A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Colossians
The Epiſtle of PAUL the Apoſtle to the COLOSSIANS.
CHAP I.
1. PAul an apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt, by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother. 2. To the ſaints and faithful brethren in Chriſt, which are at Coloſſe: Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 3. We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, praying always for you: 4. Since we heard of your faith in Chriſt Jeſus, and of the love which ye have to all the ſaints;
3, 4. Note, 1. That Faith and Love are the Sum of Religion, and greater Riches than all earthly things.
2. Love muſt extend to all Saints, and not onelyonly thoſe that are of one Party.
5. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the goſpel: 6. Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringth forth fruit, as it doth alſo in you, ſince the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.
5, 6. Note, 1. It is the Hope of Heavenly Felicity, which is the End, an effectual Motive of Chriſtian Love and Duty. 2. It is the true Word of the Goſpel that giveth us this Hope. 3. This Goſpel divulged to the World is fruitful extenſively in the number of Converts, and intenſely in their Holineſs, when it is ſo heard as to cauſe Men to know Gods Grace in Truth.
7. As ye alſo learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-ſervant, who is for you a faithful miniſter of Chriſt; 8. Who alſo declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
7, 8. Note, It's like Epaphras was he by whom they were converted, or at leaſt their preſent Biſhop.
9. For this cauſe, we alſo, ſince the day we heard it, do not ceaſe to pray for you, and to deſire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wiſdom and ſpiritual underſtanding:
9. True Converts have need to be prayed for, that they may have Spiritual and Practical Wiſdom to know the Will of God.
10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleaſing, being fruitful in every good work, and increaſing in the knowledge of God;
10. That you may live ſuitably to your profeſſed Faith, ſincerely obeying and pleaſing God in all things, which is your Worthineſs in a Goſpel-ſenſe, bringing forth the Fruits of all ſorts of Good Works, and increaſing in the Knowledge (or acknowledging) of God.
11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-ſuffering with joyfulneſs;
11. Note, 1. The glorious Power of God appeareth in his Servants Strength. 2. The Strength of Chriſtians appeareth moſt in ſuffering long and patiently for Chriſt with joy, and not in overcoming Men by Strength.
12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the ſaints in light:
12. Note, 1. The Inheritance of the Saints is in the State and World of Light, that is, of Viſion and Glory. 2. Gods way of bringing Men to this Glory, is by fitting them for it now by Holineſs. 3. This is the Gift which obligeth us to the greateſt Thankfulneſs to God.
13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkneſs, and hath tranſlated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
13. Note, The World is divided into two Societies: One under the Power of Darkneſs, that is, Satan the Prince of Darkneſs, who leads Men by the way of Ignorance, Errour, Unbelief, and Lies, to the utter Darkneſs of Miſery. The other is the Kingdom of Chriſt, led by him who is the Light of the World, by Truth, Knowledge, and Faith, to the Heavenly Light.
2. When Men are truly converted to Chriſt, they are initially delivered from the Power, State, and Way of Darkneſs, into the Kingdom of Chriſt and Light.
14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveneſs of ſins.
14. Note, Chriſts Blood is the Price of our Redemption, and Remiſſion of Sin is much of the Collation and Application. Redemption ſignifieth Deliverance from Bondage.
15. Who is the image of the inviſible God, the firſt-born of every creature:
15. In whoſe Humane Nature, Doctrine, and Works, the Inviſible God, whoſe Image he is, is manifeſted to Man; and who in his Divine Nature was begotten of the Father before any Creature was made, (even from Eternity,) and in his Perſon, as God-Man, is moſt Excellent, and is Lord of all.
(This [Firſt-born] numbreth him not with Creatures, but ſets him above them.)
16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, viſible and inviſible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. 17. And he is before all things, and by him all things conſiſt.
16, 17. By him, as God, were all things created, and for him; and he is from Eternity before them all, and by him they are upheld in being.
