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.
Nicholas Byfield 1579–1622London: 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.
The second place is, 1. Peter 4.7.8. where the Apostle exhorteth to sobriety in the use of the profits and delights of the world in meats and drinks, riches, recreations and apparel, and withal to spend their time here in spiritual duties, especially Prayer; watching thereunto, both to observe all occasions and opportunities to pray, as also noting the mercies of God we find in prayer, with our own corruptions in the manner, and the glorious success of prayer, in prevailing with God: But above all things, he wills them to have fervent love: and yieldeth two reasons or motives; first, the end of all things is at hand: and therefore it is best loving and making much of those, that after the dissolution shall be great heirs of heaven and earth: secondly, Love covereth the multitude of sins, it hideth the blemishes of our natures, and fitteth us for the comforts of Society. Notwithstanding the infirmities accompany even the Saints while they are in this vale of misery.
The second place is, 1. Peter 4.7.8. where the Apostle exhorteth to sobrietie in the vse of the profits and delights of the world in meates and drinkes, riches, recreations and apparell, and withall to spend their time here in spirituall duties, especially Prayer; watching thereunto, both to obserue all occasions and opportunities to pray, as also noting the mercies of God wee finde in prayer, with our owne corruptions in the manner, and the glorious successe of praier, in preuailing with God: But aboue all things, hee wills them to haue feruent loue: and yeeldeth two reasons or motiues; first, the end of all things is at hand: and therefore it is best louing and making much of those, that after the dissolution shall be great heires of heauen and earth: secondly, Loue couereth the multitude of sinnes, it hideth the blemishes of our natures, and fitteth vs for the comforts of Society. Notwithstanding the infirmities accompany euen the Saints while they are in this vale of miserie.
. &c. where he largely persuadeth men to get holy graces into their hearts, and to express holy duties in their lives: among these, as chief, he instanceth in brotherly kindness and love; to this end he bringeth divers reasons: first, it will set our knowledge awork, which else would
and where should we unload our selves of the fruits of knowledge, which men get in Gods house, better then in the houses of the people of God: secondly, he that hath not these things, is blind; or if
§2
he have sight and wit enough for this world, yet he is purr-blind,
so as he can see nothing that is far off (as eternal things are) but only things near, such as are carnal things: the want of love to Gods people is a palpable sign of a purr-blind carnal man: thirdly, the want of love, and the other graces there named, is a sign of a spiritual Lethargy, even that a man is fallen into
§3
a forgetfulness of the purging of his old sins, that is,
it is a sign that a man lieth under the guilt and filth of all his former sins, and never feels the weight of them, or considers the danger of them: Fourthly, Love, with the fruits of it, do make our calling and election sure: Fifthly, loving society and
§4
brotherly kindness is a great means of perseverance,
because by these means eternal life is begun on earth, in respect of communion both with God & the Saints.
The third place is, 2 Pet. 1.7. &c. where he largely perswadeth men to get holy graces into their hearts, and to expresse holy duties in their liues: among these, as chiefe, he instanceth in brotherly kindnes and loue; to this end he bringeth diuers reasons: first, it will set our knowledge aworke, which else would §1be idle and vnfruitfull; 1and where should we vnloade our selues of the fruits of knowledge, which men get in Gods house, better then in the houses of the people of God: secondly, he that hath not these things, is blinde; or if §2he haue sight and wit enough for this world, yet he is purre-blinde, 2so as hee can see nothing that is farre off (as eternall things are) but onely things neere, such as are carnall things: the want of loue to Gods people is a palpable signe of a pur-blind carnall man: thirdly, the want of loue, and the other graces there named, is a signe of a spirituall Lethargie, euen that a man is fallen into §3a forgetfulnesse of the purging of his old sinnes, that is,3 it is a signe that a man lieth vnder the guilt and filth of all his former sinnes, and neuer feeles the weight of them, or considers the danger of them: Fourthly, Loue, with the fruits of it, doe make our calling and election sure: Fiftly, louing society and §4brotherly kindnes is a great meanes of perseuerance,4 if ye doe these things yee shall neuer fall: Lastly, by this meanes an entrance shall bee ministred vnto vs abundantly, §5into the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ; both because it §6mightily furthereth faith and hope: As also,5 because by these meanes eternall life is begun on earth, in respect of communion both with God & the Saints.
First, the conscionable hearing of the word of God, for in Gods house §1doth the Lord fire the heart and holy affections, and teach the right ordering of them. How came those Colossians by their love to the Saints, no otherwise but by hearing the word of truth, which discovered unto them who were Gods children, and did daily fence them against the scorns and reproaches which the world laded them withal.
