An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 2 · Chapter 2 · Verse 19
VERS. 19.
And not holding the head whereof all the bodie furnished and knit together by ioynts and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.
These words note the fourth thing, viz. their danger; they did it not only hypocritically, and ignorantly, and proudly, but also dangerously. Their danger is both laid downe and amplified in this verse; it is laid downe in these words, not holding the head: and amplified by a digression into the praises of the mysticall bodie of Iesus Christ for the vnion and increase thereof.
Not holding the head] These words shew that they that beleeue and practise such things are themselues out of Christ, and by this kinde of worship they draw men from Christ. Foure things may from hence be obserued.
1. That Angell-worship razeth the foundation, so that the Churches that practise it fall from Christ, and are not the true Churches of Christ, and this euidently proues the Church of Rome to be no true Church, because besides many other here heresies and idolatries, they maintaine the worshipping of Saints and Angells.
2. That hypocrisie, ignorance, and pride are inseparable companions of apostacie from Christ.
3. That there is a difference between sinne and sinne, error and error, euerie sinne or euerie error doth not cut vsus off from Christ; there be some sinnes be sinnes of infirmitie fGal 6.1.; Some sinnes be such as there remaines no more sacrifice for them gHeb. 6.; There be some ceremonies may be borne withall hRom 14.; Some ceremonies that abolish from Christ iGal. 5 3.; There be some errors of meere frailtie and ignorance kPsal. 19.; Some errors that altogether corrupt the minde, and make men destitute of the truth l1. Tim 6.4.. And therefore we should learne with all discerning to put a difference.mIud. 24.
4. That it is an vtter miserie not to be ioyned vntounto Christ; which imports a singular feeblenes in the hearts of men, that cannot be stirred with all heedfulnes to make sure their vnion with Christ.
Head] The dreame of Catharinus, that the Pope should be here meant, is to be scorned not confuted. The words notes the relation that is between Christ and the Church.
The creature stands in relation to Christ,Note 1. More generallie in existence, and …o all things are in him, Col. 1.16. more speciallie in vnion, and so man only is ioyned to Christ, but this vnion is threefold, for it is either naturall, or sacramentall, or mysticall; in the vnion of nature all men are ioined to Christ. In the vnion of Sacrament or signe all in the visible Church are ioyned to Christ. In the mysticall vnion in one body, onelyonly the faithfull are ioyned to Christ, and this is here meant.
And so we hauehave here occasion againe to take notice of this truth that the Church of Christ is ioyned vntounto Christ, in a most neere vnion, euen to Christ, as her head. The Doctrine hath beene largely handled in the former chapter, only from the renuing of the meditation of it, we may gather both comfort and instruction; comfort if we consider the louelove, presence, simpathie, influence, and communication of dignitie with which Christ doth honor vsus as our head: instruction also, for this may teach vsus to be carefull to obey Christ willingly as the member doth the head, and to carrie our selues so godly and discreetly, that we dishonor not our head.
From which all the body &c.] Hitherto of the danger as it is laide downe, now followeth the aggrauation by a digression into the praises of the Church the mysticall body of Christ; in generall three things may be obserued.
1. That by nature we are wonderfull blinde in the contemplation of the glory of the mysticall body of Christ, and therefore we had need to be often put in minde of it.
2. That one way to set out the fearefulnesse of sinne, is by the fairenesse of the blessings lost by it; the fairenesse of the body of Christ shewes the foulenesse of lumpes of prophanesse and apostacie.
3. Digressions are not alwaies,Note and absolutely vnlawfull, Gods spirit sometimes drawes aside the doctrine, to satisfie some soule which the teacher knoweth not, and sparingly vsed it quickneth attention; but I forbeare to plead much for it: because though God may force it, yet man should not frame it, and it is a most happie abilitie to speake punctually, directly to the point.
But in particular in these words the Church which is the body of Christ is praised for foure things. 1. For her originall or dependance vponupon Christ, of whom. 2. For ornament, furnished. 3. For vnion which is amplified, 1. by the parts knit together, 2. by the meanes iointes and bandes. 4. For her growth increasing with the increase of God.
Of whom] Doct. All the praise of the Church is from her head, for of her selfe she is blacke nCant. 1., she is but the daughter of Pharoe oPsal. 45., she was in her bloud when Christ first found her pEzech. 16., she needed to be washed from her spots and wrinkles qEph. 5., and therefore we should denie our selues and doe all in the name of Christ, who is our praise.
All the bodie] Doct. The care of Christ extends it selfe to eueryevery member aswell as any; obserue these ph…ases in scripture, eueryevery one that asketh rMath. 7.8., eueryevery one that heareth these words sMath. 7.24, eueryevery one that confesseth Christ tMat. 10.32., eueryevery one that is wearie and heauie laden uMat. 11 29., eueryevery one that the father hath giuen him *Ioh. 6.36., eueryevery one that calleth on the name of God x1. Cor. 1.2., and the like.
