A89915:2470
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.
1The second sign of covetousness, is oppression and fraud. When men to compass gain, care not how they vex and rack the poor, or such as live under them; or in buying or selling (out of greediness of gain) circumvent and pill, and defraud others, by customary lying, or false weights, measures, or balances, or any other fraudulent course: this is an evil covetousness. Usury also, that is, a desire to increase riches by interest, is a palpable sign of covetousness, especially in these times, when the sin of usury is so universally condemned: for if men were not besotted with the love of riches, they would not dare to live in such a damned sin. But I think all men easily know that Usurers are covetous, and therefore I need not prove it.
1The second signe of couetousnesse, is oppression and fraud. When men to compasse gaine, care not how they vex and racke the poore, or such as liue vnder them; or in buying or selling (out of greedinesse of gaine) circumuent and pill, and defraud others, by customary lying, or false weights, measures, or ballances, or any other fraudulent course: this is an euill couetousnesse. Vsury also, that is, a desire to increase riches by interest, is a palpable signe of couetousnesse, especially in these times, when the sinne of vsury is so vniuersally condemned: for if men were not besotted with the loue of riches, they would not dare to liue in such a damned sinne. But I thinke all men easily know that Vsurers are couetous, and therefore I need not proue it.
The third sign of covetousness, is greedy and distracting care: I mean such a care as devours a mans thoughts, that every day will keep possession in a mans soul, and run in his mind continually, both sleeping and waking: plodding and carking cares. And this may be discerned by comparing these cares with our care for eternal things. When we have more care for this world then for heaven, we need go no further, but resolve upon it, covetousness hath deceived us. Neither do I mean that they only are covetous, that immoderately disquiet themselves with continual cares for getting of treasures and the superfluities of abundance: for it is sure that covetousness may be in us in a high degree, though our cares be but about things that are necessary, as about the things we must eat or put on: as the comparing of the 15. verse of