Ten Sermons for the Worthy Receiving of the Lords Supper, Paraphrase of Colossians
A profitable Metaphraſe vponupon the Epiſtle of Paul to the Coloſsians.
CHAP. 1.
I Paul vnderſtanding that there are, that go about to ſpoile you, and to make a prey of you, partly by ſhew of wiſedome and Philoſophy, and partly by the beggerly Elements of the world or Ceremonies of the Iewes, thought it needfull to write vntounto you, that according as ye hauehave receiued Ieſus Chriſt at the firſt, euen ſo that you would both abide and proceede further in him, that you may be rooted and further built in the faith.
Verſ. 1. Paul an Apoſtle of Ieſus Christ, by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother.
ANd that I write vntounto you, know, that I do it with warrant: for I am an Apoſtle of Ieſus Chriſt, and not tied to any particular congregation, or to one prouince, yea or to one kingdome; but am an Ambaſſadour, and hauehave commiſſion to all the world. Neither do I come to this charge of mine owne will, or of the will of any other man, but by the will of God, and the ſame his reuealed will. And albeit my authority herein be ſufficient to conuince all men of the truth I write of, yet for further and ſtronger confirmation thereof, I hauehave ioyned Timotheus, my welbeloued brother, to beare record with me, that in the mouth of two witneſſes, the truth may be more ſurely eſtabliſhed.
Verſe 2. To them which are at Coloſſe, Saints, and faithfull brethren in Chriſt: Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Ieſus Chriſt.
And conſidering that the bleſſing of all labour dependeth vponupon the Lord, our beginning is with hearty prayer vntounto God for the grace and fauour of God, to be freely giuen, together with all bleſſings, both of this life, and of that which is to come, from GOD the Father, and from our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, to you Coloſſians; yet not all that dwell in that citiy, but to thoſe which by faith are Saints and brethren, not in the fleſh, but in Ieſus Chriſt.
Verſe. 3. We giuegive thanks vntounto God euen the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, alwaies praying for you.
And that you may hauehave further teſtimony of our louelove towards you, know you that we do continually both pray & giuegive thanks to God for you: whom, to ſeparate from all falſe Gods, I call the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.
Verſe. 4. Since we heard of your faith in Chriſt Ieſus, and of your louelove towards all Saints.
For the report of your profeſſion and piety in Ieſus Chriſt, and of your louelove towards all Saints, is come vntounto vsus.
Verſe. 5. For the hopes ſake which is laid vp for you in heauen, whereof ye hauehave heard before by the word of truth, which is the Goſpell.
Which both profeſſion and louelove we know to be ſincere, in that they are vpholden in you through the hope & expectation of a treaſure laid vp, not on earth but in heauen; which hope you hauehave conceiued, not of your owne fantaſie, or of the word of any man, but by the word of truth, that is to ſay the Goſpell.
Verſe. 6. VVhichWhich is come vntounto you, euen as it is vntounto all the world: and is fruitfull, as it is alſo among you, from the day that ye heard, and truly knew the grace of God.
And if you aske what is that truth or Goſpell? verily none other then that which is preached among you now: which is not among you alone, but is preached in all the world: a certaine note of the truth therof: there hauing neuer bin, nor euer ſhall be any doctrine, which hath leauened ſo great a lump of dow as is the world, but only the Goſpell. And for further aſſurance that it is the truth of God, I offer this to your conſideration, that as in other places of the world, ſo among you it hath brought forth fruit, euen from the firſt time you hauehave truly and ſincerely acknowledged this grace of God.
Verſe. 7. As ye alſo learned of Epaphras our deare fellow ſeruant, which is for you a faithfull Minister of Chriſt.
Where if you ſay, we know not what doctrine is preached in all the world, nor what fruit it hath brought forth; although it be no other thing then the common & conſtant report which many may bring vntounto you: yet to ioyne neare vntounto you, and to ridde you of all doubt, which is the true Goſpell of Chriſt, it is euen the very ſame that you hauehave learned of Epaphras; whom if you louelove me, you muſt louelove, as being my beloued fellow ſeruant in Chriſt: yea, if you louelove your ſelues you muſt reſpect him, as being a faithfull Miniſter of Chriſt for you.
Verſe 8. VVho hath alſo declared vntounto vsus your louelove, which yee hauehave by the Spirit.
Who made manifeſt vntounto vsus your true louelove, not onelyonly naturall, but that eſpecially which is ſpirituall, whereof the Spirit is the author.
Verſe. 9. For this cauſe we alſo, ſince the day we heard of it, ceaſe not to pray for you, and to deſire that yee might be fulfilled with knowledge of his will, in all wiſedome, and ſpirituall vnderſtanding.
And as we giuegive thankes for your good, and ſo for the ſame cauſe that you hauehave well begun (both becauſe you ſhould not go backe againe, and for that you hauehave not attained to perfection,) euen from the firſt day we heard of you, we neuer giuegive ouer praying for you, making this ſuit, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wiſedome and vnderſtanding, whereof the holy Ghoſt is the Author.
Verſe. 10. That ye might walke worthy of the Lord, and pleaſe him in all things, being fruitfull in all good workes, and increaſing in the knowledge of God.
Not that you ſhould content your ſelues with a bare knowledge and contemplation of heauenly things, but that you walke worthy of thoſe whom the Lord hath called to ſuch honor, to a full and whole pleaſing of him, both by bringing forth frunt in eueryevery good worke, and by being increaſed in the knowledge of God.
Verſe. 11. Strengthened with all might, through his glorious power, vntounto all patience and long ſuffering with ioyfullneſſe.
