Forty-nine Sermons upon Colossians, Part 1 · Sermon 2

Forty-nine Sermons upon Colossians · Part 1 · Sermon 2

p. 11THE II. SERMON.

COL. I. Ver. VI, VII, VIII.

Verſ. VI. The Goſpel which is come unto you, as alſo it is into all the World, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth alſo in you, ſince the day you heard, and knew the Grace of GOD in truth.

VII. As alſo you have learned of Epaphras our dear fellow ſervant, who is a faithful Miniſter of CHRIST for you.

VIII. Who alſo hath declared unto us your charity, which you have in the Spirit.

DEar Brethren; the Goſpel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, is the moſt excellent, and moſt admirable Doctrine, that was ever publiſhed in the Univerſe. It is the grand myſterie of GOD, the wiſdom of Angels, and men; the glory of Heaven, and the happineſs of the Earth. It is the only ſeed of immortality, the perfection of our nature, the light of our underſtandings, and the ſanctity of our affections. There is no Philoſophy, or other Diſcipline; but this alone, that is able to deliver us from the ſlavery of Devils, and make us Children of the moſt High. It is this ſolely, that truly purifieth us from the filth of ſin; and clotheth us with a complete righteouſnes; that plucketh us out of the hands of death, and hell; and giveth us acceſs to the Throne of GOD, there to receive, of His bounty, life and ſupreme felicity. All other religions, invented, and followed by fleſh and blood, are wayes of perdition; diſciplines of errour, and vanity: that preſent themſelves to poor men in the thick darkneſs of their ignorance, as thoſe ſeducing fires, that ſometimes abuſe Travellers during the obſcurity of the Night; leading them into the deeps of death, and eternal malediction. The Law it ſelf, though come from on high, is nevertheleſs, as much beneath the dignity of the Goſpel, as Sinai is beneath Heaven, and Moſes beneath JESUS CHRIST. The Law affrighteth Conſciences; the Goſpel aſſureth them. The one ſlayeth the ſinner; the other raiſeth Him up again. The one maketh grace be deſired; the other makes it be enjoyed. The one preſented the ſhadows, and figures of the truth; the other giveth us the lively image, and very body thereof. Whence you may judge, my Brethren, how much it concerneth us to know, ſo ſaving and Divine a Doctrine that we may embrace, and obey it: ſince the repoſe, and happineſs of our ſouls ſtand on it, which we ſhall unprofitably ſeek any other where. It is to enflame us with an ardent deſire of this holy and bleſſed knowledge, that the Apoſtle St. Paul propoſeth to us ſo often in His Epiſtles, the praiſes of the Goſpel; ſcarce ever naming it, without adding preſently ſomething to its commendation; as the cuſtome is of thoſe that love ardently, never to ſpeak of that they love, without giving it ſome Elogy, that teſtifies, both its excellency, and their paſſion. Such is the manner of Our St. Paul, towards the Goſpel of his Maſter. He hath his ſoul ſo full of the love, and admiration of this Heavenly doctrine, that He can neither pronounce, nor write the name of it, but He accompanies it with praiſes, as the p. 12juſt and due marks of its dignity. We have an example of it, in the Text, which you even now heard. For having ſaid afore, that the Coloſſians had heard of the hope, which is laid up for us in the Heavens, by the word of truth, to wit; the Goſpel; from thence he takes occaſion, to interpoſe in this verſe, ſomething to its commendation: repreſenting to us, the extention, and efficacy of this Divine word of life. The Goſpel (ſaith he) which is come unto you as alſo it is into all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth alſo in you, ſince the day that you heard, and knew the Grace of God in truth. In the two verſes, that follow, he praiſeth Epaphras, who had by his Miniſtry converted the Coloſſians to the knowledge of the LORD, giving him an excellent teſtimony of fidelity, and goodneſs, and mingling therewith ſome praiſes of the Coloſſians themſelves. As alſo (ſaith he) you have heard of Epaphras our dear fellow ſervant who is a faithful Miniſter of CHRIST for you, who alſo hath declared unto us your Charity which you have in the Spirit. This ſhall be (if it pleaſe the LORD) the matter of this action; And to proceed upon it in order, we will conſider, one after the other, the two particulars that preſent themſelves, as you ſee, in the Text of St. Paul; to wit, the praiſe of the Goſpel in the former verſe, and that of Epaphras in the two next: touching at alſo upon each, what the Apoſtle intermixeth to the commendation of the Coloſſians.

