A89915:2243
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.
But especially if you think of the coming of JESUS CHRIST you should be stirred to the love and study of heavenly things: for then shall there ⟨image 181⟩be an end of all earthly felicities, then shall men make accounts of all their actions and studies, then will not riches avail in that day of wrath, then will the incomparable gain and glory of godliness be discovered: Oh the invaluable dignity of heavenly minded Christians in that day! And thus of the meditation of heavenly things.
But especially if you thinke of the comming of IESVS CRIST you should be stirred to the loue and study of heauenly things: for then shall there ⟨image 181⟩be an end of all earthly felicities, then shall men make accounts of all their actions and studies, then will not riches auaile in that day of wrath, then will the incomparable gaine and glory of godlinesse be discouered: Oh the invaluable dignitie of heauenly minded Christians in that day! And thus of the meditation of heauenly things.
The second main part of my exhortation shall concern the mortification both of vices and crimes. First,1 I would hence observe those special sins which are most hateful to GOD in your former course of life, and then have been most prone to. When I say, mortify, I mean that you should use all the means indefinitely that serve to kill the power and practise of those sins, never giving over confession and godly sorrow till you find the power of them abated and deadened. And this I would have you do not only in outward sins, but any sin, though they were as dear to you as the very members of your bodies, yet you must cut them off. Now some of the sins that I would have you studious to avoid or mortify are these: first, look to the filthiness condemned in the seventh Commandment, not only avoid whoredom, but all kinds of wicked fleshly filthiness and uncleanness; yea look to that internal burning or the flames of lust within, that habitual effeminateness, and passions of lust: and more then all this see that you make conscience of evil thoughts, and that contemplative wickedness, which may be in your minds without consent of the will to practise it: for even those thoughts are filthy in GODS sight. Now the last sin I will name is covetousness, which is a kind of vile idolatry in GODS sight.