A89915:748
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.
Secondly, This place hath no colour for merit: for (to pass over that reason, that the Scripture requireth good works, therefore our works merit, as a most false and absurd argument:) the words [worthy of the Lord] cannot be applied to merit by any means: for in as much as the Lord had bestowed many of his favours already upon them, and giving his hand ⟨p. 82⟩and writing, and seal for the rest, they cannot by any works afterwards be said in any colour to merit what is past. They are urged, Matth. 3. to bring forth fruits worthy repentance: now it were absurd to think that the fruits afterwards borne, should merit repentance, which God gave before; for that is to affirm that not only a wicked man might merit his own conversion, but that he might merit it by the works he would do after his conversion, which I know not that any Papist will affirm: and the like reason is there of the phrase here used.
Secondly, This place hath no colour for merit: for (to passe ouer that reason, that the Scripture requireth good workes, therefore our workes merit, as a most false and absurd argument:) the wordes [worthy of the Lord] cannot be applied to merit by any meanes: for in as much as the Lord had bestowed many of his fauours already vppon them, and giuing his hand ⟨p. 82⟩and writing, and seale for the rest, they cannot by any workes afterwards be said in any colour to merit what is past. They are vrged, Matth. 3. to bring foorth fruites woorthy repentance: now it were absurd to thinke that the fruits afterwards borne, should merit repentance, which God gaue before; for that is to affirme that not onely a wicked man might merit his own conuersion, but that hee might merit it by the workes hee would doe after his conuersion, which I know not that any Papist will affirme: and the like reason is there of the phrase here vsed.