Wherein becauſe there are many difficulties and hinderances laid in your waye, our ſuit alſo is, that you may be ſtrengthened with all manner of ſtrength, according to that glorious power, which being in God, he is able to furniſh you with; that euen with ioy, you may be able to beare all troubles, how grieuous and how continuall ſoeuer they be.
Verſ. 12. Giuing thanks vntounto the Father, which hath made vsus meete to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light.
And as we giuegive not ouer praying for you, ſo doe we not ceaſe to giuegive thanks to God the Father, becauſe that it is he that by his holy Spirit hath made vsus fit to hauehave a part in the inheritance of Saints: whom whether we conſider as they are in this world by reaſon of the comfort and true knowledge of God, or as they ſhall be in the world to come, by reaſon of their perfect bleſſedneſſe, may well be ſaid to be in light.
Verſ. 13. Who hath deliuered vsus from the power of darkneſſe, and hath tranſlated vsus into the kingdome of his deare Sonne,
This parte of our inheritance ſtandeth firſt, in that God with a mercifull hand pulled vsus out, both of the preſent darkneſſe of ignorance, and diſobedience, and from that which is to come, euen the moſt fearful puniſhment of them both. And ſecondly, it ſtandeth in this, that the ſame God hath tranſlated vsus into the kingdome of his moſt deare Sonne, which being here begun, ſhall be accompliſhed in the life to come.
Verſ. 14. In whom we hauehave redemption through his bloud, that is, the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes,
In which his deare Sonne we hauehave a full redemption, whereof one parte which is our iuſtification, we hauehave already receiued, waiting for that which remaineth, euen the redemption of our bodies: all which redemption is purchaſed vntounto vsus in the obedience of the Sonne, which obedience was ſpecially and moſt ſignificantly declared in the ſhedding of his bloud.
Verſ. 15. VVho is the image of the inuiſible God, the firſt borne of eueryevery creature.
This Chriſt, that you may know what plentifull and rich redemption you hauehave in him, to the end that you may reſt in him alone, is thus ſet forth vntounto you as followeth. As touching his perſon ſtanding of two natures, he is the moſt liuely and expreſſe Image and character of God, not only of his qualities, (if yet there were any qualities in the Godhead) but of his very nature and eſſence: in whom we behold God which is inuiſible, and touch him which is vnfeelable, which is the principal heire of all the creatures in the world, in whom wee that beleeue hauehave right vntounto them.
Verſ. 16. For by him were all things created, which are in heauen, and which are in earth, things viſible and inuiſible: whether they be Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers, all thinges were created by him, and for him.
For by him all thinges are created in heauen and in earth, viſible and inuiſible, euen the Angels themſelues, to the worſhipping of whom ye are ſeduced: and amongſt them all of what degree or place ſoeuer they be: whether they ſit in Thrones, or whether they hauehave Lordſhip, principalitie or power ouer other Angels, all things are made by him, and for him,
Verſ. 17. And he is before all things, and in him all thinges conſiſt.
Wherefore he is before all things, and all things hauehave their continuance, and are vpholden by him.
Verſ. 18. And he is the head of the body of the Church: he is the beginning, and the firſt borne of the dead, that in all things he might hauehave the preeminence.
And as touching his office which he executeth in reſpect of both natures, he is the head of the Church which is his body, and he is the firſt fruites and firſt begotten of the dead, not onelyonly in reſpect that himſelfe is riſen, but alſo that he is the authour of reſurrection, which is here begun, & ſhal be perfected in the laſt day, when he ſhall change theſe vile bodies, and make them like his glorious body.
Verſ. 19. For it pleaſed the Father, that in him ſhould all fulneſſe dwell.
For in him it is the good pleaſure of GOD, that the grace of the Spirit, ſhould without meaſure fully dwell.
Verſ. 20. And by him to reconcile all things vntounto himſelfe, and to ſet at peace through the bloud of his Croſſe, both the things in earth, and the things in heauen.
That by him he might reconcile vntounto himſelfe, making peace by the death of his croſſe, betweene God and all men, whether it be they which hauing beleeued in him before his coming, are now in heauen: or thoſe which beeing in earth, doe beleeue in him.
Verſ. 21 And you which were in times paſt ſtrangers and enimies, becauſe your minds were ſet in euill workes, hath he now alſo reconciled.
Wherefore hauing reconciled all vntounto himſelfe, he hath reconciled you alſo; which benefit that it may be the better eſteemed, conſider what ye were when he reconciled you, ſtrangers from GOD, yea enimies in your very vnderſtanding, which is the chiefeſt, and therefore much more in other parts: which enmity was made manifeſt by your euill works.
Verſ. 22. In the body of his fleſh through death, to make you holy, and vnblameable, and without fault in his ſight.
I ſay, now he hath reconciled you in his humaine nature, like vntounto ours, by his death, to the end he might make you holy and without ſpot, and blamleſſe in all ſincerity, as before himſelfe.
23. If yee continue grounded and ſtabliſhed in the faith, and be not moued away from the hope of the Goſpell, whereof ye hauehave heard, and which hath bene preached to eueryevery creature which is vnderunder heauen, whereof I Paul am a Miniſter.
And this reconciliation know no otherwiſe to belong vntounto you, then ye abide grounded and ſetled in faith, and be not carried away from the hope you hauehave heard in the goſpell: the truth whereof appeareth, in that in ſo ſhort a time it hath bene preached to al nations vnderunder the cope of heauen; of which goſpell I my ſelfe am a Miniſter.
24. Now reioyce I in my ſufferings for you, and fulfill the reſt of the afflictions of Christ in my fleſh, for his bodies ſake which is the Church.
