Exposition of Colossians, Sermons · Chapter 4 · Verse 15
VER. 15. Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the Church which is in his houſe.
In this verſe the Apoſtle comes to the third branch of his concluſion, which is laid downe in the 15.16. and 17.The third branch of the Apoſtles concluſion. verſes, and it containes a ſetting downe of ſome ſpeciall things which he willed the Coloſſians to do, and that they ſhould cauſe to be done, both to the Church of Laodicea, and to ſome particular perſons.
In this verſe hee wiſheth the Coloſſians to ſalute from him their neighbors, them of Laodicea, whom he ſtiles by the name of brethren, (Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea) and then more ſpecially, one Nymphas, together with thoſe that were in his houſe whom hee doth honour and dignifie with the title of a Church, (and the Church which is in his houſe.)
Let vsus firſt cleare the words touching the ſenſe and meaning of them. (Salute the brethren.)
The word (brethren) in Scripture hath diuers acceptions,Interpretation. ſometimes it ſignifies ſuch as are children of the ſame wombe, brethren by nature, as Iacob and Eſau were; ſome times men of the ſame bloud, as Abraham and Lot, Geneſ. 13.8. ſometimes men of the ſame Countrey, thus Sauls countrey-men are called his brethren, 2. Chr. 12.2, ſometimes men of the ſame religion. And thus the word (brethren) is vſually taken in the new Teſtament, for ſuch as being conuerted to the true faith of Chriſt, made open profeſſion of that truth, and ſo it is heere to bee taken. (Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea) that is, ſalute thoſe at Laodicea which are conuerted to the true faith, and make open profeſſion of the faith, and Goſpell of Chriſt, (and Nymphas more ſpecially, and the Church which is in his houſe.) Some by Church in Nymphas his houſe, vnderſtand a Congregation, or an aſſembly of Chriſtians, which (ſay they) it may ſeeme, vſed to meete together in his houſe, to performe holy exerciſes of Religion, but (as I take it) that is not the meaning of the Apoſtle, ſo much being before implied in the word (brethren) euen all the Chriſtians generally that were in Laodicea, but by the Church in the houſe of Nymphas we are to vnderſtand his Chriſtian family, which was ſo well inſtructed in the true faith of the Goſpell, and ſo godly and religious as for the pietie and good order obſerued in that familie, there being the word read, inſtruction, conſolation, praier, ſinging of Pſalmes, and ſuch like holy exerciſes vſed, it was like to a little viſible Church, or Congregation, in which there be profeſſors of true Religion, worſhipping God in Chriſt according to his word, in the exerciſes of Religion.
Thus then are the words of this verſe to bee conceiued, as if the Apoſtle had ſaid.
Salute in my name, or from me your neighbours, thoſe at Laodicea, who being conuerted to the faith of the Goſpell make open profeſſion of the ſame, and more ſpecially Nymphas, and his Chriſtian family, which for the pietie and good order obſerued in the ſame, in the vſe of holy exerciſes, is, euen as a little viſible Church, or congregation, in which there be profeſſors of true religion, worſhipping God according to his word in the exerciſes of religion.
Come we now to ſuch inſtructions as this verſe doth further offer vntounto vsus; and firſt in that the Apoſtle ſent ſalutations from himſelfe to them of Laodicea, which was a token and teſtimonie of his louelove towards them, and yet he had neuer ſeen them, as appeares cap: 2.1. onelyonly note with me, this in a word.
That wee are to louelove euen thoſe Chriſtians wee neuer Doct. 1 ſaw, and to teſtifie and make knowne our louelove to them by all good meanesWee are to louelove thoſe Chriſtians we neuer ſaw, and to teſtifie our louelove vntounto them by all good means. vponupon any iuſt occaſion that is offered.
For why? they are members with vsus of the ſame body, and they are conioyned with vsus by the ſame Spirit, euen by the Spirit of Chriſt: and therefore wee ought to louelove them, though we hauehave neuer ſeen them, face to face, and to teſtifie our louelove by ſalutations, prayers, and the like, as any iuſt occaſion is offered.
And if thou hauehave not a louelove to the members of Chriſt, Ʋſe. whereſoeuer they be ſcattered on the face of the earth, and if thou do not ſhew it forth by praying for them, as for thy ſeife, and for thine owne familiar friends, and by other good meanes, it is an euidence and token thou art not a liuely member of that body of Chriſt,Such as want louelove to the members of Chriſt whereſoeuer they be, cannot as yet aſſure themſelues to be members of the body of Chriſt. as yet. This point I hauehave heretofore handled, and therfore let it ſerue to hauehave pointed at it in a word.
In the next place, we are to marke, that the Apoſtle ſaluting them of Laodicea, that were profeſſors of the true faith of Chriſt, he calls them brethren. Whence wee are taught thus much.
