Exposition of Colossians, Sermons · Chapter 1 · Verse 6
VER. 6. Which is come vntounto you, &c.
In this verſe, the Apoſtle proceedes in commendation of the goſpell, and not contenting himſelfe to call it the word of truth, he goes on further to commend it, and that by two arguments. The f…rſt is taken from the wonderfull diffuſion and ſpreading of it, that it was diffuſed and ſpread one all the world, that the ſound and preaching of it was come to all the parts of the world, in particular to the Coloſſians, (which is come vntounto you &c.) Secondly, he commends it from the effectuall working and fruitefulnes of it, and that both in generall in all the world and in ſpeciall among the Coloſſians, (for ſo the ſentence muſt bee ſupplied and made vp in the wordes following, as if the Apoſtle had ſayd is fruitfull in all the world, as it is alſo among you &c. and this argument of the fruitfull working of the Goſpell in ſpeciall among the Coloſſians is further amplified by the circumſtance of time, that it was fruitefull among them, from the very day they heard and knew the Goſpell whis is deliuered vnderunder the name of the grace of God, the matter of it, and by their manner of hearing and embracing of it, expreſſed in the word (truely, or in truth) from the day that ye heard &c. theſe are the generall things contained in this verſe, come we to the firſt argument of commendation (come vntounto you) that is publiſhed and preached among you as the Apoſtle,Rom. 10.15. citing the words of the Prophet ſayth, how beautifull are the feet or comming of them, and his meaning is how excellent and pleaſant is the preaching of the Goſpell as appeares in the next verſe, but they hauehave not all obeyed (vntounto all the world) that is to all the parts of the world, Aſia, Africa, Europe and America, and to the chiefe nations and kingdomes of thoſe parts, and from them, if not the preaching yet the fame and ſound of the Goſpell came to bordering nations: ſo that in the time of the Apoſtle there were very few or almoſt none, vntounto whom either the preaching of the Goſpell or the fame of Chriſt had not come Hence is the preaching of the Goſpell compared by the Apoſtle to the ſound or voice of the heauens, that as the heauens that beauty, motion influence ſhew and as it were ſpeake and ſound foorth the glory of God to all nations, ſo (ſayth the Apoſtle) applying that of the Pſalmiſt by the way of ſimilitude to the preaching of the Goſpell no doubt their ſound &c.Rom. 19.18.
Some may ſay we read of certaine nations newly conuerted to the faith, as this land of ours,Ob. long after the time of the Apoſtles? It is true, Anſwer. but that is to bee vnderſtood of the publike profeſſion of the Goſpell countenanced by authority, the goſpell ſounded forth in the daies of the Apoſtles to all the world, but it was not receiued by publike authority till the time of the Emperors Conſtantine & Theodoſius.
Now to the doctrine.
Firſt we are to marke the phraſe vſed by the Apoſtle, he Doct. 1 ſayth not the Goſpell which is preached,The Lord in mercy offers his Goſpell vntounto men and brings it home vntounto them. but come vntounto you, whence wee may take vp this concluſion, that the Lord in mercy ſends vntounto vsus his word of grace, the promiſe of remiſſion of ſinnes and life by Chriſt, he doth of his owne good pleaſure ſend and offer vntounto vsus his Goſpell, the meanes of grace and ſaluation, by which men are brought to the knowledge of ſaluation, it is brought home vntounto vsus, we ſend not for it, no ſurely, if it were not brought we ſhould neuer ſeeke for it, and the reaſon is plaine wee hauehave no vnderſtanding of the excellent comfort of it, much leſſe any deſire after it in nature, it is aboue the reach of nature created euen of nature pure in the ſtate of the firſt creation, much more is it aboue the reach of nature, in the ſtate of ſinne and corruption, it pleaſeth the Lord therefore in mercy to ſend vntounto vsus his Goſpell, to offer the means of grace and ſaluation. We read,Pro. 9.3. W…ſdome ſends forth her maides freely to inuite the ſimple &c. to eat of her meat and drinke of her wine, and the Lord ſayth,Ier. 7.25. hee ſent all his ſeruants the Prophets riſing vp early &c. and the Sonne of God himſelfe Chriſt Ieſus ſayth,Reu 3.20. he doth ſtand at our doore and knocke, behold &c. if any man heare &c.