Wherein it ought not to diſmay you, that I am in bonds, ſeeing my ſelfe doe reioyce in it: ſeeing it is not for redemption (which Chriſt alone hath wrought) but for the confirmation of your faith, and example of your patience: and ſeeing thereby are fulfilled the paſſions which are yet wanting vntounto the body of Chriſt, which is the Church, which muſt be like vntounto Chriſt her head in ſuffering, that it may be like vntounto him in glory. And finally ſince it is not for your good alone, but for the good of the whole body of Chriſt, which is the Church.
Verſ. 25. Whereof I am a Miniſter, according to the diſpenſation of God, which is giuen me vntounto youward, to fulfill the word of God.
Whereof as of the Goſpell I am a Miniſter, and that by the ordinance of GOD, who committed a ſtewardſhip vntounto me, that in you might be fulfilled the word of God.
verſ. 26. which is the myſtery hid ſince the world began, and from all ages, but now is made manifeſt to his Saints.
I meane the ſecret of the Goſpell, ſo worthily called, for that it hath bene hidden from all times and generations hitherto: and now is made manifeſt not to all, but to his Saints.
verſ. 27. To whom God would make knowen what is the riches of his glorious myſterie among the Gentiles, which riches is Chriſt in you, the hope of glory.
Euen to as many as God of his good wil would make knowen the glorious riches of his ſecret among the Gentiles, which glorious riches is Chriſt in you, the ſame alone, by whom we may hope for glory.
verſ. 28. VVhom we preach, admoniſhing eueryevery man, and teaching eueryevery man in all wiſedome, that we may preſent eueryevery man perfect in Chriſt Ieſus.
The ſame alſo, whom we do preach, partly admoniſhing all ſorts of men, and partly teaching all ſorts of men, all heauenly wiſedome; thereby to preſent men of all ſorts, perfectly wiſe, and bleſſed through Ieſus Chriſt.
verſ. 29. VVhereunto I alſo labour and ſtriue, according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
whereunto I labour ſore, ſtriuing forcibly, which yet would be vnfruitfull, were it not that God worketh by his Spirit mightily with my Miniſtery.
The end of the firſt Chapter.
CHAP. 2.
Verſ. 1. For I would ye knewe what great fighting I hauehave for your ſakes, and for them of Laodicea, and for as many as hauehave not ſeene my perſon in the fleſh.
THAT which I ſay of my grieuous labour and ſtrife for all men, is truly verified of you: for I would not hauehave you ignorant of the great agony and ſtrife for you, and for thoſe that are in the Church of Laodicea, and others that are about you in the Countries of Phrigia, notwithſtanding that they neuer ſaw my perſon.
verſ. 2. That their hearts might be comforted, & they knit together in louelove, and in all riches of the full aſſurance of vnderstanding, to know the myſterie of God euen the Father, and of Chriſt.
And my care and thought is, that through the preaching of the Goſpell you might be comforted at the heart, by a knitting, ſetling together, and compacting of your minds one to another, through aboundance of perſwaded vnderſtanding, and acknowledgement of the myſterie of GOD, that is to ſay, of the Father, and of Chriſt.
verſe 3. In whom are hid all the treaſures of wiſedome and knowledge.
In which Chriſt are all the treaſures of wiſedome and knowledge treaſured vp, but yet hidden from the naturall man.
verſ. 4. And this I ſay, leſt any man ſhould beguile you with inticing words.
T… drift of all the commendations of the preaching of the Goſpell, and of Chriſt, whom the Goſpell doth ſet forth and preach vntounto you, is, that no man by apparent and perſwaſible ſpeeches doe tranſport you.
verſ. 5. For though I be abſent in the fleſh, yet am I with you in the ſpirit, reioycing, and beholding your order, and your stedfast faith in Chriſt,
Where if you aſke, how I that neuer ſaw you, ſhould be thus carefull of you: and ſhould care for you ſo much, that neuer came to ſee you? know, that although I be abſent as touching the fleſh, yet I am preſent with you as touching the ſpirit, reioycing to ſee your good order, and policy of the Church, cauſed through the ſoundneſſe of the faith which is towards Chriſt.
verſ. 6. As ye hauehave therefore receiued Chriſt Ieſus the Lord, ſo walke in him.
Wherfore as you hauehave receiued the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, ſo let it appeare by your conuerſation, as in all other things, ſo in holding faſt the truth of the Goſpell.
verſ. 7. Rooted and built in him, and ſtabliſhed in the faith, as ye hauehave bene taught, abounding therein with thanksgiuing.
Being rooted and builded in him, and ſtrengthened in the faith, and that with thankeſgiuing for the mercy you hauehave receiued in Chriſt
verſ. 8. Beware leſt there be any man that ſpoile you through philoſophy, and vaine deceit, through the traditions of men, according to the rudimentes of the world, and not after Chriſt.
Looke about you by ſound knowledge of the truth, leſt any of what opinion, holineſſe, or learning ſoeuer, by either ſhew of reaſon comming from the braine of men, which hath bene receiued from hand to hand, and yet is nothing elſe but a deceipt or ſleight, or elſe by the ceremonies of the Law, wherewith as by certaine rudiments or ABC, the people of God as children were trained to this perfection of doctrine, which now hath ſhined out vntounto you, do vanquiſh you, & draw you before them, as priſoners faſt bound in chaines and manacles of errours: yea take heed of any doctrine whatſoeuer, that either taketh any thing away from Chriſt, or placeth any the leaſt iote of ſaluation otherwhere than in him.
verſ. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulneſſe of the Godhead bodily
For ſeeing that in the nature of Chriſt, the fulneſſe of the Godhead doth perſonally reſt and abide, that both the natures of the Godhead & the manhood, make but one Chriſt, what is there needfull for your ſaluation, that you may not hauehave aboundantly in him?
verſe. 10. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all Principality and Power.
