A89915:560
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.
1First, that there is a season for men to be fruitful in. We are naturally dry trees, or no trees: We are but dead stocks: neither if we should stand in Gods Orchard to all eternity, would we of our selves bear the fruits of the Gospel, or exercise our selves in those fair fruits that are unto eternal life: if before this day the City of Coloss had been searched with lights, there would have been found no true fruits of Grace or Righteousness amongst them: our season to bear fruit is then when God calls for it. At some time of our life, God (giving us the means) doth set before us the way of Life and death, affects us inwardly with sense of our misery, or the glory of conversion, or the necessity of our repentance. Now when the Axe of Gods Word is laid thus near to the root of the Tree, it is then time to bear fruit, or else we are in danger. The consideration hereof, as it shows that the works of civill honest men are but shadows or blasted fruit: so it should enforce upon us a fear of standing out the day of our visitation. Consider with thy self, God calls now for repentance, and the duties of new obedience. If now thou answer Gods call, and pray God to make thee such as he requires thee to be, thou mayest find favour in his eyes; for God is near them that call upon him if they seek him in due time, while he may be found: but if thou delay; consider first, that thy heart of it self without dressing, will never be fruitful: secondly, that thou art not sure of the means hereafter: thirdly, if thou werest sure, yet who can prescribe unto the most high? He hath called, and thou hast not answered; therefore fear his Justice, thou mayest call and he will not answer.
1First, that there is a season for men to be fruitfull in. We are naturally dry trees, or no trees: Wee are but dead stockes: neither if wee should stand in Gods Orchard to all eternitie, would we of our selues beare the fruits of the Gospell, or exercise our selues in those faire fruits that are vnto eternall life: if before this day the Citie of Colosse had beene searched with lights, there would haue beene found no true fruits of Grace or Righteousnesse amongst them: our season to beare fruit is then when God calles for it. At some time of our life, God (giuing vs the meanes) doth set before vs the wav of Life and death, affects vs inwardly with sence of our miserie, or the glory of conuersion, or the necessitie of our repentance. Now when the Axe of Gods Word is laide thus neere to the roote of the Tree, it is then time to beare fruit, or else we are in danger. The consideration hereof, as it shewes that the workes of ciuill honest men are but shadowes or blasted fruite: so it should inforce vpon vs a feare of standing out the day of our visitation. Consider with thy selfe, God calls now for repentance, and the duties of new obedience. If now thou answere Gods call, and pray God to make thee such as hee requires thee to be, thou maiest finde fauour in his eyes; for God is neere them that call vpon him if they seeke him in due time, while hee may bee found: but if thou delay; consider first, that thy heart of it selfe without dressing, will neuer be fruitfull: secondly, that thou art not sure of the meanes hereafter: thirdly, if thou werest sure, yet who can prescribe vnto the most high? Hee hath called, and thou hast not answered; therefore feare his Iustice, thou maist call and he will not answere.