A89915:2459
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.
The last preservative is to avoid the causes and occasions of lust and uncleanness. The first is idleness. This was one of the causes of the detested uncleanness of Sodom, as the Prophet Ezekiel showsu. And contrariwise diligence in our callings is a notable help to keep out inordinate desires, and vain thoughts, and commonly persons overtaken with uncleanness abound with idleness. The second is, fullness of bread, that is, by a synecdoche, excess in meats and drinks, either for the measure or daintiness of them. And contrariwise, to beat down our bodiesx, either by abstinence, or sobriety in the use of the creatures, is a notable means to quench and abate those flames if they be risen, and to keep them also from that special aptness to rise. The third is, the high estimation of earthly things, and the too great liking of them: for this love secretly brings in lust. Thus the Apostle to Timothy says, that the love of money and riches, breeds noisome lusts, which in short time drown man in perditiony. The like may be said of the estimation and too much viewing of apparel, beauty, &c. The fourth is ignorance and hardness of heart: for thus it was in those the Apostle mentions in the fourth to the Ephesiansz, that greediness to defile themselves with all sorts of uncleanness arose and increased in them by reason of the insensibleness of the heart, and the blindness and emptiness of their minds. And on the other side, lust cannot get such a head, so long as any sound measure of knowledge is stirring in the mind, or tenderness remains in the heart; lust desires both a dark house and a dark mind. The fifth is evil company: and therefore the holy Ghost gives this rule to those that would not be ensnared with the strange woman, Walk thou in the way of good men, and keep the way of the righteous. 5The last is care for the flesh. It is the liberty men take not only to feed themselves in contemplative wickedness, but also to plod and cast about how to satisfy & fulfil their lusts, that doth so much confirm them in the custom of uncleanness. And therefore the Apostles counsel is, take not care to fulfil the lusts of the flesh.