A89915:2715
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.
Thus of the dignity and nature of love: the use of it follows, which is
Thus of the dignitie and nature of loue: the vse of it followes, which is
The bond of perfection] Love is said to be the bond of perfection three ways. 1. Because it is a most perfect bond, and so it is an Hebraism; for all virtues are not as it were collected in love, all other virtues will soon be unloosed, ⟨p. 87⟩unless they be fastened in love; neither doth it only tie virtues together, but it gives them their perfection, moving them, and perfecting them, and making them accepted. And it is most perfect, because it is most principal among virtues, nothing is in this life well composed that is not directed hither.
The bond of perfection] Loue is said to be the bond of perfection three waies. 1. Because it is a most perfect bond, and so it is an Hebraisme; for all vertues are not as it were collected in loue, all other vertues will soone be vnloosed, ⟨p. 87⟩vnlesse they be fastned in loue; neither doth it only tye vertues together, but it giues them their perfection, mouing them, and perfecting them, and making them accepted. And it is most perfect, because it is most principall among vertues, nothing is in this life well composed that is not directed hither.
But let none mistake, he doth not show here how we be made perfect before God, but how we might converse perfectly amongst men. And so the sum of this sense is, that all should be well with us, in living one with another, if love flourish amongst us, perfection consisteth in love by way of bond.