An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 3 · Chapter 3 · Verse 1
VERSE I.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seeke those things that are aboue; where Christ sits at the right hand of God.
HITHERTO of christian doctrine,The Coherence. now followeth christian life. The Apostle hath before discoursed of matters of faith: now he intends to intreat of matters of life:The deuision of the Chapter. and to prescribe rules of conuersation. And these rules belong either to our generall calling as we are Christians or to our particular callings as we are people of such or such condition or state of life.
The generall rules are set downe from the first verse of this Chapter to the eighteenth and the particular rules begin at the eighteenth verse and continue to the second verse of the next Chapter.
The rules of the first kind may be referred to three heads,The subdiuisions. for either they concerne, first the meditation of heauenly things, or secondly the mortification of vice, or thirdly the renouation of life. The meditation of heauenly things is vrged from v. 1. to the fift, the mortification of vice is vrged from v. 5. to the tenth. Renouation of life is generally laid down v. 10.11. and more specially opened v. 12 to the eighteenth.
The exhortation to the care and studie of heauenlie things is thus digested. First it is expounded v. 1. Secondlie it is illustrated v. 2. Thirdly it is confirmed by motiues and reason, v. 3.4. And thus for the order of the whole Chapter, and the generall frame of this first part.
Before I open the words more particularly there are diuerse things may be noted from the coherence and dependence of these words,4Doctrine from coherence with former chapters. with the Chapter before, and the matter following in this Chapter.
From the coherence with the former Chapter I obserue these things-First, that there can be no holinesse of life without faith: and therefore the Apostle first instructeth them in matters of faith. It is a true rule, whatsoeuer is not of faith, is sinne, and may be extended further then things indifferent, while we are out of Gods fauour,aRom. 14.23. and know not our reconciliation and iustification in Christ, our best actions are but faire sinnes. For without faith it is vnpossible to please God bHeb. 11.6..
Secondly, that the terrestriall blessednesse of man is in respect of sinne, two waies principally assaulted First with errors in opinion. Secondly, with corruptions in manners. And against both we should learne from the Apostle in the latter part of the former Chapter and the first part of this, to be armed and furnished with holy directions, and meditations.
Thirdly, that these men that are so superstitiouslie earnest and so zealouslie forward for ceremonies and the traditions and obseruations of men,Doctrines frō the coherence in this Chapter. whatsoeuer they protest or pretend or seem to be, are indeed void of true deuotion, and feruent affection to heauenly thingsc.
Fourthly, that he that is by faith made a new creature, must resolue to be at Gods appointment for his whole carriage in his generall and particular calling dEphes. 2.10..Doctr. 1.
Thus of the coherence with the former Chapters. From the order of doctrine in this Chapter two things may be noted.2
First, that before a man can be good in his particular calling, he must first be good in his generall: thou maist be painfull▪ and diligent, but thou canst not be euerie way a faithfull and sound hearted,3 husband, wife, seruant, child, &c. till thou be a good man or good woman, in respect of grace and godlinesse. And therefore we should first seeke the righteousnesse of Gods kingdome, and it may serue for direction, vntounto such as choose wiues or seruants, or the like:4 if they be not faithfull to God, how canst thou be assured they will prooue faithfull to thee? moreouer wouldst thou hauehave thy seruants or children to be amended, then bring them to the powerfull preaching of the word, and call vponupon them to get into the fellowship of the godly, that they may learne to be good abroad in matters of religion, and then thou maist hope to find them by proofe and daily experience, trustie and faithfull in thy businesse,Doctr. 2. finallie this reprooues both the sinfulnesse and follie of many carnall pa…ents and masters they neuer care so their seruants do their worke, though they altogether neglect Gods worke. And many times they restraine their seruants and children, and will not let them heare sermons or come into godly companie, as if that were the way to make them idle and carelesse: whereas we see the cleane contrary to be true.
Secondly, that men are neuer likelie to hold out and proue sound in the reformation and new obedience of their liues, till they fall in louelove with heauenlie things, and grow in some measure wearie of the world and the things thereof.
foreignThus of the generall obseruations from the twofold coherence. Now followeth the particular opening of the words.
