A89915:414
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.
1The first Motive may be taken from Example, and that both of God and CHRIST; God made his infinite Love apparent to us in that he sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might believe in him, and he might be a reconciliation for our sins, 2and therefore ought we to love one another, yea so to love one another. Shall the most high GOD fasten his love upon us, that are so many thousand degrees below him; and shall not we love them that are our equals, both in Creation and Regeneration? Shall the Lord be contented to respect with an appearing love, and shall we think it enough to carry good affections to our brethren, without manifestation of the outward signs and pledges of it? Was there nothing so dear unto GOD as his Son, and did he give us his Son also to assure us of his love; and shall the love of the Saints be ever by us any more accounted a burdensome and costly love! Hath God sent his Son, out of heaven into the world, and shall we sty our selves up, and not daily run into the company of the members of CHRIST? Was CHRIST sent that we might have the life of Grace in holy and heavenly and mystical union, and shall not we as fellow-members in all the duties of a Christian society stir up, nourish, and increase that life so given?
1The first Motiue may be taken from Example, and that both of God and CHRIST; God made his infinite Loue apparant to vs in that hee sent his onely begotten Sonne into the world, that wee might beleeue in him, and hee might bee a reconciliation for our sinnes, 2and therefore ought wee to loue one another, yea so to loue one another. Shall the most high GOD fasten his loue vpon vs, that are so many thousand degrees below him; and shall not wee loue them that are our equalls, both in Creation and Regeneration? Shall the Lord be contented to respect with an appearing loue, and shall we thinke it enough to carry good affections to our brethren, without manifestation of the outward signes and pledges of it? Was there nothing so deare vnto GOD as his Sonne, and did hee giue vs his Sonne also to assure vs of his loue; and shall the loue of the Saints be euer by vs any more accounted a burthensome and costly loue! Hath God sent his Sonne, out of heauen into the world, and shall we stie our selues vp, and not daily runne into the company of the members of CHRIST? Was CHRIST sent that wee might haue the life of Grace in holy and heauenly and mysticall vnion, and shall not wee as fellow-members in all the duties of a Christian societie stirre vp, nourish, and increase that life so giuen?