A89915:881
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.
There are five sorts of men that live in the Church, that are not made fit: First, such as are in heart disjoined, so as indeed they care for the doctrine of no Church: and thus Atheist and Epicures are unfit. Secondly, such as are in heart fastened to a false Church, though in show they be members of the true: thus Church-Papists are not fit. Thirdly, such as receive Religion and care for it, but only as it may fit the humours of such as are in authority, and may serve the currant of the present times: and thus temporising Politicians are not made fit. Fourthly, such as admit some parts of Gods worship, and stand in professed enmity, and dislikes of the rest: and thus the common Protestant of all estates and degrees; they think if they come to the Church to service, and be no Papists, it will serve turn, though they neglect, yea, contemn, yea, commonly despite Preaching, private Prayer, true Fasting, religious Conference, and Fellowship in the Gospel.
There are fiue sorts of men that liue in the Church, that are not made fit: First, such as are in heart disioyned, so as indeede they care for the doctrine of no Church: and thus Atheist and Epicures are vnfit. Secondly, such as are in heart fastned to a false Church, though in shew they bee members of the true: thus Church-Papists are not fit. Thirdly, such as receiue Religion and care for it, but onely as it may fit the humours of such as are in authoritie, and may serue the currant of the present times: and thus temporising Polititians are not made fit. Fourthly, such as admit some parts of Gods worship, and stand in professed enmitie, and dislikes of the rest: and thus the common Protestant of all estates and degrees; they thinke if they come to the Church to seruice, and be no Papists, it will serue turne, though they neglect, yea, contemne, yea, commonly despight Preaching, priuate Prayer, true Fasting, religious Conference, and Fellowship in the Gospell.
Fifthly, and lastly, among the better sorts that are hearers, and constant hearers, there are many not made fit for the Kingdom of God: for many hearers rest in an Historical Faith and external righteousness, either betraying the seed, by suffering the Fiends of hell, those invisible fowls of the Air, to take it away, or choking the seed by worldly cares, or if they get a taste of the good word of God, and of the powers of the life to come, by their wicked revolts and back-slidings, they show themselves not fit, nor worthy the Kingdom of God.