A89915:2289
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.
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, nor they that confirming themselves in a dead presumptuous common hope, plead the abounding of Gods grace, to avouch their continuance in sink. For the Apostle in the Epistle to the Romans useth a reason taken from our conformity to the resurrection of Christ, to confute this vicious and profane plea of careless men. Further, they that worship the Beast (the great Antichrist of Rome) and receive his mark upon their foreheads or their hands, are reckoned among the dead men, that have not their part in this first resurrectionl. Also the Prophet Isaiah seems to say, that such men as will not see Gods high hand of Judgement, nor will learn to do uprightly in the land of uprightness, nor can be allured to godliness, though mercy be showed them, are to be accounted among the dead men that shall not livem. Lastly, they are not risen with Christ that do not believe in Christn. Now for the affirmative. They may have comfort in the first resurrection, that have felt a divine power in the voice of Christ, quickening their hearts with effectual desire and endeavour to rise out of the graves of sino, and to stand up from the world of the deadp. 2. That are constantly affected with an holy estimation of the knowledge of Christ crucified and risen again (an effectual knowledge I mean) valuing the means and signs of it, above all earthly things