Forty-nine Sermons upon Colossians, Part 1 · Sermon 1
THE FIRST SERMON
On the I, II, III, IV, V. VERSES.
Verſe I. Paul an Apoſtle of JESƲS CHRIST by the Will of GOD, and the Brother Timothy.
II. To the Saints, and faithful Brethren in CHRIST, which are at Coloſſe. Grace be unto you, and Peace, from GOD our Father, and from the LORD JESƲS CHRIST.
III. We give thanks for you unto GOD, who is the Father of our LORD JESƲS CHRIST, praying alway for you.
IV. Having heard ſpeak, of your faith in JESƲS CHRIST, and of the love you have to all the Saints.
V. For the hope, which is reſerved in Heaven for you, whereof you have heretofore heard by the Word of Truth, to wit, the Goſpel.
THE Apoſtle St. Paul's Aſſertion is verified, in the afflictions of the faithful, by conſtant experience; Rom. 8.27.and they ever work together for good, to them that love GOD. Beſide the excellent fruit, which the afflicted themſelves receive from them; ſuch, as they ſooner or later acknowledge, with the Pſalmiſt, That it was good for them, to have been afflicted; Pſal. 119.71.they are alſo ſerviceable to the edification of others. For as Roſes, the faireſt, and ſweeteſt of Flowers, do grow on a rough, and thorny ſtock; ſo from the afflictions of the faithful, rugged and piercing to the fleſh, ſpring forth examples of their Vertue, and inſtances of their Piety; ſweeteſt and moſt ſalubrious productions. See, what a rich ſtore of benefits, the tryals of Job, and of David, have yielded us! It's to them we owe, that admirable Book of the Patience of the former; and a good part of the Divine Hymns of the latter. Had it not been for their afflictions, we ſhould not now enjoy after ſo many Ages, that ineſtimable treaſure of Inſtructions, and Conſolations. What ſhall I ſay of the ſufferings of St. Paul? which did ſpead the Goſpel all abroad, and convert the world unto knowledge of the true GOD. His impriſonment at Rome alone under the Empire of Nero, hath done the Church more good; than the peace, and proſperity of all the reſt of the faithful, that then were. It gave reputation to the Goſpel; and made it gloriouſly enter into the ſtatelieſt Court in the world. It inſpired an heroick courage into Preachers of the truth. It awakened the curioſity of ſome; and inflamed the charity of others: and filled all that great City with the Name and Odor of JESUS CHRIST. Nor was it of uſe unto the Romans only. It imparted its celeſtial fruit, unto the remoteſt Regions, and Generations. For it was in this very confinement, that this holy man wrote ſeveral of his Divine Epiſtles, which we read with ſo much edification to this day: as thoſe to Philemon, to Timothy, to the Epheſians; and that directed to the Philippians, the Expoſition whereof we laſt finiſhed; and the following to the Coloſſians, which we have choſen to explain henceforth unto you, if GOD permit. Paul's Priſon was a common receptacle, whence have iſſued out thoſe living Springs, which water, and rejoyce the City of GOD, and will furniſh it even to the end of the world with the ſtreams it needs for its refreſhment.
Having then already drawn from the one of theſe ſweet Springs, that Divine Liquor, wherewith we have endeavoured, according to the Miniſtry committed to us of GOD, to irrorate the heavenly plants of your faith, and love; we now turn us, my Brethren, to the other; a no leſs quick, and plentiful one, than the former. Bring ye to it, as the Lord requires, ſouls thirſting for His grace; and He will give you, as He hath promiſed, living water, which ſhall quench your drougth for ever, and become in each of you a Well, ſpringing up to eternal life.
The Church of the Coloſſians, to whom this Epiſtle is addreſſed, having been happily planted by Epaphras, a faithful Miniſter of CHRIST, the enemy failed not to ſow forthwith his Tares within it, by the hands of ſome Seducers, theſe men would mingle Moſes with our Saviour, and together with the Goſpel of the one, retain, and obſerve the Ceremonies of the other. To make their error the more pleaſing, they painted it over with colours of Philoſophy, ſubtility of Diſcourſe, curioſity of Speculations, and other ſuch like Artifices. Epaphras ſeeing the danger whereinto this prophane medly did caſt the faith, and ſalvation of his dear Coloſſians, advertiſeth St. Paul of it, then Priſoner at Rome. The Apoſtle, to withdraw them from ſo pernicious an error, taketh Pen in hand, and writeth them this Letter: wherein he ſheweth them, that in JESUS CHRIST alone, is all the fulneſs of our ſalvation; in ſuch manner, as that we ſhould deeply injure Him, to ſeek ought of it, out of Him; ſince in His Goſpel we have abundantly, wherewith to inform our Faith and form our manners, without adding thereto, either the ſhadows of Moſes, or the vanities of Philoſophy. At the entrance He ſaluteth them, and congratulates them for the Communion they had with GOD in His Son. Next he draweth them a lively pourtrait of the Lord JESUS, wherein ſhine forth the dignity of His perſon, and the inexhauſtible abundance of His benefits. Upon that, he undertaketh the Seducers, and refutes the unprofitable additions, wherewith they ſophiſticated the ſimplicity of the Goſpel. Afterwards, from diſpute he paſſeth unto exhortation; conjuring theſe faithful people to live well, and holy, forming their deportment to a Piety, Honeſty, and Vertue, worthy their vocation. He endeth with ſome particular affairs, whereof he ſpeaketh to them, and with the recommendations he preſents them, both on his own part, and on the part of ſome other faithful perſons, that were with Him. But you will better underſtand the whole, by the expoſition of each of the parts of the Epiſtle; if the LORD grant us to compleat the ſame. For the preſent we propoſe to our ſelves, to conſider only the five Verſes we have read: the two firſt of which contain the Inſcription of the Epiſtle, and the other three the joy, and the thanksgivings of Paul unto GOD for the faith and charity of theſe Coloſſians. Theſe ſhall be (GOD willing) the two Points, that we will treat on in this action.
