A89915:2741
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.
But I think by external peace here is meant in general, concord, and a quiet, harmless, peaceable course of conversing with men in all our carriage. Now God is said to be the author of it, in that it is his gift, and special providence to work it amongst men; and it is said to rule when we can prefer public peace before our private respects; and when we can seek it, and not stay till it be sought of us; and when we can forbear and forgive, notwithstanding any inequality. Now this peace may be said to rule in the heart, though it be external, because if corrupt passions be killed in thee, (as envy, rage, malice, desire of revenge, &c.) men would easily agree in life; bind the heart to the good abearing, and the hands will bind themselves.
But I thinke by externall peace here is meant in generall, concord, and a quiet, harmelesse, peaceable course of conuersing with men in all our cariage. Now God is said to be the author of it, in that it is his gift, and speciall prouidence to worke it amongst men; and it is said to rule when we can preferre publike peace before our priuate respects; and when we can seeke it, and not stay till it be sought of vs; and when we can forbeare and forgiue, notwithstanding any inequalitie. Now this peace may be said to rule in the heart, though it be externall, because if corrupt passions be killed in thee, (as enuie, rage, malice, desire of reuenge, &c.) men would easily agree in life; binde the heart to the good abearing, and the hands will binde themselues.
The use may be both for reproof of the perverse dispositions of the most men that will not live in peace, but with all falsehood and sin, nourish debate and vain contentions: as also it may inform and inflame men to desire peace, to seek it, yea to follow after itd. But that men might attain peace, they must have salt in themselvese, that is, by mortification season, tame, and purge their own hearts; yea they must use the salt of discretion, and to that end pray God to make them wise in their conversation; yet men must ever remember so to seek peace as to retain truth too,