Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John, Commentary 7

Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John · Commentary 7

p. 259A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION VponUpon the Epiſtle of S. Paul to the COLOSSIANS.

CHAP. I. Verſe 1. Paulan Apoſtle, &c.]

THis golden Epiſtle is an epitome, as it were, of that other to the Epheſians: like as that he writeth to the Galatians is an abſtract of that other to the Romans.

Verſe 2. Which are at Coloſſe] A City in Phrygia, ſwallowed up by an earth-quake not long after this Epiſtle was written. Gods judgements are ſometimes ſecret, but ever juſt.

Verſe 3. We give thanks—praying, &c.] Praier and thanks (ſaith one) are like the double motion of the lungs; the air that is ſucked in by praier is breathed out again by thanks.

Verſe 4. And of the love, &c.] Faith in Chriſt Jeſus maketh love to all the Saints. Therefore they go commonly coupled in Pauls Epiſtles. And therefore when the Diſciples heard how oft p. 260they muſt forgive an offending brother. Lord increaſe our faith, ſay they, Luk. 17.5. See the Note there.

Verſe 5. For the hope] It is hope (ſaith an Interpreter here) that plucks up the heart of a man to a conſtant deſire of union by faith with God, and of communion by love with man. But by hope, is here meant the object of hope.

Verſe 6.foreign Euſ…. hiſt. 1.2. c. 3. As it is in all the world] Euſebius ſaith, That the Goſpel ſpread at firſt thorow the world like a Sun-beam. The Reformation begun by Luther in Germany, wont on abroad Chriſtendom, as if it had been carried upon Angels wings. That of the Church of England is ſuch as former ages deſpaired of, the preſent admireth,Spec Europ. and the Future ſhall ſtand amazed at. It is that miracle (ſaith one) which we are in theſe times to look for.

Verſe 7. Who is for you a faithfull Miniſter] Epaphras was their City-preacher: whom therefore the Apoſtle here ſo highly commendeth. Luther is much blamed by his beſt friends for oppoſing and diſparaging Caroloſtadius among his own charge at Orlamund, anno 1524.Scultet. Annal. pag. 130. A faithfull Miniſter ſhould have all good reſpect afore his own people eſpecially.

Verſe 8. Who alſo declared unto us] His heart was over-joyed with his peoples forwardneſſe, and he could not but impart it to the Apoſtle. It was a pride in Montanus to over-ween his Pepuza and Tymium two pelting Pariſhes not far from Coloſſe, and to call them Jeruſalem, Euſeb… 5.… 17as if they had been the only Churches in the world. But this was a commendable practice of Ep…phras to late to S. Paul the good he found in his people, that he by an epiſtle might further encourage and quicken them.

Verſe 9. In all wiſdome and ſpirituall] See the Note on Epheſ. 1.8.

Verſe 10. That ye might walk worthy] By walking before God, with God, after God, according to God, as it is phraſed in ſeverall Scriptures, all to one purpoſe. See the Note on Epheſ. 4.1.

Verſe 11. And long-ſuffering with joyfulneſſe] The joy of the Lord is the ſtrength of the ſoul, Nehem. 8.10. as true gold comforts and ſtrengthens the heart that Alchymy doth not. At the death of Francis Gamba a Lombard, that ſuffered Marty…dome, the Friers brought in their hands a croſſe for him to behold, to keep him from de poration at the feeling of the fire. But his minde he ſaid was ſo repleniſhed with joy and comfort in Chriſt,Act. and Mon. fol. 856. that he needed neither their croſſe nor them.

p. 261Verſe 12. Of the Saints in light] So that though caſt into a dark dungeon the Saints may clap th…ir hands upon their boſomes, as Oecolampadius upon his death-bed did, and ſay, Hic ſat luc is, here within is plenty of divine light.

