A89915:2641
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.
2. How should the hearts of many smite them, to think of it, how they Obseru. 2 neglect this clothing of their souls with graces: They every day remember to put on apparel on their backs, but scarce any day think of putting on virtue for their hearts? Oh when thou seest thy naked body clothed, shouldst thou not remember that thy soul in it self more naked then thy body, had need of clothing also? Oh the judgement that abides many a man and woman, how excessively careful are they to trim the body, and yet are excessively careless of trimming their souls, that have so many gowns for their backs, that they have never a grace for their hearts: yea the better sort may be humbled if they search their hearts seriously: for either they want divers parcels of this holy raiment, or else they are not well fitted on them, they hang so loose many times, there is little comeliness or warmth by their wearing of these graces. But let us all be instructed to remember these graces, and by prayer and practise to exercise our selves in them, and daily to be assaying how we can put them on, till by constant use of all good means, we can grow spiritually skilful in wearing of them, and expressing the power of them in conversation, as plainly as we show the garments on our backs, resolving that these virtues will be our best ornaments, and that they are best clad that are clothed with these godly graces in their hearts.
2. How should the hearts of many smite them, to thinke of it, how they Obseru. 2 neglect this clothing of their soules with graces: They euery day remember to put on apparell on their backes, but scarce any day thinke of putting on vertue for their hearts? Oh when thou seest thy naked body clothed, shouldst thou not remember that thy soule in it selfe more naked then thy body, had need of clothing also? Oh the iudgement that abides many a man and woman, how excessiuely carefull are they to trimme the body, and yet are excessiuely carelesse of trimming their soules, that haue so many gownes for their backes, that they haue neuer a grace for their hearts: yea the better sort may be humbled if they search their hearts seriously: for either they want diuers parcels of this holy raiment, or else they are not well fitted on them, they hang so loose many times, there is little comelinesse or warmth by their wearing of these graces. But let vs all be instructed to remember these graces, and by praier and practise to exercise our selues in them, and daily to be assaying how we can put them on, till by constant vse of all good meanes, we can grow spiritually skilfull in wearing of them, and expressing the power of them in conuersation, as plainely as we shew the garments on our backes, resoluing that these vertues will be our best ornaments, and that they are best clad that are clothed with these godly graces in their hearts.