That profeſſors of the ſame true roligion are in as neere Doct. 2 relation one to another as naturall brethren,Profeſſors of the ſame true religion are to hold themſelues as brethren one to another, and to louelove one another as brethren, euen heartily and mutually. and are to be affected one to another, and to louelove one another, as brethren, ſuch as profeſſe the ſame true religion, are to hold themſelues as brethren one to another, and to louelove as brethren, that is, to louelove one another heartily and mutually, for ſo do naturall brethren, vnleſſe they degenerate and grow out of kinde; Wee finde it often in Scripture, that the profeſſors of the ſame true faith, are ſtiled by the name of brethren, and ſtirred vp to hearty and mutuall louelove, vnderunder the title of brethren, as Rom: 12.10. Be affectioned to louelove another with brotherly louelove. 1 Pet: 3.8. LoueLove as brethren. It is a knowne point (no doubt) in ſpeculation, wee hauehave many times had occaſion to ſpeake of it, and therefore I will be briefe in it: and the ground of it is alſo (doubtleſſe) well knowne to vsus, it being the ſame with the ground of the louelove of naturall brethren, Reaſon. (namely) a coniunction and partaking in the ſame ſubſtance, ſeede, nouriſhment, &c. that as naturall brethren comming of one line, hauing one father and mother, one bread to feed on, are mooued by the teaching of nature to louelove one another: ſo true beleeuing Chriſtians, hauing the ſame God for their Father, the ſame Church for their Mother, Chriſt their elder Brother, being begotten of the ſame mortall ſeed, nouriſhed with the ſame milke of the word, eating the ſame bread of the Sacrament, and looking for the ſame bleſſed inheritance, muſt needs by the teaching and worke of the Spirit be mooued to louelove one another, as brethren, euen hartily and mutually. And let this be thought vponupon.
Vſe. We all profeſſe the ſame true faith and religion, and in that reſpect we are brethrē, & let vsus be ſtird vp to louelove one another, heartily and mutually, as brethren:We that profeſſe the ſame true faith, are to remember that in that reſpect we are brethren, and are to louelove one another as brethren. and remember that beſides this, that brotherly louelove is the badge and cognizance of our profeſſion, by this ſhall all men know that yee are my diſciples, if yee hauehave louelove one to another, Ioh: 13.35. and is an vndoubted pledge of our owne ſaluation, 1 Ioh: 3.14. that brotherly louelove is a thing, not onelyonly taught outwardly by precept, but inwardly taught and implanted in the hearts of all true beleeuers by the ſpirit of God, as the Apoſtle ſaith plainly, 1 Theſſ. 4.9. touching brotherly louelove yee need not that I write vntounto you. why ſo? for yee are taught of God to louelove one another; as if he had ſaid, as naturall brethren (not degenerating and growing out of kinde) are taught by nature to louelove on… …nother: ſo you to whom God hath giuen his holy Spirit, are taught by the ſpirit of God to louelove one another.
Deadly hatred of our brethren, and the ſ…uits of it, are the deu…lls leſſons.Now then hence reaſon thus with thy ſelfe; is brotherly louelove, a leſſon taught by the ſpirit of God? who then is the teacher of deadly hatred? who puts into me ſwelling, and heart-burning againſt my brethren? who fills my mouth with bitter and venemous ſpeeches againſt them? are theſe leſſons taught by Gods ſpirit? no, no, hee is the God of peace and louelove, and theſe are the teachings of another ſpirit, euen of that infernall ſpirit, the author of confuſion, the ſower of all diſſention among brethren, theſe are the teachings of the Deuill himſelfe: thinke on this, whoſoeuer thou art, that haſt thine heart filled with poyſon, euen full of hatred and malice, and thy tongue bent to ſhoot out arrowes, euen bitter words againſt thy brethren, thou art ſo taught by the Deuill himſelf, he is thy inſtructer, & he is thy teacher: as many as are true beleeuers, hauehave learned another leſſon, that they are taught of God to louelove their brethren heartily and mutually. And if thou hauehave not learned that leſſon, thou art not taught of the Spirit of God: and if thou be not taught of Gods ſpirit, ſurely thou haſt not his ſpirit, and if thou hauehave not his ſpirit, thou art none of his.
Let this then ſtirre vp eueryevery one of vsus, ſeeing wee profeſſe the ſame true faith and religion, and ſo are brethren, to louelove one another with brotherly louelove, that ſo wee may hauehave teſtimonie to the comfort of our owne ſoules, that we (indeed) are true profeſſors, knit together by one ſpirit, euen the Spirit of God, and guided by the Spirit of God.