Conſidering that this fulneſſe of all graces which is in him, he hath not for himſelfe but for you, with all whatſoeuer you hauehave neede of vntounto ſaluation.
And the ſame Chriſt howſoeuer a little inferiour to Angels, as touching his manhood, yet now according to his manhood is head, not onelyonly of the Church (as is aforeſaid) but of all Powers and Principalities that are in heauen; whereby may appeare their error, which worſhip Angels.
Verſe 11. In whom alſo yee are circumciſed with circumciſion made without hands, by putting off the ſinfull body of the fleſh, through the circumciſion of Chriſt.
Hauing all fulneſſe and ſufficiency in him, it followeth that what you would hauehave you ſeeke it him, which is the circumciſion of the fore-skin, who was circumciſed not for himſelfe, but for you. And in him you hauehave a more plentifull circumciſion then that which you ſo greedily purſue: for that is made with the bodily hands of man, which can go no further than the fleſh: whereas this circumciſion is made with the finger of God, which entreth into the heart: whereof one fruit is, the cutting off of the whole body and maſſe of ſinne, which riſeth and buddeth from the carnall corruption of originall ſinne.
Verſe. 12. In that ye are buried with him through Baptiſme, in whom ye are alſo raiſed vp together, through the faith of the operation of God, which raiſed him from the dead.
Where if you reply, that Abraham and other godly Patriarkes, and Fathers vnderunder the law, had this circumciſion of the heart, and yet notwithſtanding receiued the outward cutting of the fore-skin, for a ſeale of that inward circumciſion, I grant; and therefore you hauehave for an outward ſeale of your inward cutting & purging your corruption, the Sacrament of Baptiſme: a ſeale, that with Chriſt you are buried vntounto ſinne: that ſin is truly mortified and deadned in you, that it ſhould no more raigne ouer you, nor you ſhould liue to it.
Another fruit alſo of this circumciſion, whereof Baptiſme is a ſeale, is, that with Chriſt you are raiſed vp to newneſſe of life, through faith, which God hath wrought in you by the ſame almighty power, whereby he hath raiſed Chriſt from the dead.
Verſe. 13. And ye which were dead in ſinnes, and in the vncircumciſion of your fleſh, hath he quickned together with him, forgiuing you all your treſpaſſes.
And no maruell though you hauehave neede of the ſame power to quicken you, which the Father declared in the raiſing vp of his Sonne, ſeeing alſo you are dead in ſinnes, ſhadowed and ſet forth by the circumciſion of the fleſh, and at once quickned together with him, in hauing all your ſinnes forgiuen you.
Verſe. 14. And putting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was againſt vsus, which was contrary to vsus, he euen tooke it out of the way, and faſtned it vponupon the Croſſe.
As by his death he hath gotten vsus remiſſion of ſinnes, ſo by the ſame he hath blotted out the hand-writing which was witneſſe of our ſinnes, as of a debt, wherein we ſtood bound to God: which hand-writing, ſtandeth in rites and ceremonies of the law, which by his death is not onelyonly blotted out, but by the ſame nailes whereby the bleſſed hands and feet were nailed to the croſſe, as it were nayled through and cancelled.
Verſe. 15. And hath ſpoyled the Principalities, and Powers, and hath made a ſhew of them openly, and hath triumphed ouer them in the ſame croſse.
Neither is it maruell if by his Croſſe theſe enemies were done away, ſeeing vponupon the ſame croſſe he hath ſpoiled the Diuell, and all the power and hoaſt of Hell: and hauing diſarmed them, he made an open ſhew of them, triumphing vponupon them in his Croſſe, where they thought vtterly to hauehave vanquiſhed and ouercome him.
verſe. 16. Let no man therefore condemne you in meate and drinke, or in reſpect of an holy day, or of the new moone, or of the Sabbath dayes.
Wherefore as by this meanes, circumciſion is taken away, ſo likewiſe is taken away difference of all meates and dayes. Therefore as in Chriſt, no man ſhould condemne you for the vſe of any meate and drinke, or in reſpect of a feaſt day, whether it be new Moone, or the three ſolemne Sabbaths; ſo if any man either ignorantly, or maliciouſly do condemne you, you ſhall not need to feare their iudgement.
verſe. 17. Which are but a ſhadow of things to come: but the body is in Chriſt.
Conſidering that theſe things were but ſhadowes, which hauehave no more place, Chriſt the head being come.
verſe. 18. Let no man at his pleaſure beare rule ouer you by humbleneſſe of minde, and worſhipping of Angels, aduancing himſelfe in thoſe things which he neuer ſaw, raſhly puft vp with his fleſhly minde.
Now hauing ſpoken of the Elements of the world, which are the ceremonies of the law, I come to the vaine Philoſophy I gaue you warning of; againſt the which I obſerue this rule, that you giuegive no man, of what ſhew ſoeuer, this power ouer you, that for his owne luſt, in matters pertaining to God, he vſurpe authority, howſoeuer the doctrine he bring, carry a ſhew of humility: as for example, thoſe that teach the worſhipping of Angels, as meanes to come more eaſily to Chriſt. In which thing, what do they elſe but thruſt thēſelues into things they neuer knew, only grounded vponupon a proud conceit of their fleſhly minde, notwithſtanding their great pretence of humility?
verſe. 19. And holdeth not the head, whereof all the body furniſhed and knit together by ioynts and bands, increaſeth with the increaſing of God.
Which errour ought ſo much the more to be abhorred, as they which are infected with it, do not indeede, whatſoeuer they do in word, hold Chriſt faſt, which is the head of the Church: of whō the whole body, as it were by ioints and bonds, being furniſhed and compact together, is enriched & increaſed with an increaſe, which God both alloweth and giueth.
verſe. 20. Wherefore if ye be dead with Chriſt, from the ordinances of the world, why, as though ye liued in the world, are yee burdened with traditions?