Now the vſe Ʋſe. of this point is this, is it ſo that the Lord doth ſend vntounto vsus his Goſpell, doth hee offer vntounto vsusThe Lord requires that we receiue the Goſpell offered vntounto vsus. the meanes of grace and ſaluation, what then doth the Lord require of vsus? ſurely that we receiue his Goſpell, for to that end is it offered, that we ſhould beleeue and embrace it, and ſubmit our ſelues to the power of it: which in the right vſe is powerfull to worke in vsus true faith and true repentance. Now then conſider this poynt, it hath pleaſed the Lord in mercy to vouchſafe vntounto vsus, the Goſpell of ſaluation coūtenanced by publike authority, for the ſpace of fifty yeeres together, his name be bleſſed for it, at the firſt entrance and preaching of the Goſpell when the preaching of it was rare and ſcarſe, then it was moſt welcome to many, they greatly reioyced in it, and tooke great delight in the ſweet comfort of it, but afterward when the preaching of it was more plentifull, and it was brought home vntounto vsus, then men beganne to waxe weary of it, as the Iſraelites did of Manna, and wiſh that they had neuer beene troubled with ſo much preaching, a maruelous thing that we ſhould grow weary of the goodneſſe of God, offering mercy vntounto vsus, yet ſo it is the ſpeech is generall in euerie mans mouth, that hath any feeling of grace, that our wonted louelove and zeale to the Goſpell, is almoſt vtterly extinct & cleane gone, the three capitall and maine ſinnes of the world, Saint Iohn ſpeakes of, the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes,1. Ioh. 2.16. and the pride of life, ſenſuality and wanton pleaſures, couetouſnes & ambition hauehave ſo taken vp the hearts and liues of moſt men, that there is nothing to be found in many of vsus but a meere neglect or contempt of the Goſpell. But let vsus take heed, if the Goſpell the meanes of grace, comming and being offered vntounto vsus, ſerue only for conuiction, and not for conuerſion, to conuince and not conuert vsus, it will conuince vsus of ſuch a ſinne as ſtands in the ſight of God naked,Ioh. 15.22. and void of all excuſe. If I had not come and ſpoken, &c. And conſider further theſe two things. Firſt, the ſtabilitie of our eſtate ſtands in our obedience to the Goſpell: for when we entertaine and obey the Goſpell, our ſtate is founded in the Kingdome of God: where the Goſpell is embraced, there is Gods Kingdome, as the Prophet ſaith; Thy God raigneth,Iſay 52.7. & his Kingdome is moſt ſtable and firme, nothing is able to ouerturne it. If then our eſtate be founded in Gods Kingdome, we may be aſſured of the continuance of it, & of whatſoeuer may ſerue for our good. Would wee then hauehave our eſtate neuer to change, but to the better? no doubt eueryevery man deſires it: then learne we to ſubmit our ſelues to the Goſpell of the Kingdome of God. Againe, conſider we, though the Lord ſtill continue his comming vntounto vsus by his Goſpell, and ſtill offer and reach out vntounto vsus the meanes of grace and ſaluation, yet wee know not how long he will ſo doe; hee may we know not how ſoone, either take the Goſpell from vsus, or vsus from the Goſpell: and if we refuſe to receiue his grace offered by the comming of his Goſpell, hee will force his iudgements vponupon vsus by the comming of himſelfe, by his owne immediate hand, as he hath already begun. As he is kind to offer grace, ſo he is iuſt to reuenge the wilfull contempt of his offer, and he will proportion out the puniſhment due to the refuſall of his merciemercy, he will make it ſuteable and agreeable to the ſinne, that as we reiect and lightly regard his merciemercy offered, ſo in time of trouble hee will not regard our miſery, but he will laugh,Pro. 1.26. &c. a ſentence full of terrour. If the Lord, who in trouble ſhould comfort vsus, when all other comforts faile and forſake vsus, if he will then deride and mocke vsus, that is, by the courſe of his