An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 2 · Chapter 2 · Verse 3
VERS. 3.
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge.
In whom] In quo, is referred either to Christ or the Gospell, it is true either way: or rather both are conioyned together in one sense; In Christ who is the subiect of the Gospell, is all treasures &c, or in the Gospell as it intreats of Christ, is all treasures &c, so that these words conteine a third adiunct of the Gospell, and that is singular perfection of wisdome.
Note here with what feeling the Apostle speaks, when he falls vponupon the mention of Christ, and the Gospell: he abounds in powerfull affections and admirations of these things, which may wonderfully abase and humble vsus, for our barrennes both in thoughts and affections, and words, when we hauehave to deale with the things that belong to the kingdom of God.
Againe, if there be any such treasures in Christ and the Gospell, wee may conclude it is not in vaine to deuote our selues to the knowledge of Christ in the Gospel, though it cost vsus neuer so much paines or care or cost, and though we be neuer so much opposed by the flesh and the world.
Further, wee need not doubt but that all things needfull to saluation and happinesse, are conteyned in the word, here are treasures of wisdome and knowledge, wee need no traditions nor inuentions of men, nor decrees of Popes &c.
The vbiquitaries abuse this place to proue,Answer to the vbiquitaries. a reall communication, of the properties of the diuine nature to the humane. Now for answer to their cauill, diuers things may be propounded.
1. If the words be vnderstood of the Gospell, then their conceit wholy falls to the ground. 2. If they be vnderstood of Christ, yet there is no necessitie to vnderstand them, as these treasures are in Christ himselfe only, but as they are in his members by communication. 3. If as it is in him, yet it is not necessarie to vnderstand it of all knowledge in generall, but of that which is needfull for the saluation of the elect. 4. If of all knowledge, yet the Apostle saith not that it is in the soule of Christ, but in Christ. 5. If in the soule, what wisdome? not increate and infinite, but created wisdom.
Thus in generall.
In whom] Wisdome and knowledge are in Christ, in Angels, in men, but differently:The difference of knowledge in Christ and Angels and men. in Christ, by vnion, in Angels, by vision, in men, by reuelation. There are diuers gifts conferred vponupon the humane nature of Christ, the gift of personall vnion, the gift of office of mediator, and head of the Church, the gift of adoration, with his diuine nature, and the gifts they call habituall, which aboue the measure of men or angels are conferred vponupon him.
Which may comfort vsus against all our defects in our selues, for though we hauehave so many wants, yet we hauehave an head in whom wee hauehave all fulnesse, and it should be our course to make vse of this doctrine, by stirring vp our selues daily to lay hold vponupon Christ for the supply of our wants out of the riches of his grace.
Are hidden] The admirable excellencies of wisdome and knowledge in Christ are said to be hidden, 1. In respect of our apprehensions, because wee can neuer reach to the depth of them, 2. In respect of the crosse, that followed Christ and his members: for the crosse like a vaile obscured the glory of Christs perfections, both in himselfe, and the communication of his gifts to his members.
And may not this teach vsus singlenes of heart, and humilitie, euen more to seeke to be good then to seeme to be so? Christ was contented his treasures should be hidden, and shall we fret our selues when our drops of grace are not admired? shall it not be enough to vsus that we shall appeare in glory, when his glory shall be reuealed?
All treasures] Wisdome and knowledge in Christ is called treasures, not for the quantitie only, but for the worth also, for grace and knowledge are the best treasures.
Which may shew the miserie of all wicked persons, for in as much as they are not of Christ, they are destitute of the treasures of God: and contrariwise, they are most happie that hauehave Christ, for in him they finde all true treasure & riches, he cānot be poore that hath Christ, nor can he be rich that wants Christ.
Quest. But what is the cause that so many Christians want treasures, and yet professe Christ?
Answ. Either they want workmen, to digge for the mine, through want of Preachers: or else they digge for this treasure in a wrong earth, by seeking it, but not in the Scriptures: or else men know not the mine, when they finde it: or else they let the earth fall vponupon their worke, after they hauehave begun, through negligence in sleightlie working in their entrance.
Of knowledge and wisdome.] The different termes may note but the same knowledge in Christ, but for our capacities varied: It is true that there is in Christ a most admirable perfection, both of the knowledge of contemplation, and of the wisdome and discretion of working and practice, and thus it was in him, in his owne obedience, and is still by participation to his members to make them wise and discreet, as well as full of vnderstanding and iudgment: sure it is that Christ would be rich vntounto vsus, in the gift of holy discretion, as well as in the gift of holy vnderstanding, if wee would seeke it of him, for he is made vntounto vsus of God wisdome a1. Cor. 1.30., neither can true wisdome be found in any men vnderunder the sunne, that hauehave not the true grace of Christ, neither can any Christian be found without the grounds of heauenly wisdome, such wisdom I meane as none of the wisest men in the world could euer attaine, for though it be true, that there may be and are many deficiencies in such as otherwise truly feare God, yet if the best wisdome be inquired after, the meanest and simplest Christian doth exceed the greatest and exactest politician, or disputer of this world. For what wisdome can it be for a man to hauehave excelling skill to know the secrets of nature, or the order of ciuill affaires, or the wayes to aduance his own outward estate, and yet know no certaine and safe way how to saue his owne soule?