Vse is first for comfort, let not the Eunuch say I am a drie tree, or the stranger say the Lord hath seperated me from his people yEsay. 56.. Nor let the foote say I am not the eye z1. Cor. 12.&c. And secondly, we must learne of Christ to extend our louelove also to all Saints.
Body] It were to no purpose to tell that there are diuers bodies, terrestriall, celestiall, naturall, spirituall, a body of sinne, a body of death; it is Christs body is here spoken of: Christ hath a body naturall, and a body sacramentall, and a body mysticall: tis the mysticall body is here meant. The mysticall body of Christ is the companie of faithfull men, who by an vnutterable vnion are euerlastingly ioyned to Christ, though they are dispersed vp and downe the world, yet in a spirituall relation they are as neere together as the members of the body are; if we be faithfull, there can be no seperation from Christ and Christians, whatsoeuer become of vsus in our outward estate.
This body of Christ is commended for three things, ornament, vnion, and growth, and well are all put together, for not one can bee without the other, especiallie the first and the third, cannot be without the second: it is no wonder Christians cannot grow nor be furnished, if they bee not knit to Christ, they may be neere the body but not of the body. There is great difference betweene our best garments, and our meanest members; the worst member of the body will grow, yet the best raiment though it sit neuer so neere will not, so is not betweene wicked men professing Christ, and the godlie that are members of Christ indeed.
Of these three, vnion is of the essence of the body, the other two are adiuncts; the one needfull to the being, the other to the wel-being of the Church. First therefore of this vnion.
This vnion is two waies here set forth, 1. that it is, in these words, knit together. 2. How it is, in these words, by iointes and bands.
Knit together] The faithfull are knit together, 1. with Christ, 2. with Christians.
The priuiledges flowing from our vnion with Christ.Great is the glorie of Christians knit to Christ, for from that vnion with him flowes many excellent priuiledges, such are these,
1. The communication of names; the body is called sometimes by the name of the head, viz. Christ a1. Cor. 12.: and the head by the name of the body, viz. Israel bEsay. 49..
2. The influence of the vertue of the death & resurrection of Christ cRom. 6.. 3. The inhabitation of the spirit of Christ dRom. 8.. 4. Intercession e1. Ioh. 2.2.. 5. The communication of the secrets of Christ f1. Cor. 2.16.. 6. The testimonie of Iesus g1. Cor. 1.5.. 7. Expiation as he is the sacrifice, and passeouer offered for vsus h1. Cor. 5.7.. 8. Consolation in affliction i2. Cor. 1.5.. 9. Power against tentations k2. Cor. 11.9.. 10. The annointing or power of office to be Prophets, Kings, and Priests, vntounto God l2. Cor. 1.21.. 11. Vniuersall grace, not in respect of persons, that it reacheth to all the members onelyonly, but in respect of parts, that hee being the fulnesse that filleth all in all things mEph. 1.27.. 12. Sympathie in all miseries nHeb. 2.15.. 13. The sanctification of all occurrents in life or death oPhil. 1.21.. 14. Theresurrection of the body, both for matter pRom. 8.11.…, and prioritie q1. Thes. 4.16.. Lastly, the opening of heauen rHeb. 10.24., a lease whereof is granted and sealed and earnest giuen in this life sEph. 1.14.. Thus of vnion with Christ.
From their knitting with Christians, also arise excellent aduantages and prerogatiues; for hereby they hauehave right to the externall priuiledges, of Sion: they stand in relation to all Saints, they receiue the benefit of the praiers of the whole body, and from the knowne Saints they hauehave the light of example, fellowship in the Gospell, outward blessings for their sakes, assistance in the fight against the world, simpathie in afflictions, the profit of spirituall merciemercy, counsell, consolation, admonition &c. and lastly a part in their lot.
By ioyntes and bondes] The meaning is that Gods seruants are tied together, by as neere certaine and sure meanes, as any member in the body, can bee ioyned to the rest by ioynts and bands.
We are tied to Christ, both by his spirit, and by faith, and hope, and holy desires; we are tied to the Church, in one spirit, in one head, in the freedome and vse of his ordinances, the word and sacraments, in affection, in subordination of callings, and in the couenant of grace, and in the same lot of inheritance.