The Inſcription of the Epiſtle is couched in theſe words; Paul an Apoſtle of JESƲS CHRIST by the Will of GOD, and the Brother Timothy, to the Saints and faithful brethren in CHRIST JESƲS, that are at Coloſſe. Grace be unto you, and peace from GOD our Father, and from the LORD JESƲS CHRIST. Whereas at this day the cuſtom is, to put upon Letters the name of thoſe, to whom they are written; and within, after the body of the Letter, the Name, and Sign of thoſe that write them; heretofore the uſe was otherwiſe: for he that wrote, did ſet both the one and the other Name within, at the head of the Letter, with a brief ſalutation in theſe words. Such a one, unto ſuch a one, health; as we learn by a multitude of Greek and Latin Epiſtles, which are left us in the ancient Books of the moſt renowned Perſonages of thoſe two Nations. The Apoſtle that lived in thoſe Ages, uſeth the ſame manner in all his Letters, as you know; ſaving, that inſtead of wiſhing health, and proſperity, to thoſe to whom he writes; He ordinarily wiſheth them Peace, and the Grace of GOD, and of his Son JESƲS CHRIST.
According to this form, the inſcription of this Epiſtle containeth, Firſt, The Names, and Qualities, both of them that write it, and thoſe they write it to; and Secondly, The good, and happy wiſh, wherewith they ſalute them. The Names of thoſe that write it, are Paul and Timothy; ſufficiently known to all, that are ever ſo little verſed, in the reading of the New Teſtament. They are here deſcribed, each by certain qualities attributed to them. To Paul, that of an Apoſtle of JESƲS CHRIST, by the will of GOD. To Timothy, that of Brother ſimply. The word (Apoſtle) ſignifies in the Language of the Greeks, one deputed; a perſon ſent by ſome one. But in the Scripture of the New Covenant, it is taken particularly, for thoſe firſt, and higheſt Miniſters of the LORD JESUS, whom He ſent with a Soveraign and Independent Authority to Preach the Goſpel, and eſtabliſh His Church in the world. The higheſt and nobleſt charge GOD ever gave to men: And to exerciſe it, it was neceſſary, Firſt, To have ſeen JESUS CHRIST alive after His Death, that a good and lawful Teſtimony might be given of His Reſurrection. They muſt Secondly, Have received their commiſſion from the LORD himſelf immediately; and in the Third place, Have the Holy Spirit in an extraordinary meaſure, with the gift of Tongues, and Miracles. Whence appears, how ill founded they are, that attribute the glory of an Apoſtleſhip to the Biſhop of Rome, to whom none of thoſe three conditions do agree. It is alſo clear, that this dignity is extraordinary, and was not inſtituted but for the firſt eſtabliſhments of the Church: the government whereof after its plantation, the Apoſtles put in the hands of another kind of in feriour Miniſters, which are indifferently called in Scripture, either Biſhops, that is, Overſeers, and Superintendents, or Presbyters, that is, Elders.
The Hiſtory of the Acts informeth us, that to the twelve Apoſtles afore ordained, our LORD added beſides, afterward, St. Paul: having miraculouſly appeared to Him, and ſent Him with the ſame power the reſt had, to convert the Gentiles. He aſſumeth therefore here this glorious Title, at the entrance of this Letter, and ſaith moreover, that He is an Apoſtle by the will of GOD: ſignifying, that it was the expreſs Order, and Mandate of the LORD, which honoured him with this Miniſtry, and not the ſuffrage, and authority of men; differencing Himſelf by this means, from thoſe falſe Teachers, and Troublers, that had not been ſent, but by the will of fleſh and blood. The declaration of this His quality was here neceſſary for Him: Firſt, To maintain His honour againſt the calumnies of Seducers, who did diſparage, and black Him, as much as they could, under pretence that He had not lived as the other Apoſtles in the company of JESUS CHRIST, during the dayes of His fleſh; and Secondly, To ground the liberty He took of writing to the Coloſſians, and of remonſtrating to them their duty, as well in faith, as manners; it being evident that the Apoſtles had right to uſe this authority over all, and every of the Chriſtian Churches. To His own Name he addeth that of Timothy, whom he calleth Brother, as having one, and the ſame faith; and labouring about one, and the ſame work: whether it were to authorize His Doctrine the more, by the conſent of this holy man; every word being more firm in the mouth of two or three Witneſſes, than in that of one alone: Or to recommend Him to theſe believers; that if he wrote to them, or ever came to viſit them, they might receive Him, as a perſon worthy of the fellowſhip of the Apoſtles, and whoſe Name deſerved to accompany that of Paul.
