A89915:2471
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 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 Luk. 12. with v. 21.22.1 will show. Now the care for necessaries is not simply forbidden, ⟨p. 39⟩because we are bound to use the means with diligence and carefulness: but the care that is a sign of covetousness may be discerned by the very terms the Evangelist S. Luke useth to describe it by: for in the 22. verse2 our Saviour saith, Take no thought for your life, &c. and by taking thought he notes a perplexed inward sorrowful and fearful care about life and the things thereof. And vers. 26.3 he saith, Why take ye thought for the raiment? As if he would have us note that it is a property of covetous cares, to be deeply drowned in perplexity, even about trifles, and small matters: and surely we may observe worldly minded people, and one would wonder to see how they vex and disquiet themselves about every mean occasion, especially if there be the least colour of any profit or loss towards. Again, our Saviour upbraideth those that are carried with those cares, that they have but a little faith: 4whereby he shows that then our cares are faulty, and arise from the infection of covetousness, when they are raised by unbelief and mistrustfulness of Gods providence or promise. Lastly, in the 29. verse