A89915:2244
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 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.
The second maine part of my exhortation shall concerne the mortification both of vices and crimes. First,1 I would hence obserue those speciall sinnes which are most hatefull to GOD in your former course of life, and then haue beene most prone to. When I say, mortifie, I meane that you should vse all the meanes indefinitely that serue to kill the power and practise of those sinnes, neuer giuing ouer confession and godly sorrow till you finde the power of them abated and deaded. And this I would haue you doe not onely in outward sinnes, but any sinne, though they were as deare to you as the very members of your bodies, yet you must cut them off. Now some of the sinnes that I would haue you studious to auoide or mortifie are these: first, looke to the filthinesse condemned in the seuenth Commandement, not onely auoide whoredome, but all kindes of wicked fleshly filthines and vncleannes; yea look to that internall burning or the flames of lust within, that habituall effeminatenesse, and passions of lust: and more then all this see that you make conscience of euill thoughts, and that contemplatiue wickednes, which may be in your mindes without consent of the will to practise it: for euen those thoughts are filthy in GODS sight. Now the last sinne I will name is couetousnes, which is a kinde of vile idolatry in GODS sight.