As for thoſe to whom He directeth this Epiſtle, He deſcribes them next in theſe words. To the Saints and faithful Brethren in CHRIST that are at Coloſſe. I paſs by as childiſh and impertinent, the opinion of thoſe, whom it liſted to ſay, that it is the Iſle and City of Rhodes He meaneth; and that He calleth it Coloſſe, becauſe of that great, and prodigious Statue of the Sun, which the Rhodians had erected at the mouth of their Haven, and which the Greeks ordinarily called the Coloſſus. What need is there of theſe frigid, and ridiculous ſubtilities, ſince the Ancients ſhew, that there was yerſt in Phrygia a Province of Aſia the leſs, a City called Coloſſe, not far from two others, to wit, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, whom the Apoſtle alſo mentions in this Epiſtle, and recommends expreſly to the Coloſſians, the communicating this Letter to the Laodiceans, when themſelves ſhould have read it. Afterward this City of Coloſſe changed its Name, and was called Cone, and to it one of the famouſeſt Writers of the latter times of Greece, who is called Nicetas Choniates owed his birth, taking His Surname from the place where he was born: In Th ſaur. l. 4. ch. 22.and himſelf boaſteth in one of His Works, that it had been to the inhabitants of the City of Cone, whence he was, that the Apoſtle did the honour to write this Epiſtle.
S. Paul qualifieth the Chriſtians at Coloſſe Saints, and faithful Brethren. He calleth them Saints, a name he ordinarily giveth to all true Chriſtians, and which belongeth to them indeed: foraſmuch as GOD, ſeparating them from the reſt of men by the effectual working of His Word, and by the Sacrament of His Baptiſm, cleanſeth and purifieth them from the filth of Sin, and delivereth them from the ſervitude of the fleſh, and conſecrates them to His own name and ſervice, to be to Him a peculiar people, addicted to good works. Whence it comes, that the whole body of the faithful is called in the Creed, The Holy Church. Mark this well, my Brethren, and make account, that you cannot be Chriſtians except you be truly Saints. Suffer not your ſelves to be abuſed by the deceitfulneſs of thoſe, who promiſe you this glorious Name, provided only you make profeſſion to believe in CHRIST, and that ye will live in the Communion of their Church, how naught and impious ſoever ye be other wayes; the body of the LORD is too lively and precious to have dead, and rotten members. I confeſs, if you have the induſtry to hide your Vices under the falſe appearances of an outward profeſſion, you will gain thus much; that men will give you the name of Chriſtians, and reckon you among the members of the Church; as it might well be, that among thoſe whom the Apoſtle honours here with the Name of Saints, and faithful, there were ſome hypocrites. But GOD who ſeeth the ſecrets of our hearts, and upon whoſe judgement our whole condition doth depend, will never count you Chriſtians, or members of his Son, if you be not truly Saints. Paul likewiſe, and the Church, who by a charitable judgement call you now Diſciples of the LORD, will change their opinion, and rank you with profane men, and worldlings, when they ſhall diſcover your Hypocrifie. The Title, Faithful, which the Apoſtle gives in the ſecond place to the Coloſſians, is common to all true Chriſtians too, and is taken from that Faith they give to the Goſpel of the LORD. The word, Brethren, that follows, ſignifieth the holy communion they had with the Apoſtle, and with all other believers of whatſoever quality, or condition they were: as perſons, all begotten of the ſame Father, namely, GOD: all born of the ſame Mother Jeruſalem from on high; all partaking of the ſame Divine Nature; all nurſed in the ſame ſpiritual family; bred up in the ſame hopes; deſtined to the ſame inheritance; conſecrated by one and the ſame Diſcipline. In fine, He adds, in CHRIST; becauſe it is of Him, and by Him, and in Him, that we have all this Sanctity, Faith, and Fraternal union, the titles whereof he hath given to the Coloſſians.
After having thus denoted, and qualified the perſons, He writes unto; He wiſheth them, according to His cuſtom, Grace and Peace from GOD our Father, and from the LORD JESƲS CHRIST. By Grace, He meaneth the favour, and good will of GOD, with the ſaving gifts, and divine aſſiſtance, wherewith he gratifieth thoſe He loveth in His Son. By Peace, He ſignifieth that of GOD, which is nothing elſe, but the calm and tranquility of a ſoul, that looketh to the LORD with aſſurance, having remiſſion of its ſins by JESUS CHRIST, and is delivered by the effectual operation of His Spirit from the importune tyranny of the luſts of the fleſh. It may yet well be, that beſide this firſt and chiefeſt peace, the Apoſtle intendeth alſo that of men: a ſweet, and calm eſtate; exempt from their hatred and perſecutions: that they might without juſtling them, or being troubled of them, lead a peaceable life in all godlineſs and honeſty. You ſhould alſo know, that in the ſtile of Scripture the word Peace, ſignifieth generally all kind of welfare, and proſperity: to which ſenſe, it may without inconvenience be interpreted in this place. But he wiſheth them theſe benefits From GOD our Father, and from our LORD JESƲS CHRIST. From GOD; becauſe He is the firſt and higheſt ſpring of all good: the Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good gift. From JESƲS CHRIST, for that He is as the channel, by which the benefits of GOD ſtream down upon us: it being clear that without the death and reſurrection, and in a word, without the mediation of JESUS, we could have had no part in the leaſt of the Graces of GOD. He calleth GOD our Father; becauſe He hath adopted us freely in His Son; and it is properly upon this relation, that He communicateth His Grace, and Peace to us: whence it cometh, that JESUS CHRIST hath given us order to call Him our Father in the prayer He hath taught us. He calleth JESUS CHRIST the LORD, becauſe he is our Maſter, who hath all power and authority over us, as well by the right of Creation, as by that of Redemption. Such is the Inſcription of this Epiſtle.
