A89915:834
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.
1Power is one of the Attributes they call in Schools relata: the Power of God is infinite, both in respect of Essence (for it is as large as the Essence; yea, it is the Essence it self) and in respect of Objects, he hath not done so much, but far beyond our capacities, he could do infinitely more: and so is it infinite in respect of continuance. Yet to speak of it according to our capacities;2 it is restrained, 1. By his Will; he cannot do what his Will is against: 2. By his glory; he can do nothing against his own Glory: 3. By his Nature, he cannot lye &c. because it is against his Nature: 4. In some respects by the nature of the Creature; so as whatsoever destroys the essential definition of the Creature, God cannot do: as God cannot make a man unreasonable, and yet he remain a man; he cannot make a body infinite, and it remain a body still: 5. Sometimes by the condition and qualities of the Creature; as, Be it unto thee according to thy Faith: 6. By impossibility; I say, by that which is simply impossible, for there are many things unpossible in respect of us, which are not only possible but easy to God. And therefore the common-people reason foolishly; God can save me, therefore he will do it: and the Papists as wilfully; Christ can be present in the Sacrament, therefore he will. For besides that they will never prove his body can be in all places, at one time, truly and locally present, remaining a true body; they also reason but absurdly, till they find his will to be there in their manner.
1Power is one of the Attributes they call in Schooles relata: the Power of God is infinite, both in respect of Essence (for it is as large as the Essence; yea, it is the Essence it selfe) and in respect of Obiects, hee hath not done so much, but farre beyond our capacities, hee could doe infinitely more: and so is it infinite in respect of continuance. Yet to speake of it according to our capacities;2 it is restrayned, 1. By his Will; hee cannot doe what his Will is against: 2. By his glory; hee can doe nothing against his owne Glory: 3. By his Nature, hee cannot lye &c. because it is against his Nature: 4. In some respects by the nature of the Creature; so as whatsoeuer destroyes the essentiall definition of the Creature, God cannot doe: as God cannot make a man vnreasonable, and yet hee remaine a man; hee cannot make a body infinite, and it remaine a body still: 5. Sometimes by the condition and qualities of the Creature; as, Be it vnto thee according to thy Faith: 6. By impossibilitie; I say, by that which is simply impossible, for there are many things vnpossible in respect of vs, which are not onely possible but easie to God. And therefore the common-people reason foolishly; God can saue mee, therefore hee will doe it: and the Papists as wilfully; Christ can be present in the Sacrament, therefore hee will. For besides that they will neuer prooue his body can be in all places, at one time, truely and locally present, remayning a true body; they also reason but absurdly, till they finde his will to be there in their manner.