As to the Goſpel, he toucheth at two points. Firſt, its admirable progreſs; and its great, and ſudden ſpread. It is (ſaith he) come unto you, as alſo into all the world; and ſecondly, its divine effectualneſs to convert men, and change their manners and life. And it bringeth forth fruit (ſaith he) as alſo it doth in you ſince the day that you heard and knew the Grace of GOD in truth. He ſaith therefore, firſt, That the Goſpel was come to the Coloſſians; ſecondly, That it is alſo come unto all the World. About the firſt there is no difficulty: For ſince there was a Church in the City of Coloſſe, it is evident, that the Goſpel, by which Chriſtian Churches are founded and builded, had been Preached to them. Only we ſhould obſerve in this event, the marvels of the goodneſs of GOD towards the Coloſſians. For they were a barbarous, and an Idolatrous people; very far off from the Countrey, and the Religion of Iſrael; a portion of Phrygia a Province infamous for its abominations; from whence had iſſued the myſteries, and infernal devotions of Cibele, called by the Gentiles, the mother of the GODs; the moſt deteſtable of all Pagan Idols; and in whoſe ſervice were committed the moſt unclean, and ſhamefulleſt horrours. The Coloſſians, as other inhabitants of Phrygia, were plunged in this gulf of vileneſs, when the LORD vouchſafed to viſit them, and make the light of His Goſpel to ariſe upon them. Whence appears, that the knowledge He gives us of His word, is a preſent from His meer grace, and not the pay of our pretended merits. For what had the Coloſſians, in the condition they then were, that might invite Him to communicate this rich treaſure to them? what had they on the contrary, but might have diverted Him from it; ſeeing all among them was full of a profound, and inveterate Idolatrouſneſs? You ſee alſo, the Apoſtle ſaith, not, that they were come to the Goſpel: but that the Goſpel was come to them; to ſhew us, that it is GOD that cometh to us, who preventeth us by His grace, according to the determinate purpoſe of His good pleaſure. The ſick do go, or ſend to the Phyſician, and ſollicite the ſuccour of his art. Here, quite contrary, the ſupream Phyſitian of ſouls, ſeeketh to the ſick. He comes to them in His benignity. He ſendeth them His Miniſters, and preſenteth to them His remedies, when they dream of nothing leſs, Luk. 19.10.Luke 19:10than of their malady, and the cure neceſſary for them. The Son of man came to ſeek, and ſave, that which was loſt. He diſpatcheth His ſervants to Coloſſe, and elſewhere, to bear thither His ſalvation, to people, that thought not, ſave of deſtroying themſelves. He makes Himſelf be found of them that ſought Him not; Iſa. 65.11.Isa 65:11and ſaith unto a Nation, that was not called by His Name, Behold me, behold me. Let a man ſearch, as much as he pleaſeth; He ſhall never be able to find any reaſonable cauſe of this diſpenſation of GOD, communicating His Goſpel at certain times, and to certain places; but His ſole good pleaſure. And that we might the better note this truth, He often directeth the light of His word to thoſe, that governed themſelves worſt in the ſtate of nature; and hideth it from them, that p. 13ſeemed leſs defiled than others. He imparteth His Goſpel to the Coloſſians, to the Epheſians, to the Corinthians, and ſuch like, the moſt loſt men that were, in all kind of ſuperſtitions, and Vices. He ſaith nothing to the Gymnoſophiſts, or the Brachmans, or to divers others as well Barbarians, as Greeks, which were eſteemed at that time the moſt innocent of all mankind: as in effect there appeareth much more of juſtice, and honeſty in what is reported to us of their manners, than in thoſe of any other people. Wherefore hath GOD taken this courſe? Becauſe if He had done otherwiſe, if He had called only thoſe, in whoſe policy and life, was ſeen ſome outward goodneſs to ſhine forth; paſſing by thoſe whoſe manners had nothing which was not damnable; we ſhould have believed, without all doubt, what ſome cannot yet forbear to ſay, that it is the works of men that oblige GOD to call them, and to impart His Goſpel to them: and that if in rigour, they be not worthy of this favour; they merit it at leaſt in a ſeemlineſs of equity, and in congruity; as they ſpeak of it in the Schools of Rome. Therefore the LORD uſeth very often a clean contrary procedure; to make us underſtand; that thoſe whom He calleth, do not, more than thoſe he leaveth, merit ought at all; (as in effect it is moſt true, that all men in the corruption, wherein they are born, do nothing that is of value: the moſt ſplendid of their pretended vertues in this eſtate being but a plaiſter, and a deceitful dawbing, which under a fair appearance, hideth only deformity, and filth) and that if He vouchſafe to illuminate any, with the light of his Goſpel, it is of the ſole good pleaſure of His grace, He doth it, and not at all for merit of theirs. It was therefore a miracle of the Divine goodneſs, that this ſaving Doctrine came to the Coloſſians, who by their nature, were ſo far from it: and the Apoſtle remindeth them of it, to animate them more, and more, in ſincere gratitude, towards the author of ſo great a benefit.

