A89915:382
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.
Use is, first, for confutation of their resolution that will serve God,1 but it must be secretly; they will be sincere, but they like not to do it so as every body may note them; they will go to heaven, but for ease, it must be in a feather-bed, and for closeness it must be out of their Closets:2 these men mean to steal their passages; and these kind of people commonly think, that the true cause why others are so talked of, is, their indiscretion, and rash and needless thrusting out of themselves into observation; but in the whole business they deceive themselves: for it is not possible to be friends with God and the World; to have God, his Word, People, and Spirit, to witness to us, and to have the World to praise and applaud us. And for Indiscretion, it is a prejudice let fall by the Devil, and taken up by carnal men without considering that reproachful observation hath been the lot of the wisest and holiest Saints that ever lived; yea the portion of the Prince of the Saints. Secondly, it may be an especial comfort to all the Servants of God, that find their names encountered with strange reports, and the World suddenly bent against them round about (when yet many times they rather find purposes then practises of Grace) I say, they may gather comforts diversly: first, it is the portion of all Gods people: secondly, it is a sign they are now no more carnal persons; for, if they were of the world, the World would not thus hate his own: thirdly, their praises are with the Saints,3 and as now they taste of the cup of their affliction, so they shall reap the incomparable privileges of their communion.
Ʋse is, first, for confutation of their resolution that will serue God,1 but it must be secretly; they will be sincere, but they like not to doe it so as euery body may note them; they will goe to heauen, but for ease, it must bee in a fether-bed, and for closenesse it must be out of their Closets:2 these men meane to steale their passages; and these kinde of people commonly thinke, that the true cause why others are so talked of, is, their indiscretion, and rash and needlesse thrusting out of themselues into obseruation; but in the whole businesse they deceiue themselues: for it is not possible to be friends with God and the World; to haue God, his Word, People, and Spirit, to witnesse to vs, and to haue the World to praise and applaud vs. And for Indiscretion, it is a preiudice let fall by the Diuell, and taken vp by carnall men without considering that reproachfull obseruation hath beene the lot of the wisest and holiest Saints that euer liued; yea the portion of the Prince of the Saints. Secondly, it may be an especiall comfort to all the Seruants of God, that finde their names encountred with strange reports, and the World sodainely bent against them round about (when yet many times they rather finde purposes then practises of Grace) I say, they may gather comforts diuersly: first, it is the portion of all Gods people: secondly, it is a signe they are now no more carnall persons; for, if they were of the world, the World would not thus hate his owne: thirdly, their praises are with the Saints,