prouidēce, leaue vsus in miſery, & make vsus a mocking ſtock to the world, it muſt needs be a ſtate almoſt as hard to be borne as hell it ſelfe. Let this be thought vponupon, and let it ſtir vsus vp in this our time and day of ſaluation, to accept the meanes of grace and ſaluation, and to ſubmit our ſelues in faith and obedience to the word of the Goſpell. It followeth, (euen as it is, &c.) hence we may conclude, that the Goſpel Doct. 2 the meanes of ſaluation is vniuerſall, it is indifferently offered vntounto all ſorts of men,The Goſpell and meanes of ſaluation is indifferently offered to all ſorts of men. Rom. 1.16. Rom. 15.8. without reſpect or diſtinction of perſons or difference of people, to Iewes and Gentiles, as the Apoſtle ſaith. It is the power of God, &c. To the Iew firſt, and alſo to, &c. Firſt to the Iewes, in reſpect of order, becauſe Chriſt was the miniſter of circumciſion: and when he firſt ſent foorth his Apoſtles, he forbade them to goe into the way of the Gentiles, &c. but in his laſt commiſſion giuen at his aſcenſion,Mark. 16.15. he bid them goe into all the world, &c. Now the preaching of the Goſpell and meanes of ſaluation being thus vniuerſall, Quest. how is it, will ſome ſay, that grace is not receiued of many? The Papiſts anſwer, becauſe they will not, ſay they: it lieth in man to giuegive conſent to the calling of the Goſpell, by his free will, helped by grace: but this is meerely falſe; this aſcribes a power to the will of a naturall man, which is in bondage vnderunder ſinne and Satan, and muſt not only be helped, as if it had power in it ſelfe with ſome helpe to receiue grace, but muſt be deliuered from bondage, and changed before it can mooue it ſelfe to any thing that is good, as our Sauiour ſaith. No man can come vntounto me,Ioh. 6.44. except the Father which hath ſent me, draw him. Draw him, ſaith Auguſtine, not lead him, that we might thinke his will doth go before: for who is drawn if he were willing before? So then the true anſwer to the queſtion is, Anſw. that though grace be vniuerſally offered by the preaching of the Goſpell, yet it is not receiued of many becauſe together with the outward meanes there is not in all an inward concurrence & worke of Gods ſpirit: for as our Sauiour ſaith,Ioh. 6.45. EueryEvery man that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, commeth vntounto me. They that are not inwardly taught of the father, Vſe. are ignorant, and come not, and hauing in themſelues the cauſe of their ignorance,They hauehave great cauſe to bleſſe the Lord, who are inwardly taught of him are left without excuſe. And this (ſee the vſe of it) may miniſter great cauſe of thankſgiuing to God, to as many of vsus as the Lord hath vouchſafed inwardly to teach, and to open our hearts as he did the heart of Lidia, to beleeue and obey the Goſpell. For why? hauehave not we great cauſe to magnifie the name of the Lord,Act. 16.14. who in mercy hath brought vsus to the obedience of faith, and in his ſecret yet iuſt iudgement, hath left others as good as we by nature, in hardneſſe and ſin? When we ſee others left in their naturall ſtate and corruption, wee may behold in them what we had deſerued, and how much we are boūd to the Lord, who in his iuſt iudgement hath paſſed ouer others, and in his mercy hath deliuered vsus out of our naturall bondage, and ſo be moued to acknowledge his mercy with thankfulneſſe: and if any will ſtand to reaſon the caſe why the Lord doth not with the outward meanes giuegive inward grace to al, the Apoſtle hath giuen the anſwer: O man,Rom. 9 20. who art thou that ſtandeſt to diſpute againſt God? he will hauehave mercy on whom he will: it is his meere mercy, that any man is brought to beleeue; and let that ſuffice thee. So much of the firſt argument of commendation of the Goſpell, in theſe words, (which is come, &c.) Now to the ſecond argument (is fruitful in all the world) for theſe words muſt be reſumed and repeated, to make a perfect ſentence: the Goſpel is here ſaid to be fruitfull both generally in all the world, and in ſpeciall among the Coloſſians in two reſpects. 