An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 2 · Chapter 2 · Verse 6,7
VERS, 6.7.
As yee hauehave therefore receiued Christ Iesus the Lord, so walke yee in him.
7.
Rooted and built vp in him, and stablished in the faith, as yee hauehave beene taught, abounding therein with thankesgiuing.
In these two verses the Apostle concludes the exhortation begunne in the 23. verse of the former chapter; for whereas after all these reasons and the answer of sundry obiections, they might finally hauehave sayd, tell vsus then at once what it is you would hauehave vsus to doe? the Apostle answers summarily, that concerning holy life, hee would hauehave them walke as they hauehave receiued the Lord Iesus Christ: and concerning faith, hee would hauehave them to bee rooted and soundly edified and established in the faith, especially to abound in thankfulnesse to God for their happy estate in Christ Iesus.
The 6. verse containes a precept concerning holy life, viz. to walke on in Christ, and a rule by which that precept is to be squared, and determined, viz as they hauehave receiued Christ Iesus the Lord.
As yee hauehave receiued Christ Iesus the Lord, &c.]
These words may bee diuersly vrged vponupon them, according to the diuers sences may be conceiued of them, For
1. To walke as we hauehave receiued Christ, may beare this sence, namely, to frame our obedience according to the measure of the knowledge of Christ we hauehave receiued, it shall be to vsus according to what we hauehave, to whom God hath giuen much, of them he requireth much; and iudgement certainely abideth for him that hath receiued the knowledge of his masters will, and doth it not, if our practice bee according to the knowledge wee hauehave, this may bee our comfort, God will accept of vsus: and otherwise they are but in a miserable case that are barren and vnfruitefull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ a2. Pet. 1.9..
2. Such a sence as this may be gathered, viz. So liue with care of a godly life, as ye neglect not to preserue the doctrine, concerning Christ, ye hauehave receiued. Certainely it ought to bee the care of eueryevery godly minde, to doe his best to preserue the purity of the doctrine hee receiued together with Iesus Christ; great is the generall neglect of many sorts of people heerein.
3. Or thus, Let the doctrine you hauehave receiued from Christ Iesus bee your onelyonly rule both for life and manners, So liue and walke as you hauehave receiued; The Apostle commandeth to separate from eueryevery brother that walketh inordinately, and not after the traditions which they had receiued of the Apostle b2. Thess 3.6.. By tradition he meaneth the holy word of God deliuered by liuely voice vntounto the Churches, while yet it was not written, euen the same which now is written: The elect Lady and her children are commended for walking in the truth, as they had receiued commandement of the Father c2. Ioh. 4.. Yea so must wee sticke vntounto the word receiued, as if any man teach otherwise he should be accounted accursed dGal. 1.9. 1. Cor. 15.1.2.. For the Apostles receiued it not of men, but by the reuelation of Iesus Christ eGal. 1.12.. And as they hauehave receiued of the Lord, so hauehave they deliuered vntounto vsus f1. Cor. 11.23.. Therefore wee must conclude with the Apostle, These things which wee hauehave learned and receiued, and heard out of the holy word, those things we must doe gPhil. 4.9..
4. The sence may bee thus; as yee were affected when yee first receiued Christ, so walke on and continue, at first men receiue Christ with singlenesse of heart, with great estimation of the truth, with wonderfull ioy, with feruent louelove to Gods children, with a longing desire after spirituall things, with endeauour to beare fruit, and without the mixtures of mens traditions and inuentions.
Now then they are exhorted to take heed that they lose not what they hauehave wrought h2. Ioh. 9., but preserue those holy affections and desires still; striuing against the witchcrafts of Sathan and the world, that they be not beguiled from the simplicity that is in Christ Iesus.