Note, 1. Some by [things in Heaven and Earth,] and [Thrones, Dominions, &c.] underſtand onelyonly [Jews and Gentiles] and [the Powers of Men]: But this forced Expoſition is groundleſs; it being certain, that all Heavenly Powers and Orders were created by the Eternal Word, and Paul being here extolling his Magnificence, why ſhould we feign him to leave out the higheſt Part, which he ſo plainly expreſſeth? That Celeſtial Spirits have potent Superiority both over us and one another, is no doubt.
II. The ancient Churches and Hereticks had ſo great Contentions about the right Notions of the Nature and Perſon of Chriſt, and with ſuch diſmal Effects, as maketh many Lovers of Peace to wiſh, that ſuch Points had been handled more cautelouſly, reverently, and peaceably. Four notable Opinions there be about the Natures and Perſon of Chriſt.
1. The Orthodox hold, That he hath onelyonly two Natures in one Perſon, the Divine and Humane. And of theſe, the ſubtle Philoſophers ſay, that the Humane Nature is no part of his Perſon, but an Adjunct, becauſe God cannot be a Part. But others avoid this, as dangerous.
2. The Arians think Chriſt is but a Creature, but is a Superangelical Spirit, the firſt created, by whom God made all the reſt; and that he aſſumed the Humane Nature, and may be well called God, but not as the Father is, nor of the ſame Subſtance: And ſo, that he hath two Natures, Superangelical and Humane. Of theſe, 1. Some think that the Superangelical, as a Soul, aſſumed onelyonly a Humane Body: And, 2. Some, that he aſſumed a Soul and Body.
3. A third ſort ſay, Chriſt hath three Natures; 1. The Divine, producing by Emanation the firſt created Superangelical Nature, united to it ſelf, and by it creating all other things; and both theſe Natures in the fulneſs of time aſſuming the Humane Nature, (entire, ſay ſome; and a Body OnelyOnly, ſay others.)
4. The laſt and worſt is that of the Socinians, that count Chriſt a meer Glorified Man. This Text ſeemeth to ſpeak but the firſt, though the Favourers of the third think it is for them; and that other Texts are ſo alſo. They think it was not onelyonly the Divine Nature, but the Superangelical, which appeared to Abraham, Moſes, &c. in a viſible Body, before the Incarnation: And by aſſerting theſe three Natures in Chriſt, they would reconcile the Orthodox and the Arians. The Controverſies alſo whether Chriſt be two Perſons or but one, and have two Wills and Operations, or but one, and whether it may be ſaid, That Mary was the Mother of God, and that one of the Trinity was crucified, &c. did grievouſly rend the Church; of which I have ſpoken elſewhere, and plainly ſhewed in what ſenſe Chriſt is two, yea, many Perſons (relatively), and in what ſenſe but one; and in what ſenſe his Wills are two, and in what ſenſe but one.
18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firſt-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
18. And he is now the Head, both by Government and quickning Influence, of the Church, which is his Body Politick, and united to him incomprehenſibly; the Spring of Life to us, and the firſt that roſe from Death to glorious Immortality, triumphantly, by his own Power; by whom it is that we live, and ſhall be raiſed: For in all things he is Higheſt, above all Creatures.
19. For it pleaſed the Father, that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell;
19. For it ſeemed good to the Father that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be filled with all Created Perfection, as well as he hath Divine Perfection, and be the Spring and Treaſure of all Good, as the Head over all things to his Church, and the Univerſal Adminiſtrator.
20. And (having made peace through the blood of his croſs) by him to reconcile all things unto himſelf, by him, I ſay, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
20. And having accepted his Sacrifice on the Croſs for a general Attonement and Propitiation, by him to reconcile the guilty, ſinful, and curſed World to him, ſo far as that their Guilt and Enmity ſhould not hinder the Tenders of Free Mercy and Salvation to Jews and Gentiles, nor keep his Elect and Faithful Flock from that Heavenly Glory, where Angels and Saints ſhall be One Bleſſed Society, united in Love to God and each other.
21. And you that were ſometimes alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled,
21. And you, who were not onelyonly, as all others, originally guilty, as the Seed of Adam, but alſo of the Race and Society of Gentiles, by your wicked Works eſtranged from God, and out of the way of his ſaving Grace, and Enemies to it and him, yet now hath he reconciled by Chriſt, and taken you for his Children.
