A89915:2135
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.
Body.] It were to no purpose to tell that there are divers bodies, terrestrial, celestial, natural, spiritual, a body of sin, a body of death: it is Christs body is here spoken of: Christ hath a body natural, and a body sacramental, and a body mystical; tis the mystical body is here meant. The mystical body ⟨p. 84⟩of Christ is the company of faithful men, who by an unutterable union are everlastingly joined to Christ, though they are dispersed up and down the world, yet in a spiritual relation they are as near together as the members of the body are; if we be faithful, there can be no separation from Christ and Christians, whatsoever become of us in our outward estate.
Body.] It were to no purpose to tell that there are diuers bodies, terrestriall, celestiall, naturall, spirituall, a body of sinne, a body of death: it is Christs body is here spoken of: Christ hath a body naturall, and a body sacramentall, and a body mysticall; tis the mysticall body is here meant. The mysticall bodie ⟨p. 84⟩of Christ is the company of faithfull men, who by an vnutterable vnion are euerlastingly ioyned to Christ, though they are dispersed vp and downe the world, yet in a spirituall relation they are as neere together as the members of the body are; if we be faithfull, there can be no separation from Christ and Christians, whatsoeuer become of vs in our outward estate.
This body of Christ is commended for three things, ornament, union, and growth: and well are all put together, for not one can be without the other, especially the first and the third cannot be without the second. It is no wonder Christians cannot grow nor be furnished, if they be not knit to Christ; they may be near the body, but not of the body. There is great difference between our best garments, and our meanest members: the worst member of the body will grow, yet the best raiment though it sit never so near will not: so is it between wicked men professing Christ, and the godly that are members of Christ indeed.