Now ſeeing you are dead with Chriſt, by whoſe death you are deliuered from the ceremonies of Gods owne law, wherewith as with certaine rudiments the people of the Iewes were trained to further perfection, which now they hauehave attained vntounto in the doctrine of the Goſpell; why as though you liued ſtil in the world, do you ſuffer your ſelues to be charged with the ceremonies of the world?
verſe. 21. As, Touch not, taſte not, handle not.
I ſay that which you and your falſe teachers ſay, Touch not ſuch a thing, taſte not ſuch a meate, handle not ſuch a one.
verſe. 22. Which all periſh with the vſing, and are after the commandements and doctrines of men.
All which things ſeeing that through the vſe of them they are conſumed, hauehave no ſtrength to life euerlaſting, eſpecially being nothing but the doctrines and commandements of men.
verſe. 23. Which things hauehave indeede a ſhew of wiſedome in voluntary religion, and humbleneſſe of minde, and in not ſparing the body: neither hauehave they it in any estimation to ſatisfie the fleſh.
I deny not but that they hauehave a colour and ſhew of wiſedome, partly, in that in them there is a worſhip ouer and aboue that which God hath commanded, to whom no ſeruice is ſufficient which we can do: partly through a kinde of humility, and partly in a hard vſage of the body: which yet are of no price, ſeeing they are of things wherewith the fleſh is filled.
CHAP. 3.
Verſ. 1. If ye then be riſen with Christ, ſeeke thoſe things which are aboue where Chriſt ſitteth at the right hand of God.
BEing through faith ingrafted and incorporated into Chriſt, (as hath bene ſaid, & as your ſelues profeſſe) as touching, ſinne dead and buried with him: and as touching newneſſe of life, quickned and riſen againe: Now if in truth you be riſen with Chriſt, then as Chriſt riſing remained not here on earth, but aſcended vp into heauen, where vnderunder God, as touching his manhood, he is exalted in power and maieſty aboue all powers and principalities, in heauen and earth; ſo you by ſeeing & ſeeking after the graces that come from aboue, aſcend vp whither he is gone.
verſ. 2. Set your affections on thinges which are aboue, and not on things which are one the earth.
And to the intent you may carefully ſeeke after them, ye muſt firſt fauour and ſet your affections vponupon the things that are aboue, and conſequently not to ſet your affections vponupon either the former corruptions of falſe doctrine, or elſe vponupon the defilements of a corrupt conuerſation of life: or finally vponupon the periſhable tranſitory things of this baſe world, all which are meere earthly.
verſe. 3. For yee are dead, and your life is hid with Chriſt in God.
VntoUnto which diſtaſte of earthly things you are called, in that you beeing riſen with Chriſt, are conſequently dead with him. Where if haply you ſhould obiect, that there is ſmall wiſedome to quitte your former life, not being aſſured of another, and ſhould aske how it ſhould appeare you liue, ſeeing beſides the afflictions you are expoſed vntounto, you feele the dayly incumbrance of ſinne, which dwelleth in your mortall bodies: It is true that it is not ſo apparant, as that which is hidden from the world, and of your ſelues not ſo fully and feelingly vnderſtood. Howbeit that ought not to diſmay you: firſt, for that it is laid vp with God, who is a true keeper of it. And ſecondly for that as your life is hidden, ſo is Chriſts life and glory, who is the head.
Verſe. Iſay 60 17.19. and 65.19. Mat. 17.4. When Chriſt which is our life, ſhall appeare, then ſhall ye alſo appeare with him in glory.
And laſtly, for that when Chriſt, of whom you hauehave life, ſhall be made manifeſt in glory, then ſhall you alſo with him appeare glorious.
verſe 5 Mortifie therefore your members which are on the earth, fornication, vncleanneſse, the inordinate affection, euill concupiſcence, and couetouſneſſe, which is idolatry,
Wherefore being aſſured of another life, mortifie your members that are earthly and carnal. If you aſke what? I cannot reckon vp all, but I will touch ſome, thoſe ſpecially that you are infected with, wherby you may eaſily conceiue of the reſt, ſuch as are fornication, vncleane behauior, wantonneſſe, euill concupiſcence, and coueteouſneſſe, which beſides the exceſſiue deſire of goods, is a kind of idolatry, for that men do put their truſt in riches, that are couetous.
Verſe 6. For the which things ſake the wrath of God commeth on the children of diſobedience.
For eueryevery one of the which, the wrath of God commeth on thoſe that remaine in them.
Verſe. 7. Wherein yee alſo walked once, when ye liued in them.
And the rather mortifie theſe ſinnes as in times paſt you hauehave practiſed them, when being giuen vntounto them, your naturall corruption as a kind of life, gaue power and mouing for the practiſe of them.
Verſe 8. But now put ye away euen all theſe things, wrath, anger, maliciouſneſſe, curſed ſpeaking, filthy ſpeaking out of your mouth.
Now therefore that you are called to the hope of a beter life, lay aſide farre from you, as things you cannot abide the ſight of, not onelyonly the groſſer ſinnes before mentioned, but alſo all manner of ſinne, without endeuour whereof, there is no true mortification. For example, anger, heate, from whence commeth malice, which breaketh out at the mouth, by railing and reuiling.
Verſe 9. Lye not one to another, ſeeing that ye hauehave put off the old man with his workes.
Specially when you cannot truly charge them, take heede you lye not one againſt another: but putting off as an old and rotten garment, the old man which you bring from your mothers womb, with the actions thereof, as it were ſo many tatters.