In the proposition of the exhortation to the study of heauenly things, laied downe in this verse, two things are to bee considered; first what: or the dutie required, viz. seeke those things which are aboue? secondly, why: or the reasons to enforce the dutie, and they are foure. First, ye are risen with Christ in the first resurrection. Secondly, these things are aboue, and not attained without seeking or studie. Thirdly, Christ is aboue in his bodily presence. Fourthly, Christ sits at the right hand of God, exalted in the glory of his father, each of these strongly conclude the exhortation, as will further appeare in the particular handling of them.
If ye be risen with Christ.
A threefold resurrection.There may be conceiued to be, a threefold resurrection of a christian. The first is sacramentall. And thus we rise againe in baptisme. The second is corporall, and so we shall rise againe in the day of Iesus Christ, in our bodies out of the dust of the earth. The third is spirituall, and so we must rise in this life, in soule, from the death of sinne, or else we shall neuer be deliuered from the second death, of this spirituall resurrection, (called elsewhere the first resurrection eReuel. 2.9 0 What the first resurrection is.) he here intreats. And it is a worke of the spirit of grace, deliuering vsus from the power of sinne, by which vve are quickned to the heauenly desires and endeuours of holy life, by the vertue of the resurrection of Iesus Christ, applied vntounto vsus by faith, in the effectuall vse of Gods ordinances. It is a worke by which we grow conformable to Christ b…ing risen againe fRom. 6.4.5., by which also we taste of the powers of the life to come, and are borne again to a liuely hope of an eternall and incorruptible inheritance g1. Pet. 1.3.4.: the earnest of which we hauehave receiued and shall shortly receiue the whole possession purchased, hEph. 1.14.though for a time we be absent from the Lord. This first resurrection carieth with it a similitude or resemblance of Christ rising againe, so as eueryevery Christian in this work beares the Image of Christ, and in him Christ riseth before our eies, not onelyonly because the Lord Iesus doth in this gracious worke giuegive vsus a daily and fresh remembrance of his resurrection, by renewing such fruits of it, but also because he imprinteth a secret kinde of heauenly mindednesse, the Christian in someweake measure, liuing as Christ did in the interim betweene his resurrection and ascension, waiting alwayes for his exaltation into heauen.
Now the consideration of this worke is heere vsed by the Apostle to perswade vntounto the meditation of heauenly things: and that fitly: for if wee be risen as Christ was, then we must be minded as hee was: now we know that after he was risen againe, he was not incumbred with this world, nor did he conuerse with the men of this world, but liued with the Lord as it were immediately, in a heauenly manner, waiting for Heauen: so should a Christian doe: he should eueryevery day be striuing to get vp his heart, by faith and prayer and meditation, and voluntary abnegation, by all meanes begging and seeking the vertue of Christs resurrection, that being enabled to forsake the world & the vnnecessary society with worldly men, he might hauehave his heart and conuersation in heauen, eueryevery day waiting when the time of his changing should come.
Q. How may a man know whether he be risen with Christ?How a man may know whether they be risen with Christ. Who are not risen with Christ. Ans. This question may be resolued both negatiuely and affirmatiuely. For first, they are not risen with Christ, that are in bondage to traditions, as the coherence with the latter end of the former chapter shews: nor they that are drowned and made sencelesse, with the cares of this life or the pleasures of voluptuous liuing iLuk. 21.34., nor they that confirming themselues in a dead presumptuous common hope, plead the abounding of Gods grace, to auouch their continuance in sinne kRom. 6.1 4.5. 1 Pet. 1 3.for the Apostle in the epistle to the Romans vseth a reason taken from our conformity to the resurrection of Christ, to confute this vicious and prophane plea of carelesse men. Further, they that worship the Beast (the great Antichrist of Rome) and receiue his marke vponupon their foreheads or their hands, are reckoned among the dead men, that hauehave not their part in this first resurrection lReu. 20.4.5.6. Also the Prophet Esay seemes to say that such men as will not see Gods high hand of Iudgement, nor will learne to doe vprightly in the land of vprightnesse, nor can be allured to godlinesse, though mercy be shewed them, are to be accounted among the dead men that shall not liue mEsa. 26.9.10 14. Lastly they are not risen with Christ that doe not beleeue in Christ nIoh. 11.25.. Now for the affirmatiue. They may hauehave comfort in the first resurection, that hauehave felt a diuine power in the voice of Christ, quickening their hearts, with effectuall desire and endeauor to rise out of the graues of sinne oIoh. 5.25., and to stand vp from the world of the dead pEph. 5.14.. 2 That are constantly affected with a holy estimation of the knowledge of Christ crucified and risen againe (an effectuall knowledge I meane) valuing the meanes and signes of it, aboue all earthly thinges qPhil. 3.9.10. 3 That finde their hearts changed from the cares and delights of this life. to a constant desire of the second comming of Christ, to translate them to the presence of glory in heauen. 4 That shew a daily care to walke in newnes of life, yeelding their members as weapons of righteousnesse, striuing to crucifie the old man, and destroy the bodie of sinne as they that are aliue vntounto God rRom. 6.4.5.6 13..