Verſe 13. From the power of darkneſſe] Every naturall m…n is under the power of darkneſſe, nay of the devil, Act. 26.18. as the malefactour that goes bound and pinniond up the ladder, is under the power of the executioner. Imagine (ſaith one) a man driven out of the light by devils, where he ſhould ſee nothing but his tormentours, and that he were made to ſtand upon ſnar…s and g…ns with iron teeth ready to ſtrike up and grinde him to pieces, and that he had gall poured down to his belly, and an inſtrument raking in his bowels, and the pains of a travelling woman upon him, and a hideous noiſe of horrour in his ears, and a great Giant with a ſpear running upon his neck, and a ſlame burning upon him round about. Alas, alas, this is the eſtate of every one that is ou… of Chriſt, as theſe Places ſhew, whence theſe compariſons are taken, Job 18.7, 8. & 20.24 15 & 15.20, 21, 26, 30.

Verſe 14. Even the forgiveneſſe, &c.] See the Note on Mat. 1.21.

Verſe 15. Who is the image] The expreſſe image of his perſon, Heb. 1.2. Milk is not ſo like milk, as this Son is like the Father.

The first-born of every creature] As being begotten of the ſubſtance of the Father after a wonderfull manner before all beginnings.

Verſe 16. For by him were all things] This is an high praiſe to Chriſt, Rev. 4.11. See the Note on Joh. 1.3.

Verſe 17. By him all things conſiſt] They would ſoon fall aſunder had nor Chriſt undertaken to uphold the ſhattered condition thereof, by the word of his power.

Verſe 18. And he is the head] See the Note on Epheſians 1.22.

Verſe 19. In him ſhould all ful…eſſe] In a veſſel or treaſury an emptineſſe may follow a fulneſſe: not ſo here. See the Note on Joh. 1.14.

Verſe 20. To reconcile all things] That is, all the Saints, who are worth all, better then all, more worth then a world of wicked men, Heb. 11.38. The Jews have a ſaying, That thoſe ſeventy ſouls that went with Jacob into Egypt, were as much as all the p. 262ſeventy Nations in the world. What account God maketh of them in compariſon of of others. See Iſa. 43.3, 4.

Verſe 21. Enemies in your minde] Haters of God Rom. 1.30. and ſo, God ſlaiers, 1 Ioh. 3.15. Omne peccatum eſt Deicidium.

Verſe 22. To preſent you holy and unblameable] By his righteouſneſſe imputed and imparted: though moſt interpreters expound this text of ſanctification, and not of juſtification or future perfection.

Verſe 23. Grounded and ſetled] When faith bears fruit upward, it will take root downward, and make a man as a tree by the rivers ſide, and not as the chaffe in the fanne, Pſal. 1.3, 4. or as the boat without ballaſt.

Preached to every creature] That is, to every reaſonable creature, mar. 16.15. Though to many we preach to no more purpoſe then B…de did, when he preached to an heap of ſtones: theſe are unreaſonable creatures, 2 Theſſ. 3.2.

Verſe 24.foreign non foreign Viciſſim …ur, um impleo. And fill up that which is behinde] Chriſt ſuffered much for Paul: it is but meet therefore that Paul ſhould ſuffer ſomewhat for Chriſt. All our troubles are but the ſlivers and chips as it were, of his croſſe. When the Jews offered our Saviour gall and vineger, he taſted it, but would not drink. He left the reſt for his Church, and they muſt pledge him, not to expiate ſin, but for their triall and exerciſe.

For his bodies ſake] For the confirmation of mens mindes in the truth of the Goſpel.

Verſe 25. According to the dispenſation] What a horrid blaſphemy therefore is that of the Jeſu tes, who ſtick not to tell the people in their pulpits, That S. Paul was not ſecure of his preaching, but by conference with S. Peter, nor that he durſt publiſh his Epiſtles,Spec, …urop. till S. Peter had allowed them.

Verſe 26. But now is made manifest] God hath now opened his whole heart to his Saints. See the Note on Rom. 16.25. and on Mat. 4.16.

Verſe 27. The hope of glory] All the Saints are ſaid to worſhip in the altar,Revel 11.3.Rev 11:3 becauſe they place all their hope of life in Chriſts death alone.

Verſe 28. Whom we preach] Miniſters do not only preach of Chriſt, but preach Chriſt, that is, they give what they ſpeak of. As the Manna came down in the dew; ſe doth the ſpirit in the Miniſtery of the Goſpel.

p. 263Verſe 29. I alſo labour, ſtriving] Labour to laſſitude, ſtrive even to an agony. Good Miniſters are great pains-takers: and God that helped the Levites to bear the Ark, 1 Chron. 15.26. will help his ſervants by his ſpirit, working in them with power.

