth two things: ••rst, he gives thanks: Secondly, he prays. In the Thanksgiving consider, first, what he doth, in these words, We give thanks: Secondly, to whom he doth it, in these words; To God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus far of the order of the words.
These things in the Preface are first generally set downe in this Verse, and then particularly enlarged in the Verses afterwards: first, the Thanksgiuing, from ver. 4. to the 9. Secondly, Prayer, v. 9.10.11. In this Verse hee doth two things: ••rst, hee giues thankes: Secondly, he prayes. In the Thankesgiuing consider, first, what hee doth, in these words, Wee giue thankes: Secondly, to whom he doth it, in these words; To God, euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ. Thus farre of the order of the words.
