A89915:459
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.
Obseruat. 2 Secondly, Faith and Hope are two distinct things: Faith believes the Promise to be true, with particular application of the Promise to ones self; and Hope waits for the accomplishment of it: Faith usually is employed about reconciliation and a godly life; Hope for the most part, is taken up with the retired and affectionate contemplation of the glory of Heaven, the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the body, and temporal blessings, and deliverance, as they are shadows and types of the last and great salvation.
Obseruat. 2 Secondly, Faith and Hope are two distinct things: Faith beleeues the Promise to be true, with particular application of the Promise to ones selfe; and Hope waites for the accomplishment of it: Faith vsually is imployed about reconciliation and a godly life; Hope for the most part, is taken vp with the retyred and affectionate contemplation of the glory of Heauen, the comming of Christ, the resurrection of the body, and temporall blessings, and deliuerance, as they are shadowes and types of the last and great saluation.
Obseruat. 3 Thirdly, Hope is no more natural then Faith and Love: the carnal man is without Hope in the world: 1not that wicked men are clean without all profession of Hope; for, few men are so vile but they profess and stoutly avouch their hope in God; but this Hope is vain, empty, without evidence or promise, such as can never profit them: and therefore in the eight of Job he saith,2 that the Hypocrites Hope shall perish, his confidence also shall be cut off, and his trust shall be as the house of a Spider. It is to be observed, that he calls wicked men (even all carnal and unconverted people) Hypocrites, 3and that fitly, for every Sinner is an Hypocrite in some degree; and if there were nothing else to prove it, their very Hope and wilful Confidence in the mercies of God, without all warrant from the Word, or testimony of Gods Spirit, or their own Conscience, would undoubtedly prove it: and for the vanity of their hope it is fitly expressed in the comparison of the Spiders web. The silly Spider with many days labour weaves her self a web, in appearance able every way abundantly to cover her, and fit her turn, but at the end of the week, the Maid with a Besom sweeps all down. This poysonfull Spider is every unregenerate man or woman, this web is their Hope, in the framing of which they daily busy themselves, and in the coverture of which they vainly repose themselves; but when any Servant comes out of the Lords army to sweep with the Besom of Judgement or Death, the whole building of these imaginary hopes come suddenly and