The doctrines hence to be noted are▪
1. That Christians doe receiue Christ, and that not onelyonly publikely into their countries and Churches (which yet is a great priuiledge, for Christ bringeth with him many blessings, and staies many iudgements, brings a publike light to men that sit in darknesse and shadow of death, and raiseth immortality as it were to light and life againe,) but priuately and particularly into their hearts and soules.The priuiledges of such as receiue Christ … Phil. 3.9. This is the happiest receiuing of Christ. Oh the glory of a Christian in receiuing Christ! for he that receiueth Christ into his hart, receiueth excellent illumination, vnspeakable ioy k1. Pet. 8., sure attonement lRom. 5.11. & 3.25., hid Manna mReu. 2.17., eternall gracesn1. Cor. 1.6. & 4 7., yea the very spirit of Christ oRom. 8 9., to make him know the things giuen of God, to set the soule at liberty p2 Cor. 3.17., to mortifie the deeds of the flesh qRom. 8.13., to be a spirit of prayer rZach. 12.12., to giuegive answer concerning our adoption sRom 8.15., to furnish the soule with gifts tGal. 5.22., to seale vsus vp to the day of redemption uEph. 1.14., to be an eternall comforter *Ioh 14., to be life for righteousnesse sake xRom. 8.10., to helpe our infirmities yRom. 8 26., and to raise vp our dead bodies at the last day zRom 8.11.. Lastly he that receiueth Christ, receiueth with him the promise of an eternall inheritance, into which hee is presently acknowledged an heire, yea a Co-heire with Christ Iesus.
2. The second doctrine. It is not enough to receiue Christ, but wee must walke in him; to walke in Christ,aHeb. 9.15. is not only so to liue,bRom. 8.17. as we be sure that Christ liueth in vsus cGal. 2.20., or to walke after the appointment of his will expressed in his word, but it is chiefely to continue a daily care of holy perseuerance in the graces and duties of holy life, holding fast our communion with Christ, this the Apostle thinks wonderfull needfull to be often vrged and pressed by all meanes vponupon vsus, so shamefully doe many fall away, and so cursedly is the sincerity that is in Christ Iesus pursued by the Diuell, and the flesh and the world, and so necessary is the endeauour to preserue the glory of perseuerance in all well doing to the end. Oh this perseuerance, it is a wonderfull thing, and where is the man that doth not lose something of what he had? Oh that wee could be soundly awakened to the care of it, or that wee had mindes that would bee willing to doe any thing wee could to further it: but alasse there is not a heart in vsus, there are diuers excellent directions in the word to confirme vsus heerein, if we were not ouercome with sluggishnesse.
There are diuers things which if they were looked to at our first setting out, we were sure to hold out and continue walking in Christ.Rules for perseuerance to bee obserued in our first conuersion. As,
If men did at first put their hearts to these questions of abnegation, so as they would bee throughly aduised, if thou haddest asked thine owne heart these questions; Canst thou take vp thy crosse and follow Christ? Canst thou suffer aduesity with the righteous? Canst thou professe Christ amidst the different opinions of multitudes of men? Canst thou bee content to deny profit and reason, and thy desires and pleasures and credit, and all for Christs sake? if not, thou wilt certainely fall away, and therefore better neuer beginne.
2. At mens first setting out they must take heede they bee not sleightly in their reformation and mortification: but doe it throughly, not sparing to afflict their Soules with sensible and sound godly sorrow: for else they will afterward repent of their repentance: whereas if it were done with sound aduice, and serious humiliation, this would be an vnmooueable foundation of rest and encouragement to faith and wel-doing. It is a great question, whether such will hold out that come in without sorrow for sinnes.
3. Men must at first looke to their kinde of faith: we see many are grossely deceiued: temporary faith maketh such a shew, that vnlesse it be throughly tried it will deceiue many: and there is a maruellous loathnesse in our nature to abide the triall, though we know it be plainely heere required d2. Cor. 13.5.; whereas if wee did get a continuing faith at first, wee might hauehave the more assurance of holding out.
4. It would much further perseuerance if wee did at first endeauour, that knowledge and affection might bee inseparable twinnes: not to bee much proud of knowledge without affection, nor to trust much to zeale without knowledge: either of these may be alone in men, that will fal away shamefully.
