A89915:2427
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 here a question may arise:1 Did not the Apostle grant they were dead before, and if they were dead to the world, they were without question dead to sin also, how then doth he speak to them to mortify sin, doth it not imply they had not been mortified before? I answer,2 the Apostle may well use this exhortation for divers reasons. First, many of them perhaps were dead but in appearance: they professed mortification but were not mortified. Secondly, it might be some of them had begun to use some exercises of mortification, but had not finished their mortification: sure it is, and we may see it by daily experience, that many being won by the word, and smitten with remorse, have sometimes the pangs of sorrow for their sins, but quickly are a weary of seeking sorrow in secret for sin: they give over, before they have soundly and sufficiently humbled their souls. But may some one say,3 how long should we continue our sorrows, or how long should we judge our selves in secret for our sins? I answer, thou must not give over thy sorrows,4 First, till the body of sin be destroyed, that is, till that general frame of sinfulness be dissolved, till I say thou have set some order in thy heart and life, so as the most sins thou didst before live in, be reformed. Secondly, it were expedient thou shouldest still seek to humble thy soul, till thou couldest get as much tenderness in bewailing thy sins, as thou wert wont to have in grieving for crosses, till thou couldst mourn as freshly for piercing Gods son, as for losing thine own sond. Thirdly, thou must sorrow till thou find the power of the most beloved and rooted sins to be in some measure weakened and abated. Fourthly, thou doest not well to give thy sorrows over, till thou find the testimony of Jesus in thy hart, that is, till God answer thy mournful requests of pardon, with some joys in the holy Ghost, and the dews of heavenly refreshings. But will some one say, must we lay all aside,6