CHAP. II. Verſe 1. For I would that ye knew]

LIttle do moſt men know, what unceſſant care and pains their faithfull Miniſters take for their ſouls health. But we would they ſhould know it, and know thoſe that labour among them, and are over them in the Lord, and to eſteem them very highly in love, for their works ſake, 1 Theſſ. 5.12, 13.

Verſe 2. That their hearts may be comforted] Miniſters are ſonnes of conſolation, whiles by them God maketh the heart to hear of joy and gladneſſe, Pſ. 51.8. and createth the fruit of their lips peace, …eace, &c. Iſa. 57.19.

Being knit together] No ſuch comfort upon the earth, as in the communion of Saints: it differeth from the happineſſe of heaven, but in degrees only.

Of the full aſſurance of underſtanding] Such as was that of S. Luke, chap. 1.3. See the Note there.

Verſe 3. In whom are hid] What ſo great a maker is it then if we be obſcured, and our good parts not ſo noticed?Perſ. Ʋſ que adeone ſcire tuum nihil eſt, &c? Chriſt was content his treaſures ſhould be hid. In maxima ſui mole ſe minimùm oſtendunt ſtellae.

All the treaſures of wiſdome] Out of Chriſt then there is no true wiſdome or ſolid comfort to be found. The depth faith, It is not in me, and the ſea ſaith, It is not ith me, Job 28.14. The worlds wizards cannot help us to it, Ier. 8.9. Neſcio quomodò imbecillior eſt medicina quam morbus, ſaith Cicero concerning all Philoſophicall comforts: The medicine is too weak for the diſeaſe.

Verſe 4. With entiſing words]foreign. With probable and perſuaſible ſpeeches. It is not ſafe for ſimple men to hear heretikes: for though they may think themſelves able enough to anſwer them, yet they have a notable faculty of perſwading the credulous and leſſe p. 264cautelous. The Valentinian-hererikes had an art to perſwade before they taught.Tertull. The locuſts have faces like women. In the year 497. Pope Anastaſius ſecond, ſeeking to reduce the heretike Acacius, was ſeduced by him.

Verſe 5. Your ord…r, and the ſt…df…ſtn…ſſe] Faith and order, that is doctrine and diſcipline, faith one. Theſe two make the Church fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, and terrible as an army with banners, Cant 6 10.

The ſtedfastneſſe of your faith]foreign. Gr. The firmament of your faith. As in the firſt creation, ſo in the new creature there is firſt the light of knowledge: Secondly, The firmament of faith: Thirdly, Repentant tears and worthy fruits, as ſea's and trees, &c.

Verſe 6. So Walk ye in him] Continue well affected, as ye were at your firſt converſion: fall not from your own ſtedfaſtneſſe, 2 Pet. 3.17. Happy is he that can ſay in a ſpirituall ſenſe (as it was ſaid of Moſes) that after long profeſſion of religion his ſight is not waxed dim, nor his naturall ſtrength abated.

Verſe 7. Abounding therein with thanksgiving] Thankfulfulneſſe for ſmaller meaſures of grace, gets more. Eſſicaciſſimum genus eſt rogandi, gratias agere.Plin. Panegyr.

Verſe 8.foreign. Leſt any man spoil you] A Metaphor either from ſheep ſtealers or plunderers. Seducers plunder men of their precious ſouls. They take them priſoners, 2 Tim. 3.6. They make merchandize of them, 2 Pet. 2.3. or bring them into bondage, ſmiting them on the face, 2 Cor. 11.20.

I brough Philoſophy] In the year of Chriſt 230. the Artemonites, a certain kinde of heretikes, corrupted Scripture out of Aristotle and Theophrastus, turning all into Queſtions, as afterwards the Schoolmen alſo did, that evil generation of dung-hill Divines, as one calleth them. Tertullian not unfi…ly faith, That the Philoſophers were the Patriarchs of the heretikes. Not but that there is an excellent and neceſſary uſe of Philoſophy truly ſo called: but the Apoſtle meaneth it of their idle ſpeculations and vain deceits, thoſe aiery nothings, as the Apoſtle expounds himſelf. See the Note on Rom. 1.21, 22.