5. When men goe about reformation, they should doe it throughly, and be sure their hearts are renewed: for the old heart will not hold out long to endure the hardship of a reformed life: and if some sinnes hauehave beene fauoured and spared, though they lie still for a time, yet afterwards they will reuiue and shew themselues. We see in some, what a doe there is to leaue some corruptions and faults, they are seauen yeeres many times before they can bee perswaded to forgoe them, resting in the reformation of other faults: wheras there is no assurance that they walke with a right foot in the Gospell, till they make conscience of a ready reformation of eueryevery knowen sinne, and till they reforme throughly they are like to fall away, whatsoeuer faire shew of zeale and forwardnesse they make.
6. In particular diuers men are to be warned of passion and violent affections, if thou meane to prosper in thy perswasion of reformation, then speedily cease from anger and leaue of wrath, else there will bee little hope that thou wilt not returne to doe euill ePsal. 37 8.9., the promise of constant protection is with such as are sheep fIoh. 10.28., and are so far humbled, as they hauehave left their wooluish qualities and passions.
7. To make thy standing more sure, acquaint thy selfe with such as feare God, and ioyne thy selfe to them by all engagements of a profitable fellowship in the Gospell: there is a secret tie vntounto constancy in the communion of Saints,Ier. 32.39.40. he is not like to walke long that walketh alone, especially if hee might walke with good company; and this is a cleere marke of a temporary faith in such as for many things goe farre, when men see they shunne society with the godly.
8. It is an excellent helpe also, at first, to striue by all meanes to get the testimony of Iesus confirmed in vsus g1. Cor. 1.6. 1. Tim. 2.6.: Christ giues testimony especially three wayes: 1. By the promise of the word. 2. By the graces of his spirit. 3. By the witnesse of the spirit of adoption. Now if we did study the promises diligently, especially recording such as we had interest in vponupon our conuersion to God, and did withall trie our selues diligently and particularly concerning those sauing graces, which are markes and signes of regeneration and saluation, and did also begge the witnesse of the spirit, waiting for those vnspeakable and glorious ioyes of the holy Ghost, and with all thankefulnesse acknowledging Gods seale for our confirmation, when he is pleased so to set it to: mee thinks this threefold coard could neuer be broken. Oh the heauy slumber and sluggishnesse of our natures: how wonderfull rich is God in compassion? how ready is he to forgiue and multiply pardon? how willingly doth he lift vp the light of his countenance vponupon vsus? and yet men hauehave not the heart answerably to waite vponupon him, or to be at the labour of this confirmation. How are many that set me somewhat vntounto many, how are they, I say, bewitched with security, so as they cannot be fired out of it, but liue at a venture, and neither seeke nor esteeme the testimony of Iesus?
9 Would we be set in a safe condition, and stablished? then wee must striue for a free spirit, remembring Dauids prayer, stablish me with thy free spirit hPsal. 51.12. What a free spirit is.. Now if any aske what a free and ingenuous spirit is? I answer: 1▪ It is a minde that will not be in bondage to the corruptions of the times, it acknowledgeth no such bonds or relations to any, as to sinne for their sakes. 2. It is a minde that apprehends libertie in Christ, a minde that will not be in bondage to legall perfection, but discerns his release from the rigor and curse of the law: it will not be subiect, neither to a corrupt conscience, nor yet to a conscience erring or ouer-busie, but sees his prerogatiues hee enioyes in Christ, either in the hope of glory, or sense of grace, or vse of outward things, or his libertie in things indifferent; there is a kinde of seruilenesse or spirit of bondage in many, that wonderfully holds them downe, and if they be not better lightned of their daily feares and burdens, the flesh will lighten it selfe, by rebellion and apostacie, 3. It is a minde not cheined downe to the louelove of or lust after earthly things. 4. It is a minde ready prest to doe good, full of incitations to good things, and carefull to preserue it selfe from the occasions of euill: as resolued so to stand vponupon the sinceritie of his heart, as rather to loose his life then his integritie: as neither caring for those things which …he common sort seeke after, as praise, profits, outward shewes, &c. not fearing their feares.
