A89915:2491
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.
For the first. The fearfulness and greatness of Gods wrath or anger for sin may appear three ways. First, by Scripture. Secondly, by similitude. ⟨p. 43⟩Thirdly, by example. That Gods anger for sin is exceeding terrible and fearful, I will show by one place of Scripture only,1 and that is the first of Nahum the Prophet: for he saith, God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth, the Lord revengeth: where the repetition shows the certainty of it, that God will be as sure to revenge as ever the sinner was to sin. But this is more confirmed, when he saith, he is the Lord of anger: as if he would import that his anger is his essence, as if he were all made of anger, and that he is the author of all the just anger that is in the world. And if the drops of anger in great men have such terror in it, what is the main Ocean of anger which is in God himself? And to assure us yet further of the terror of his wrath, he addeth, The Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries; which signifieth that the Lord will account of impenitent sinners as a man accounts of his worst enemies, and therefore the Lord will show his displeasure to the uttermost of their deserts and his justice. And therefore if any do object that they see it otherwise,2 for the plagues of wicked men are not so many nor so great as their sins, he answereth that, and saith that the Lord reserveth wrath for his enemies: he hath not inflicted upon them all they shall have, there is the greatest part behind, the full vials of his fury are not yet poured out. And if any should reply,3 that they have observed that wicked men have prospered long, and scaped for a great while, without any punishments to speak of, the Prophet answereth that, and saith that the Lord is slow to anger, that is, he is many times long before he manifests his great displeasure, but he is great in power, that is, he is of singular fierceness and unresistablenesse when he doth enter into judgement, he will not fail, nor be hindered.4 And if any would hope that God would change his mind, that also is prevented, the Prophet avouching it confidently, that he will not surely clear the wicked. And this is the more certain, because of the dreadful means that the Lord hath to declare his anger. His way is in the whirlwind, and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.