A89915:2426
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.
But the manifest doctrine from this word is this, that true repentance hath ⟨p. 29⟩in it the mortification of sin. And so it implies divers things. First, that we must not let sin alone till it die it self,1 but we must kill sin while it might yet live. It is no repentance to leave sin when it leaveth us: or to give it over when we can commit it no longer. Secondly, that true repentance makes a great alteration in a man. Thirdly, that it hath in it, pain and sorrow, men use not to die ordinarily without much pain, and sure it is, sin hath a strong heart, it is not soon killed: it is one thing to sleep, another thing to die:2 many men with less a doe get sin asleep, that it doth not so stir in them, but alas there must be more ado to get it dead, by true mortification. Fourthly, true repentance extinguisheth the power of sin and the vigour of it. It makes it like a dead corps, that neither it stirs it self, nor will be stirred, by occasions, persuasions, commandments, or strokes. It is a wonderful testimony of sound mortification when we have gotten our old corruption to this pass: and constancy in prayer and hearing, and daily confession and sorrow for sin will bring it to be thus with us; especially if we strive with God and be earnest with spiritual importunity, watching the way of our own hearts, to wound sin so soon as we see it begin to stir. Yet I would not be mistaken, as if I meant that a Christian could attain such a victory over sin, that it should not be in him at all, nor that he should never be stirred with the temptations or enticements, or occasions of evil. But my meaning is, that in some measure and in the most sins a Christian doth find it so, and in every sin his desire and endeavour is daily to have it so. And his desire is not without some happy success, so as sin dyeth or lieth a dying every day.
But the manifest doctrine from this word is this, that true repentance hath ⟨p. 29⟩in it the mortification of sinne. And so it implies diuers things. First, that we must not let sinne alone till it die it selfe,1