A89915:509
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. 1 The use of this point is, First, for instruction: Let him that heareth hearb: yea, let all rejoice in the mercies of their God, that have tasted of this bounty of the Lord: blessed are your ears, in as much as you have heard: Many Prophets, and righteous men have desired to hear the things that you hear, and Use. 2 have not heard them.c. Secondly, for humiliation; under the consideration of the lamentable estate of such people as have not the Word preached unto them. How do the thousands even in Israel, perish through the failing or wanting of Vision? Is there not almost millions of Men and Women that have scarce heard (by preaching) whether there be any holy Ghost? Oh the cruel torments that abide those soul-murderers! Shall I name them? I wish their repentance, that so they might have a new name; but because lamentable experience shows that the unsavoury Salt seldom finds wherewith it may be salted; therefore it is the duty of all Gods people to bow the knees of their hearts to God, beseeching him to inflame the hearts of those that are in authority, with such bowels of compassion, that they would in due time purge the Church of them, that so their names may no more be heard amongst us. Whiles men lie sick of the spiritual Lethargy in their own hearts, they are little troubled with the distress of others, but if men would even in Gods sight duly weigh, without shifting and prejudice, these propositions, viz. that the hearing of the Word is the ordinary means to convert mens souls to God, Rom. 10.14. 1 Pet. 1.23. &c. And that except men be borne again they cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, 3John 3.3. if I say these things be weighed, how should our bowels turn within us to consider the case of some hundreds of Parishes in this famous Kingdom, that in the middest of this great Light, in this respect, yet sit in darkness? Thirdly, for the reproof of the disorders and vicious dispositions of men in the hearing of the Word. Many are the sorts of evil hearers: exceeding many are the wicked humours of men, by which they sin against the Word heard: the Scripture hath noted and taxed divers corruptions in men, in hearing, and fearfully threatened them. For the better explication of this use I consider two things; First, the sorts of evil hearers: Secondly, their state in respect of it.