22. In the body of his fleſh through death, to preſent you holy and unblameable, and unreprovable in his ſight.
22. By giving up his Body of Fleſh to death, as a Propitiatory Sacrifice; and by juſtifying and ſanctifying you, to preſent you holy, and blameleſs, and juſtified at laſt before him.
23. If ye continue in the faith, grounded and ſetled, and be not moved away from the hope of the goſpel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a miniſter.
23. I ſay, you ſhall be thus perfected at laſt, if you prove ſound confirmed Chriſtians, continuing in the Faith, grounded and ſetled, and by no Temptation be ever turned from the Hope which Chriſt hath given you in his Goſpel; which by Chriſts Commiſſion we preach to all Men in this lower World, which is already happily begun, the Church being no more confined to Jews, but gathered out of all the Earth; to which Work Chriſt hath Commiſſioned me, who am labouring therein.
Note, That how true ſoever it be, that ſound Believers ſhall be finally juſtified in Judgment, and glorified, the Promiſe giveth them Right to it but on Condition of Perſeverance; and God uſeth Conditional Promiſes to engage us rationally to our Duty, and as a Means to accompliſh his Abſolute Decrees.
24. Who now rejoyce in my ſufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Chriſt in my fleſh, for his bodies ſake, which is the church.
24. And I rejoyce that God honoureth me to ſuffer for his Church in ſo excellent a Work: For it is by the Croſs, or Suffering, that God will bring the Church to Glory: And as Chriſt hath perfectly done his own part, as the onelyonly Propitiating Sacrifice; ſo I, with the reſt of his Members, muſt undergo and make up the reſt, even for the ſame Churches ſake for which he died, though not as a Mediator, to reconcile God and Man, as he was.
25. Whereof I am made a miniſter according to the diſpenſation of God, which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
25. Of which Church I am made a Servant, by Gods appointment and commiſſion, given me for you, as well as for others, that I may fully divulge the Word of God.
26. Even the myſtery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifeſt to his ſaints:
26. The great Myſtery of Redemption, (God manifeſted in the Fleſh, as the Head and Saviour of the Church), which (though not wholly, yet comparatively) hath been hid from Jews under dark Types, as well as more from Gentiles by greater Darkneſs, in all fore-going Ages: But now is plainlier made known to Gods Saints.
27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this myſtery among the Gentiles; which is Chriſt in you, the hope of glory:
27. To whom God of his good Pleaſure would ſpecially make known the Riches and Glory of this Myſtery of Calling the whole World of Gentiles. The Sum of it is, Chriſt among you, and in you, purchaſing giving, and aſſuring to you the Heavenly Glory, for which he hath commanded you joyfully to hope. Chriſt the Way, Glory the End.
28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wiſdom; that we may preſent every man perfect in Chriſt Jeſus:
28. To preach this Chriſt is the Work of our Office, warning and teaching every Man as we have opportunity, neglecting none of any Rank, in all the ſaving Wiſdom of the Goſpel, that we may preſent as many as poſſible, perfect to Salvation.
29. Whereunto I alſo labour, ſtriving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
29. In this Labour I am employed; in which with diligence I ſtrive, according to the Grace of him that called me, which wrought in me (or worketh by me) in Power, (confirming my Miniſtry by Miracles and Succeſs, as well as qualifying me for it.)
CHAP. II.
1. FOr I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not ſeen my face in the fleſh:
1. [Conflict,] by Prayer, and Care, and Study, to do them good.
Note, Good Men long for the Good of them whom they never ſaw.
2. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full aſſurance of underſtanding, to the acknowledgment of the myſtery of God, and of the Father, and of Chriſt.
2. That they may grow up to a State of Joy, by holy Union and Communion in Love, and to be yet richer and happier in the full and aſſured underſtanding and acknowledgment of the Myſtery of God's Love, and of Chriſts Grace, in the Promiſes, Prefigurations, and Performance of our Redemption.