Now further obſerue wee, that the Apoſtle hauing ſent ſalutations to all the brethren in Laodicea generally, hee ſalutes Nymphas and his houſe particularly: Nymphas excelling others in pietie and religion, is preferd by the holy ghoſt before the reſt, and had in ſpeciall remembrance by the Apoſtle: ſalute the brethren wh…ch are of Laodicea, and eſpecially Nymphas, and his godly familie. Whence we are giuen to vnderſtand.
That they that honour God, ſhall be honoured of him: Note.yea they, according to the degree of honour which they giuegive to the Lord, ſhall be honoured of him: if any ſurpaſſe others in honouring the Lord, the Lord will alſo honour him aboue his fellowes. but on that I will not ſtand.
Let vsus rather conſider the duty ariſing from hence, namely this.
Doct. 3 That we ought to honour men more or leſſe, according as they honour God,We are to honour men more or leſſe, according as they honour God. as the Apoſtle did heere in particular ſalute Nymphas, he excelling others in pietie, and thereby manifeſt a ſpeciall regard and eſtimation that hee had of him.
So ought wee to carry in our hearts a more ſpeciall regard of thoſe that excell others in pietie and religion, and more eſpecially to honour them, that aboue others, doe honour and feare the Lord. Pſal. 15.4 it is made a note of him that ſhall dwell in the Lords tabernacle, that hee honoureth them that feare the Lord. and Pſal: 16.3. Dauid ſaith, his delight was in the Saints that were in the earth, and chiefly in the excell…nt, in thoſe that did excell others in grace and holineſſe; the reaſons of this duty are manifeſt.
Reaſon 1 Firſt, we are to carry in our hearts a reuerent eſtimation of the image of God renued in any whoſoeuer, and according to the renouation of that image more or leſſe in a meaſure of holineſſe, are wee more or leſſe to honour them that are ſo renued: now ſuch as excell others in pietie and religion, and in the feare of God, are (doubtleſſe) more renued according to Gods image, and therefore in more ſpeciall manner are to be honoured of vsus.
Reaſon 2 Againe, ſuch as excell others in pietie and religion, are in more ſpeciall fauour and regard with the Lord, and therefore are more to be eſteemed of vsus: as amongſt men, thoſe are moſt honoured, that are in greateſt fauour with the Prince, ſo ought we to honour them moſt, that are in greateſt fauour with the Lord.
And therefore, (to make vſe of this) doſt thou honour one man aboue another? doſt thou carry in thine heart a more ſpeciall regard of one aboue another? no doubt eueryevery one doth ſo, when they compare man with man: looke then it bee according to the duty now laid before thee, euen in reſpect of this, that he excells others in piety and religion.
Doe not thou according to the common courſe of the world, honour and eſteeme one man better then another, Ʋſe. in regard of his wealth or outward eſtate,In honouring one man aboue another, not wealth or outward eſtate, but pietie and religion are to be reſpected. becauſe hee is more wealthy, or of better eſtate in the world then others, that is not the rule, by which thou art to be guided in the preferring and honouring of one man aboue another; no, no, looke to his piety and religion, and to the infallible tokens of Gods feare in his heart, and according to them, let him hauehave place of honour and eſtimation in thine heart, and he that excells others in piety and religion, let him be the man thou doeſt honour and eſteeme aboue others, yea though it be in an vnequall compariſon, in reſpect of outward condition: as happily one is a Magiſtrate, and another a priuate perſon,Note. if the priuate perſon excell the Magiſtrate in pietie and religion, let him hauehave the chiefe place of honour in thine heart. Howſoeuer, indeed, thou art to reuerence the place and authority giuen vntounto Magiſtrates, and to honour and reſpect it with all due reuerence and honour, and to ſubmit thy ſelfe to it, euen to the ſhedding of thy bloud: yet in regard of piety and religion, a priuate perſon going before a Magiſtrate, let him in that reſpect, hauehave an higher place of honour in thine heart, then the Magiſtrate, and doe thou in honouring and preferring one man before another, in regard of piety and religion, euer honour him moſt, that doth moſt honour God: and know for thy comfort, that that is a certaine euidence and proofe, that thou loueſt the honour of God, and that his honour is deare vntounto thee, in that thou not onelyonly honoureſt them that honour him, but thou doſt honour them more or leſſe according to the meaſure of honour which they yeeld to the Lord.
Now further in that the Apoſtle calls the chriſtian familie of Nymphas a Church, we ſee
That a ſmall number of the faithfull, Note.euen one familie may carry the name of a Church. But on that I will not ſtand.
Why did the Apoſtle call the family of Nymphas, a Church? it was becauſe of the piety of that family, and the good order obſerued in it, there being in it holy exerciſes of religion conſtantly vſed, as reading the word, inſtruction, prayer, ſinging of Pſalmes, and the like: and thereby the whole family framed to pietie and religion, therfore it was that the Apoſtle calld it a Church.