Verſe 10. And hauehave put on the new, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him.
Now leſt being found naked you be aſhamed, put on, as a new and comely garment, the new man: which if you aske what it is, it is the ſame part which is renewed in you, to the likeneſſe of him that made you: which likeneſſe conſiſteth in the knowledge of God.
Verſe 11. Where is neither Grecian nor Iew, circumciſion nor vncircumciſion, Barbarian, Scythian, bond, free: but Chriſt is all, and in all things.
Whereby ſhall come to paſſe, that howſoeuer the falſe teachers place it in beeing a Iew, rather than beeing a Gentile: circumciſed rather than vncircumciſed: and the opinion of the common ſort is, that the Barbarian and Scythian is in a farre worſe caſe than the Romane, and the ſeruant but a beaſt in reſpect of the free man: yet with God there is no difference, ſeeing Chriſt, whom by a new birth they hauehave put on, is in all, and is all that God reſpecteth, and accepteth of.
Verſe 12. Now therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloued, put on tender mercy, kindneſſe, humbleneſſe of minde, meekneſſe, long ſuffering.
To come to a more particular deſcription of the new man, deck your ſelues (as it becommeth the elect of God, and ſuch as are holy through his louelove the cauſe both of your election and holineſſe) with tender compaſſion, eaſineſſe to be imployed, humility, mildneſſe, long ſuffering.
Verſe 13. For bearing one another, and forgiuing one another, if any man hauehave a quarrell to another: euen as Christ forgaue you, euen ſo do yee.
Which vertues muſt be declared effectually, not onelyonly in forbearing one another, but alſo in frankly forgiuing one another, if any hauehave a quarrell one againſt another, euen as Chriſt hath frankly forgiuen you, euen ſo do yee.
Verſe 14. And aboue all theſe things, put on louelove, which is the bond of perfectneſſe.
And though thoſe be ſingular vertues, yet aboue them all, as the roote and mother of them, decke your ſelues with louelove, which is as it were a bond to bind in a bundle thoſe, and all other vertues tending to perfection; and without which there is no foundneſſe in any of them, what glittering ſhew ſoeuer they carry.
Verſe 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body, and be ye amiable.
And though the ſpirit of the old man within you, hath a deſire to contend, yet let the peace of God beare the ſway and ouercome: vntounto the which peace you are euidētly called, in that you are members of one myſticall body. For the better entertainment of which peace, be gratefull one to another, as well in conferring, as in requiting benefites.
Verſe. 16. Let the word of Chriſt dwell in you plenteouſly in all wiſdome, teaching and admoniſhing your owne ſelues in Pſalmes and Hymnes, and ſpirituall ſongs, ſinging with a grace in your hearts to the Lord.
To the end you may refraine all the vices aforeſaid, and practiſe all the vertues afore ſpoken of, together with all other vices to be auoyded, and vertues to be embraced, it is neceſſary that you be exhorted, that the word of God be as familiar vntounto you, as if now in one houſe it dwelt with you; that you hauehave it alſo plentifully, & as it were treaſured vp againſt the day of neede. Laſt of all, that you hauehave it in all wiſedome, making choyce both of the things that are moſt important in it, and eſpecially that which doth moſt concerne your ſelues, and your owne particular vſe, anoyding all curious queſtions, tending rather to ſtrife than to edification of God which is by faith. And as you muſt hauehave it for your owne vſe, ſo alſo for the vſe of others, as wel in teaching thoſe that are ignorant, as in admoniſhing thoſe that walke not according to their knowledge they hauehave receiued.
And in your meetings to make merry, let your mirth be ſhewed forth in Pſalmes, ſinging as well with inſtrument as with voyce: alſo with hymnes of thankeſgiuing for benefites receiued: and for further variety againſt irkſomneſſe which our nature eaſily falleth into, with ſongs of praiſing God for his noble acts: all ſpirituall vntounto the Lord, not onelyonly with the voyce, but eſpecially with the heart, with ſuch both tune and geſture as may giuegive grace to the hearer.
verſe 17. And whatſoeuer yee ſhall do in word or deede, do all in the name of the Lord Ieſus, giuing thankes to God euen the Father by him.
To conclude (becauſe it is infinite to ſpeake of all things particularly) whatſoeuer you do in word or in deed, let it be ſuch, as calling on the name of God in Ieſus Chriſt, for good direction in them, you may returne with thankefulneſſe to GOD the Father through Ieſus Chriſt, the onelyonly mediator betweene GOD and vsus.
verſe 18. Wiues ſubmit your ſelues vntounto your husbands, as it is comely in the Lord.
Having inſtructed you in the duties which are generall to all, I come to informe you in thoſe that are ſpeciall, according to the ſeuerall callings of eueryevery one of you, as thoſe which will eaſily come from you, if you hauehave well profited in the former. Now according to the order God himſelfe keepeth in the 5. commandement, I will begin with the duties of inferiors.
You wiues therefore, notwithſtanding you hauehave other duties, I exhort you as to that which is hardeſt for you, wherein you are cuſtomably ſhorteſt, and being performed, others will eaſily follow; that you be ſubiect and obedient, as to others that may be aboue you, (as parents and Magiſtrates) ſo ſpecially vntounto your own husbands, as that which is the moſt comely thing of all, becauſe you I know ſtrine to comelineſſe. Which obedience and ſubiection, is not yet ſo abſolute, & ſo generall, but it hath this exception, ſo far as you are commanded things not vnlawfull by the word of God.
Verſe. 19. Huſbands, louelove your wiues, and be not bitter vntounto them.