3. In whom are hid all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledge.
3. Though it be not diſcerned by carnal Men, who ſearch more after other Knowledge in the World, the depth, excellency, and benefit of all true Wiſdom and Knowledge, are compriſed in the Knowledge of God manifeſted in Chriſt: This is the true Philoſophy, in compariſon of which, all other is Vanity and Folly.
4. And this I ſay, leſt any man ſhould beguile you with enticing words.
4. I tell you this, leſt any delude you by the ſpecious oſtentation of any other ſort of Knowledge, called Philoſophy, or Oracular, or Enthuſiaſtical, or Phariſaical Tradition, as if it were ſomewhat more excellent than the Knowledge of Chriſt.
5. For though I be abſent in the fleſh, yet am I with you in the Spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the ſtedfaſtneſs of your faith in Chriſt.
5. For though I ſee you not, I am in the Spirit as if I was preſent with you, affected with Joy to hear of your Order, and ſtedfaſtneſs of Faith: but yet I know where your danger lieth.
6. As ye have therefore received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, ſo walk ye in him:
6. Let it then be your care to hold faſt and practiſe the Goſpel of Chriſt, as you have already received him and his Word, and turn not to any other way.
7. Rooted and built up in him, and ſtabliſhed in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thankſgiving.
7. As growing downwards in the Roots is neceſſary to Trees, for ſtedfaſtneſs and Fruit; and as the Houſe muſt be built up, when the Foundation is laid: ſo muſt you now be more and more rooted, and built up, and ſtabliſhed in the ſame Faith which you were taught at firſt, and muſt abound with joyful Thanks to God, in the increaſed Knowledge, Love, and Practiſe of that, in ſtead of hearkning to Novelties or Errours.
8. Beware leſt any man ſpoil you through philoſphy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Chriſt:
8. The danger which I adviſe you to beware, is, leſt any by pretending that the Heathen Philoſophy is a higher ſort of Wiſdom and Learning (more methodical, accurate, extenſive) than the Goſpel of Chriſt, ſhould deceive you, and draw you from the true Wiſdom of Chriſtianity, or Hereticks draw you by Philoſophical Pretences to their Hereſies; and they ſhould ſet up the Tradition, Books, or Opinions of any Sect of Philoſophers, againſt the Heavenly Doctrine of Chriſt.
Note, That as Moſes's Law was very uſeful in ſubordination to the Covenant of Grace, and to Chriſt; but pernicious to them that ſet it in oppoſition to Chriſt, or in ſeparation from him: ſo is true Philoſophy; which is the Knowledge of the knowable part of Gods Works, uſeful in ſubordination to Chriſt: But the Heathen Sect of Philoſophers were the moſt dangerous Adverſaries to Chriſtianity, by deriding its Simplicity, and pretending to far greater Learning, and deſpiſing Chriſtians as ignorant and credulous, and uſing againſt them their Logical Art and Sophiſtry, and the Reputation of all their Sciences.
9. For in him dwelleth all the fulneſs of the Godhead bodily.
9. For as the Divine Nature it ſelf hath united it ſelf to, and ſo dwelleth in his Humane Nature; ſo in the Perſon, Doctrine, and Works of Chriſt Incarnate, God hath treaſured up, and by that In-dwelling placed, the fulleſt Manifeſtation of himſelf to Mankind, that ever he will give them in this Life on Earth.
10. And ye are compleat in him, who is the head of all principality and power.
10. You need not ſeek after Wiſdom in the Oracles or Knowledge of Demons or Angels; for in Chriſt you have compleat Wiſdom, (if you truly receive him, and learn of him) who is not onelyonly above all Philoſophers and Rabbies, but above the higheſt Angels or Celeſtial Powers, and is the chief Revealer of God to Man.
11. In whom alſo ye are circumciſed, by the circumciſion made without hands, in putting off the body of the ſins of the fleſh, by the circumciſion of Chriſt.
11. Nor need you go to Judaiſm for Circumciſion: For you have the true ſaving Circumciſion in Chriſt, even that of the Heart, made without Plands by the Spirit of Chriſt, cutting off and caſting away the Body of Sin, or Fleſhly Luſts.