2 Againe in that the Apostle sayth, if ye be risen againe with Christ seeke those things that are aboue, we may note, that it is as hard a thing to get vp the heart of men to the study of heauenly things, as to lift vp a massie corps out of the graue and to inspire it with the desire of life:As easie to reuiue a dead man as perswade a carnall man. there is neede of the spirit and power of Iesus to doe it. And therefore we should not wonder to see naturall men so heartlesse: nor should we attribute it to any inefficacy in the meanes, if carnall men be not perswaded: for a man may long perswade a dead man to rise be fore he will get vp: and it should touch vsus with all thankfulnesse to acknowledge Gods mercy if he hauehave giuen vsus a minde to heauenly things, to desire them and delight in them.
3Thirdly in that he sayth, if ye be risen, speaking not onelyonly conditionally but doubtfully, it imports that one should bee exceeding carefull to search and trie whether they hauehave their part as yet in this first resurrection: and withall implies, that many a man may seeme to himselfe and others to bee deliuered from the kingdome of darkenesse, and yet lie buried still in the graues of sinne.
Seeke those things which are aboue] Heere the Apostle enters vponupon the proposition of the first maine exhortation, or rule of new life. Now before I bring in the Apostle vrging this duty, imagine with thy selfe, how farre the Christian (thus now to be instructed for order of life) hath already proceeded by faith;The preparations of …aith before a man can be capable of directions of life. for before a man can be truely capable of direction of life, there be diuers things requisite in the preparations of faith. And these things are necessarily to be presupposed. 1 That faith hath plucked him out of the world of sinners or dead men: so that hee is alreadie withdrawen from the society of the wicked. 2 It hath shewed him Gods fauour and ioyned him to Christ. 3 It hath shewed how in some measure such things in the Kingdome of Christ, as his naturall eare neuer heard, nor his naturall eye neuer sawe, nor his naturall heart, neuer conceiued s1. Cor. 29.. 4 It hath ioyned him to the liuing Saints: so as he now with great desire & delight conuerseth with them. 5 It hath made him to suffer in the flesh for his sins, and withall hath refreshed his spirit, and cured him of his distrustfull and solitary sorrowes. 6 It hath garnished his soule with newe budding graces, and opened for him a fountaine and spring of grace within him, euen in his bowels tIoh. 7 38.39.. 7 It hath raised in him a true and constant desire of new obedience of life, with a secret resolution not to depart from any thing the Lord shall command, all the dayes of his life.
Now presupposing the Christian to be thus farre proceeded: the Apostle comes in, and to beginne his institutions of manners, he first chargeth him with this rule. Seeke those that are aboue? teaching vsus, that the first maine thing to be laboured after in the reducing of our liues into a holy order,Doct. is to striue by all meanes to get vp our hearts to a constant seeking and minding of heauenly things:uMat. 6 33. Eight sorts of things that are aboue. according to that serious charge of our Sauiour Christ, first seeke the Kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof.
