A89915:2462
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.
Now that we may know the Apostle hath great reason to counsel men to to mortify evil thoughts, though they never come to consent, these reasons may show: First, concupiscence in the very inclination and first thoughts is a breeder, it is the mother of all sorts of wickedness, if it be not betimes killed in the conception.1 The Apostle James shows, that concupiscence will be quickly enticed, yea it will entice and draw away a man, though from without it be allured with no object. And when it hath drawn a man aside, it will conceive, and breed with very contemplative pleasures, and when it hath conceived, and lien in the womb of the mind, and lain there nourished from time to time, unless God show the greater mercy, it will bring forth, bring forth I say a birth of some notable external evil action, and when it hath gone so far, like an impudent beldame, it will egg on still unto the finishing of sin, by custom in the practise, and so indeed (of it self) it will never leave, till it hath brought forth (as a second birth) death, and that both spiritual and eternal death, and sometimes a temporal death too. Secondly, if these lusts go no further then the inward man, yet sin may reign even in these. There may be a world of wickedness in a man, though he never speak filthy words, or commit filthy action. There is a conversing with the very inward lusts of the flesha, which may prove a man to be merely carnal and without grace, as well as outward evil life. Thirdly, this secret concupiscence may be a notable hinderance to all holy duties.3 This was that the Apostle so bitterly cries out against in the seventh to the Romans: This was it that rebelled so against the law of his mind: and when he would do any good, it would be present to hinder it. This is it whereby the flesh makes war and daily fights against the spiritb, tis the lust after other things, that enters into mans heart, and chokes the word, and makes it unfruitfulc. What is the reason why many pray and speed not? Is it not by reason of their lusts that fight in their members? Qu. But is there any man that is wholly freed from these? Ans. There is not. Every man hath in him divers kinds of evil thoughts; but yet there is great difference: for then is a mans estate dangerous, when these lusts & evil thoughts are obeyed