A89915:2821
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.
Answ. 1It may be tried and discovered seven ways. 1. By our growth in true humility and meekness.l 2. By the confirmation of the testimony of Jesus in our heartsm. 3. By the measure of our growth in the love of God and his people; yea and thus we may try our declining in the vigour of knowledge, (for knowledge had in abundance, may be blasted, and grow singularly dull and feeble) for as our affections to the means, and to Gods children is, so is the vigour of our knowledge: he must not say he knows God, that hates his brother: yea and so will it serve for trial to every one in the degrees of ascending or declination even in Gods children. 4. By the desires and secret muses of our hearts, for then we grow in knowledge, and have store of it, when we can say as David doth, I have remembered thy name nO Lord in the night: and as the Church saith, The desires of our souls is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee, and our spirits within us seek after theeo. 5. By our confidence in it: a man that hath gotten a great deal of wealth, money or lands, enlargeth his heart to a great confidence in it. So a Christian hath gotten a great deal of saving knowledge, when he is able to make it his portion in all estates whatsoever befalls himp: it shows men have but a little of the word in them, when every cross can dissolve their rest and confidence. 6. By our measure of liberty from the power and bondage of special corruptionsq. 7. By our ability in admonishing; they are full of goodness and knowledge, that are able to admonishr.
Answ. 1