A89915:903
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.
1Darkness.] This Darkness imports the misery of unregenerate men, from which the Children of God, in the days of Redemption are delivered: and it notes not only the darkness of Gentilism, proper to the Pagans of that time, but also the darkness of Sin, of Ignorance, of Infidelity, of Adversity, of Death, and of Hell: for every unregenerate man is covered with a six-fold darkness. First, the darkness of Sina. Secondly, the darkness of Ignorance, which as a veil, covers all fleshb, Thirdly, the darkness of Infidelity; for as there is the light of Faith in the regenerate; so there is a darkness of unbelief, that possesseth every unregenerate man. All men have not Faith; it is the gift of God: both the Prophets and Apostles have complained, Who hath believed our reportc? Fourthly, the darkness of Adversityd: miseries of all sorts breaking in upon the soul, body, state, and names of men. Fifthly, the darkness of Death: for Death is the house of Darkness, and this is the wages of Sine. Lastly, the wicked man is in danger of utter darkness, even of the darkness of hell. Out of all this we may see the extreme misery of all carnal persons, upon whom the Kingdom of darkness breaks in, and prevails so many ways: and therefore accursed is their misery that can live in this estate without sense, or remorse, or fear. If Security as a wretched Lethargy, had not overgrown mens hearts, how could they eat, drink, sleep, marry, give in marriage, &c. when they find themselves in the power of such fearful and horrible darkness?
1Darkenesse.] This Darkenesse imports the miserie of vnregenerate men, from which the Children of God, in the daies of Redemption are deliuered: and it notes not onely the darkenesse of Gentilisme, proper to the Pagans of that time, but also the darkenesse of Sinne, of Ignorance, of Infidelitie, of Aduersitie, of Death, and of Hell: for euery vnregenerate man is couered with a sixe-fold darkenesse. First, the darkenesse of Sinne