A89915:853
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.
Joyfulness.] A Christian estate is a joyful and comfortable estate. Saving knowledge makes a man live joyfully and comfortably. True joy is one of the fruits Gods Spirit beareth in the heart of a Christian; yea, it is a chief part of that kingdom that God bestoweth on his people on earth. None have cause of joy but the children of Zion, and none of them but have great reason to shout for joy, to rejoice and be glad with all their heartss, Zeph. 3.14. Is it not a great Mercy to have all the judgments due unto us for sin, taken away? and the great enemy of our souls cast out? Is it not a great honour that Jehovah, the King of Israel, should be in the middest of us? and that our eyes should not see evil any more? What sweeter encouragement then that the Lord should cause it to be said unto us, fear not? and again, Let not your hands be slack? If we have great crosses, enemies, dangers, wants, temptations, &c. we have a mighty God; if there be none to help us, he will save; yea, he will rejoice to do us good; yea, he will rejoice over us with joy; yea, he so loves us, that he will rest in his love and seek no ⟨p. 96⟩further. Shall man be sorrowful when God rejoiceth? Shall the Lord rejoice in us, and shall not we rejoice in Godt, &c. And if these reasons of joy be contained in one place of Scripture, how great would the number of reasons grow, if all the Book of God were searched? such a joy and contentment is the joy of Christians that crosses cannot hinder it. Life is not dear to a child of God, so that he may finish his course with joyu. They suffer the spoiling of their goods with joy, knowing that in heaven they have a more enduring substancex. Yea, in many crosses they account it all joy to fall into tentationy. They seem as sorrowful, when indeed they are always rejoicingz