But that which he addeth is much more ſtrange, and incredible; that the Goſpel was come into all the world. He teſtifieth it too elſewhere; as here a little after, where he ſaith, that the Goſpel is preached to every creature, Col. 1.23.Col 1:23that is under Heaven; and at the tenth of the Epiſtle to the Romans, where applying to the Miniſters of the LORD JESUS what the Pſalmiſt had ſung of the Heavens; Rom. 10.18.Rom 10:18Their ſound, (ſaith he) is gone forth through all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the World. And elſewhere ſpeaking of himſelf, he ſaith, That from Jeruſalem, Rom. 15.19.Rom 15:19and round about it, even to Illyricum he had made the Goſpel of JESUS CHRIST to abound: and after the time, he wrote thoſe words, He ſowed it beſides in the Iſle of Malta, and at Rome Now if the other twelve Apoſtles, and the ſeventy Diſciples, and the Evangeliſts did labour, each according to his meaſure, in proportion with St. Paul; as it is not to be doubted, but they did; no one will have cauſe to be aſtoniſhed; that all they together ſhould have, by that time, carryed the Goſpel through the whole world. We read likewiſe in the writings of the firſt Chriſtians, Juſtin, Clement, Tertullian, and others, that in their time, that is, about 130 and 160 years only after the LORD's death, all was full of Chriſtian Churches: and that there was no Nation either among the Greeks, or the Barbarians, nay the very Scythians or Tartarians, wherein CHRIST JESUS had not ſervants. And though theſe teſtimonies cannot be rejected without extream impudence; there being no probability, that either St. Paul, or thoſe other Writers would have ſpoken of the thing in ſuch ſort, if it had not been true: yet entirely to diſarm incredulity, I will add, that the very ſame appears by the Books of Pagans of that time, that are remaining. For Tacitus, a Roman Hiſtorian, a paſſionate enemy of Chriſtianity, Amel. l. 15.though otherwiſe a grave man, and of great eſteem among his Countrymen, hath left in Writing, that in the eleventh year of Nero, that is, only eight years after the date of this Epiſtle of St. Paul to the Coloſſians, a ſevere ſearch having been made after it, there was found a very great multitude of Chriſtians at Rome. This ſufficeth to juſtifie what the Apoſtle ſays. For ſince that Preaching was able to penetrate ſo far on this ſide, athwart Provinces, that made, as it were, the heart of the Roman Empire; it might be much more eaſily ſpread towards the Eaſt, in the Eſtates of the Parthians, and in the Indies, even whither St. Thomas went, as appears, by tracks of it that remain of it to this day in thoſe Countries; and towards the South in Egypt, and Ethiopia, where St. Matthew Preached, as the ancients do report; and towards the p. 14North, whither paſſed ſome of the other Diſciples. This was well nigh the whole world, then known of the Greeks, and Romans; and thus without doubt, the Apoſtle underſtands it in this place. For as to thoſe great Countreys diſcovered in the Weſt, about one hundred and fifty years ago; which they commonly call the Weſt Indies, or the New world; it is evident, the Ancients had no certain knowledge of them; and it is very likely, that they were not yet peopled in the Apoſtle's time; the furtherſt memory, which the Nations there have preſerved, of things yerſt done among them, being but for four or five hundred years at moſt. Be it concluded therefore, that taking the World, as is commonly underſtood, for Countries inhabited, and known at that time, the Goſpel was then already come into all the world.