And not after Chriſt] The Gentiles then could not be ſaved by their philoſophy without Chriſt. And yet not only the Divines of Cullen, A…rippa. B…laeus.ſet forth a book concerning the ſalvation of Ariſtotle, whom they called Chriſts fore-runner in naturals, as John Baptiſt p. 265was in ſupernaturals: but alſo ſome of the School-Doctours, grave men (ſaith Acoſta) do promiſe men ſalvation without the knowledge of Chriſt.

Verſe 9. All the fulneſſe of the God-head bodily] That is, Eſſentially, not in clouds and Ceremonies, as once between the Che…nb…s, which the J…ws called Shechinah; whereunto the Apoſtle here alludeth.

Verſe 10. And ye are compleat] Ye have that true happineſſe of a man, which Philoſophers hunted after in the thicker of car…hly vani…i…s, and loſt themſelves in the chaſe. Varr… makes report of 288. ſeverall opinions that they had about this ſubject, and were out in all, whil…ſt they caught at the ſhadow of …uits in a …edge of thorns, but could not come at the tree of life, Chriſt Jeſus in whom we are compleat.

Verſe 11. Made without hands] Oh how honourable (ſaith an Interpreter) is the work of mor…ification, even as to make thoſe huge heavens, &c.

By the ci…cumciſion of Christ] Which circumciſeth our hearts, pulling off chat wretched fore-skin.

Verſe 12. Buried with him in baptiſme] Which ſucceedeth in the place of circumciſion, and is alſo to us a ſeal of the righteouſnes of faith, Rom. 4.11.

Of the operation of God] In the work of faith God putteth forth the ſame almighty power that he did in raiſing Chriſt from the dead, Epheſ, 1.19, 20. See the Note on that Text.

Verſe 13. And you being dead] See the Note on Epheſ. 2.1.

Hath he quickned] The firſt ſpringing in the womb of grace is precious before God.

Verſe 14. Blotting out the hand-writing] Croſſing out the black lines of our ſins, with the red lines of …s Sons bl…nd.

Verſe 15. He made a ſhew of them] A plain alluſion to the Roman triumphs. See the Note on Eph…ſ. 4.8. Chriſt made the devils a publike ſpectacle of ſcorn and deriſion,Tank hlſtz…o. as Tamerl…ne did Ba…azet the great Turk, whom he ſhut no in an̄ iron c…ge made like a grate, in fuch ſort, as that he might on every ſide be ſeen: and ſo carried him up and down, as he paſſed thorow Aſia, to be of his own people …corned and derided, &c.

Verſe 16. Let no man there fore judge you] That is, Set not up any ſuch for a Judge over your conſciences : Or, if any uſurp p. 266ſuch an authority, ſlight him, according to that Gal. 5.1. Periculoſum eſt in divinisrebus ut quis cedat j…re ſuo, Cypr de hor. baptiz.ſaith Cyprian, In things of God we ſhould be tender of our liberty.

Verſe 17. Which are a ſhadow] And ſo a ſign of Chriſt, obſcurely and imperfectly repreſenting him to the old Church, and now aboliſhed by his coming in the fleſh. In the twelfth year of our Saviours age (the ſame year wherein he taught in the Temple, Luk. 2.) the Sanctuary was polluted by the caſting about the bones of dead men thorow every part and porch thereof, at the very feaſt of the Paſſeover in the night time. This Joſephus ſaith was done by the Samaritans out of hatred to the Jewiſh ſervices. But God had ſurely a ſpeciall hand in it, to ſhew that people, that thoſe ſhadows were to vaniſh, now that Chriſt the body was come and ſhewed himſelf.

Verſe 18. Let no man beguile you] Gr. Brave it over you. Confer Exod. foreign. Tremel.8.9 Glory over me, Gloriam aſſume ſupra me, as thou haſt done over thy ſorcerers; I gave thee this liberty. See alſo Judg. 7.2. Iſa: 10.15.

