A89915:411
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 far of the gracious branches of Christian Love. Now the manner how we should love Gods children, is to be considered:1 first in general, we should love then as our selves: and therefore in all our dealings to do as we would be done by: we are to love man in measure, viz as our selves, but God above measure. But to consider of the manner of our love more specially, the particulars may be referred to the four heads mentioned 1 Pet. 2.22. First, we must love brotherly, that is, not as we love our beasts, or as we love strangers, or as we love our enemies, but as we would love our dearest natural brother, with all tenderness and naturalness of our affection: Secondly, we must love without feigning, without hypocrisy:2 and this is explicated to be not in word and tongue, but in deeds and in the truth: not only, truly, for it cannot be a true love unless it arise from a holy agreement in the truth: Thirdly, it must be with a pure heart, and then ⟨p. 38⟩we love with a pure heart, first, when our affection is grounded upon knowledge and judgement: 3secondly, when it is expressed in a Spirit of meekness: Thirdly, when it is free from wrath or aptness to be offended, from envy, from pride,4 and swelling and boasting, from self love, when men seek not their own things,5 and from evil suspicions: Fourthly, when it is exercised in holy things,6 so as no affection can make us rejoice in the wickedness of them we love: Fifthly, when it is manifested in long-suffering, and all-suffering, when we believe; 7all things, and hope all things.