Let us come now to the ſecond point of our Text, wherein the Apoſtle congratulates the Coloſſians for the part they had in JESUS CHRIST. We give thanks (ſaith he) to GOD for you, who is the Father of our LORD JESƲS CHRIST, praying alwayes for you, having heard ſpeak of your faith in JESƲS CHRIST, and of the charity you have towards all the Saints, for the hope that is reſerved for you in Heaven which you have before heard of, by the word of truth, to wit, the Goſpel. Here is, as the Preface, or Exordium of the Epiſtle, which extendeth as far as the thirteenth Verſe: wherein the Apoſtle, by the true praiſes he giveth the piety of the Coloſſians, winneth their benevolence; and declares to them His affection, to prepare them for a right, and faithful reception of the inſtructions, he will hereafter propoſe to them, as proceeding from a ſoul deſirous of their ſalvation. He proteſteth therefore to them, Firſt, In general, that as often as himſelf and Timothy prayed GOD for them, they did it with moſt humble thanksgivings, for the happy eſtate, wherein in Spirit they ſaw them. Next he toucheth more particularly the grounds of this thanksgiving, and propoſeth three of them. Firſt, The faith of the Coloſſians: Secondly, their charity, and in the third and laſt place, the inheritance reſerved in Heaven for them: Three particulars which comprize all the felicity of man. The part He taketh in the happineſs of the Coloſſians, teacheth us one of the moſt neceſſary offices of our charity, which is to intereſs our ſelves in the affairs of our Brethren; to mourn with them that mourn, to rejoyce with them that joy: and be as nearly touched with their good, and evil as our own. Far from our practice, be the envy and malignity of worldlings; to whom the proſperity of others giveth trouble, and their adverſity, gladneſs, who feed themſelves with their miſeries, and are ſad at their mercies. But the Apoſtle ſheweth us moreover by this his example, that the joy we have for the good of our neighbours, ſhould be elevated unto GOD, who is the only ſource thereof, to render Him thanks for it. This is the juſt and reaſonable Tribute, this liberal LORD demandeth of us, for ſo many benefits, as he communicateth daily to our Brethren and our ſelves. If our lowneſs and poverty render us incapable of other acknowledgement, let us at leaſt faithfully acquit us of this ſo eaſie an one, and ſo rightful; and ſay with the Prophet, Pſalm 116.12, 13.What ſhall I render to the LORD? All his benefits are upon me. I will take the cup of deliverances, and call upon the Name of the Eternal One. Let us ſtudy with ſo much the more care to render this ſacred due to the LORD, by how much more black and deteſtable the ingratitude of men is in this behalf. Far from bleſſing Him for the benefits he doth their neighbours, they ſcarce give Him thanks for thoſe they receive of Him themſelves. They impute them to their own induſtry or fortune, and (as ſaith the Prophet) Sacrifice to their Drag; for the good ſucceſſes that betide them: yea, ſome ſo inſenſible there are, as it is not godlineſs it ſelf, but they give the glory of it to their own will, and the ſtrength of their free determination. But it is not enough to render thanks to GOD for our Brethren, there muſt be alſo prayer for them. For as it is He that gives them all the good things they poſſeſs: So there is none but himſelf that can preſerve or augment them to them: and thus our thanksgivings ſhould be ever followed or accompanied with Petitions: as the Apoſtle ſheweth, in ſaying that be giveth thanks to GOD for the Coloſſians, praying alwayes for them. The Title He giveth to GOD, calling Him the Father of our LORD JESƲS CHRIST, is not put here in vain; but to diſtinguiſh, and ſpecifie the object of our prayers, and thanksgivings. The appellation of GOD under the Old Teſtament was The GOD of Abraham, of Iſaac, and of Jacob, the Patriarchs with whom He contracted the Old Covenant, and to whom He promiſed the New. Now, His Name is, the Father of JESƲS CHRIST, by whom He hath aboliſhed the Old Teſtament, and accompliſhed the New. Beſides, hereby St. Paul remindeth us, of that we can never enough meditate: that it is by the mean of this ſweet and charitable Saviour, GOD hath communicated Himſelf to us; and if we have the honour to be His children, 'tis by JESUS CHRIST, of whom He is properly the Father, having not adopted Him, as us: but begotten Him from all eternity, of His own ſubſtance; by reaſon whereof, that alſo which He aſſumed to Himſelf, in the Womb of the Virgin, hath the ſame glory; according to what the Angel ſaid, The Holy Spirit ſhall come upon thee (ſaid he to the Holy Virgin) and the Vertue of the Higheſt ſhall overſhadow thee; Luke 1 35.whence alſo that holy thing that ſhall be born of thee ſhall be called the Son of GOD. But the Apoſtle addeth in his proceſs, what were thoſe bleſſings of the Coloſſians, for which himſelf, and Timothy ſo aſſiduouſly rendred their thanks to GOD, the Father of our Saviour, Having heard ſpeak of your faith in JESƲS CHRIST (ſaith he) and of the charity you have towards all the Saints. He had never been among them; as He will ſay hereafter, putting