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…

So that, wouldest thou try thy Faith? consider then what it is that thou makest thy refuge, and the foundation of thy comfort. What is it that thou most laboured after? is it the assurance of Gods favour, by the application of Christ? is it the distinct applying of such and such promises of life in Scripture? dost thou live by thy Faith in the course of life? if so, thou hast met with the right Faith, without Christ it is not possible to attain the chief good, neither is it enough to believe that Christ dyed for sinners, &c. unless we labour in the day of our visitation, for the certain and particular apprehension of the efficacy and merit of Christs righteousness, for the particular assurance of Gods favour in remitting such and such our transgressions. And because it is not easy at all times to discern by the working of the Spirit of Adoption, the imputation of righteousness from Christ, therefore hath the Lord discussed the cases of conscience so comfortably in Scripture, that if men examine themselves before the conditions of Gods promises, they may find in divers of them the clear determining of their estate. Here may be justly taxed the gross over-sight and security of many, (otherwise the dear Servants of God) that are no better acquainted with the promises of life, upon the truth of which depends their happiness, and both present and future comfort. And lastly, by the same Faith, whereby the just are saved, by the self same they live in the course of life in this world: the ground of his Faith for his preservation, is the providence of his God, whiles the men of this world wonderfully please themselves in sacrificing to their nets, ascribing in their affections, the stay of their maintenance, unto their labour, friends, inheritance, &c.

So that, wouldest thou trie thy Faith? consider then what it is that thou makest thy refuge, and the foundation of thy comfort. What is it that thou most laboured after? is it the assurance of Gods fauour, by the application of Christ? is it the distinct applying of such and such promises of life in Scripture? dost thou liue by thy Faith in the course of life? if so, thou hast met with the right Faith, without Christ it is not possible to attaine the chiefe good, neyther is it enough to beleeue that Christ dyed for sinners, &c. vnlesse we labour in the day of our visitation, for the certaine and particular apprehension of the efficacie and merit of Christs righteousnesse, for the particular assurance of Gods fauour in remitting such and such our transgressions. And because it is not easie at all times to discerne by the working of the Spirit of Adoption, the imputation of righteousnesse from Christ, therefore hath the Lord discussed the cases of conscience so comfortably in Scripture, that if men examine themselues before the conditions of Gods promises, they may finde in diuers of them the cleare determining of their estate. Here may bee iustly taxed the grosse ouer-sight and securitie of many, (otherwise the deare Seruants of God) that are no better acquainted with the promises of life, vpon the truth of which depends their happinesse, and both present and future comfort. And lastly, by the same Faith, whereby the iust are saued, by the selfe same they liue in the course of life in this world: the ground of his Faith for his preseruation, is the prouidence of his God, whiles the men of this world wonderfully please themselues in sacrificing to their nets, ascribing in their affections, the stay of their maintenance, vnto their labour, friends, inheritance, &c.