A89915:2484
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.
Neither let the covetous person think he shall speed any better: for God hates him wonderfully. And therefore the Prophet Ezekiel saith, that the Lord smites his fists fat the covetous: which is a borrowed phrase, to express most bitter and sharp threatenings. Now lest the people should object that those were but great words, the Lord would not do so, they would deal well enough with the Lord, he preventeth it, and saith, Can thy heart endure, 2or can thine hands be strong in the days that I shall have to do with thee? I the Lord have spoken it, and will do it. Let covetous persons without further enquiry assure themselves that covetousness is a main cause of all the evils are upon them or theirs, and besides they may be ascertained that all the service they do to God is abhorred, and mere lost labour: It were to no purpose if they would bring him incense from Sheba, and sweet calamus from a far country; their burnt offerings would not be pleasant, nor their sacrifices sweet unto himg. Ob. But covetous persons are of most men so well furnished, that there is not that means to bring them to any great hurt. Sol. The Prophet shows that God can lay a stumbling block before them, and father and son together may fall upon it, and neighbour and friend may perish togetherh. The Lord hath means enough when men little think of it, to bring down rebellious sinners. Ob. But we see covetous persons and wealthy worldlings scape the best and longest of many others. Sol. The Prophet Amos saith,5 the Lord hath sworn by the excellency of ⟨p. 42⟩Jacob, will never forget any of their works. Though the Lord may defer, yet certainly he will never forget: and therefore they are not a jot the better for scaping so long. But howsoever they might escape outward judgements, yet they may be infallibly sure they have sinned against their own soulsk