1. in reſpect of the number of ſuch as were conuerted daily &c. in reſpect of the beleeuers, who by the preaching of it were daily increaſed, as we read there were added to the Church by the ſermon of Peter about three thouſand ſoules, and verſe 47.Act. 2.41. it is ſaid the Lord added to the Church from day to day ſuch as ſhould be ſaued. Secondly, in reſpect of the proceeding of thoſe beleeuers, and of them that were conuerted in faith, ſanctifie, and other graces. The original text in ſome examples hath two words, foreign, which plainly ſhew that this word (fruitfull) ſeruing to expreſſe them both, hath this extenſion, to ſignifie both increaſe in number, and increaſe of faith and holy fruits, that the Goſpell was fruitfull in conuerting many, and powerfull in them that were conuerted, both generally in all parts of the world, and in ſpeciall among the Coloſſians. That is the meaning of the words. Come we to ſuch things as may be hence obſerued. Firſt, from the fruitfulnes of the Goſpell, the powerfull working of it generally in all the world, that the preaching of it in the daies of the Apoſtles was vniuerſally fruitfull in all places of the world, in all ſorts of men, in their conuerſion, and other fruits, wee are taught, that where it pleaſeth the Lord to worke by the Goſpell, nothing is able to withſtand the power and force of it. The Doct. 3 powerfull working of it in all parts of the world, in ſuch varietie,Nothing is able to withſtand the power and force of the Goſpel, where the Lord is pleaſed to worke by it. if not contrarietie of ſtates, both of gouernment and religion, ſuch diuerſitie of natures, wits, and diſpoſitions, ſome being like wolues, ſome leopards, ſome lions, eſpecially in the Empire of Rome, which then flouriſhed, & in other mighty principalities, doth plainly proue that it is able to beare downe before it the wiſdome, learning, policie, power, & ſtrength of the world, and to caſt downe whatſoeuer ſtands vp in oppoſition againſt it: for indeed it was withſtood & reſiſted by all theſe things & many more in the daies of the Apoſtles in the primitiue times,Iſay 11. as might be proued, yet had it maruellous ſucceſſe, and did wonderfully increaſe, & for the ſtate of religion it chāged the face of the whole world.Iſay 53.1. 1. Cor. 1.18. The reaſon is giuen by the Prophet; It is the arme of the Lord: and by the Apoſtle; It is the power of God: the arme of the Lord hath euer preeminence, euer preuaileth, and nothing is able to withſtand the power of it. Hence the Goſpell hath beene and is ſo powerfull, it hauing in it a power paſſing the power of man, yea paſſing the power and ſtrength of hell, it muſt needs be effectuall, and nothing able to withſtand it. And is this true in the general working of the Goſpell? Vſe. then learne we by this to examine the particular working of it proportionably in our ſelues,We are to examine the particular working of the Goſpell in our ſelues. and know that then thou doeſt indeed embrace the Goſpell, and then is it powerfull in thee, when nothing in thee by nature is able to withſtand the power of it. When thou doeſt feele it ouer-ruling thine own reaſon, and bearing downe the rebellion of thy will and affections, and what ſinne ſoeuer is moſt pleaſing vntounto thee Such perſons deceiue themſelues, who thinke they embrace the Goſpel, and yet feele it not powerful to beare down (I will not ſay) their ſecret corruptions, for thoſe may lurke in their hearts and be vnknowen, but their knowen ſins, ſuch as in their owne ſight ſtand vp in oppoſition againſt the Goſpell: for let this be thought vponupon but in reaſon, can wee thinke that the Lords arme is powerfull where the deuils arme armed holds poſſeſſion? Can wee imagine that the Lord hath wrought by his