An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 1 · Verse 26
Verse 26.
Which is the Mystery hid since the world began, and from all ages, but now is made manifest to his Saints.
THese words are the fourth generall Reason, taken from the excellency of the Gospell: which is here described in foure things: 1. By the nature of it, a Mistery: 2. By the antiquitie of it, since the world began, or from ages and generations: 3. By the time of the full reuelation of it, viz. Now, in the new world by Christ: 4. By the persons to whom it is reuealed, viz. the Saints.
The Mistery.] The Gospell is a great Mysteriea1 Tim. 3.16., a hidden Mysterie bRom. 16.25., hidden in God cEphes. 3.9. 2 Tim. 1.9.: because it was a secret in the purpose and grace of the Father, before the world beganne. Hidden in Christ, because he was that store-house in which the Father laid vp all his treasures dCol. 2.3., that concerne mans life and immortalitie: and because he was the meritorious cause of all our happines. Hidden in the Word eRom. 16.26., because the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles, are the sacred fountaines of knowledge, and originals, from the bowels of which flow the comforts of the Gospell to the Church. Hidden also in the darke shadows of the Ceremoniall Law. Hidden from Adam himselfe in Paradise, so long as hee acknowledged his happines by the Couenant of works. Hidden from the Gentiles many hundred yeares, while they serued dumbe Idols, and had not the Sunne of righteousnesse shining among them. Hidden from the Iewes in part and comparatiuely, because in a manner all the Iewes were ignorant of the manner of Christs Kingdome, and of the calling of the Gentiles, and such like: comparatiuely, in respect of vsus; they had the light of a Candle, but wee hauehave the light of the Sunne: and therefore Iohn is said to be least in the Kingdome of God. Hidden from the naturall man still, who cannot perceiue the spirituall things of God f1 Cor. 2.7.14.; no, though otherwise hee abound with wit and learning. Hidden also from the very faithfull, comparatiuely, in respect of what they shall know in the kingdome of glory; and in respect of the differences of degrees among themselues now.
Quest. Quest.But why is the doctrine of mans happinesse so obscure to many, euen in the Church, in these dayes?Ans. Ans. Man is by nature couered with the vaile of originall blindnesse gEsay 25.8.; and besides, hee is bewitched with the deceitfulnesse of his actuall sinnes hHeb. 3.13., the God of this world, with his wiles and subtilties, his deepenesse and his methodes, blindeth many thousands, to their destruction, that he may hide the Gospell from them i2 Cor. 4.3. Ephes. 6. Reuel. 2. 2 Cor. 10.4.. Also euill thoughts nursed and fortified, as thicke clouds, hide the light from diuers: to some, in iudgement, Christ speakes in Parables kMat. 13.: others shall neuer hauehave the light was offered, because they vsed not the light they had. The enuious man in many places sowes the tares of corrupt doctrine. And vntounto many congregations for want of sincere preaching, Immortality and life is not yet brought vntounto light l2 Tim. 1.10. Tit. 1.3., besides, the transplendencie of the doctrine it selfe is such as exceedes the capacitie of the most.
Quest. Quest.But how comes it, that euen the godly themselues in all places, attaine to so small a measure of knowledge in the Gospell?Ans. Ans. There are remnants of naturall blindnesse, euen in the best: and the sinne that hangs on so fast is not without pollution, and an obscuring propertie. Faith also, that should hauehave principall vse in conueying this light, is not without some mixtures of doubts and other drosse. Affections are not without their fumes, which beeloud the vnderstanding: sometimes they want the meanes, sometimes they are negligent in the vse of them; and to see perfectly is the onelyonly priuiledge of the new Ierusalem, that is aboue.
The Vses are for Reproofe,Vses. for Information, for Instruction, and for Consolation.
First, it reproues the horrible prophanenes of those that so securely contemne the Gospell, so sacred a Mysterie: and fearefull is the curse with which God doth auenge the quarrell of his word, euen this, that vntounto these men, the Scriptures both read and preached, are a sealed Booke mEsay 29.11.. And is the Gospell a Mysterie? then singular is their dotage and madnesse, that say, they know as much as any of them all can teach them.