The Apoſtle mentions it to the Coloſſians, Firſt to confirm them the more, in the ſaith they had given to the Goſpel. I confeſs, that its truth depends not upon the ſucceſs of the Preaching it; nor upon the multitude of them that believe it. Though all the world ſhould reject it; though Heaven and Earth ſhould perſecute it, the faith of a Chriſtian ought to abide alwayes firm, and unſhaken; being founded, as it is, upon the word of GOD, and not upon the conſent of men: as on the contrary, though the whole univerſe ſhould maintain errour, we ſhould not be for this, either obliged to follow errour, or excuſable for having followed it; this order of GOD ſubſiſting for ever, that we muſt not follow a multitude to do evil. But thoug it be thus, yet it is a great conſolation to a faithful ſoul, to ſee the truth ſpread abroad. And ſince the Divine Vertue of the LORD is ſo much the more powerfully declared, by how much the more men it converteth unto his Chriſt; it is evident, that this extenſion of the Goſpel helpeth, and confirmeth our Faith; in as much as it furniſheth us with an excellent teſtimony of the power of GOD, and of the efficacy of His word. But I add alſo, that the ſucceſs here touched by the Apoſtle, contains a manifeſt argument of the Divinity of the Goſpel; and that in two reſpects. For firſt, if you conſider the thing in its ſelf, it is ſo great, and marvelous, as that it ſheweth ſufficiently, that this Doctrine is not only true, but even Divine, and Celeſtial. When St. Paul wrote this Letter, it was not full thirty years that JESUS CHRIST had ſuffered death in Judea, and yet the Goſpel (as he ſaith) was already come into all the world. How could it have made ſo much way in ſo little time; penetrated ſo many obſtacles, flown into ſo many places infinitely diſtant; if it had not been, both of a Celeſtial Original, and carryed by a divine force? Certainly, as the extenſion of the light of the Sun, who inlightens the whole Hemiſphere in an inſtant, and the rapidneſs of its motion, who viſits all the Climats of the univerſe in four and twenty hours, doth evidently ſhew us, that it is a work of GOD, and of a nature altogether different, from that of Earthly, and Elementary things; In like manner, this ſo ſwift, and ſuddain courſe of the Evangelique Doctrine, that fill'd the world in ſo little time, pierced through, and diſſipated the darkneſs, and made it ſelf be ſeen ſo quickly from one end of the Heavens to the other, invincibly proves, that it is a divine thing, and no humane production. Look on all the diſciplines, that ever had ſway in the World. You ſhall not find any of them, that was eſtabliſht in this ſort, and made ſuch a progreſs in ſo ſmall a time. The religions of the Pagans lived only in the Countries where they were born; and if ſometimes they ſtretched further, it was rather the curioſity of ſtrangers, that brought them from the place of their birth, than their own deſign, or vigour; all thoſe ſo famous ſects of the Philoſophy of the Greeks, did abide each of them in the ſoil that bare them. And the Doctrine, which the Popes of Rome have eſtabliſhed in their Communion, came not to the eſtate, wherein we ſee it; but by a long ſucceſſion of time, one age gaining one point, and another adding a ſecond, till after many ages it took, in fine, the conſiſtence and form it hath at this day, and wherein it is maintained, by the terrour of Inquiſitions, and the pomp of a worldly power, and the favour of the Great, who find their own intereſts in it. It is only the Goſpel of the LORD, that from its birth, had the courage, and the force to fly every way, penetrating with incredible ſwiftneſs, all the Regions of the habitable world in leſs than five and twenty years. And let none alledge unto me here, the Seduction of Mahomet, which infected the Eaſt, and the South, and a part of the Weſt it ſelf p. 15in a very little time. For there is nothing alike in the progreſs of the one, and the other of theſe two doctrines. I paſs by other differences, that may be obſerved. I will only touch at one of the moſt eſſential: namely, that Mahomet, and his Succeſſours advanced not their impoſtures but by force of Arms and dint of Sword: not Preaching, and eſtabliſhing their Doctrine, ſave in the Countreys they conquer'd, and among the Nations they brought under their Yoke. To ſay true, it was their Iron, and not their Alcoran, that ran through, and ſpoiled the World. What was ſtrange, or ſupernatural in their ſucceſs? That a Troop of Robbers, whom their own need, or others cowardice, and confuſion emboldened to enterpriſe, could ſeize them of ſome Towns by fraud or force? That puffed up with the good fortune of their firſt ſucceſſes, and by a multitude of people joyned with them, they puſhed further on, and iſſuing out of their Arabia ſhould attempt the outmoſt quarters of the Roman Empire, very ill-garded at that time, and in a manner, expoſed to pillage? and that gaining ground by little and little they ſhould fall on further, and break in on one ſide, and the other, as the diviſion, and weakneſs of their enemies gave them opportunity? ſo as, in fine, in the ſpace of three or four ſcore years they ſaw, by theſe progreſſes, the Eaſt, and the South in their hands? Sure there was nothing but humane in all this. Alexander the Macedonian had yer-while done as much, or more in leſs than fifteen years; and Seſoſtris, and divers others, both before, and after him. It is then no Miracle, that the Religion of the Saracens, born (if I may ſo ſay) upon the wings of their victorious Enſignes, ſaw much of the World, by this means, in fifty, or ſixty years: If any marvel be, it is that of their armes, which did ſo great exploits in ſo ſmall time, and not that of their Alcoran, which never entred but into places, whoſe gates fire and ſword opened for it. But as to the Goſpel of the LORD JESUS it is quite otherwiſe, It had not to ſuſtain it, and advance it in the world, either the aid of force, or the favour of armes, or the ſucceſſes of Warr, or the exploits of any Conquerour. It had not in its ſervice, either the charms of Eloquence, or the ſubtilities of Philoſophy; in one word, it had no humane or terrene ſuccour, that you can poſſibly imagine. Thoſe that carryed it, were twelve, or thirteen Fiſhermen, with a little number of others of the ſame Cloth; without Credit, without Armes, without courage, without Experience: the offſcouring, and ſweepage of the world; weakneſs, and imbecillity it ſelf: who far from enterpriſing upon ought of other mens, had renounced all that was their own: who inſtead of ſmiting, and ſlaying; where whip'd and ſton'd at every turn; inſtead of attaquing, did not ſo much as make reſiſtance to them that ill handled them; living in an extreme humility and innocence. With this poor equipage the Goſpel undertook the world, and though it met every where with gates ſhut up, and walls garriſon'd with all that was terrible, to force it back; though the Jews perſecuted it, the gentiles derided it, great, and ſmall had it in abomination; Magiſtrates baniſh'd it, and put it under the moſt cruel puniſhments; though all did rend it with injuries and reproaches; yet naked, as it was, it made it ſelf room; and in ſpight of ſo many dreadful impediments, ran from Eaſt to Weſt, and from South to North; and ſo conſtantly deſpiſed all earthly means, as it reigned every where for ſixcore years, before it had one Magiſtrate, or Captain on its ſide; diſarming and deſpoiling them, when it received any; ſo far was it from making advantage of their arms, or authority. We may affirm therefore that this progreſs of the Goſpel is a thing altogether ſingular, not at any time elſe ſeen, or hapning in the world; and with which neither Mahumetiſm, nor any other Religion hath any community. Conſequently, that this is a mark of the truth and divinity of this holy doctrine; thoſe that are humane, neither having, nor being able to have that admirable force, and vertue, which appeareth in it.