them, after the opinion of moſt Interpreters, Col. 2.1.in the number of thoſe, Who had not ſeen his preſence in the fleſh. Therefore he ſaith, it was by hearing, that he underſtood of their faith, and charity. Here is (faithful Sirs) the true matter of our joyings and thanksgivings for our neighbours; not that GOD hath given them vigour of health, abundance of riches, the favour of the great, the glory of fame, the knowledge of Sciences, and ſuch other worldly good things; which, to ſay the truth, are but figures, dreams, and ſhadows, that ſecure no perſon (as we daily ſee) either from diſeaſes of the body, or death: or from trouble, and diſquiet of conſcience; or true miſery: But indeed for that Heaven hath revealed JESUS CHRIST to them, and ſhed into their ſouls, that holineſs, without which none ſhall ſee GOD. For theſe two Graces, Faith and Charity, comprize within their compaſs, the whole Kingdom of GOD. Faith is the entrance thereof, and charity the accompliſhment. The one cleareth our underſtandings; the other ſanctifieth our affections. The one is the light of the ſoul; the other is the heat thereof. The one believeth, and the other loveth. The one beginneth, and the other finiſheth the happineſs of our life.
Now Faith reſpects indeed generally the whole doctrine of GOD revealed in His Word, believing it undoubtedly true: but yet it fixeth particularly on the Promiſe He hath made us, to give us Eternal Life in JESUS CHRIST His Son. 'Tis this properly, that renders Faith ſaving, and vivifying. Without this, it would not differ at all from the faith of Devils, who believe there is a GOD, and tremble at it. But this love of GOD, which it apprehendeth, and embraceth, giveth it ſalvation; and enables it to produce in us, all that's neceſſary for getting in to the celeſtial Kingdom; according to the aſſertions of JESUS CHRIST and His Apoſtles in divers places of the Scripture, that whoſoever believeth in the LORD is already paſſed from death to life. That there is no condemnation for him; and that being juſtified by faith, we have peace with GOD. Hence St. Paul to deſcribe here true faith, addeth expreſly theſe words, Faith in JEƲS CHRIST. He ſheweth us in like manner the object of Charity, by ſaying, The Charity you have towards all the Saints: that is, as we have intimated afore, towards all Chriſtians, all the faithful.
I confeſs, that Charity extendeth it ſelf to all men generally: there being none, to whom we owe not love, and on occaſion the offices which a true, and ſincere affection is apt to produce: ſince all men are the Works, and Images of GOD: ſince in Adam they all have one common nature with us; and all are called to the participation of faith, and of eternity in JESUS CHRIST by the Goſpel, which, without diſtinction, or exception, inviteth all Nations, and perſons to repentance and grace. But ſo it is, notwithſtanding, that Charity embraceth not all men equally. It hath divers degrees in it's affections; and loveth it's neighbours more or leſs, as it perceiveth more or leſs in them, the marks of the hand of GOD, and the tokens of His CHRIST, and Spirit. Seeing therefore, they appear no where more clearly, than in the Saints, that is, in true believers, it is evident, theſe make the firſt, and principal part of the object of Charity; Gal. 6.10.according to what the Apoſtle ſaith elſewhere; Let us do good to all: but principally to the houſhold of faith. Beſides that Union we have with them, a much more ſtrict, and intimate one, than with any others: their neceſſity alſo doth particularly oblige us thereto; the hatred and perſecution of the world, putting them for the moſt part in ſuch caſe, as none of Creatures do more need the offices of our Charity: neither is there any object worthier of the affection and ſuccour of a good and generous ſoul, than innocence hated and oppreſſed unjuſtly: therefore it is, that the Apoſtle noteth here by name the Charity of the Coloſſians towards all the Saints.
He joyneth theſe two Vertues together, Faith, and Charity; becauſe in effect they are inſeparable: it being neither poſſible, nor imaginable (whatſoever error liſt to ſay of it) that man ſhould believe, and truly embrace GOD, as his Saviour in JESUS CHRIST, without loving Him, and His neighbours for His ſake: or that he ſhould love Him ſincerely, without believing in Him. He puts Faith before Charity, not for that it is more excellent (on the contrary, he elſewhere openly giveth the advantage unto Charity) but becauſe it goes firſt in the order of things requiſite to ſalvation. It is the bleſſed root, whence Charity ſprings forth, 1 Cor. 13.and all other Chriſtian Vertues. It is the foundation of the ſpiritual building; the Gate of the Kingdom of Heaven; the firſt fruits of the workmanſhip of GOD, and the beginning of the ſecond Creation. As in the old Creation, Light was the firſt thing He created: ſo in the new one, Faith is the firſt thing He produceth; which the Apoſtle divinely expreſſeth to us elſewhere. 2 Cor. 4.6.GOD (ſaith he) who commanded the light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our hearts, to give the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESƲS CHRIST.