Secondly, wee may hereby be informed concerning the necessitie of preaching: the greater the Mysterie is, the greater neede of laborious and studious men, that are thereunto set apart, to make manifest those secrets of the Kingdome: for this is the appointment of God our Sauiour, that by preaching committed to certaine men, thereunto sanctified, (as the Apostle saith,) the word promised before the world beganne, should be manifested in due time nTit. 1.2.3..
Thirdly, this should teach vsus diuers duties: 1. Let eueryevery man account of faithfull Teachers, as the Ministers of Christ, and such as dispence the Mysteries of God o1 Cor. 4.1.. 2. Wee must bring Faith to the Gospell, else it will not profit pTit. 1.1.3. Heb. 4.2.: Reason and Sense are no competent Guides or Iudges in these diuine Mysteries. And the Lord hath commanded these secrets to be manifested and reuealed by the Scriptures, for the triall of his Elect, and for the exercise of their obedience, in beleeuing as well as in doing qRom. 16.25.26.. 3. As wee should bring a resolution to beleeue Gods word in all things, though it be neuer so contrary to sense, and to common reason of the world. So when the Lord doth reueale his Promises and Statutes to vsus, wee should hide them in our hearts as great Iewels and worthy Treasures, meete to be kept in our secretest remembrance, and the very bowels of our Affections rIer. 31.34.. 4. This Doctrine vrgeth the necessitie of obseruing the rules of preparation: and to this purpose wee may finde fiue things charged vponupon vsus, all drawne from this consideration of the Mystery of the Gospell. First, wee must be sure wee he turned to the Lord by true repentance; for till then, the vaile cannot be taken away s2 Cor. 3.16.: though the word were neuer so plaine in it selfe, yet wee cannot discerne it, by reason our vnderstandings are couered with a vaile, and no man can looke vponupon this bright Sunne, till his eyes be annointed with eye-salue tRe…el. 3.18.. Secondly, in as much as the Booke is sealed with seauen seales, and no man nor Angels is able powerfully to vnfold and open Gods eternall comforts to the conscience of man for his saluation, saue onelyonly the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah, which is also the Lambe slaine, hauing seauen eyes, which are the seauen Spirits of God: therefore in acknowledgement of his wisedome and power, we must goe vntounto him, importunately begging this Blessing, for his glory, that the Booke may be opened, euen to enrich vsus uReu. 4.1.3.4.5.6.12.; and that to this end hee would make acceptable the odours of our desires and prayers to God. Thirdly, we must remoue letts; for if it be a mysterie in it selfe, wee had not neede to bring hardnesse of heart with vsus, or worldly cares, or troubled affections, or a sluggish spirit, or preiudicate opinions, or inordinate lusts, or any such impediments. Fourthly, wee must bring with vsus the loane and aduantage of former doctrine communicated to vsus: for to him that hath for practise and increase, shall be giuen; but from him, that hath not for imployment and conscionable vse, shall be taken away that which hee hath xMat. 13.11.12.. Fiftly, wee must bring a pure Conscience, as a holy vessell, to receiue this mysterie of faith in y1 Tim. 3.9.: and the conscience is then pure, when it is purified by the bloud of Christ, and doth daily excite the desire of puritie of heart and life, bearing with the louelove and liking of no sinne.
Ministers also must here learne, with all reuerence and painefulnesse, to behaue themselues as becommeth those great Mysteries: they must not onelyonly be cleane themselues by holinesse of heart and life, but must in compassion to the People, and the holy feare of the Maiestie of Gods truth and presence, teach with power, frequencie, perspecuitie & authoritie, and since the Lord hath made them his Stewards of his Mysteries, and holy Iewels, and Treasures, it is required of them that they be faithfull z1 Cor. 4.1., both in applying them to the right owners, and in setting them out according to their truth.
