A89915:2370
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.
Obs. 3 3. Those words (which is our life) are not to be altogether passed over, they plainly affirm that Christ is our life,1 and this is an honour that the Lord challengeth to himself: and therefore as he would be acknowledged to be the way and the truth, so also he addeth, I am the lifea, and to this end he came, that men in him might have lifeb. And with great reason is Christ said to be our life, for he formed us at first when we were not, and quickened us when we were dead, and hath provided a better life for us, and doth preserve us unto eternal life, and daily renew life and power in the hearts of his people, and will raise our bodies at the last day.4 The consideration hereof may both teach us and try us; it may teach us, as to acknowledge that we have received life from Christ, so to dedicate what remaineth of our life to the honour and service of him, that is the author and sole Lord of our lives; and withal to run unto him for the daily preservation and renewing of life and loveliness in us. And it may try too: for till we can truly say out of feeling and experience, Christ is the life of our lives, we shall hardly find reason of comfortable hope in our appearance before him at the last day.5 And they only may truly profess that Christ is their life, that first can live by the faith of Christ, accounting themselves to have enough if they may see comfort in Gods promises made in Christ, and feel the joyful fruits of Christs favour and presence, howsoever §1it go with them for outward things. Secondly, that do continually sacrifice §2and devote unto Christ their best desires and endeavours, and that with resolution §3to cleave to his service all the days of their life. And thirdly, that can bewail his absence, or displeasure, as the most bitter cross: so as they could feel, and out of affection say of such times and such a condition, that the true life of their life was absent or removed from them.