You husbands, although you owe ſundry duties vntounto your wiues, yet ſpecially I exhort you to louelove thē dearely, as that which you are moſt cuſtomably ſhorteſt in: and which being throughly ſetled in you, wil eaſily pul al other duties after it. And therfore be not bitter towards thē, which cannot ſtand with louelove.
Verſe. 20. Children, obey your parents in all things: for that is well pleaſing vntounto the Lord.
You children, from a heart ſubdued and truly humble obey your parents, not by halues and ſo farre as they command things to your liking, but in all things, not contrary to the word of God, although it be to the croſſing of your deſires: for which cauſe let it be alwaies before your eyes as a goade to ſtirre you vp to this obedience, that in ſo doing you ſhall not onelyonly pleaſe your parents, but doe a thing acceptable to the Lord himſelfe.
Verſe. 21. Fathers, prouoke not your children to anger, leſt they be diſcouraged.
You parents abuſe not your authority or the pliable minds of your children, either by commanding things vnlawfull, or by hard vſage of them to prouoke them to any vndutifulneſſe towards you, or to hauehave no courage or comfort to doe the things required of them.
Verſe. 22. Seruants, be obedient vntounto them that are your maiſters according to the fleſh, in all things, not with eye ſeruice as men pleaſers, but in ſingleneſſe of heart, fearing God.
You ſeruants, from a mind ſubdued obey your Maiſters, whoſe commandement ouer you is but for a time whiles you are in this fraile eſtate, & that in all things which may ſtand with the keeping of a good conſcience. Now your ſeruice muſt not be alone when your maiſters ſtand by and looke one, as ſeeking onelyonly to pleaſe your maiſters: but in ſingleneſſe of heart as fearing God, whoſe eye is alwaies vponupon you, when your Maiſters eye is off.
Verſe 23. And whatſoeuer ye doe, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not vntounto men.
Your ſeruice ought alſo to be voluntary and cheerefull, as that which is due to the Lord, who loueth a cheerefull giuer, and not as vntounto man that cannot diſcerne, whether it be done frankly.
Verſe. 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye ſhall receiue the reward of the inheritance: for ye ſerue the Lord Christ.
Knowing that you ſhall receiue in reward from the Lord, life, as an inheritance which he will freely as vponupon his children, beſtow vponupon you: for it ought to vphold you in your dutifull ſeruice, that you ſerue not ſo much your maiſters, which are but men, and therefore ſometimes vnthankfull and vnable to recompence; but the Lord, who is both able, and will recompence your well doing.
Verſe. 25. But he that doth wrong, he ſhall receiue for the wrong that he hath done, and there is no reſpect of perſons.
Remembring on the other ſide that whatſoeuer he be that doth wrong, whether maiſter or ſeruant, thereof he ſhall receiue the puniſhment from the Lord: who accepteth neither the perſon of the ſeruant to pitty him, becauſe of his poore and baſe eſtate, nor of the maiſter to ſpare him, becauſe of his dignity, and high degree.
The end of the third Chapter.
CHAP. 4.
Verſ. 1. Yee Maiſters, do vntounto your ſeruants, that which is iuſt and equall knowing that ye alſo hauehave a maiſter in heauen.
YOu Maiſters, looke that you yeeld vntounto your ſeruants both wages, and meate and drinke, as that which is …ight: and with moderate reſt and recreation, ſome further recompence, according to the good ſeruice they hauehave done; as that which is equall: conſidering that as your ſeruants are to render an account vntounto you, ſo you muſt giuegive an account vntounto your Maiſter which is in heauen.
verſe 2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the ſame with thankeſgiuing.
And now to returne againe to the generall duties, & yet ſuch as for the moſt part belong rather vntounto you, than vntounto other perſons & Churches not ſo ſtated or affected as yours, I exhort you to take paines, and to continue in petitions and requeſts vntounto God, with heed taken that it be not done careleſly and drowſily; the which both with continuance, painfulneſſe, and watching, muſt be done and performed in thankeſgiuing for graces already receiued.
verſe 3. Praying alſo for vsus, that God may open vntounto vsus the doore of vtterance, to ſpeake the myſtery of Chriſt: wherefore I am alſo in bonds.
Praying in both ſorts, as for all men, and the faithfull aboue others, ſo eſpecially for me and Timothy, that God would open our mouthes wide, as a gate (otherwiſe ſhut) is ſet open, that we may ſpeake the ſecrets of Chriſt, naturally hidden from all men, and by diſpenſation of GOD, alwaies to the coming of Chriſt, obſcurely knowen to the faithfull, yea to the Angels themſelues: for which I am in hold.
verſ. 4. That I may vtter it, as it becommeth me to ſpeake.
In which reſpect you are yet further to ſtrengthen and ſtretch out your prayers for me, that all feare ſet apart, I may make it manifeſt as it is meet, both in regard of the excellency thereof, and the ſpeciall truſt of the Apoſtleſhip, which is committed vntounto me.
verſ. 5. Walke wiſely towards them that are without, and redeeme the time.
And ſeeing you dwell amongſt thoſe that are ſtrangers from God, walke wiſely, that you be neither infected with their euils, nor they hauehave occaſion to ſpeake euill of the truth; and that by the light of your godly conuerſation, they may be allured to giuegive eare to the truth: therein following the example of diligent Merchants, that to redeeme their loſſes that are paſt, watch to take all oportunity of gaining.
verſ. 6. Let your ſpeech be gracious alwaies, and powdred with ſalt, that ye may know how to anſwere eueryevery man.
More particularly looke to your ſpeeches, in the wiſe ordering whereof Chriſtian wiſedome is ſingularly diſcerned, that it be alwaies (as ſauory meate) well ſeaſoned, whiles you ſhall be able to anſwere eueryevery man according as their particular eſtates require.
verſe. 7. Tychicus our beloued brother, and faithfull Miniſter, and fellow ſeruant in the Lord, ſhall declare vntounto you my whole ſtate.
