A89915:923
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.
Object. 1The faithful themselves discern not any such excellency in their earthly condition. Sol. We must distinguish of Christians:2 some are but infants in grace and babes: these may be entitled to great things, and yet have no great sense of it; as the Child in Nature hath no great discerning of the inheritance he is borne to; or his own present condition wherein he excels others. A kingdom is never the worse because the infant Prince cannot discourse of the glory of it. Some Christians fall away, for the time, into gross sin or error: and these are in matters of grace like the drunken man, or Paralytic in nature, their discerning is lost with their uprightness: other Christians either want the means in the power of it, or are tossed with great afflictions, or are in the fit of temptation; and then they have but a dark glimpse of their felicity in Christ: but the strong Christian ⟨p. 106⟩that hath digested the assurance of Gods love in Christ, and is exercised in the word of righteousness, sees such a glory in the Kingdom of Grace, and doth acknowledge it with such unmoveable firmness of heart, that all the powers of either earth, or hell, cannot alter his judgement, in the high estimation of such a condition.
Obiect. 1The faithfull themselues discerne not any such excellencie in their earthly condition. Sol. Wee must distinguish of Christians:2 some are but infants in grace and babes: these may be entituled to great things, and yet haue no great sense of it; as the Childe in Nature hath no great discerning of the inheritance hee is borne to; or his owne present condition wherein hee excels others. A kingdome is neuer the worse because the infant Prince cannot discourse of the glory of it. Some Christians fall away, for the time, into grosse sinne or error: and these are in matters of grace like the drunken man, or Paraliticke in nature, their discerning is lost with their vprightnesse: other Christians either want the meanes in the power of it, or are tossed with great afflictions, or are in the fit of temptation; and then they haue but a darke glimpse of their felicity in Christ: but the strong Christian