But this event proves the ſame thing yet again, after another manner; inaſmuch as it was a manifeſt accompliſhment of ancient Oracles, yer-while given by the LORD to His former people, and regiſtred in His Scriptures; which foretell in divers places, that the Meſſiah ſhould ſpread all abroad, the knowledge of the true GOD, which was before ſhut up, within the ſtrait limits of Judea; Iſa. 60.3. & 9.1.Isa 60:3Isa 9:1that the Nations one day ſhould walk in His light, and that people ſitting in darkneſs ſhould ſee a great light, which the LORD JESUS explaining, in the dayes of His fleſh, p. 16had ſaid upon it, Mat. 24.14.Matt 24:14that His Goſpel ſhould be Preached in all the world. Theſe predictions therefore appearing at that time, ſo punctually, and ſo admirably, and in ſo ſhort a ſpace fulfilled, who can doubt any more, but that the LORD JESUS is the true CHRIST; ſince never any, but He, revealed the GOD of Iſrael, and His ſervice to the World? and that His Apoſtles were the ſervants of this ſame GOD; who, having foretold theſe things, ſo many ages before; ſo mightily executed them by their Miniſtry, in the fulneſs of time?

But beſides the confirmation of the Coloſſians faith in general; I account, that the Apoſtle would more-over, by this Elogy he gives the Goſpel, to be come into all the world, fortifie them in particular, againſt the new doctrines, which ſome ſeducers were ſowing in their Church. For ſince other Churches founded here, and their, in divers parts of the world, had heard nothing of them, it was a very evident argument, that they were not any part of the Goſpel, that is, of what the Apoſtles Preached. Whence we may draw, to give you this advice by the way, an invincible proof, both of the truth of the doctrine, we believe; and of the vanity of that, which we conteſt about, with our adverſaries of Rome. For as to that we hold, it is evident, the Apoſtles Preached it in all the world, both by word of mouth, and by writing; there being none of the neceſſary, poſitive, and aſſirmative articles of our faith, but doth appear in all the Monuments of Apoſtolique Preaching, to wit, both in the Books they wrote, and in the Churches they ſounded. As for our adverſaries, it is no leſs evident, they can never ſhew, that the Monarchy, or infallibility of their Pope, or the Adoration of their Hoſt, or the ſervice of their Images, or their invocation of Saints, or Purgatory, or the trafick of their Indulgencies, or any other of the points which we debate with them, was Preached in all the world at the time of the holy Apoſtle; no track at all of them being found in any of the Books or Memorials that remain of that age, or of a long time beyond it: only a man may perceive them, ſome ages after, growing up, one in one place and another in another, at divers times, and in different Climats; an evident ſign, that they are, not parts of the Goſpel of JESUS CHRIST which was Preached entire in all the world, in St. Pauls life time; but inventions and traditions of men, that came ſince.

After this ſuddain, and admirable ſpreading of the Goſpel, the Apoſtle adds the efficacy, it had in the places, where it had been preached. It is not only come into all the world (ſaith he) but which is more, it bringeth forth fruit there, as it doth alſo in you. It bears the ſame fruits there, which it hath produced among you. You diſcern, that theſe fruits of the Goſpel ſignifie no other thing, but that faith, charity, honeſty, modeſty, temperance, and the other ſpiritual vertues which it produceth in the ſouls of thoſe, that hear it, and receive it, as they ought, and in which the Sanctification of men doth conſiſt. It is this power, and efficacy of the Goſpel, which the LORD would repreſent unto us, in the Parable of the ſeed, to which He compareth it; Matt. 13.Matt 13and which according to the divers diſpoſition of the places where it fell, brought forth more, or leſs fruit; in ſome an bundred fold, in other fixty, and elſewhere but thirty. Never was ſeen a thing more marvellous. The Goſpel changed the whole earth in a few years. It crowned plants, with flowers, and fruits, that were barren, and accurſed. It filled the deſarts, the plains, and the moſt deſolate heaths, with exquiſit, and delicious trees. That which the Laws of Nations, that which the moſt excellent Philoſophy had husbanded, whole ages in vain, no ſooner felt the hand of theſe Evangelique Vine-dreſſers, and labourers, but ſuddainly loſing the bitterneſs of its firſt juice, was ſweetned, and became loaden with Celeſtial fruits. There was piety, ſweetneſs and humanity ſeen to flouriſh, where never had appeared ought, but the horrour of Superſtition, of Atheiſm, of cruelty, and all other kind of Vices. This is the change, which the LORD had foretold in Iſaiah, Iſa. 41.19.Isa 41:19in thoſe Allegorical words, I will make to grow in the Deſart, the Cedar, the Pine tree, the Myrtle, and the Olive. I will ſet in the Plains, the Firre-tree, the Elme, and the Box together. And elſewhere again, comparing the Goſpel to a rain, that watereth the Earth, and makes it bud, and bring forth corn, and bread. So ſhall my word be (ſaith He) it ſhall not return to me without effect: Iſa. 55.10, 11.Isa 55:10Isa 55:11but it ſhall do all my pleaſure, and proſper to the things, I ſhall ſend it for. And this p. 17divine fruitfulneſs of the doctrine of the Goſpel, which miraculouſly changed the world, is alſo a moſt evident argument of it's truth, and of it's heavenly original: there never having been Religion or Diſcipline, on earth, that had ſo lively, and univerſal an efficacy.