Goſpell, where pride, couetouſneſſe, drunkenneſſe, malice, or any other ſhameleſſe ſinne doth ſtand vp and outface it, and is ſeene aboue any power of it? hath the Goſpell in the primitiue times of the Church, nay in the memorie of many amongſt vsus, hath it beene powerfull to make men to forſake houſe, land, wife and children, yea to loſe, forgoe their liues, by fire and fagot, and moſt exquiſite torments; and is it not now able to make thee to deny the luſts of thine own wicked heart? can it not make thee forſake ſo much as a cup of beere or wine, not needfull? is it not able to make thee leaue thy vaine and carnall pleaſure? is the Lords arme weakned? is the power of the Goſpell abated? no, no; deceiue not thy ſelfe, the Goſpell is as mighty as euer it was through God to caſt downe the ſtrongeſt holds of ſinne and Sathan, as the Apoſtle ſaith.2. Cor. 10.4. Certainly, if the Lord hauehave wrought vponupon thee by the Goſpell, for thy conuerſion and ſaluation, and not for thy hardning and deeper condemnation, by thy abuſing of it, he hath thereby quelled and ouermaſtered the corruption of thy heart, throwen downe thy ſtrongeſt and moſt rebelling ſin, euen that ſin that was moſt powerful & pleaſing vntounto thee. Let this be thought on and remembred. (as it is alſo.) Wee are heere to marke that the Apoſtle deſcends from the generall working of the Goſpell, to the particular: he ſaith it was fruitful in al the world, and there ſtaies not, but addes further (as it is alſo among you) no doubt both to commend and comfort the Coloſſians for their embracing of the Goſpell: whence we may note how Doct. 4 wee may with profit and comfort thinke and ſpeake of the fruitfull working of the Goſpell;How we may with profit & comfort thinke and ſpeake of the fruitfull working of the Goſpell. namely, when wee know and can truly ſay, it is powerfull not onelyonly in general in the Church and land wherein we liue, but among vsus, then may any man ſpeake of the working of the Goſpel, with comfort, when he can with the Apoſtle goe from the generall to the particular, and can truely ſay it is fruitfull in himſelfe, many men are able to make long diſcourſes in commendation of the power of the goſpell, and by vnanſwerable arguments to prooue the Apoſtles words true in generall termes, nay with inſtance and example of others ſanctified by it, but can ſay little or nothing of the power of it, in their owne perſons. Now what profit comes by it to know that the goſpell is the power of God to the ſaluation of many others, if it were of the whole world, and not of thy ſelfe? What comfort is it to know that many are brought by the goſpell to the way of life, and thy ſelfe left in the way that leadeth downe to hell? nay rather what diſcomfort comes by ſuch knowledge? To hauehave the eie of the mind blinded, and not be able to ſee & conceiue in the vnderſtanding the power of the goſpell, is an heauy iudgement; but to ſee the power of it in the abſtract in it ſelfe in generall, and not in our ſelues, that is the very deuils caſe, and it ought to be conſidered and thought vponupon. Come we to the words following, wherein the ſpeciall working of the Goſpell among the Coloſſians is amplified, that it was fruitfull from the day that they heard, and truly or in truth knew the grace of God: the Goſpell is heere called the grace of God, becauſe it teacheth that remiſſion of ſins and life euerlaſting are obtained onelyonly by the meere grace and merciemercy of God in Chriſt. The point of inſtruction hence offered is this: In that it is ſaid that the Goſpell was fruitfull among the Coloſſians, vponupon their hearing and true knowledge, not of the Goſpell, but of the grace of God propounded vntounto them in the Goſpell; we are taught that then onelyonly is the Goſpell powerfull to worke vponupon vsus,The Goſpell is powerfull to make vsus bring foorth good fruit, when wee hauehave a feeling knowledge of the comfort of