A89915:569
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.
Doct. 1 First, men may hear and yet not know. Knowledge is not attained by all that hear:1 and this comes to pass either as a curse for mens home-sins unrepented: Where Manners will not be informed, their Faith cannot: or by reason of pride and conceit of our own wits, and that we need not be informed: Thus the Pharisees are blind though they hear Christ himself: or it comes to pass by reason of mens faultiness in hearing, they hear carelessly, or without application, or with prejudice, or not all: or else it is because men smoother their doubts, and seek not resolution in private by conference, or seeking the law at the Priests mouth: and in many, fruitless hearing is caused by want of catechising, when people are not fitted for preaching by information in the principles before.
Doct. 1 First, men may heare and yet not know. Knowledge is not attained by all that heare:1 and this comes to passe either as a curse for mens home-sinnes vnrepented: Where Manners will not be informed, their Faith cannot: or by reason of pride and conceit of our owne wits, and that wee neede not bee informed: Thus the Pharises are blinde though they heare Christ himselfe: or it comes to passe by reason of mens faultinesse in hearing, they heare carelesly, or without application, or with preiudice, or not all: or else it is because men smoother their doubts, and seeke not resolution in priuate by conference, or seeking the law at the Priests mouth: and in many, fruitlesse hearing is caused by want of catechising, when people are not fitted for preaching by information in the principles before.
- 1The causes why many hearers get not knowledge.
Doct. 2 Secondly, the hearing and true knowledge of Gods grace to a man in particular, doth make fruitful: the salutiferous appearance of Gods grace in a mans heart, works in a man a desire and endeavour to show all good faithfulness that may adorn that doctrine, by which he comes to know God to be his Saviour. It teacheth men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live godly, righteously, and soberly: it purgeth upon iniquity, and inflames the zeal of good works