A89915:2394
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.
1The third shall be the liberty of the creatures, I mean the rest of the creatures besides men and Angels. But because this is a point somewhat obscure, I will Quest. 1 endeavour in a few words to resolve a doubt or two. Que. First, how are the creatures now in bondage that they shall need then any liberty. Ans. 2They are in bondage in divers respects.3 For first they are frail and corruptible, and so in bondage to corruption. Secondly, they are subject to confusions §1and inconstancy: as may appear by the almost infinite mutations, in the air, §2earth, seas, fire. Thirdly, they are now forced to serve wicked men. The sun §3shines upon the unjust as well as the just. The heaven makes fruitful with her showers and influence, the field of the wicked as well as the just. The earth is driven to feed and to receive into her bosom, the ungodly as well as the godly: §4and this is a bondage. Fourthly, the visible creatures are Gods great book to proclaim the invisible things of God: now they stand always ready and reading too, and men will not learn by them. And so these good masters lose ⟨p. 21⟩all their labour, and this is a bondage to be tied to teach such as will not learn. Fifthly, the creature is made not only the instrument, but many times the subject of mans punishment for his sins. As the earth is made iron, and the heavens brass for mans sake, and this is a great bondage. Sixthly, the creature intends immortality, which while it fails of in the dying or expiring of the particulars of every sort, it would supply for the preservation at least of the kinds, by a perennial substitution of new particulars in every kind: and yet loseth all this labour, because all things must be dissolved, and must be restored by another way known to God, and not now to nature. But especially the creatures may be said to be in bondage, because since the fall, the more illustrious instincts and vigours of the most of the creatures are darkened, decayed, dulled and distempered in them. Oh but might some one say,