10. Men must at first labour to get a sound and heartie louelove of the truth, desirous to store and furnish themselues with the treasures of holy knowledge: if the law be written in the hearts and bowels iIer. 31.33. Psal. 37.31.of men, they will hold out to the end.
Lastly, men must be sure that they be good and true in their hearts kPsal. 125.1.24., as the Psalmist saith, for then they shall be as the mount Sion that cannot be moued, and the Lord will alwaies doe well vntounto them.
Signes of a true heart.Now the signes of a good and true heart, are such as these. 1. A true heart is a new heart, that must be taken for granted, else in vaine to inquire any further, if there be not a newnesse of the heart to God. 2. It loues God with vnfeined and vndeuided louelove, though it cannot accomplish all it would, yet … hath holy desires without hypocrisie, after God, aboue all things. 3. It labours for inward holinesse as well as outward, both seeking the graces that should be within, and mourning for inward sinne, as well as outward. 4. It will smite for small sinnes; as well for numbring the people, as for murther and whoredome▪ he hath not a good and true heart, that is vexed onelyonly for great euills and offences. 5. A true heart is a constant heart, it is not fickle and mutable, as many are in all their wayes, but that it is once, it desires to be alwaies. 6. It desireth the power of godlinesse more then the shew of it: and is more affected with the praise of God then of men. 7. It quickly findes the absence of Christ, and cannot be at rest, till he returne. 8. It constantly pronounceth euill of sinne and sinners, and well of godlinesse and good men.
Now on the other side, the reason why many fall away, was because they were not true in their hearts at first: they set vp a profession of repentance with carnall ends, and through hypocrisie beguiled themselues and others.
Secondly, if men finde that they hauehave been rightly formed in the wombe and birth of their change, then there are other directions for them to obserue, throughout their liues, that they might continue in this holy walking with God and his Saints. Wouldest thou be sure not to fall away? then looke to these things.Rules to be looked vntounto after our calling.
1. Be sure thou continue in the carefull vse of the meanes, as the word, prayer, conference and Sacraments, else know that when once thou giuest way to a customarie hardnes of heart in the vse of the meanes, or neglect of them, thou art neere either some great sinne or temptation, or some great iudgment and apostacie; and therefore concerning the meanes principally looke to two things, 1. preserue appetite. 2. practise that thou hearest, without omission or delay.
2. If thou discerne any spirituall weaknesse or decay, or feele any combat with the flesh, or the tentations of Satan, be sure thou complaine betimes, and resist at the first, for then the grace of God will be sufficient, and the weapons of our warfare mightie through God: prayer will easily master sinne at the first through the victorie in Iesus Christ.
3. Resolue with thy selfe not to let goe thy assurance, or cast away the confidence of thy hope whatsoeuer befall thee:Heb. 10 36. or at least, not till thou maiest see wonderfull euident reason. It is a maruellous great fault, to call the louelove of God into question vponupon eueryevery occasion, whereas men cannot glorifie God more then to liue by faith, & to be vnmouable in it: God takes litle delight in a soule that will withdraw it selfe vponupon eueryevery occasion by vnbeleefe. Are they not strangely foolish, that will weare their helmets when their is no stirre, and as soone as they see an aduersarie, or any blowes towards, then to cast away their helmet, and doe it so vsually? such are we and worse, that stand bragging of our faith and hope in prosperitie and ease, and when affliction and temptation comes, then most childishly wee cast away both faith and hope, and till reason and sense are satisfied, we will not be perswaded.
4. Set perfection before thine eyes to striue after it; and to this end acquaint thy selfe with the rules of holy life,Phil. 3. and consider the examples of such as hauehave walked therein, and the wofull euents that befall the contrarie minded, especially think much of the great recompence of reward, euen the price of our high calling in Iesus Christ.