Lastly, the meditation hereof may serue for singular comfort to all those that finde mercy from the Lord in the reuelation of his Mysterie: blessed are their eyes that see it, and their eares that heare it *Mat. 13.16.. They are more happy then many millions of men besides.
Hid since the world beganne, and from ages.] foreign. The first of these words is diuersly accepted, sometimes it is translated from Eternitie, foreign.as Psal. 52.1. The goodnesse of the Lord hath endured from all eternitie, as Beza thinkes, writing on Luke 1.70. sometimes, Since the world beganne, as Luke 1.70. Acts 3.21. sometimes it signifieth but of old, or a long time agoe: as the Hebrew word (which is thought to answere it) is rendred, Psal. 119.52. somtimes it is taken for the space of a mans life, as Peter said; Thou shalt not wash my feete, foreign, that is, neuer while I liue: and in the 3. Ephes. vlt. there is such a phrase as this, Glory to God, &c. foreign: as if it should be rendered vntounto or throughout all the generations of the world of worlds, that is, of the world to come. And 2 Pet. 3. vlt. hee saith, glory to him, foreign: that is, henceforth, to the day of eternity. There is vntounto man two worlds: the one begins with his life, the other with his death. But some would hauehave it thus, foreign, à seculis, i. à filijs seculi huius, from the men of this world: sometimes the word notes the state of things in the world, as Rom. 12.2. foreign, Be not conformed to this World: and Ephes. 2.2. foreign; According to the course of this world ▪ but other render it Ages; and so from ages, may note the time of the Gentiles, or the time since the world began: so that it is well rendred, in the last Translation, [Hid from ages, and from generations,] And if any will hauehave the two words distinguished, then it may be from ages, quoad Tempora; from generations, quoad successiones hominum; but howsoeuer it is, it fully imports the great antiquitie of the Gospell. If the Papists will plead antiquitie, let them hauehave recourse to the Word, or if their Trumperie will not beare the tryall of this antiquitie, it is because there is no truth in them; and let this be a sufficient stay to all godly mindes, that our Doctrine is grounded vponupon the Doctrine of the Prophets, Patriarkes, and Apostles, which are the best auncients: but this is generall.
Ages, and generations.] From the particular consideration …f these words diuers things will arise.
First, the transitory estate of the world may here be noted: the things of the world in their best frame are so mutable, that they expire and are altered with varieties, and the men of the world hauehave but their short time, and then they goe out and leaue their roomes to their succeeding generation; which may serue for diuers vses, if it be seriously thought on. First, it should cause vsus to feare him that cannot onelyonly change vsus, but mowe downe with his Sithe whole generations of men, before whom the nations are but as a little dust of the ballance, or drop of the Bucket: and we should also magnifie and adore that God, that is of himselfe subiect to no change, and liues for euermore aReuel. 4.10.. Secondly, it should make vsus in louelove with the world of worlds: and to admire the blessed estate of such as shall be accounted worthy to obtaine that world, and the resurrection from the dead bLuke 20.25., to such an Angelicall and vnchangeable condition; and to this end we should be quickened to a serious preparation for the world to come, seeing we hauehave but our turne and course vponupon earth, wee should not fashion our selues to this world cRom. 12.2.: wee should refuse to square our actions according to the lusts and humours of mend1 Pet. 4.2.: let vsus serue, not the time nor the fancies of men, but the King of times e1 Tim. 1.17.. Secondly, wee should looke to it, that neither the cares of this world choake, nor the God of this world hide or take from vsus, the word of the kingdome fMat. 13. 2 Cor. 4.4.. Thirdly, and if wee must not serue the men of the world, nor the things of the world, much lesse may we serue sinne: for if any man be a seruant to sinne, hee shall not abide in the house to the next world gIohn 8.35.. Fourthly, this may abate the great opinion of the wisedome of this world: for what shall it profit mee to hauehave great skill to get money and meanes for this life, if I hauehave no skill or wisedome for the sauing of my soule? What shal it aduantage me to hauehave a nature and carriage, tilled and fitted for the winning of friends for this world, if I know not how to make me friends for a better world? what auaileth it to hauehave gifts for an eminent place, in mans Common-wealth, and for want of grace be not acknowledged of the Common-wealth of Israell? to what purpose is it to be a Disputer of this world, and in the day of Christ to be swallowed vp with amazed silence, as not hauing a word to …ay for thy poore soule? And yet prouidence for our future estate may be learned from these Children of this world. For if the Children of sinne, be so industrious to make shift for their time, how much more should the hearts of the Children of eternitie be enlarged to an inflamed care of large prouision for their mortall estate? Fiftly, this should embolden vsus to a willing forsaking of our selues, in the worst of all outward trials, which is, to forgoe euen all for Christs sake and the Gospels, if wee be put to it. What great thing is it to part with that little All that wee hauehave in this world, seeing it could serue vsus but for a little time, and at length wee must leaue all? and besides, by a voluntary abregation wee shall be aduantaged in the gaine of an eternall recompence of reward a hundred-fold better.