First, the conscionable hearing of the word of God, for in Gods house §1doth the Lord fire the heart and holy affections, and teach the right ordering of them. How came those Colossians by their loue to the Saints, no otherwise but by hearing the word of truth, which discouered vnto them who were Gods children, and did daily fence them against the scornes and reproches which the world laded them withall.
Secondly, we must get faith and hope as the coherence shows: for till we §2be soundly humbled to seek Gods favour, and find our hearts possessed with ⟨p. 42⟩the care for and hope of a better life, we cannot receive Gods children aright into our hearts: But no man was ever truly touched in conscience, and had unfeigned desires of remission of his sins: Neither did ever a man seriously seek after the things of a better life, but he did love Gods children above all the people of the earth: and it is true of the measure, that as we grow in faith and hope, so we should grow in love and in the comforts of Gods favour.
Secondly, we must get faith and hope as the coherence shewes: for till wee §2be soundly humbled to seeke Gods fauour, and find our hearts possessed with ⟨p. 42⟩the care for and hope of a better life, we cannot receiue Gods children aright into our hearts: But no man was euer truely touched in conscience, and had vnfained desires of remission of his sinnes: Neither did euer a man seriously seeke after the things of a better life, but he did loue Gods children aboue all the people of the earth: and it is true of the measure, that as we grow in faith and hope, so we should grow in loue and in the comforts of Gods fauour.
1Thirdly, would we love brotherly, without feigning, and fervently; then we must get our souls purified, through the spirit, in obeying the truth, i. we must make conscience of the duties of mortification (as of so many purges) to cleanse our thoughts and affections, of dwelling and reigning lusts and evils: for secret sins entertained and delighted in within the affections and thoughts do exceedingly poison affection both to God and man: this is that the Apostle meaneth where he saith,2 Love must come out of a pure heart.
1Thirdly, would we loue brotherly, without faining, and feruently; then we must get our soules purified, through the spirit, in obeying the truth, i. we must make conscience of the duties of mortification (as of so many purges) to clense our thoughts and affections, of dwelling and raigning lusts and euills: for secret sins intertained and delighted in within the affections and thoughts do exceedingly poyson affection both to God and man: this is that the Apostle meaneth where he saith,2 Loue must come out of a pure heart.
1Fourthly, we must stir up the spirit of love. The spirit of God is a spirit of love, and we must stir it up by nourishing the motions of the same, putting courses or ways of expressing love into our minds; and by prayer, meditation, or any other means that may inflame our hearts to a holy affection.
1Fourthly, we must stirre vp the spirit of loue. The spirit of God is a spirit of loue, and we must stirre it vp by nourishing the motions of the same, putting courses or waies of expressing loue into our mindes; and by prayer, meditation, or any other meanes that may inflame our hearts to a holy affection.
1Fifthly, it profiteth much hereunto to get and keep in our minds, a pattern of faith and love, even a draught of the things that concern faith in God, and love to the Saints: that we might always have a frame of all holy duties that concern this holy affection: this was their care in the Primitive times, as appeareth, 2 Tim. 1.13.
1Fiftly, it profiteth much hereunto to get and keepe in our minds, a patterne of faith and loue, euen a draught of the things that concerne faith in God, and loue to the Saints: that we might alwaies haue a frame of all holy duties that concerne this holy affection: this was their care in the Primitiue times, as appeareth, 2 Tim. 1.13.
Sixthly, to be sound in these 3. things, Faith, Love, and Patience, requires most an end Experience, and a daily acquainting our selves with the things of the Kingdom of Christ. When we are driven by often crosses to seek comfort in Gods children, and by much observation do find the worth of the comforts that arise from holy Society with them; Many are the incredible weaknesses that discover themselves in the hearts of younger and weaker Christians: but it is a shame for the elder men, if they be not sound in love, Tit. 2.2.1
Sixtly, to be sound in these 3. things, Faith, Loue, and Patience, requires most an end Experience, and a daily acquainting our selues with the things of the Kingdome of Christ. When we are driuen by often crosses to seeke comfort in Gods children, and by much obseruation do finde the worth of the comforts that arise from holy Society with them; Many are the incredible weakenesses that discouer themselues in the hearts of yonger and weaker Christians: but it is a shame for the elder men, if they be not sound in loue, Tit. 2.2.1
1Seventhly, we must by all holy meane• strengthen, and encourage, and set our selves upon perseverance in the profession of our hope, for if once we give over profession, it will be easy to see love vanish; a wavering profession is unconstant in Love.
