A89915:2553
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 remedies against malice follow: and they are of two sorts. For malice is to be medicined in our own hearts, or avoided; or it is to be compounded, or prevented in others. Now to take order that malice might not infect us, these rules are to be observed. First, we must take heed of the causes of malice, and they are either within us or without us; within us there is prides, and impatience, and envy, and in some nature a very lust to contend, a kind of petulancy, and a very spirit of contradiction; now unless we keep out or subdue these, it cannot be, but grudge and malicious discords will transport us. Again, without us, there is the tale-bearer and scorner, and the froward person, and the busy-body, called the man of imaginations, all these must be shunned, and avoided, if we would live without malice or contention: for where no wood is, there the fire goeth out, and so where there is no tale-bearer strife ceasetht. And the like may be said of contentious and froward persons, for as coals are to burning coals, so is a contentious man to kindle strifeu. If a man fi••e himself apt to grudge or strife, it is his best way, to keep out of the way of froward persons, that may soon fire him. The like counsel must be given concerning the scorner; for, saith the Wise man, cast out the scorner and contention shall go out*: and it is sure, that he that would not be infected with hatred, his best way will be to hate the busy-body. Now if this direction will not serve the turn, then in the second place, thou must mortify thy rising malice, and confess it with grief unto God, till by prayer thou get some victory over it. Thirdly, much malice and grudge would be avoided, if we did but observe that counsel, Levit. 19.17. namely, that when we did conceive dislike of any thing in our brother, for which we did fear we should hate him, we should go to him, and reprove him, rebuking him plainly for his sin: many times a seasonable reproof draws out the poison of beginning grudge and malice. Fourthly, it is good to meditate upon the passion of Christ, and of his readiness to forgive