A89915:904
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.
Power.] This darkness gets power, and prevails over the world, by the unwearied labour of the Prince of darkness: who as he seduced our first Parents, to extinguish the fair light in which they were created, (whence flowed an universal darkness upon all mankind) so doth he still, as God of the unregenerate world, work effectually, in blinding mens minds more and more, that the light of the Gospel might not shine in their hearts, both by hindering by all the ways he can, the means of light, and by leading man on from sin to sin, till custom have worn out sense, and bred a very liking of darkness more then the light. And thus poor man runs from darkness to darkness, and from dungeon to dungeon, till he fall unto the everlasting dungeon of utter darkness, ⟨p. 103⟩and this would be the end of all flesh, were it not that God of his infinite mercy hath provided a means in Jesus Christ to deliver the Elect from the power of this Darkness.
Power.] This darkenesse gets power, and preuailes ouer the world, by the vnwearied labour of the Prince of darkenesse: who as hee seduced our first Parents, to extinguish the faire light in which they were created, (whence flowed an vniuersall darkenesse vpon all mankinde) so doth hee still, as God of the vnregenerate world, worke effectually, in blinding mens mindes more and more, that the light of the Gospell might not shine in their hearts, both by hindering by all the waies hee can, the meanes of light, and by leading man on from sinne to sinne, till custome haue worne out sense, and bred a very liking of darkenesse more then the light. And thus poore man runnes from darkenesse to darkenesse, and from dungeon to dungeon, till hee fall vnto the euerlasting dungeon of vtter darkenesse, ⟨p. 103⟩and this would be the end of all flesh, were it not that God of his infinite mercie hath prouided a meanes in Iesus Christ to deliuer the Elect from the power of this Darknesse.
Delivered.] Every man hath great reason to think of this deliverance out of the Kingdom of darkness, wherein naturally he is: for while he so continueth, he knoweth not whither he goeth