The vses of all follow. First if we be thus tied to Christ by ioints and bands, then they are to be reproued that like it so well to bee still chained in the bonds of iniquitie, and seeke not this holy vnion, let them take heede they be not reserued vntounto euerlasting bonds. But especially the meditation hereof should worke in vsus a hatred of fornication, and that filthie coupling with an harlot t1. Cor. 6.15., and we should take heede of offending, wounding or wronging the brethren, for thereby men sinne against Christ himselfe to whom they are vnited u1. Cor. 8.11.12., and it should seperate vsus from sinners *2 Cor. 6.15., and cause vsus to striue to shew our selues new creatures x2. Cor. 5.17., and to seeke those thinges that are aboue where our head and sauiour is yCol. 3.1.. Here also is great comfort, for our vnion with Christ may assure vsus that we shall not be destitute of any heauenly gift, needfull for this life or the appearing of Christ, for present sanctification or future preseruation, for God is faithfull who hath called vsus to this fellowship with his sonne. And seeing we are tied with such ioints and bands, who shall seperate vsus from the louelove of Christ aRom. 8..
Againe are we vnited to Christians and knit together as fellow members? then we should be faithfull in the vse of our owne gifts, and diligent in our callings for the common good bRom. 12.6.7 8, to all weldoing, to doe it with louelove, sinceritie, and brotherly affection cv. 9.10., yeelding honor to the places and gifts of others dv. 10., with all vprightnes, diligence, and respect of Gods glorie ev. 11., with hope, patience, praier fv. 12., with merciemercy, Sympathie and humilitie. Thus of vnion: ornament, followes.
Furnished] The Church is furnished with vnsearchable riches hEph 2.9.,gv. 13.15.16. with all sorts of spirituall blessings in heauenly things iEphes. 1 3., she is cleansed by the bloud of Christ kHeb. 9.14., Christ is her wisedome, righteousnesse, and sanctification, and redemption l1. Cor. 1.3., she is not destitute of any heauenly gift m2. Cor. 1.6., and this he tooke order for when he ascended on high and led captiuitie captiue nEph 4.7.. Oh then that the louelove of Christ could constraine vsus, and that the spirit of Christ would inlighten vsus to see the riches of our calling, and the glorious inheritance of the Saints? Thus of ornament: growth followeth.
Increasing with the increase of God] Growth is a maruellous glorie to Christians.
The body of Christ groweth,Wherein the Church groweth. 1. In the number of parts or members, men being added daily to the Church. 2. In the powerfull vse of the meanes, of saluation. 3. In grace o2. Pet. 3. vlt., as knowledge, and the like. 4. In practise of holy duties qPhil. 1.11..pCol. 1.9 10.11 5. In the strength of Christ rEph 3.16. Lets of growth..
There are many lets of the growth of grace and holinesse in Christians, some are secret some open; the secret are 1. Want of the true grace. 2. A profession aduanced for ill ends, inward hipocrisie. 3. Errors and wicked opinions, either concerning the doctrine of godlinesse, or the practise of it s2. Pet. 3.17.18.. 4. Want of knowledge how to performe holy duties, and faith to beleeue Gods acceptation. 5. Strong affections t1. Cor. 3.3. Eph. 4.30.31.. 6. Spirituall pride u2 Cor. 12.6.7. 7. LoueLove of ease, or loathnesse to endure, either the labour or the trouble of the power of godlinesse. 8. Want of internall order, in digesting the comforts or directions of God, and vnsettlednesse in assurance. And lastly, some secret corruptions which they fauor and will not forgo.
The open and externall lets are, 1. Want of publicke powerfull meanes *Eph. 4.12. &c.. 2. Discord with the members of Christ xEph. 4 16.. 3. Neglect of priuate meanes. 4. Want of order of life yCol. 2.6.5.. 5. Vnfaithfulnesse in other bonds z1 Pet. 3.7.. 6. Secret detractors and backbiters. 7. Vngodly companie. 8. Liuing without a particular calling, or not diligently in it. 9. Worldlinesse as in Demas. Lastly, resisting of counsell and admonition.
There are diuers motiues euen in this text which may perswade vsus to striue after increase, 1. It will be a signe thou art farre from fundamentall errors, in opinion or worship, and from pride and hipocrisie. 2. Thou shouldest do it for thine heads sake, dishonor not thine head by thy not increasing. 3. Increase for the good and glory of the body. Lastly, it is the increasing of God and so it is foure waies,It is the increasing of God in foure respects. 1. In respect of kinde, it is not a thriuing in estate or temporall things, but in the things of God. 2. As he is the efficient cause of it, God only is the author of all holy increase. 3. In regard of the worth of the matter, it is a diuine thing to increase. 4. In respect of the end, it tends to Gods glorie.
Three things that make men grow.That we may increase we must looke to three things, 1. That wee often purge our hearts by godlie sorrow, and humiliation for our sinnes. 2. That we louelove brotherly fellowship. 3. That we willingly resigne our selues to the ministry of the gospell, to be subiect, and obey it in all things.
And thus farre of the conclusion against Philosophie the last branch of the conclusion followes.