12. Buried with him in baptiſm, wherein alſo you are riſen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raiſed him from the dead.
12. And it's more than a Circumciſion of your Luſts that you have in Chriſt; they are dead and buried with him: For ſo your Baptiſm ſignifieth, in which you are put under the Water, to ſignifie and profeſs, that your Old Man, or Fleſhly Luſt, is dead and buried with him; and you riſe thence, to ſignifie and profeſs, that you riſ… to Newneſs of Life, and Heavenly Hopes, through the Belief of Gods Works that raiſed Chriſt from the dead.
13. And you being dead in your ſins, and the uncircumciſion of your fleſh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all treſpaſſes.
13. And you, that were as dead in the Guilt and Power of your Sins, your Hearts and Luſts, as your Fleſh, being uncircumciſed, hath God made ſpiritually alive, as Chriſt was quickned and raiſed, and hath abſolved you by pardon of all Sin, from the Obligation to Everlaſting Death which you had contracted.
14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was againſt us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his croſs:
14. Cancelling the Legal Impoſition of Moſaical Rites and Ceremonies, even to us Jews, which might have been produced againſt us Breakers of the Law to our condemnation, and as it were nailed it to his Croſs, while by dying he diſabled it: So that you need not think that Judaizing is neceſſary to your Salvation.
15. And having ſpoiled principalities and powers, he made a ſhew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
15. And when his Crucifiers triumphed over him on the Croſs, as if they had utterly overcome him, it was but his Conqueſt and Spoils of all Principalities and Powers, of Devils or Men, that were Adverſaries to his Grace and Kingdom, and his open Oſtentation of his Victory, and Triumph over them, in that his Crucifixion.
16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in reſpect of an holy day, or of the new-moon, or of the ſabbath days:
6. Seeing then that Chriſt hath abrogated the Moſaical Law, none ought to cenſure you as Sinners, for not keeping the Ceremonies of the Law, about Meat, or Drink, or in the Point of Feſtivals called Holydays, or of the New Moon, or of the Sabbath-days.
17. Which are a ſhadow of things to come; but the body is of Chriſt.
17. For theſe were but Shadows of the things to come, even Chriſt and Chriſtianity, which are the Subſtance ſhadowed.
Note, That Sabbaths are aboliſhed with the reſt of Moſes's Law. As to the Lords-days, conſider theſe things diſtinctly, 1. That all Moſes's Law, as ſuch, bound onelyonly the Jews, to whom it was promulgate, and is now aboliſhed, even (ſaith Paul) that written in Stone. 2. That all the Law of Chriſt in Nature and Revelation ſtill bindeth us. 3. That the Word [Sabbath] in Scripture properly ſignifieth a Day of Ceremonial Reſt, in which the Bodily Reſt was a Duty directly in it ſelf, (as Sacrificing and other Ceremonies were.) 4. That the Lords-day is never called a Sabbath in Scripture, (however ſome miſtake a Text or two.) 5. That the Lords-day is ſeparated by Divine Appointment to the holy Commemoration of Chriſts Reſurrection and our Redemption, eſpecially in Sacred Aſſemblies for Church-worſhip. 6. That it is of greater dignity than the Sabbaths were, as being for more ſubſtantial, ſpiritual, excellent Work. 7. That on it, Reſt is not a Ceremonial Due, as it was on Sabbaths, for it ſelf; but onelyonly a ſubordinate Duty, that Soul and Body (even of Servants) may be vacant and free for Spiritual Worſhip: and no Breach of Reſt is now a Sin, but, 1. That which hindreth this Spiritual Work; 2. Or is ſcandalous, encouraging others to Sin. 8. That therefore the Seventh-day Sabbath is aboliſhed, 1. Becauſe Moſes's Law is aboliſhed; 2. And all proper Sabbaths are aboliſhed. 9. That yet (with the ancient Churches) we may well call the Lords day [the S…bbath], (when it tendeth not to Errour;) But onelyonly by alluſion, or metaphorically, as they then called the Table an Altar, the Minſters, Prieſts, and the Sacrament, and Alms, and Thank…giving, Sacrifices. This is the full Truth, as I have proved in a ſet Treatiſe.
18. Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility, and worſhipping of angels, intruding into thoſe things which he hath not ſeen, vainly puft up by his fleſhly mind;
18. Let no Man beguile you of the Reward of Chriſtianity, by pretending greater ſelf humbling than God commandeth, by worſhipping Angels, intruding into and pretending to know the things which he never ſaw, nor God revealed to him, vainly puffed up by the Imaginations of his fleſhly Mind, and building on his deluded Conjectures and Self-conceits.
19. And not holding the head, from which all the body by joynts and bands having nouriſhment miniſtred, and knit together, increaſeth with the increaſe of God.
19. By which they depart from their due Dependence on Chriſt the Head, whoſe Office it is to be the ſole immediate Mediator between God and Man, and the Lawgiver to the Church, who hath given us ſufficient notice what Worſhip God accepteth. It is from him the Head (of Life and Government) that the Body, even the Church, receiveth its Nouriſhment and holy Increaſe by the Bleſſing of God, it being by Joynts and Ligaments of Faith, Love, and Miniſtry and Communion for Concord, conjoined and made a meet Receiver.
20. Wherefore if ye be dead with Chriſt from the rudiments of the world; why as though living in the world, are ye ſubject to ordinances, 21. (Touch not, taſte not, handle not: 22. Which all are to periſh with the uſing) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
20, 21, 22. If then you be dead to the Rudiments of all other Maſters and Cuſtoms in the World, of Jews or Heathens, in conformity to your Crucified Lord, why, as though yet you were not ſeparated from the World to Chriſt, are you ſubject to ſuch Ordinances, which Chriſt never made you, but hath aboliſhed? as, Touch not, taſte not, meddle not with ſuch and ſuch Meats, as unclean, and the like: which were all temporary things, and conſiſt in tranſient unprofitable Actions, having no Reward of God, as being but the Products of the Commands and Doctrines of unauthoriſed Men.
23. Which things have indeed a ſhew of wiſdom in will-worſhip, and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the ſatisfying of the fleſh.
23. Which are the things for which, as deceitful Shews, tho Heretical and Heathen Seducers pretend to be wiſer Men than the Apoſtles and Chriſtians, and to be more pious Men, and ſo would draw you to their Errours, as being ſtricter in Voluntary Worſhip and greater Humility, and neglecting of the Body on pretenſe of being more for the Soul, and not, as ſenſual Men do, ſetting up and pampering the Fleſh.
Note, The Deſcription of Paul and Church. Hiſtorians notifie to us, that theſe Hereticks made up a Religion of three Parts: 1. Of the Name and ſome Parts of Chriſtianity, to keep in with the Chriſtians. 2. Of many Jewiſh Rites, to keep fair with the Jews. 3. But the main Subſtance which they boaſted of, was Pythagorean Heatheniſm, in which they pretended great knowledge of Spirits, Demons, and inviſible things, their Orders, Powers, Offices, Durations, &c. which God never revealed, but the deluded Imaginations of themſelves and the ſaid Pythagorean and Platonick Philoſophers taught them. In many of which Superſtitions, of Will-worſhip, Angel-worſhip, Laws of Penance on the Fleſh, (while the vain Mind uſurpeth Chriſts Legiſlative Power) too many of the carnal corrupt Church do imitate them to this day.
CHAP. III.
IF ye then be riſen with Chriſt, ſeek thoſe things which are above, where Chriſt ſitteth on the right hand of God.
1. If then you be true Chriſtians, riſen with Chriſt as you profeſs to the hope of a Celeſtial Glory, and to a Holy Life, ſhew it by ſeeking the things which are above, where Chriſt who you truſt in is as your Head, over all in glory.
2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
2. Let the Heavenly things, and not the things on Earth, have your ſtrongeſt affections, your Love, your Deſire, your Hope, your Joy, your Care, your very Hearts.
3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Chriſt in God. 4. When Chriſt who is our life ſhall appear, then ſhall ye alſo appear with him in glory.
