A89915:2467
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.
All is continually in a tumult, of haste and hurry, what with labour, ⟨p. 38⟩and what with passion and contention, the covetous man and his household never live at hearts ease and rest. Thirdly, covetousness and the desire to be rich, bring into the soul a wonderful number of temptations and noisome lusts, enough to damn him, if he had no other sinsq. Fourthly, it is here added, that covetousness is idolatry: it makes a man an idolater. Mammon is the idol, and the worldling is the Priest that sacrificeth to Mammon. Now the covetous man serves his mammon with a two-fold worship: for with inward worship, he loves, desires, delights in, and trusts in his wealth; and for his outward service, he spends all his time upon his idol, either in gathering, or keeping, or increasing, or honouring it. Lastly, what should I number particulars? Covetousness! why the Apostle saith, it is the root of all evils. For there is almost no kind of sin, but the sap of covetousness will nourish it. If the Lord had but the ripping up of the heart and life of a covetous person, and would describe his vices before us, oh what swarm of all sorts of evils could the Lord find out? Well, let us be assured of this general, that howsoever covetous persons may colour matters, yet indeed they are wonderful vicious persons. Neither are their sins the fewer or lesser, because they discern them not: for the dust of earthly profits hath put out their eyes, they cannot see nor discern, as was before showed.
All is continually in a tumult, of haste and hurrie, what with labour, ⟨p. 38⟩and what with passion and contention, the couetous man and his household neuer liue at hearts ease and rest. Thirdly, couetousnesse and the desire to be rich, bring into the soule a wonderfull number of temptations and noisome lusts, enough to damne him, if he had no other sinnesq. Fourthly, it is here added, that couetousnesse is idolatrie: it makes a man an idolater. Mammon is the idoll, and the worldling is the Priest that sacrificeth to Mammon. Now the couetous man serues his mammon with a two-fold worship: for with inward worship, he loues, desires, delights in, and trusts in his wealth; and for his outward seruice, he spends all his time vpon his idoll, either in gathering, or keeping, or increasing, or honoring it. Lastly, what should I number particulars? Couetousnesse! why the Apostle saith, it is the root of all euils. For there is almost no kinde of sinne, but the sap of couetousnesse will nourish it. If the Lord had but the ripping vp of the heart and life of a couetous person, and would describe his vices before vs, oh what swarme of all sorts of euils could the Lord finde out? Well, let vs be assured of this generall, that howsoeuer couetous persons may colour matters, yet indeed they are wonderfull vicious persons. Neither are their sinnes the fewer or lesser, because they discerne them not: for the dust of earthly profits hath put out their eyes, they cannot see nor discerne, as was before shewed.