5. Take heed of the occasions of falling, such as are spirituall pride, known hypocrisie, desire to be rich, discord with the godly, and vaine ianglings, with out discretion, neglect of our particular callings, and vngodly companie.
Hitherto of perseuerance in life. Now in the next verse he intreateth of perseuerance in faith.
Rooted and built vp in him, and stablished in the faith, as you hauehave been taught. 7.
In these words is both a precept and a rule; a precept, to be rooted, built, stablished: a rule, as ye hauehave been taught. The substance of the precept is but to counsell them to increase more and more that they might be stedfast in the assurance of Gods fauour in Iesus Christ. Of this stedfastnes I hauehave at large intreated in the 5. verse. OnelyOnly wee may here againe be instructed and informed.
1. Of the necessitie and excellencie of stedfastnes; the Apostle would not thus often peale vponupon it, but that he knew it to be of singular worth in the life of man, and of great necessitie vntounto our consolation; besides it implies that people are for the most part slow hearted herein, and hardly drawne to the vnfained and diligent labour after the establishing of their faith and assurance.
2. That all this stedfastnes of assurance is not the worke of a day; a great tree is not growne or rooted but successiuely; a great house is not built all at once, we must be eueryevery day adding something to Gods worke, that the building of grace may be in due time finished: none are so established, but they may grow in faith, none hauehave such great rootes, but they may take roote yet more: many men striue hard to make their trees shew in branches & leaues, I meane in outward profession in the world, but alas what should this great bulke, and so many branches and leaues doe, vnlesse there were more rootes within? yea many deare children of God mistake wonderfully; they eueryevery day carrie together heapes of precepts for life, but alas poore soules so great a building will not stand, vnlesse they lay their foundation sure, I meane that they get their faith in Christ (the only sure foundation) more confirmed and established.
As ye hauehave been taught.
Note here the Apostles candor, he doth not arrogate the glory of their establishment to himselfe, but sendeth them to their Minister, and teacheth them to depend vponupon him, to waite vponupon the blessing of God vponupon his labour, and to acknowledge the good they hauehave, to hauehave receiued by his ministerie.
Here diuers things may be noted.
1. That the people should labour for a reuerend estimation of the doctrine they receiue from their faithfull teachers.
2. That as faith commeth by hearing, so doth the establishment of faith also.
3. That it is wonderfull dangerous to neglect either the charge of our teachers when they vrge vsus to assurance, or the rules by which they guide vsus out of the word of God, for the attainment of it; if we would goe about it, when our teachers call vponupon vsus, the Lord would be with his ordinance to blesse it to vsus; we should be afraid to delay, when we are taught how to confirm our soules in faith and grace.
4. The faithfull Ministers do greatly labour to establish their hearers in the assurance of Gods fauour, and the duties of holy life.
Abounding therein with thanks-giuing.
In these words the Apostle shuts vp all; wherein his intent is to stirre them vp to thankfulnes, that as they did thriue in the meanes or matter of faith and holy life, so they should glorifie God by all possible thankfulnesse for it: as he would hauehave them abound in faith and holinesse, so also in thankfulnes to God. This may wonderfully smite our hearts: for if we obserue our wretched euill dispositions, we may finde that we are wonderfully bent to the very habit of vnthankfulnesse: and therefore it is iust with God many times, that we doe no more thriue in victorie ouer our corruptions, or in the power of diuers graces, or in the progresse of duties, because we doe not more tenderly and constantly acknowledge the goodnesse of God we hauehave had experience of. Oh that it were written vponupon our hearts, and grauen deepe in our memories, that nothing becomes vsus more then to abound in thankfulnesse, no fairer sight then to see the Altar of the Lord couered with the calues of our lips; neuer can the estate of a child of God be such, but he hath exceeding great cause of thankfulnes for his happinesse in Christ.