1Seuenthly, we must by all holy meane• strengthen, and encourage, and set our selues vpon perseuerance in the profession of our hope, for if once wee giue ouer profession, it will be easie to see loue vanish; a wauering profession is vnconstant in Loue.
Lastly, if we would never forsake the fellowship we have one with an other, as the manner of some wicked hypocrites and damnable Apostates is, then we must with all Christian care, Consider one another's weaknesses and wants; and be continually provoking, 1inciting and encouraging one another to love, and to good works.
Lastly, if we would neuer forsake the fellowship we haue one with an other, as the manner of some wicked hypocrites and damnable Apostataes is, then we must with all Christian care, Consider one anothers weakenesses and wants; and be continually prouoking, 1inciting and incouraging one another to loue, and to good workes.
In the last place I propounded to be considered, the defects that are found in the love that is abroad in the world,1 with which the common Protestant pleaseth himself. I will not here complain that love is turned into lust, and that that damnable infection hath stained heaven and earth, & polluted our houses, brought a curse upon our Assemblies, and debased our gentry, dishonoured our Nobles, corrupted our youth, and made heavy our elder Age: or show how it hath brought upon us famine and pestilence: but to let this pass, I will speak of the honester love, and wherein think you standeth it?
In the last place I propounded to be considered, the defects that are found in the loue that is abroad in the world,1 with which the common Protestant pleaseth himselfe. I will not here complaine that loue is turned into lust, and that that damnable infection hath stained heauen and earth, & polluted our houses, brought a curse vpon our Assemblies, and debased our gentrie, dishonoured our Nobles, corrupted our youth, and made heauy our elder Age: or shew how it hath brought vpon vs famine and pestilence: but to let this passe, I will speake of the honester loue, and wherein thinke you standeth it?
1The defects of the common Protestants love.The defects of the common Protestants loue.
First, in the civiller sort, in complements: never more complements and less love: Secondly, in freedom from suites at Law, and quarrelling; they are in charity with all the world, if they can show that they never were quarrelsome, or that they are friends again: Thirdly, in the baser sort it is mere Ale-house friendship, their love stands wholly in going to the Ale-house together; these are the only fellows and good neighbours; and commonly, ⟨p. 43⟩here is set up the Devils bench, and Proclamation made of free […] for filthy Ribaldry, for drunken spewings, and Viper-like slanders […] against good men. Fourthly, many out of their ignorance, know […] other love then of themselves, or for themselves of others: But yet more plainly the defectiveness of the common Protestants love appears diversly.
First, in the ciuiller sort, in complements: neuer more complements and lesse loue: Secondly, in freedome from suites at Law, and quarrelling; they are in charity with all the world, if they can shew that they neuer were quarrelsome, or that they are friends againe: Thirdly, in the baser sort it is meere Ale-house friendship, their loue stands wholy in going to the Ale-house together; these are the onely fellowes and good neighbours; and commonly, ⟨p. 43⟩here is set vp the Diuels bench, and Proclamation made of free 〈…〉 for filthy Rib•uldry, for drunken spewings, and Viper-like sl•nders 〈…〉 against good men. Fourthly, many out of their ignorance, know 〈…〉 other loue then of themselues, or for themselues of others: But yet more plainely the defectiuenesse of the common Protestants loue appeares diuersly.
First, by the usual sins which are rise amongst them, even such as batter the fortress of Love. How can they please themselves in their charity, if we consider how Malice, Revenge, Anger, Slandering, Back-•iting, and all sorts of provocations to anger, are every-where abounding? What more usual then Self-love? what more common then Envy? Shall I instance? The Trades-man while he is rising is so fleshed with success, and stuffed with the greedy desire of profit, that he cares not whom he wrongs, nor how much he becomes prejudicial to other mens trade: But this man is not so filled with Self-love, but the declining Trades-man that hath over-lived his prime, is every way as well filled with Envy. And thus men are not in charity neither full nor fasting.
First, by the vsuall sinnes which are rise amongst them, euen such as batter the fortresse of Loue. How can they please themselues in their charitie, if we consider how Malice, Reuenge, Anger, Slandering, Back-•iting, and all sorts of prouocations to anger, are euery-where abounding? What more vsuall then Selfe-loue? what more common then Enuy? Shall I instance? The Trades-man while hee is rising is so fleshed with successe, and stuffed with the greedy desire of profit, that hee cares not whom hee wrongs, nor how much hee becomes preiudiciall to other mens trade: But this man is not so filled with Selfe-loue, but the declining Trades-man that hath ouer-liued his prime, is euery way as well filled with Enuy. And thus men are not in charitie neither full nor fasting.