Thus this rule may be more cleerely vnderstood, and more carefully practised, it will be profitable to consider distinctly, what things are aboue, and how they are to be sought. And so the things that are aboue may be distinguished into eight sorts. First God is aboue: for he dwelles in the high and holy place *Esa 57.15.and he must be sought xH…s. 3.5.and if you aske what we must seeke in God, I answer we must seeke the true knowledge of his nature yPsal. 14.1.2.. We must seeke his fauour, and the pacification of his iust anger for our sinnes. zZeph. 2.3.We must seeke his face, and presence. aPsal 24.6. Psal. 27.8.We must seeke his honour and glory. bIoh. 44.And we must seeke his saluation. dH…s. 5. vlt.cPsal. 105.4. & 70.4.and if you aske how wee must seeke God, I answer wee must seeke God, with acknowlegdement of our faults, with weeping and repentance for our sinnes, eI…r. …0.4. Esay. 21 2.with the desire of our hearts, f…sa… …6.7.with prayer and supplication, gMat. 7.7.with feare of his mercies, h…os. 3.1. …ep…. 2.2.3.with meekenesse iPsal. 24 4 5.and in the way of holy life.
Secondly Christ is aboue: for so he sayth to the Iewes, ye are from beneath, I am from aboue, lforeign.ye are of this world, I am not of this world mIoh. 8.23., and he is the Lord whom eueryevery Christian ought to seeke nMal. 3.1., now Christ is two wayes sought principally. First in the sincere and constant vse of all his ordinances both publike and priuate, that by them we might find his presence of grace on earth. And thus the Church sought him in the Canticles. oCant. 3.1. &cSecondly, in the desires, prayers, and preparations for our owne dissolution and his appearing pPhil. 1.21. Reu. 21.20. 2 Tim. 4.8. 2. Pet. 3.12..
Thirdly the new Ierusalem is aboue. for so the Apostle to the Galathians expressely sayth. qGal. 4.26.Euen that heauenly society of glorious spirits in illustrious splendor. And these are to be sought two wayes. 1 By the constant desire of their presence and to be gathered to them. 2 By the imitation of their graces and vertues which they shewed when they were on earth.
Fourthly Heauen is aboue.4 For it is the price of our calling that is aboue rforeign. Phil. 3.14., and the glory of that eternall and immortall honour is to be sought sRom. 2.7., and that fiue wayes. 1 By prayer for preparation and that daily: for so our Sauiour hath taught vsus in the second petition of his prayer tMatth. 6.10.. 2 By seeking the assurance of faith and hope, and the pledges and earnest of it uHeb. 11.1. Eph. 1.14.. 3 By meditation and contemplation striuing to expresse our desires and sighes after it *2. Cor. 5.2.. 4 By carrying our selues, as strangers and pilgrimes in this world, weaning our hearts and retiring our liues from the world, confessing and professing our trauailes towards a better countrie that is aboue xHeb. 11.13.14.16.. 5 By continuing in wel-doing yRom. 2.7., striuing to liue a Citizen like life heere zforeign. Phil. 3.20., in all things prouident, to send our workes and prayers to Heauen before vsus, as our prouision and treasure aMatth. 6.14..
Fiftly, holy graces are aboue: for S. Iames sayth, EueryEvery good giuing and eueryevery perfect gift is from aboue, 5and commeth downe from the father of lights bIam. 1.17.. And it is apparent, that they are a part of the Kingdome of Heauen, and they tend to Heauen and therefore the Prophet Esay cals grace by the name of glory cEsay. 4.5., and they come downe from Heauen, which will also appeare in the particulars. Wisdome is from aboue dIam. 3.17., so is zeale, for it is the zeale of Gods house ePsal. 69.9., so is lowlinesse, so is faith, so is peace and ioy and all the rest. And that these are to bee sought, many Scriptures euidently proue f1. Cor. 14.1. Zeph. 2.3. 2. Cor. 13.5. Rom. 14 17.18▪ & if you aske how they are to be sought it is shortly answered, by prayer and the vse of the meanes, which the Lord hath appointed as holy vessels and instruments, and as it were wombes, to conceiue, conuey, and deriue grace vntounto vsus.