Againe, in that the Gospell is hid from whole Ages▪ and Generations of men, wee may see that whole multitudes may bee in a miserable estate; and that it is no priuiledge for any in sinning, that many are such sinners. Neither is multitude, or succession of men, in one minde for matters of Religion, any note of the true Church. For here are whole ages, and many successions of men, that all liued and died without the knowledge of the Gospell: it is a slender prop for faith to rest on, to say our Fathers, and forefathers liued and died in this or that minde or opinion. Further, wee may obserue hence the infectiousnesse of sinne: how naturally it will spread, euen to the poisoning of whole Worlds of men. If sinne but once get a fountaine if the Lord stoppe it not, into what riuers of contagion will it defuse it selfe? Also, we may see how fearefull a thing it is to fall into the hands of an angry God, since the liues of so many millions cannot finde pitty or pardon with him. And the insensiblenesse of sinners may hence be noted also. When would those ages and generations of men hauehave awaked out of their idolatrous sleepe, if the Lord by the voyce of his Sonne, and his Seruants, had not awaked them? Moreouer, it may be manifest from hence, that the Lord in dispencing his grace, is not moued by any outward things: for what can any person or people hauehave to commend them by to God, which those Nations had not? Lastly, we may here see it verified, that Gods iudgements are like a great deepe: it is not for man to conceiue that hee should be able to search into them. Yet least any should stand still, and be swallowed vp with amazement, at the fall and ruine of those worlds of men, let him consider of these things following.Note. First, that these people were instructed by the Creatures, and had a Law written in their hearts qRom. 1. & 2.. Secondly, that these terrible desertions, and exquisite iudgements, were deserued by an infinite measure of horrible …innes: which if wee could soundly consider… of, our Obiections about their fals would be much dulled. Thirdly, that it is God that prescribes and describeth Iustice: and therefore things are iust, because hee doth them; not that first man must pronounce them iust, and then God will doe them. Fourthly, that the reasons of this dealing may be iust, though not exprest vntounto vsus. Fiftly, that Christians are charged to be wise to sobrietie: they may not let their thoughts runne as farre as they will, but must let God alone with his secret iudgements. Sixtly, that the things are now strange and obscure, shall be more fully reuealed in the day of Christ, when all shall be cleered and made manifest.
Obiect.Obiect. But some Papist may say, it is plaine by these words, that the Scripture is hard, and not fit for the common people, seeing it is called a misterie?
Answ. This place cannot helpe them; because it is said, that now it is reuealed; and so their cauill comes out of season.Sol. 2 Because it is, and was hidden from carnall men, not from Gods seruants: wee doe not wonder though the Scriptures be as a soaled Booke vntounto such carnall wretches as they are.