But the Apoſtle particularly commendeth here the fruits it had brought forth among the Coloſſians. It fructifieth in you (ſaith he) ſince the day, that you heard, and knew the grace of GOD in truth. He praiſeth, both their teachableneſs, in that this word had fructified in them, from the firſt day they heard it, and their conſtancy, for that it continued ſtill fructifying to that time. The earth produceth not fruit, as ſoon as it hath received the ſeed: there muſt be time to mollifie the grain, to make it thruſt forth, and ſprout; to raiſe it up, and garniſh it with fruits. In this ſpiritual Husbandry, it is not ſo. The Goſpel, if rightly received into your heart, will fructifie there, from that very moment. Receive it then, faithful Brethren. Defer not till the morrow. This day, that you hear the voice of the LORD, harden not your hearts. Pſalm 95.Ps 95It's one of the moſt pernicious artifices of the enemy, to ſuggeſt to men, that they put off their converſion to the future. Give me (ſaith He) this day, and thou ſhalt give God the next. Give me the preſent, and Him the future: to me the flower, and vigour of thy life; to Him the remains, and thine old age. So they find at laſt, when all hath been given to Satan, and the world, nothing remains for them to give the LORD: to whom they have left the future only, that is, what was not theirs: diſpoſing of the preſent, which alone was in their power, to the pleaſure of their mortal enemy. Chriſtians, take heed of his wiles, and haſten ye out of his ſnares. Imitate theſe faithful Coloſſians. Receive the Word of GOD ſo deep into your hearts, that it may fructifie there from this very day. You cannot be the LORD'S too ſoon. Put not off the deſign of being happy to another time: conſider, that time fleeth, and life runs out, and death comes, while you deliberate. But if we muſt begin betimes, to bear fruit, worthy of the Goſpel: it is not mean't, that we may ceaſe again ſoon after, as forward Trees, which make an end firſt, as they did begin. The plants of the LORD begin early, but never ceaſe to fructifie. They bring forth fruit in their through-white old age; and are even then in good liking; and bide freſh, as the Pſalmiſt ſingeth. Pſal. 92.15.Ps 92:15If you have embraced the Goſpel with ardour, retain it with an invincible conſtancy. For ſalvation is not prepared, ſave for them that ſhall perſevere; that ſhall keep the verdure of the heavenly ſap in them, in ſpight of the ſcorching heats of Summer, and the coolings of Winter, ſo as no ſeaſon, how rude, and contrary ſoever, doth ever ſtrip them of their myſtical flowers, and fruits. As to what remains, the Apoſtle calleth the faith of the Goſpel, The knowledge of the grace of GOD; becauſe it is not poſſible to reliſh this heavenly doctrine, if a man have not received, and experimented the mercy, which it offereth us in JESUS CHRIST. This grace is the heart, and ſubſtance of the Goſpel. Whence appears, that it is a corrupting it, and a changing the nature of it, to thruſt into it the doctrine of the ſatisfactions, and merits of men; things, either wholly incompatible with Grace; or ſuch as at leaſt extreamly darken, and enfeeble it. When he faith, that they heard, and knew the Grace of GOD in truth, he meaneth, either that they received it truly, in ſincerity of heart, without hypocriſie; or that this Grace they knew was delivered them pure and ſincere, without any mixture, either of Phariſaical Superſtition, or Philoſophical Vanity: or, finally, ſo, as it is declared in the Goſpel; not in Error, and in Fictions, and Lies, as in falſe Religions; nor in ſhadow, and in figure, as in the Law of Moſes: but nakedly, and ſimply, as it is in it ſelf; Of theſe three Expoſitions, all good, and convenient: the Firſt is to the praiſe of the Coloſſians; the Second to that of Epaphras their Paſtor; and the third to the praiſe of the Goſpel it ſelf.

But as to Epaphras, he ſpeaks of Him by name in the two laſt Verſes of this Text, which make the ſecond part of it. And to commend Him to the Coloſſians, and win him their hearts, and reſpect; He gives an excellent teſtimony, of his fidelity, his candour, and his goodneſs. As alſo (ſaith he) you have learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-ſervant, who is a faithful Miniſter of CHRIST for you, who alſo hath declared unto us your charity, which you have in the Spirit. This holy Apoſtle knew how p. 18much it concerneth Churches, for their edification, to have a good opinion of their Paſtors; and with what artifices the enemy laboureth ordinarily to decry the faithful ſervants of GOD, and ruine their reputation, among their flocks: therefore it is, that he here exalteth Epaphras, as his piety deſerved: and to take out of the Coloſſians all ſuſpicion againſt the purity of his teachings, advertiſeth them expreſly, that the doctrine, they had learned of him, was in truth the ſame Goſpel, of which he had ſpoken. And from this great care, the Apoſtle hath of Epaphras's reputation, the Miniſters of the LORD ſhould learn, to ſet themſelves, the beſt they can, in the Spirit of their people, abſtaining not from evil only, but alſo from its appearances, and whatſoever might make them to be ſuſpected of it. It is not enough to approve the goodneſs of our life to our own conſcience; We muſt alſo, if it may be, content the judgement of our neighbours. Innocence is neceſſary for our ſelves, and reputation for others. And ſince it ſerves to edifie them, we are evidently obliged to preſerve, not our own only, but alſo the reputation of our fellow-brethren, whom GOD hath ſetled in the ſame charge; for if we bite, and rend one another; who ſees not, but the particular reproach of each one, will be the common infamy, and ruine of us all? But ſince the reputation of Paſtors is a publick good, which tendeth to the edification of the whole Church; you ſee again, that each faithful perſon oweth it a particular reſpect; and that the crime of thoſe who violate it unjuſtly is a kind of Sacriledge. It's a robbing of the Church, and ſtealing from it, it's edification, to black by calumny, and detractions, the life, and doctrine of them that ſerve it: or to expoſe them to laughter and contempt, by ſcoffings, and revilings.