3, 4. For ye are dead to the World and ſin, and the root of your Spiritual Life is not in your ſelves; but both your Objective Life, which is your Happineſs, and the Root of all your Spiritual Life, are out of ſight with Chriſt in God. It is by him that you live, and it is with him and on him that you muſt live in Glory for ever.
5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanneſs, inordinate affection, evil concupiſcence, and covetouſneſs which is idolatry: 6. For which things ſake the wrath of God cometh on the children of diſobedience.
5, 6. Therefore, tho your Luſts are as it were the very Members of your corrupt fleſhly Nature, kill them all; even Fornication, Uncleanneſs, Inordinate Affections of Love or delight, all evil luſtings or deſires, and Covetouſneſs which loveth the Creature above God, and which is Idolaters ſin. For it is for theſe things that the Unbeliving Rebellious World is under the wrath of God.
7. In the which ye alſo walked ſometime when ye lived in them.
7. Theſe ſins were formerly your own practices, when you were Heathens among them.
8. But now you alſo put off all theſe; anger, wrath, malice, blaſphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9. Lie not one to another, ſeeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
8, 9. But now you muſt not only caſt off all theſe filthy ſins, but alſo all that is contrary to Love and Peace, all ſinful wrath and malice, and evil ſpeaking and rybaldry, and lying: For all theſe are the Members and Deeds of the Old Man, or ſtate which you have renounced.
10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him.
10. And you have by Converſion become New Men, renewed in Saving Knowledge, unto the Image of that God and Saviour who is the maker of this New Creature.
11. Where there is neither Greek, nor Jew, circumciſion nor uncircumciſion, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Chriſt is all, and in all.
11. Where the Intereſt and Union that we have all in One Chriſt, who is all in all, doth ſwallow up all the little differences, of Greeks and Jew, &c. And ſo muſt lo in our Communion.
12. Put on therefore (as the elect of God, holy and beloved) bowels of mercies, kindneſs, humbleneſs of mind, meekneſs, long-ſuffering;
12. Let theſe therefore be your very Habit, and Nature, and Practice, as becometh Gods choſen, holy, and beloved ones, Bowels of Mercy, Kindneſs, &c.
13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel againſt any: even as Chriſt forgave you, ſo alſo do ye.
13. Note, 1. That it is ſuppoſed that we are wronged, elſe there is no need of forgiving. 2. True Chriſtians are known by this Spiritual Nature, as well as by Religious Exerciſes.
14. And above all theſe things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectneſs.
14. But as the moſt neceſſary and excellent of all, put on true endeared Love to others as your ſelves, for the ſake of God, who muſt be moſt loved: For as this is the higheſt Grace which Chriſts Spirit worketh in us▪ ſo it is that Bond which by uniting Believers to Chriſt and each other, tendeth to the perfect compagination, growth, and welfare of the Church, and every Member of it.
15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which alſo ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
15. And let that Peace which God both giveth you within, and calleth you to exerciſe, by dwelling in your Hearts, bear rule in your lives towards all Men, as being of the ſame Body: And live in continual thankfulneſs to God.
16. Let the word of Chriſt dwell in you richly in all wiſdom; teaching and admoniſhing one another in Pſalms and hymns, and ſpiritual ſongs, ſinging with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
16. Let the word of God ſo poſſeſs your Souls, that you may by it have plenteous Holy Wiſdom to inſtruct and admoniſh one another, and Holy Affections, that thoſe who have the gift of compoſing Holy Pſalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs for themſelves and others uſe, may do it wiſely, and all of you uſe them with Holy Joy in ſinging to the Lord.
17. And whatſoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jeſus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
17. And let all that you offer to God in word or deed, in worſhip or obedience, be done in the name of the Lord Jeſus truſting for acceptance to his Mediation, and offer your daily Thankſgiving to God the Father, by him our High Prieſt in the Heavens.
18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Wives ſubmit your ſelves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands love your wives, and be not bitter againſt them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleaſing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, leſt they be diſcouraged. Servants, obey in all things your maſters according to the fleſh; not with eye-ſervice as men-pleaſers, but in ſingleneſs of heart, fearing God: And whatſoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye ſhall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye ſerve the Lord Chriſt.