Now reuealed. How the misterie is reuealed.] God hath reuealed the mistery of his Will diuers wayes: first, by Dreames: by Day-visions: by Types and Sacraments: by Angels: by Prophets, and extraordinary Men: by CHRIST, appearing in our Nature: by his Spirit: by the Scriptures, and by the ordinary Preaching of the Ministers Dreames, Visions, and Types, were peculiar in a manner to the olde Testament: the ministery of Christ, in his owne person: of the Prophets, and extraordinary Men, and Angels, is now ceased: so as vntounto vsus this Mysterie is reuealed, by the Spirit, in the ministery of Gods Seruants, and in the vse of the Scriptures.
Quest. Quest.But was not the Gospell reuealed till now, since CHRIST?
Answ. Ans.Yes, it was: as these places may proue, Iohn 8.56. Abraham saw his dayes, 1 Pet. 1.10.and Moses wrote of him. All the Prophets gaue witnesse vntounto Christ, Act. 10.43. Rom. 1.2. Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for euer, Hebr. 13.8. but the Gospell was hidden in respect of the time, of the manifestation, of the glory of Christ, especially, to the Gentiles, and diuers things in the manner of Christs kingdome were not reuealed vntounto them h1 Pet. 1.10.: as also in respect of cleerenesse of reuelation, and the more ordinary life and power of the graces of the Messias, and the more plentifull efusion of the gifts of the spirit. Fiftly, that it was not reuealed before, viz. as it is now, they had before Christ foreign, that is, the promise of the Messias to be exhibited, and wee hauehave foreign, the tidings of the Messias exhibited. Two things may be here obserued.
First, That Gods Seruants may know their owne particular blessednesse for he saith, it is reuealed to the Saints.
Secondly, that the seasons of the reuelation of the Gospell, in the power of it, are singular priuiledges, and greatly to be heeded, and therefore woe is to those soules that neglect such dayes of grace, it is double condemnation. It is damnable to sit in darkenesse, and hauehave no meanes of life, but it is much more the condemnation of these worlds of prophane persons, that light is come into the world: Iohn 3.yea, into the Countrie: yea, euen to their owne Townes and Congregations; and yet they will louelove darkenesse rather then light. And on the other side, it should teach men that know the times of such visitation, both to beare witnesse to the light, by presence, countenance, maintenance, and establishing of it for them and theirs; and also to walke as the children of the light, euen as a people exceedingly priuiledged, and blessed of God.
To his Saints.] The word Saint is somtime giuen to Christ iPsal. 16.10., somtimes to AngelskIob 15.15., somtimes to the blessed in heauenlMath. 27 52., somtimes to the faithful on earthmPsal. 16.3.. The Pope hath his Saints, and such are the choyse of the most desperate Traitors, as hee ordereth his Canonisations in our dayes: And the world hath his Saints to; and they are ciuill honest men: but here, by Saints, hee meaneth the Faithfull on Earth; and they are Saints, that are holy by the righteousnesse of Faith nAct. 26.18.: that hauehave the spirit of Sanctification o1 Cor. 3 16.17.: that are separate from sinners, by a holy calling pRom 16.: that are reformed from the principall euils of their former conuersation q1 Cor. 6.11.: that call vponupon the name of the Lord r1 Cor. 1.2.: that are consecrate to God in speciall holinesse of life.
Quest. But if a man liue ciuilly in the world, will not that serue the turne?
Answ. Quest.It will not: our righteousnesse must exceede the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees. Answ.And it may be profitable oft to recount the defects of the ciuill honest man.The defects of the ciuill honest man. First, he wants sinceritie in the first Table. Secondly, hee sticks not at the inward corruptions of the second Table. Thirdly, his praise is of men, in his best actions, or else some other corrupt ends. Fourthly, hee is wholy voyd of the inward worship of God, and in the outward hee is eyther secure or superstitious. Fiftly, hee neuer trauelled in the new birth for his honestie. Sixtly, hee wants the righteousnesse of Faith. Seauenthly, for the most part his heart is not sound nor vpright in his family, especially for matter of Gods worship.