A89915:2288
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.
Now the consideration of this work is here used by the Apostle to persuade unto the meditation of heavenly things: and that fitly: for if we be risen as Christ was, then we must be minded as he was: now we know that after he was risen again, he was not encumbered with this world, nor did he converse with the men of this world, but lived with the Lord as it were immediately, in a heavenly manner, waiting for Heaven: so should a Christian do: he should every day be striving to get up his heart, by faith and prayer and meditation, and voluntary abnegation, by all means begging and seeking the virtue of Christs resurrection, that being enabled to forsake the world and the unnecessary society with worldly men, he might have his heart and conversation in heaven, every day waiting when the time of his changing should come.
Now the consideration of this worke is heere vsed by the Apostle to perswade vnto the meditation of heauenly things: and that fitly: for if wee bee risen as Christ was, then we must bee minded as hee was: now wee know that after hee was risen againe, hee was not encumbred with this world, nor did he conuerse with the men of this world, but liued with the Lord as it were immediately, in a heauenly manner, waiting for Heauen: so should a Christian doe: he should euery day bee striuing to get vp his heart, by faith and prayer and meditation, and voluntary abnegation, by all meanes begging and seeking the vertue of Christs resurrection, that being enabled to forsake the world and the vnnecessary society with worldly men, he might haue his heart and conuersation in heauen, euery day waiting when the time of his changing should come.
Quest. How may a man know whether he be risen with Christ? Ans. 1This question may be resolved both negatively and affirmatively. For first, they are not risen with Christ, that are in bondage to traditions, as the coherence with the latter end of the former chapter shows: nor they that are drowned and made senseless with the cares of this life, or the pleasures of voluptuous livingi