After the Faith, and Charity of the Coloſſians, the Apoſtle adds in the third place, the Happineſs that was kept for them in the Heavens. For the hope (ſaith He) which is reſerved in Heaven for you. Some knit theſe words, with what he had now ſaid of the Faith, and Charity of the Coloſſians, and underſtand, that theſe faithful people laboured with alacrity in the exerciſe of theſe Vertues, for the hope they had of the celeſtial Crown and reward: according to what the Apoſtle ſaith elſewhere of Moſes; that He choſe rather to be afflicted with the People of GOD, Hebr.than to enjoy for a little time the delights of ſin, and eſteemed the reproach of CHRIST greater riches than the treaſures of Aegypt; becauſe (ſaith he) he had reſpect to the recompence. And he teacheth us in general of all thoſe that come to GOD, that they muſt believe that GOD is, and that He is a rewarder of them that ſeek him. Ibid. v. 6.And from hence it followeth not at all, either that our works do merit the glory of Heaven; or that our affection is mercenary. If we ſhould not hope but for what we merit, our hopes would be very miſerable. But knowing that GOD is faithful, and conſtant, we hope with aſſurance for the bliſs, which He, of His meer grace, promiſeth us; and the leſs we merit it, the more love we conceive towards GOD, who giveth it to us; and the more acknowledgement, and ſervice ought we to render Him for the ſame. And for this gratuitous ſalary, which He promiſeth us, we look not on it as a prey after which we hunt; and without which, we would have no love for the LORD: but as an excellent evidence of His infinite goodneſs; as a teſtimony of His admirable liberality; that love of GOD which ſhines forth in it, is the thing pleaſeth and raviſheth us moſt of all: and which enflameth our faith, our zeal, and our affection to the ſervice of ſo good and amiable a LORD, though then we ſhould bind, what the Apoſtle ſaith, of the Charity of the Coloſſians, with the hope they had of the heavenly glory; there would be nothing in this, but what were conform to Evangelical Truth.
Yet it ſeems to me more ſimple, and fluent, to refer it to the third Verſe, where he ſaith, that He giveth thanks to GOD for the Coloſſians, having underſtood their faith, and charity; for the hope (He addeth now) which is reſerved in Heaven for you. For to conſider the condition of theſe believers on the earth, it ſeems, there was no great cauſe to congratulate them for their faith, and charity: the afflictions, which they drew on them, rendring them in appearance the moſt miſerable of men. But though the fleſh make this judgement of it, the Spirit, that ſeeth, above viſible things, the Crown of glory prepared for the faith and charity of the faithful, holdeth them for the happieſt of all Creatures; congratulates them, and rendreth thanks to GOD for the ineſtimable treaſure he hath communicated to them. I know (ſaith the Apoſtle) that your piety hath it's tryals, and exerciſes in this world. But I forbear not to bleſs the LORD affectionately, for that He hath given it to you. I know the bliſs, that is prepared for you on high in the Sanctuary of GOD. He takes the word (Hope) here, as often elſewhere, for the thing we hope for, to wit, the bleſſed immortality and glory of the world to come. I confeſs, we poſſeſs it not yet: for hope is the expectation of a good to come. Rom. 8.23.That we are ſaved, (ſaith the Apoſtle) is in hope: but hope that a man ſeeth is not hope: for what a man ſeeth why doth he yet hope for? But this good, though abſent and to come, is as aſſured to us, as if we had it already in our hands. The Apoſtle ſhews it, when he addeth, that this Hope is reſerved in Heaven for you. It is a treaſure which GOD hath ſet apart, having fully prepared it already, keeping it faithfully for us in His own boſome. Whence it is, that we make an aſſured account thereof; for He hath depoſited it in the hands of JESUS CHRIST in whom is hid our life, and immortality; ſo as if we make an aſſured account of things, which a man of probity, and honour keepeth in truſt for us; how much more certain ſhould we be, of the life, and glory to come, ſeeing GOD hath put it for us in the keeping of ſo faithful, and powerful a depoſitary? The place where this rich treaſure is kept depoſited for us, confirms yet more the hope, and excellency of it to us: for (ſaith the Apoſtle) it is reſerved for us, in the heavens. Fear not, ye Faithful. Your bliſs is not on earth, where the Thief ſteals, or infidelity and violence make ſpoil: where time it ſelf ruineth all things: where Crowns the beſt eſtabliſht, are ſubject to a thouſand, and a thouſand accidents. Yours is on high, in the Heavens, in the Sanctuary of eternity, lifted up above all the odd variations, and inconſtancies of humane things; where neither our changes, nor the cauſes that produce them, have any acceſs. But this ſame place ſheweth you beſides, the excellency, and perfection of the bliſs you hope for: inaſmuch as all celeſtial things are great, and magnificent. Weakneſs, poverty, and imperfection lodge here below: Heaven is the habitation of glory, and felicity.