Hence we are taught thus much.
Doct. 4 That a familie in which there is a conſtant vſe of holy exerciſes, as reading the word, prayer, and the like, and the people of that familie thereby framed to holineſſe and religion, is euen as a little viſible Church:A familie wherein there is a conſtant vſe of holy exerc…ſes, and the members of it thereby fram…d to holineſſe and religion, is as a l…tle viſible Church. the teaching and religious ordering of a familie, is ſo acceptable a thing to the Lord, as he eſteemes of ſuch an houſe, as an holy aſſembly of his Saints.
And hence it is, that not only heere, but in other places alſo, the holy ghoſt doth commend, and giuegive the title of a Church to particular families, Rom: 16.5. Greete the Church that is in their houſe. and 1 Cor: 16.19 Aquila and Priſcilla with the Church that is in their houſe. ſo likewiſe Philem: verſe 2. of that epiſte, is ſaluted with the Church in his houſe. See then how pleaſing a thing it i to the Lord, when a familie is inſtructed, and religiouſly ordered, hee makes account of that familie, as of a litle viſible Church and congregation.
Vſe. How then ought this to ſtir vp maſters and gouernours of families, to practiſe that duty of teaching and religious ordering of their families,An excellent motiue to ſtir vp gouernours of families to a religious ordering of their families. for indeed it is the dutie of eueryevery maſter and gouernour of a familie, to teach and to inſtruct his familie, and to pray with them in priuate, and not only to bring them to the publike aſſembly, and there to pray, and by all good meanes to frame them to holines and religion. And heere is an excellent motiue to ſtirre them vp to the practiſe of that duty; a familie inſtructed and religiouſly ordered, is eſteemed of the Lord as a litle viſible Church and aſſembly of his Saints, and that is no ſmall matter: for ſuch a familie hath the bleſſing of God vponupon it, and his ſpeciall protection ouer it, for the bleſſing of God is euer annexed to his true worſhip and feare, Godlineſſe hath the promiſes of this life and of that that is to come. 2 Tim: 4.8.
Againe, conſider what a familie not inſtructed and religiouſly ordered is,What a familie is, wherein there is no religious order. ſurely, no better then a company of Atheiſts, for it is one property of the Atheiſt, not to call on God, Pſal: 14.4. and we may ſee this true in common experience, looke into many familie… not inſtructed and relig…ouſly ordered, and what are they? like a litle Church? nay ſurely ſo farre out of order, as they are rather like to an helliſh company, where the deuill himſelfe ſits as preſident: there is nothing, but ignorance, worldlines, pride, wantonneſſe, ſwearing, fighting, whoring, ſtealing, lying, and ſuch like.
And yet further to excite and ſtirre vp maſters and gouernours of families to the inſtructing and religious ordering of their families, conſider what we finde Gen: 18.19.Another excellent motiue to ſtirre vp maſters and gouernors of families, to order th…ir families religiouſly. the Lord ſaith, verſe 17. Shall I hide from Abraham what thing I doe; as if hee had ſaid: no, no, I will not hide any thing from Abraham, for I know him, that hee will command his ſonnes and his houſhold after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to doe righteouſneſſe and iudgment. See how the Lord liketh the carefulneſſe of maſters and gouernous to inſtruct their families, it is ſo pleaſing vntounto him, as he will reueale his ſecrets to ſuch as do it, and hide nothing from them that may be for their comfort.
On the contrary, wee may gather, that from ſuch as are careleſſe of this duty, he will hide his ſecrets, his coun ells, and without repentance, his comforts, and the light of his countenance for euer. So then, if thou that art a maſter of a familie, doſt deſire that thy familie may not be a company of Atheiſts, among whom there is nothing but ignorance and all impietie, but rather as a litle Church, and ſo eſteemed of the Lord, hauing his bleſſing vponupon it, and his ſpeciall protection ouer it, and if thou deſire that the Lord may not hide his councells from thee, but may reueale his ſecrets vntounto thee, and hide nothing from thee, that may be for thy comfort. Then looke thou to the inſtruction and religious ordering of thy family, reſolue with good Ioſhua, Ioſh: 24.15. whatſoeuer others do, yet thou and thine houſhold will ſerue the Lord; practiſe thou conſtantly the vſe of holy exerciſes of religion, priuate reading, praying, and the like: and then (doubtleſſe thou ſhalt finde, the Lord will eſteeme of thy familie, as of a litle viſible Church, and thou ſhalt finde his bleſſing vponupon thee, and vponupon thy familie, and the Lord will reueale and make knowne to thee, whatſoeuer may be for thy comfort.
Now to the 16th verſe.