A89915:537
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.
The manner of providence in planting it amongst them, in these words.
The manner of prouidence in planting it amongst them, in these words.
1And is come unto you.] Where we may observe, that if the means of happiness find us not out to work upon us, we would never look after it: if God were not more careful to send it, then we to seek it, it would never be had. We see this by common experience, that whole multitudes of people live without any sense of the want of the Word, and did not God by some great providence send it them, and persuade them to the use of it; it would never be had: and this comes to pass because men are dead in sin, and sick of a Lethargy in the very use of the light of Nature, in matters of godliness; and besides, there is an incredible inclination in our Natures to seek for contentment in things below, and to be pleased with any condition, rather then soundly to digest a sense of the necessity of using the means for happiness in better things. And lastly, this neglect of seeking the Word, comes from errors about mens estate, while they think that they may be in Gods favour, and like enough to be saved, without any such ado.
1And is come vnto you.] Where wee may obserue, that if the meanes of happinesse finde vs not out to worke vpon vs, wee would neuer looke after it: if God were not more carefull to send it, then we to seeke it, it would neuer be had. Wee see this by common experience, that whole multitudes of people liue without any sense of the want of the Word, and did not God by some great prouidence send it them, and perswade them to the vse of it; it would neuer be had: and this comes to passe because men are dead in sinne, and sicke of a Lethargie in the very vse of the light of Nature, in matters of godlinesse; and besides, there is an incredible inclination in our Natures to seeke for contentment in things below, and to bee pleased with any condition, rather then soundly to digest a sense of the necessitie of vsing the meanes for happinesse in better things. And lastly, this neglect of seeking the Word, comes from errours about mens estate, while they thinke that they may be in Gods fauour, and like enough to be saued, without any such adoe.