In fine, the Apoſtle toucheth briefly, in the laſt words of this Text, whence it is, that the Coloſſians had conceived ſo high an hope: Of which (ſaith he) you have heard heretofore by the word of truth, to wit, the Goſpel. This Soveraign bliſs, which is reſerved for us in the Heavens, is ſo highly raiſed above nature, that neither ſubtility of ſenſe, nor vivacity of reaſon, nor even the light of the Law could diſcover it to us, much leſs give us the hope thereof. 2 Tim. 1.10.That ſame JESƲS CHRIST who hath deſtroyed death, hath brought to light, life and immortality by the Goſpel. Before this, they were, either entirely unperceived; or imperfectly known and hoped for. It's therefore preciſely from the Goſpel, that we draw both the faith, and the hope of them. He calleth the Goſpel, the word of truth, not (as ſome will have it) becauſe it is the Word of JESUS CHRIST, who is the Truth, and the life: (for this expoſition is more ſubtil, than ſolid) but becauſe it is the moſt excellent of all Verities; thoſe that are learned in the School of Nature, and of the Law, being mean, and unprofitable in compariſon of thoſe which the Goſpel doth diſcover to us. It may well be, that the Apoſtle would alſo ſecretly oppoſe the doctrine of the Goſpel, to thoſe of the ſeducers, which ſtill recommended ſhadows, and figures, as we ſhall hear in the following Chapter: whereas the Goſpel preſenteth us the ſubſtance, and the truth of things. And it ſeems to be in this ſenſe, that St. John after he had ſaid, The Law was given by Moſes, addeth in form of oppoſition; John 1.17.But grace and truth came by JESƲS CHRIST, becauſe the Law had only dark lineaments, and ſhadows whereas the LORD JESUS brought us the lively image, the body, and the truth of celeſtial things. The Apoſtle remindeth the Coloſſians, that they had already heretofore heard this Word of truth: as it were to proteſt unto them, that he would promote no novelty among them; having no other deſign, but to confirm them more and more in the holy doctrine they had already received with faith from Epaphras, and other Miniſters of the LORD. See (well beloved Brethren) that we had to ſay to you, for the expoſition of this Text.
It remaineth, that we briefly touch at, for you, the principal points we ſhould gather of it, as well for the inſtruction of our Faith, as the edification of our Charity, and the conſolation of our ſouls. As for Faith, 'tis for it's ſecurity that St. Paul telleth us at the entrance, He is an Apoſtle of JESƲS CHRIST by the will of GOD, advertiſing us by this quality, He aſſumeth, to receive no doctrine into our belief which hath not been annunciated by theſe great, and higheſt Miniſters of the LORD. Let us examine the Spirits; and admit only the word of the Apoſtles. If any one Evangelize, beyond what they have preached, let us hold him for an Anathema. We have their Scriptures. Let us aſſuredly believe all that we read in them. Let the doctrine, which appears not there, be ſuſpected to us: and praiſed be GOD, that according to this rule, we have baniſhed from our Religion, that which error, and ſuperſtition had thruſt into Chriſtianity. You know that the GOD, the CHRIST, the Heaven, the Worſhip and Sacraments we preach, have been given us by the Apoſtles of the LORD eſtabliſhed by the Will of GOD, and do appear throughout in their Goſpels and in their Epiſtles. Whereas the Mediators, whom our Adverſaries invocate, the High Prieſt they acknowledge, the Traditions they maintain, the Purgatory they fear, the greateſt part of the Sacraments they celebrate, the adoration of the Hoſt, the veneration of Images, and the voluntary Worſhips which they practiſe, are not found at all either in the Old or the New Teſtament. Let us therefore firmly retain our Religion, as inſtituted by the Will of GOD, and conſtantly reject what is beyond it, as come of man, and not of the LORD; from the Earth, and not from Heaven. But it is not enough to make profeſſion of it: we muſt plant this doctrine in our hearts by a lively belief; in ſuch ſort, as we may be able to ſay with truth, That we have faith in JESUS CHRIST, and charity towards all the Saints.