In the louelove & care I beare vntounto you, I hauehave ſent Pychicus vntounto you, who ſhall informe you of all my eſtate, whereof I know you will be glad to heare: whom that you may receiue as it becommeth, I commend vntounto you for a brother, worthy to be beloued: alſo for a faithfull Miniſter, and my fellow in the Lords ſeruice.
verſ. 8. Whom I hauehave ſent vntounto you for the ſame purpoſe, that he might know your ſtate, and might comfort your hearts.
Whom I hauehave ſent, as to let you vnderſtand of mine affaires, ſo to know what caſe you are in, thereof to make report vntounto me, and eſpecially that he may comfort you at the heart, againſt the ſtorme of perſecution raiſed againſt you.
verſe. 9. With Oneſimus a faithfull and beloued brother, who is one of you. They ſhall ſhew you of all things here.
And with him, that the embaſſage may hauehave more authority, and that in the mouth of 2. witneſſes the things concerning you or mee may be better aſſured, I ſent Oneſimus a brother both faithfull and worthy to be beloued, howſoeuer he hath ſlipped in time paſt; who is alſo one of the members of the ſame Church; theſe two ſhall giuegive you to vnderſtand of all things that may concerne you, that are done in thoſe parts,
Verſ. 10. Ariſtarchus my priſon fellow ſaluteth you, and Marcus Barnabas ſiſters ſonne, (touching whom ye receiued commandements. If he come vntounto you, receiue him.)
Ariſtarchus in louelove ſaluteth you.
verſ. 11. And Ieſus which is called Iustus, which are of the circumciſion. Theſe onelyonly are my worke fellowes vntounto the kingdome of God, which hauehave bene vntounto my conſolation.
So doth Marke and Ieſus: whom that you may be prouoked to louelove againe, I would hauehave you to vnderſtand, that touching Ariſtarchus, he is my fellow priſoner for the Goſpell: touching Marke, he is ſiſters ſonne to Barnabas that notable ſeruant of God, of whom you hauehave had commandement, that if he come vntounto you, you ſhould receiue him accordingly.
And touching Ieſus, his conuerſation hath bene ſuch as thereby he hath gotten the ſurname of Iuſt. ANd of them all three together, there are great cauſes why you ſhould reſpect them, for that they are of the race of the Iewes, with whom God hath made ſpeciall couenant: eſpecially ſeeing that of ſo great a number of Iewes that are here, onelyonly theſe three, helpe to aduance the kingdome of heauen by giuing aſſiſtance vntounto me.
verſ. 12. Epaphras the ſeruant of Chriſt, which is one of you, ſaluteth you, and alwaies ſtriueth for you in prayers, that ye may ſtand perfect, and full in all the will of God.
Epaphras ſaluteth you, betweene whom and you there is a ſpeciall bond, by reaſon whereof euen now abſent from you, yet hee is one of you: and being as you know a worthy ſeruant of Chriſt in the Miniſtery of the Goſpel, whereby his prayers are more effectuall, he prayeth continually with great ſtrife and earneſtneſſe for you; that hauing entred into the holy profeſſion of the Goſpell, you may ſtand and abide in it, with dayly encreaſe both in the knowledge and obedience of the whole will of God, vntill ſuch time as by death you ſhall be complete and perfect men in Chriſt.
verſ. 13. For I beare him record, that he hath a great zeale for you, and for them of Laodicea, and them of Hierapolis.
For howſoeuer, I am not priuy to his priuate praiers, yet I dare be bold ſo to write, becauſe I my ſelfe am witneſſe, how (notwithſtanding his abſence) he burneth in much louelove towards you, & towards the brethren in Laodicea and Hierapolis; the rather for your ſakes, which may either be furthered by their good, or hindered by their ill eſtate.
verſe 14. Luke the beloued Phyſitian greeteth you, & Demas.
Luke the Phyſitian, one worthy to be beloued, ſaluteth you, and ſo doth Demas.
verſe 15. Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea, and Nimphas, and the Church which is in his houſe.
Salute the brethren in Laodicea from me, eſpecially Nimphas & his family; which for their piety and good order in it, I may not vnfitly terme a little Church.
verſe 16. And when this Epiſtle is read of you, cauſe that it be read in the Church of the Laodiceans alſo, & that ye likewiſe reade the Epiſtle written from Laodicea.
And when you hauehave read this Epiſtle in the Church, to teſtifie your communion as in all other good things, ſo eſpecially in this ſacred treaſure of the word of Chriſt, procure it to be read in the Church of Laodicea; as of the other ſide, that you alſo reade the Epiſtle which was written from Laodicea.
verſe 17. And ſay to Archippus, Take heede to the ministery that thou haſt receiued in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
Tell alſo Archippus your Paſtor and ordinary Miniſter, from me, that he looke more diligently to his charge of miniſtery, which he hath receiued of the Lord: that he do it not by halues, but that he performe it in eueryevery reſpect, both of cheereful teaching, & of good example of life vntounto the flocke.
verſe 18. The ſalutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bands. Grace be with you.
Finally, I hauehave ſent you alſo my ſalutations, not by the hand of my Scribe, Secretary, (as the other ſalutations,) but by mine owne hand: whereunto (for a cloſe of my letters) I adde my requeſt vntounto you, that you would in your prayers, remember my bonds, for the obtaining of whatſoeuer my captiue eſtate doth require.
And further, my humble prayer is for the grace of God, to be with you: and ſo I am aſſured that it will be.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Dod, Ten Sermons for the Worthy Receiving of the Lords Supper (1610)