A89915:2292
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.
Seek th•se things which are above] Here the Apostle enters upon the proposition of the first main exhortation, or rule of new life. Now before I bring in the Apostle urging this duty, imagine with thy self, how far the Christian (thus now to be instructed for order of life) hath already proceeded by faith; for before a man can be truly capable of direction of life, there be divers things requisite in the preparations of faith.1 And these things are necessarily to be presupposed. 1. That faith hath plucked him out of the world of sinners or dead men: so that he is already withdrawn from the society of the wicked. 2. It hath showed him Gods favour and joined him to Christ. 3. It hath showed him in some measure such things in the Kingdom §1of Christ, as his natural ear never heard, nor his natural eye never §2saw, nor his natural heart never conceiveds. 4. It hath joined him to the living §3Saints: so as he now with great desire & delight converseth with them. 5. It hath made him to suffer in the flesh for his sins, and withal hath refreshed §4his spirit, and cured him of his distrustful and solitary sorrows. 6. It hath §5garnished his soul with new budding graces, and opened for him a fountain §6and spring of grace within him, even in his bowelst. 7. It hath raised §7in him a true and constant desire of new obedience of life, with a secret resolution not to depart from any thing the Lord shall command, all the days of his life.
Seeke th•se things which are aboue] Heere the Apostle enters vpon the proposition of the first maine exhortation, or rule of new life. Now before I bring in the Apostle vrging this duty, imagine with thy selfe, how farre the Christian (thus now to bee instructed for order of life) hath already proceeded by faith; for before a man can bee truely capable of direction of life, there bee diuers things requisite in the preparations of faith.