We render thanks to GOD, with the Apoſtle, for that of His great mercies, He hath vouchſafed to communicate this treaſure of His Goſpel to us; and not in vain; ſince there are among us that have truly made their profit of theſe ſpiritual riches. But the life of the greater part renders them unworthy of the praiſe, which St. Paul here giveth the Coloſſians. For is this to have Faith in JESUS CHRIST; to ſerve Him ſo looſely, as we do? and teſtifie ſo little zeal for His glory? ſo little reſpect to His Commandments? ſo little belief of his documents? and ſo little affection for the intereſts of His Kingdom? As for Charity, I am aſhamed to ſpeak of it, ſo cooled is ours. For if we loved all the faithful, ſhould we leave the life of ſome of them, and the reputation of others, without ſuccour? Should we injure them, inſtead of defending them? Should we take away their ſubſtance, inſtead of communicating to them our own? Should we black their honour, inſtead of preſerving it? Would their proſperity offend us? Would their miſeries content us? Faithful Sirs, remember, they are the Saints of GOD, His Children, and the Brethren of His CHRIST. Reſpect thoſe ſo ſacred names, and ſpare perſons, that have the honour to belong ſo nearly to your LORD. He will judge you by the treatment, you ſhall give them; and write on his account, the good and the evil, which they ſhall receive from your hands; recompenſing it, or puniſhing, in the very ſame manner, as if you had honoured, or violated Him in His own perſon. He will cut you off from His communion, if you do not carefully regard and practiſe theirs; and will never avouch you for His Children, if you acknowledge them not for your Brethren. And here alledge not to me, I beſeech you, that you have faith. I know well, that this divine light cannot be in ſouls which are cold, and deſtitute of Charity. But ſuppoſe, that this were poſſible; I tell you, and declare, that all your pretended faith, ſhould you have the higheſt degree thereof, that may be in the world, without charity would be but a ſhadow, an Idol, and an illuſion; and, as St. James ſaith, a ſtinking carkaſs. James 2.26.Do all you will: Have as much faith and knowledge as you pleaſe, if you have not charity, you are not a Chriſtian, you are but a falſe, and deceitful image of one. Charity is abſolutely neceſſary to the perfection of a Chriſtian. It is the badge of this holy Diſcipline; it is the honour, and the glory of it: and the Apoſtle as you ſee, ſets it down here among it's eſſential parts. Faith ſhall ceaſe in Heaven, when we ſhall ſee inſtead of believing. But charity ſhall remain for ever. Have then a good thing, ſo neceſſary for you. If you have it not hitherto, ask it of GOD inceſſantly with prayers and tears, and quit Him not before you have obtained it. If you have it, thank Him for it, more than for all the goods of the Univerſe; and make account, that in giving you charity, He hath given you the Life, the Kingdom, and the Crown of Heaven. Exerciſe this precious gift continually; let there be none of your neighbours, without feeling of it; Do good to all. Communicate what you have received: the light of your knowledge to the ignorant, the ſuccour of your good offices, to the afflicted; the ſweetneſs of your patience, to enemies; the conſolation of your viſits, to the ſick; the aſſiſtance of your alms, to the needy; the example of your innocence to all, with whom you converſe. But have a particular care of Saints, the members of the LORD JESUS, who ſerve Him here with you, and how poor ſoever they be, have yet been redeemed with His blood, and predeſtinated to His glory, as well as you. Dear Brethren, your labour ſhall not be in vain: Your charity ſhall bring forth it's fruits in their ſeaſon with a moſt abundant uſury. For terrene, and periſhing good things, which you ſhall have ſowed here below, you ſhall one day reap on high thoſe that are celeſtial and immortal: for a little bread, and a little money that you ſhall now give to JESUS CHRIST, you ſhall receive from His liberal hand the delights of Paradice, and the treaſures of eternity. This is the hope, which is reſerved for you, in the Heavens. It is not the word of weak, and vain men, that hath promiſed it to you: You have heard, by the Goſpel, the Word of Truth, which cannot lye. And as ſo magnificent an hope ſhould enflame our Charity; ſo ſhould it comfort our patience, and render it invincible, under the Croſs, to which the Name of CHRIST doth ſubject us. Conſider a little, what the men of the world do, and ſuffer for uncertain hopes, that whirl in the Air, flote on the Sea, and depend upon the Wind, and Fortune; to how many dangers they expoſe themſelves; to what travail, and diſquiet they condemn themſelves; Voluntarily paſſing nights, and dayes in a moſt laborious ſervitude, for an imaginary good, that neither yet is, nor perhaps ſhall ever be; and which, how happy ſoever the ſucceſs of their deſigns may be, they ſhall not enjoy at moſt, but during ſome years only. Chriſtian, ſhall it be ſaid, that you have leſs zeal for Heaven, than theſe people have for Earth? Their hope is doubtful: Yours is aſſured. Theirs dependeth on the will of men, and the inconſtancy of elements: Yours is in Heaven. Purſue then generouſly ſo high and glorious a deſign. And ſince your hope is in Heaven, have inceſſantly heart, affection, and thought there. Regard no more either fleſh, or earth; it is not here, your bliſs is. JESUS CHRIST hath ſeated it on high at the right hand of the Father, in the Palace of His holineſs. Let this excellent hope, ſweeten all the evil, you ſuffer here below. If you be not at eaſe here; if you be deſpiſed; if you have no part in the wealth, or honours of the world: think that in like manner, neither is it here, that JESUS CHRIST hath promiſed you the rewards of your piety. That Heaven which you ſee ſo conſtant, and immutable, keeps them faithfully for you. You ſhall there receive one day, the honour, the glory, and the dignities, you now breath after; not to poſſeſs them during ſome miſerable moneths, as worldlings enjoy their pretended riches, but eternally, with a perfect, and unſpeakable contentment, in the bleſſed communion of Saints, of Angels, and of JESUS CHRIST, the Lord of the one and the others: To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, the only true GOD bleſſed for ever, be honour and glory to ages of ages. Amen.