Sixtly the meanes of saluation themselues are things aboue, 6for they are called the Kingdome of Heauen gMatth. 3.2.: and the Kingdome of Heauen is sayd to be taken away when the meanes is taken away, hMat. 21.43.and these we must seeke, iEsay. 41.17.18.though it cost vsus much trauaile, if there be a famine kAmos 8., or much cost, if the Lord giuegive vsus to finde such pearles of instruction or comfort, in the field of any Church or congregation?lMat. 13.45.
Seuenthly,7 holy duties are many of them from aboue, for the Wise man sayth, the way of life is on high to the prudent, to auoyde from hell beneath mPr…u. 15.24., and that because both the will that enioynes them, and the power to doe them, and the succes or effects of them, are all from God aboue. And therfore the Author to the Hebrews when he would discourse of doing of Gods wil, quoting the place in the Psalmes, seemes to intimate that the true speech of such duties, is to speake from aboue nforeign. Heb. 10.8.9., and these good things are to be sought oProu. 11.27., wee must seeke the old and good way pIer. 6.17.we must seeke Iudgement and Righteousnesse qEsay 1.17..
Eightly many of the priuiledges of Christians are from aboue as the righteousnesse of Gods Kingdome rMat. 6.33., forgiuenesse of sinnes s1. Ioh. 1.7.deliuerance from this present euill world tGal. 1.4.(both in respect of the contagions and punishments of the same) all spirituall blessings in heauenly things, uEph. 1.3.the reuelation of hid mysteries *1. Cor. 2.9. Col. 1.26.the spirit of the sonne xGal. 4.6.7., the influence of Christs death and resurrection yPhil. 3.9.10.the word with all the treasure of it zPsal. 119.94.and the honour which is aboue aIoh. 5.44.and all these are to bee sought. Thus of the particular things that are aboue and we must seeke.
Vse.The consideration of all this, may much abase and humble vsus, for our deadnesse of spirit, and egregious slownesse of heart, in these things that so greatly concerne vsus. The Diuell takes more paines in seeking to destroy vsus b1. Pet. 5.8., then we either doe take or are willing to take to saue our owne soules, by seeking these things all of them so worthy to be sought. The worldly man is more industrious to seek riches, and the ambitious man more to seek honor, and the luxurious man to seeke his sport, lust or pleasure, then Christians are to seeke those things that are aboue, though neuer any truly sought but did find, cMat. 7.7and neuer lesse was found, then either the euidence or the possession of a kingdome dLuk. 12.32▪, and that of God. Nay, nay, how hauehave eueryevery one of vsus sought out all wayes and all inuentions, while we liued in the seruice of the flesh, and had no fruit or wages, but that of which we are now ashamed, eRom. 6.21.and yet are seldome or neuer weary of such vnprofitable and shamefull labour. But I referre the vrging of motiues till I come to the next verse: it followeth.
Where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God) These words containe the later reasons, and comprehend a principal part of Christs exaltation: the meditation whereof is here vsed, to excite vsus to the louelove of heauenly things, seeing our Sauiour Christ that so intirely loues vsus, not only is in heauen, but is there in great fauour, and honor and maiesty and power.
There is a foure fold presence of Christ, For first he is eueryevery where as God.A fourefold presence of Christ. Secondly, he is in the hearts of the faithfull only, by his spirit of grace and regeneration. Thirdly he is by representation in the sacrament. Fourthly he is bodily in heauen.
Que. Ans.Que. But is not Christ with his Church on earth still. Ans. he is as God but not as man. I say not as man locally, for else he is present in his members that beare the image of his true humane nature, and his very body is present sacramentallie: he is present by the imputation of righteousnesse, and by mysticall vnion.
The right hand of God, hath diuerse signification in scripture: sometimes it signifieth the power and help of GodfPsal. 44.3. Act 2.33..The acceptations of the words. Sometimes the place of eternall rest in heauengPsal. 16.11.. Sometimes it notes the maiesty and authority and soueraignty of GodhPsal. 110.1. Heb. 1.3.. To sit, signifieth to abide or dwelliLuk. 14.49., and to gouerne k1. King. 1.30. Prou. 20.8. Isay. 16.5.. Here to sit at Gods right hand comprehends three things. First, an exceeding glory aboue all creatures, euen the very Angels. lHeb 1.13. Act. 7.55.Secondly, full power of gouernment mEph. 1.20.. Thirdly, an equality in maiesty and soueraignty, euen with God the father, in his personnPhil. 2. 6.7.9..
