A89915:2430
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.
1Members] It is certain by members on earth, the Apostle means sin, and that fitly. For first, actual sins in relation to original sin, are as so many members that grow from it. Secondly, by a Metonymy of the subject, sin may be called our members, because it is brought into action by the help and service of our members. Thirdly, if the Apostle had spoken to wicked men, he might well have called sin their members, because they love sin as they love their members; and therefore to take away their sin, is to pull out their eyes, or to cut off their hands or feet, as our Saviour showsg. Fourthly, sins in the Colossians, and so in all the faithful, may be here called members comparatively, with the body of sin mentioned Col. 2.12. as if the Apostle should say, the body of sin is already cast off & destroyed in you by your former repentance, but yet there remains some limbs of sin,3 some members of it, these resist: and in this sense we may here note a lively difference between sin in wicked men, and sin in godly men. For in wicked men there is the whole body of sins, that is, all their sins, unremitted and unrepented. But in godly men, the body of sin, even the greater number of their sins, they have abandoned: only some few members of their sins remain, which every day molest them. But before I pass from these words, two things are further to be noted. First, that he saith, your members. Secondly, he addeth, which are on earth.
1Members] It is certaine by members on earth, the Apostle meanes sinne, and that fitly. For first, actuall sinnes in relation to originall sinne, are as so many members that grow from it. Secondly, by a Metonimie of the subiect, sinne may bee called our members, because it is brought into action by the help and seruice of our members. Thirdly, if the Apostle had spoken to wicked men, hee might well haue called sinne their members, because they loue sinne as they loue their members; and therefore to take away their sinne, is to pull out their eyes, or to cut off their hands or feet, as our Sauiour shewes