18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. See all this before Paraphraſed, Eph. 5, & 6.
25. But he that doth wrong, ſhall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no reſpect of perſons.
25. But if Maſters or Servants do wrong to the other, though they may eſcape the puniſhment of Man, God who reſpecteth no Mans Perſon will judge and puniſh them.
CHAP. IV.
1. MAſters, give unto your ſervants that which is juſt and equal, knowing that ye alſo have a Maſter in heaven.
1. Let not your power over your Servants embolden you to abuſe, oppreſs, or wrong them, but give them all wages and uſage which Juſtice and Equity require; for you have a Maſter in Heaven, who will judge you as you are and do.
2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the ſame with thankſgiving;
2. Be conſtant in Prayer, and not curſory or cold, and watch in it againſt your corruptions, and temptations, joyning thankſgiving with your requeſts.
3. Withal, praying alſo for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to ſpeak the myſtery of Chriſt for which I am alſo in bonds:
3. Praying for us Miniſters of Chriſt, that God would give us freedom from Mens reſtraints and our own infirmities, that we may with enlargedneſs and boldneſs preach the Goſpel, for which I ſuffer.
4. That I may make it manifeſt, as I ought to ſpeak.
4. That I may open and apply it, as the Work and the Souls of Men require.
5. Walk in wiſdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
5. Uſe the wiſdom toward them that are without the Church, which is needful to keep you from receiving hurt by them, or in doing good to them.
6. Let your ſpeech be alway with grace, ſeaſoned with ſalt, that ye may know how ye ought to anſwer every man.
6. Let all your ſpeech be the exerciſe of God's Grace in your Hearts, not rotten, filthy, or vain, but wiſe and ſavoury, that you may ſpeak pertinently and fruitfully to every Man, eſpecially in the neceſſary defence of the truth, againſt Gainſayers, and reſolving of the doubtful.
7. All my ſtate ſhall Tychichus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful miniſter, and fellow-ſervant in the Lord:
7. T…chicus a faithful Brother, fully ſhall acquaint you with my Concernments.
8, 9. Whom I have ſent unto you for the ſame purpoſe, that he might know your eſtate, and comfort your hearts: With Oneſimus a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They ſhall make known unto you all things which are done here. 10. Ariſtarchus my fellow-priſoner ſaluteth you, and Marcus ſiſters ſon to Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you receive him) 11. And Jeſus which is called Juſtus, who are of the circumciſion. Theſe onelyonly are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
8, 9, 10, 11. Theſe are all that have helpt me here at Rome in my ſuffering, and have much comforted me.
12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a ſervant of Chriſt, ſaluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may ſtand perfect and compleat in all the will of God. 13. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
12, 13. Note, 1. That Prayer ſhould be a Work of fervent labouring. 2. That Miniſters-ſhould long for the Peoples increaſe in Grace and univerſal Obedience, more than to promote their own Intereſt with them.
14, 15. Luke the beloved Phyſician, and Demas greet you. Salute the brethren which are in …aodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his houſe …
15. Which uſe to meet there.
And when this epiſtle is read amongſt you, cauſe that it be read alſo in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewiſe read the epiſtle from Laodicea.
16. Note, 1. It was the Duty of the Churches to communicate the Epiſtles written to them by the Apoſtles. 2. What Epiſtle that written to Laodicea was, it concerneth us not to know. It's vain to think that Paul and other Apoſtles wrote no more Epiſtles than be in the Bible; or, that God is bound to bring down all that they wrote, to us.
17. And ſay to Archippus, Take heed to the miniſtery which thou haſt received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
17. Note, That Biſhops or Paſtors may have need to be admoniſhed by the People to take heed to the Miniſtry which God calleth them to, and not to ſlubber it over, (much leſs pervert it) but fulfil it.
18. The ſalutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
18. In concluſion, I ſubſcribe my Salutation to you. Let the remembrance of my Bonds, remember you of your Duty to me, in Prayer, and receiving of this Word. Grace be with you, is the ſummary Benediction. Amen.