Ob. But Stephen saith he saw him standing at Gods right hand. oAct. 7.75.Sol. Diuerse gestures for our capacity are attributed for diuerse ends. First, he stands, to shew his watchfull eagernes and readinesse to take notice of wrongs to his members, to come to their succors. Secondly, He sits, to note maiesty and soueraignty.
Ob. But to sit at Gods right hand, seems to import the reall communication of diuine attributes to the humane nature: so as in his very body he is eueryevery where,Ob. &c. Sol. It doth not. Christs human nature is here reckoned vnderunder the name of things aboue.Sol. And besides in the Epistle to the Ephesians the Apostle saith expresly, he sits at Gods right hand in heauenly places pEph. 1.20..
The vse of Christs sitting at Gods right hand follow. And first it may be a notable terror to wicked men if they doe but consider that he whom they daily pierce by their sinnes qRen…l. 1.7.,Vse 1. and dispise, by contemning his ordinances, by which he would rule them rLuk 19.14., is exalted to such glory, that he hath all power to subdue his enemies vnderunder his feet? but sure it is if they will not now feare and repent, sPsal. 110.1.the time shall come, when all they that said, this man shall not rule ouer vsus, shall see him sitting at the right hand of the power of God tMat. 26.64., and comming in the clouds to render vengeance on all those his aduersaries, that would not obey his Gospell u2. Thes. 1.8., but striue to breake his yoake and cast his cords from them xPsal. 2.2.3..
Secondly, it may serue for singular comfort to all God seruants. For from his session at Gods right hand,Vse. 2. flow vntounto them many singular blessings, as the places of Scripture quoted in the margent will shew. First, the casting out of all accusations of sathanyRom. 8.34. Eph. 1.20.. Secondly, the filling of the Church with all needfull fulnesse of grace and blessingszHeb. 1.13.14.. Thirdly, the seruice of Angells ministring to the heires of saluation, Fourthly speed in all suitsa1. Pet 3.22.. Fiftly, the prouiding of a place for vsusbIoh. 14.2.. Sixtly, Intercession cHeb. 7.26.. Seuenthly, power to subdue our enemiesdPsal. 110.1. As the consideration of the seuerall places of scipture alleadged will manifestly shew. Yea his exaltation may be our comfort, because in a sort we sit together with him eEph. 2.6.. not only because this honor is done to our nature in his flesh, but also because by our mysticall vnion, it is done to our head, and moreouer he doth in part communicate this honor to vsus, for as Christ is at the right hand of the father, so is the Church at the right hand of Christ fPsal. 45.10▪, Finally in the second comming of Christ this glory shallbe more fully and openly communicated, when all the faithull shall be set on his right hand gMat. 25.33., to heare that most gratious sentence, Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you before the foundations of the world.
Thirdly, the session of Christ at Gods right hand, may teach vsus: first, to mind a spirituall worship, seeing he hath taken his body out of the way. Secondly, to goe boldly to the throne of grace to seeke helpe in time of need hHeb. 4. vlt., seeing we hauehave so sure a friend, to procure both audience, acceptance, and successe: thirdly, to waite with patience, vnderunder all sorts of wrongs, for it is sure that he that shall come will come in his due time and will not tarry, and then he will make all his enemies to be his foot stool… iHeb. 10.12.13. Lastly the Apostle here vseth the consideration of this doctrine as a motiue to stir vsus vp to mind heauenly things. And surely if we doe seriouslie waigh it, it should continuallie draw vp our thoughts to thinke of heauen, whither so louing and so glorious a Sauiour is gone before. Yea it should doe vsus good to look vp towards these visible heauens, remembring that one day we shall be carried to that blessed place of rest and holy ioyes, that is aboue them, euen to the heauen of heauens, to raigne with Christ for euermore. And thus of the proposition.