A89915:607
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.
Quest. 1But how may I know whether I did ask amiss? Ans. 2Thou didst ask amiss: first, if thou didst pray and doubto. Secondly, if thou didst make prayers thy refuge, but not thy recompense, when thou camest to pray thou consideredst what thou didst want for thy self, not what thou shouldest render to God; thou usedst prayer to serve thy turn, but when thou hadst sped, thou didst not return by prayer to render unto God his honourp. Thirdly, if thou didst not make conscience of the use of other ordinances of God; for God will not give all to any one ordinance. Fourthly, if thy prayers were ignorant, proud, hypocritical prayersq. Fifthly, if thou wast not in charity but broughtest thy gift, and diddest not forgive, or seek reconciliation with thy brotherr. Sixthly, if thou didst ask of God for wrong ends, or wrong things, as to spend on thy lustss: or for temporal things only or chieflyt: besides, many times it comes to pass that men speed not, because they are not humble. We should so prize and esteem holy things, as we should exceedingly rejoice, if we could get but the crumbs that fall from the Fathers table. This Humility is ever joined with great Faith and wished success in all suites to God. Again, it is to be noted, that men may be deceived about the success of Prayer: for the decree for our succours may go forth at the very beginning of our supplications, though the knowledge of it be not revealed unto us till afterwards. Further, God heareth prayers diversly; sometimes, he heareth to grant the very thing we desire; sometimes he heareth, and granteth, and giveth, not the very things we desire, but that which he holds to be best for us, and for the distress we are in: so he was said to hear CHRIST,