it. Pſ. 19.10.11. Doct. 5 to make vsus bring foorth many good fruits, when wee truly know, and hauehave euen a feeling knowledge of the ſweetneſſe and comfort of it, when wee truly know and in our hearts feelingly apprehend the grace of God reuealed in the Goſpell, then is the Goſpell fruitfull, then doth it worke vponupon vsus to our ſanctification. This order and manner of proceeding, from a feeling of ſweetneſſe to fruitfulneſſe, we finde laid before vsus by the Prophet Dauid: hee there ſaith that the iudgements of the Lord were ſweeter than the hony and the hony combe; and then he addes, that by them he was made circumſpect. We reade of the woman in the Goſpell, that ſhe loued much: why?Luk. 7 47. many ſinnes were forgiuen her. When ſhe felt much comfort in Gods grace for the pardon of many ſinnes, then ſhee brought foorth many good fruits. And there is great reaſon for this, that the true knowledge of the grace of God in the goſpell, ſhould make vsus fruitfull in eueryevery good word and worke. For when wee feelingly know the grace of God reuealed in the goſpell, then wee know wee are within the compaſſe of Gods ſpeciall louelove, wee are aſſured of his comfortable preſence and protection, of our portion in his promiſe of life and ſaluation, of right and title to all the comforts and bleſſings belonging to the ſaints of God. How then can it be, but that the feeling knowledge of grace, the ground of ſuch excellent comfort, ſhould make vsus fruitfull in all good things? Object. Why but will ſome ſay (it is obiected of the Papiſts) wee ſee the doctrine of Gods free grace for remiſſion of ſinnes to bee a doctrine diſpoſſeſſing mens hearts of all true louelove to God and charitable affection towards men: it is true indeed, it was ſo in the daies of the Apoſtle, ſome turned grace into wantonneſſe, and it is ſo ſtill: ſo great is the corruption of mans degenerate nature, that many turne that precious doctrine of Gods grace into a pernitious indulgence and licence to heape ſinne vponupon ſinne, Anſw. but this is but an accidental euent, not the proper effect of the doctrine of grace: and ſhall an accidentall euent hinder the courſe and ſpreading of ſuch a cauſe, as properly brings foorth true louelove both to God and men? God forbid. Would we then hauehave the Goſpell preached powerfull to make vsus bring foorth many good fruits? Vſe. then labour wee,We muſt labour to hauehave a feeling knowledge of the grace of God propounded in the Goſpell. Heb. 4.2. Ezekiel 33.32 Ioh. 4. as we heare it, ſo to hauehave a feeling knowledge of the grace of God propounded in the Goſpell, and to hauehave our hearing mixed with faith, as the holy Ghoſt ſpeakes. For ſurely we ſhall but heare as a pleaſant ſong, as the Lord ſaith, nay we ſhall but cauill at it, till wee hauehave a feeling knowledge of the comfort of it. The woman of Samaria did but prattle with Chriſt, till he told her of her ſinne, and brought her to a true ſight of her ſinne, then ſhe humbled her ſelfe, and confeſſed her ſinne. And after that, when ſhe knew him to be a Prophet, and did acknowledge him to be the Meſſiah, then ſhee ran to fetch others vntounto him, and ſaid, verſ. 29. Come and ſee a man which hath told me all things that euer I did: is not he that Chriſt? So wee ſhall but prattle of the Goſpell, and make it but table talke, till wee be humbled in our ſelues, and hauehave a true knowledge and an inward feeling of the comfort of it. Let vsus then labour to hauehave our hearts poſſeſſed with a feeling apprehenſion of the grace reuealed in the Goſpell, and that will ſet our heads a worke as it did Dauids, to deuiſe if it be poſſible ſome retribution: and we ſhall finde, that as many of vsus as hauehave a peculiar right and title to Gods grace, ſealed vp in our heart by the ſpirit of Chriſt, it will make vsus endeuour to be anſwerable to ſo ſtrict a bond, in all cheerefull obedience and louelove both to God and men.