But to return to Epaphras; the Apoſtle crowneth him with two, or three excellent Elogies. Firſt, He calleth him his dear fellow-ſervant. Admire, I beſeech you, the candour, and the goodneſs, the humility, and the modeſty of this holy man. His candor; for whereas, ordinarily there's jealouſie between perſons of the ſame faculty; St. Paul contrarily acknowledgeth, and exalteth the Gifts, and Vertue of this ſervant of GOD. His goodneſs; for He tenderly loves Him: as every where elſe, He plainly ſheweth, that of all men there were none he more affected, than the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel. His humility, laſtly; in that being raiſed on the Throne of the Apoſtolick dignity the higheſt in the Church, he maketh Epaphras, as one may ſay, to ſit there with Him; owning Him for His fellow. Next He termeth Him a Miniſter of CHRIST. It was much to be fellow-ſervant with St. Paul: but it is much more, to be the Miniſter of CHRIST, the LORD of glory, the Head of the Church, the Soveraign Monarch of Men and Angels. Judge, with what reaſon ſome of our adverſaries mock at the title we aſſume, qualifying our ſelves Miniſters of CHRIST, or of His Goſpel, ſince it is the word, that the Apoſtle uſeth here expreſly, to ſignifie that holy charge, which GOD hath called us unto. But He doth not term Epaphras ſimply a Miniſter of CHRIST; He ſaith moreover, that He is a faithful Miniſter: the quality of Miniſter was common to him with many others; the praiſe of faithfulneſs, with few. 'Tis all that the Apoſtle did require in a good Steward of the Houſe of GOD. 1 Cor. 4.1, 2.1 Cor 4:11 Cor 4:2Let each one hold us (ſaith he) for Miniſters of CHRIST, and Stewards of the myſteries of GOD. Moreover it is required in Stewards, that each one be found faithful. To have the praiſe thereof, the Miniſter of the LORD muſt, Firſt, Seek the glory of his Maſter, and not his own: and Secondly, Keep cloſe to His Orders; without hiding from, or envying to His Sheep, any of the things committed to him for their edification; without ſetting before them ought of His own invention, beyond, or againſt the will of the chief Shepheard. But though all theſe good qualities greatly recommended Epaphras to the Coloſſians, He addeth yet another, which, no leſs than the reſt, obliged them, tenderly to love, and cheriſh him; namely, that He employed the Maſter's talents to their edification. He is (ſaith he) a faithful Miniſter of CHRIST for you. They ought therefore to love him, both for the dignity of his Office, and for the profit, that came in to them thereby. For though we be obliged to love, and reſpect all the faithful ſervants of GOD in general; yet there is no doubt, but we owe a particular affection, and reverence to thoſe, who peculiarly conſecrate their Miniſtry to our edification. In fine, the Apoſtle tells them, that this holy ſervant of GOD, p. 19had advertiſed Him of the pure, and ſpiritual love they bore Him. He hath declared to us (ſaith he, that is, both to Him, and to Timothy) your charity which you have in Spirit. I count, that by charity, he meaneth here, not in general, the Chriſtian Vertue which we ordinarily call by this name; (for of the Charity of the Coloſſians ſo underſtood, he had already ſpoken in the fourth Verſe) but the affection theſe faithful people had for St. Paul. And He calleth it a Charity, or Love in Spirit, that is, ſpiritual; becauſe it was founded upon the Spirit, and not upon the fleſh; upon the intereſts of Heaven, and not of Earth. And here, conſider, I beſeech you, how dextrous, and induſtrious Epaphras was to knit ſpiritual friendſhips. The Coloſſians had never ſeen St. Paul; 'tis he without doubt that had recounted to them the excellent vertue, and piety of this great man, and by this means enkindled in their ſouls that holy, and ſpiritual charity, they had for Him. And ſee again, how by the relation he makes to the Apoſtle, of the love theſe believers bore Him, He poſſeſſeth His ſoul with a reciprocal affection towards them. O holy, and bleſſed tongue, that ſoweſt nothing in the hearts of the faithful, but charity, and love; how far now-adayes from thy candour, and ſincere goodneſs, are thoſe mouths of Hell, that inſpire nothing but hatred, and kindle nothing but animoſity, envy, and revenge, in the ſouls of thoſe, whom they can breath upon; who buſie themſelves in making diſſentions among brethren; in dividing, and arming one againſt the other, ſuch, as nature, or grace hath moſt ſtrictly united!

But it is time henceforth to conclude this action: that which you have heard, may, I think, ſuffice for your underſtanding of this Text: and ſo nothing remains for me; but to conjure you to make in good earneſt your profit of it; and to draw from this Meditation the holy uſes it containeth, whether for the correction of your manners, or the conſolation of your ſouls. The Goſpel of JESUS CHRIST is come unto you; the ſame Goſpel, which yerwhile changed the Univerſe, which aboliſhed Idolatry, and Paganiſm, and made the knowledge, and ſervice of the true GOD flouriſh every where. The LORD hath raiſed you up Epaphras's, faithful Miniſters of His Word, who have publiſhed it to your Fathers, and to you, with exquiſite ſincerity, and truth, entirely ſo, as Paul preached it to the Nations, without any leaven of ſuperſtition, or error; acquitting themſelves in their Stewardſhip with ſo upright a conſcience, with ſo much zeal, and ardour, as I aſſure my ſelf, that the great Apoſtle, were he now on earth, would do them the honour, to own them for his dear fellow-labourers. You have ſeen, this ſacred doctrine renew the proofs of its divinity, by the ſwiftneſs of it's courſe, and efficacy of its vertue: as which, in little time, flew through all Chriſtendome, and in ſpight of the oppoſitions of Hell and Earth, rais'd up every where fair, and flouriſhing Churches to the LORD. We may ſay particularly of yours, that the Goſpel fructified in it, from the day it was heard there. The blood, and the ſufferings of ſo many faithful ones, as gloriouſly ſealed its truth therewith; their charity, their zeal, their good and holy works, of which, memory remaineth ſtill among us, are unreproachable witneſs of it. But I know not, whether I may juſtly add, what the Apoſtle ſaith here of his Coloſſians, that the Goſpel bringeth forth fruit ſtill in you. For thoſe few fruits, which it produceth here, are choaked up with ſo many thorns, and bryars, ſo many ſins, and vices; that they ſcarce deſerve to be conſidered. Not that the Goſpel is changed in its ſelf. It hath ſtill that immortal force, which GOD gave it; to bud, and thruſt forth, and produce the fruits of righteouſneſs and life. It is ever the incorruptible ſeed of GOD, His Word living, and abiding for ever; full of efficacy, and vigour. Whence then cometh this ſterility? Dear Brethren, it cometh from the bad diſpoſition of our ground, and not from the weakneſs of the heavenly ſeed. The Goſpel fructifieth not among us; becauſe it falls in ſtony places; and by the High-ways, or among thorns; upon ſouls, either full of worldly luſts, and carnal cares; or expoſed to the feet, to the going to and fro of Devils; or frozen up, and hardned with the fear of temporal evils. This is, Faithful Sirs, the true cauſe of our barrenneſs.

Let us then purge our hearts, Hoſ. 10 12, Jer. 4.3.Hos 10:12Jer 4:3and (as a Prophet ſaith) break up our fallow grounds. Let us pluck up the thorns, which the world hath planted there, avarice, the deſire, and deceitfulneſs of riches, ambition, and the love of our fleſh, ſenſuality, and vanity. When you ſhall receive the Goſpel into ſouls, ſo prepared, it will p. 20not fail to ſhew it's fecundity: It will bring forth it's fruit abundantly, in ſome an hundred for one, in others ſixty, in others thirty. Without this it is in vain, that we boaſt us of JESUS CHRIST, and of His Word: His Word is not given us, but to fructifie. If we abide barren; far from ſerving us, it will aggravate our condemnation, and draw upon us a judgement ſo much the more terrible, by how much the more plentifully it was communicated to us. Remember that dreadful threatning, juſtified by ſo many ſad, and lamentable experiments, which the Apoſtle denounced to the Hebrews, The earth that bringeth forth thorns, and thiſtles, is rejected and nigh unto curſing, and it's end is to be burned. 'Tis a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD; who is ſo much the more ſevere to puniſh the contempt of His Word, by how much the more liberal He was, in imparting it to men. Theſe ſame Coloſſians, whoſe faith and charity the Apoſtle praiſeth here; and their neighbours the Laodiceans, and thoſe of Hierapolis, for not having continued to bear fruits worthy their Vocation, ſaw ſome years after their Cities ruined, and ſwallowed up in an horrible earthquake. And all thoſe fair Churches of Aſia, ſo much celebrated in the Acts, and the Apocalyps, are at this day entirely deſolate; for not having made their profit of the Goſpel. GOD hath already begun too, to avenge this contempt of His Word, in divers places of Chriſtendome; which the bryars, and thorns of the old ſuperſtition do cover once again, inſtead of the Goſpel, that lately flouriſhed there. GOD forbid, Dear Brethren, that we ſhould fall into the like condemnation. To prevent it, let us recover the zeal of our Fathers; let us do the firſt works. Let the Goſpel fructifie again in the midſt of us. Let it bring forth, and make to grow up abundantly, charity, meekneſs, honeſty, peace, humility, patience, alms, prayer, faſting, ſobriety, chaſtity, and the other fruits of the Spirit; and above all, a ſpiritual love of St. Paul, and the other Apoſtles, who report the Goſpel to us, to reſpect them, and walk in their doctrine, concord, and mutual love in one towards another. If we make this uſe of it, GOD will take pleaſure in the midſt of us. He will daily viſit us; He will cheriſh us, as His Paradice, His Heritage, the Garden of His delights. He will pour out upon us here below all kind of graces and bleſſings in abundance; and after having ſeen us fructifie on Earth, He will one day tranſplant us into Heaven, to live, and flouriſh there for ever, in the Courts of His own bleſſed, and eternal habitation. Amen.