In a voluntary humility] A proud humility. They would not dare to worſhip God, but Angels, &c. yet wére vainly puffed up by their fleſhly mindes. And ſomething like this was that of the Baptiſt in refuſing to waſh Chriſt, and of Peter in refuſing to be waſhed by him Ioh. 13.8.

And worſhipping of Angels] Setting them up as Papiſts do for Mediat…u…s of interceſſion. Let not us acknowledge any other Maſter of requeſts in heaven, but Chriſt alone, 1 Ioh. 2.1. But what a piece of knavery is that in Surius and Caranza, who rendering that paſſage of the Laodicean Councel, Chap. 35. foreign, Chriſtians may not pray to Angels, they make the words to be, Non oportet Chriſtianos ad angulos Congregatione …facere. Chriſtians may not be corner creepers: And the title they make, Deys qui angulos colunt, Of thoſe that worſhip (not Angels, but) corners; againſt all ſenſe. What? will they put out the eyes of Goods people? As he ſaid, Numb. 16.14. Or doe they not rather, Festucam quarere unde oculos ſibi cruant, as Bernard hath it, Seek ſtraws to put out their own eyes withall.

Intruding into thoſe things]foreign. Or invading thoſe things, &c. blinde and bold, buſie about ſuch matters, as whereof there is neither proof nor profit. Of this ſort of ſeducers was that daring p. 267Dionyſius, that writeth ſo confidently of the heavenly hierarchy: The Schoolmen alſo with their curious ſpeculations and new niceties, as Scotellus, and others.

Vainly puffed up by his fleſhly minde] Corruption is the mother of pride, as the devil the father. He is the King of all the children of pride. Job 41.34.

Verſe 19. And not holding the hoad] This is worſe then all the former, that they deſpoiled Chriſt of his dignity: as if he alone were not ſufficient to cheriſh and encreaſe his Church.

With the increaſe of God] That proceeds from God, that is, from the Spirit of Chriſt the head: To which growth is oppoſed that vain puffing up, verſ. 18. whereby men do not increaſe, but ſwell.

Verſe 20. Are ye ſubject to ordinances] why doe ye dogmatize: or be burdened with …ites or traditions, as they now are in the Papacy? Iohn Aunt a Roman Catholike, in his humble appeal to King Iames, in the ſixth Chapter of that Pamphlet thus blaſphemeth God,D. S…eldens Mak of the beaſ… ep…de…ic. The God of the Proteſtants (whom he knows to be the Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt) is the moſt uncivil and evil manner'd God of all thoſe who have borne the names of God upon earth: Yea, worſe then Pan, God of the Clowns, which can endure no Ceremonies nor good manners at all.

Verſe 21. Touch not, taſte not, &c.] The words of thoſe impoſtours, which are here mimetically, or by way of imitation related. See the like Eccl. 10.14. where the Wiſeman graphically deſcribeth the fools tautologies, A man cannot tall what ſhall be, and what ſhall be, who can tell?

Verſe 22. Which all are to periſh] The very daily periſhing of food and raiment, are types of thy periſhing alſo, faith a Divine.

Verſe 23. And neglecting of the body] Gr.foreign. Not ſparing of it, as the old and new Baalites, Thoſe Flagellantes: And thoſe alſo amongſt us (good otherwiſe) that pinch their bodies too much with penury or exceſſive faſting, are blame-worthy. The body is the ſouls ſervant, and that it may be, Par negotio, neither ſupra not infranegorium, it muſt have due honour and nouriſhment.

p. 268CHAP. III. Verſe 1. If ye then be riſen with Chriſt]

ASyeprefe le to be, Chip. 2.12.

Se… thoſe things, &c.] As Chriſt riſen ſpake, and did only the things p…aining to the Kingdom of God, Act. 1.3. and waited alway for his exaltation into heaven. There ſhould be continuall aſcenſions in our hearts:Trem…l. the Church is compared to pillars of ſmoke, Elationibus ſumi, Cant. 3.6. as having her affections, thoughts, deſires upward, heavenward.

Verſe 2. Set your affection on things] Things above out-laſt the daies of heaven, and run parallel with the life of God, and line of eternity. Things on earth are mutable and momentary, ſubject to vanity and violence: when we graſp them moſt greedily, we embrace nothing but ſmoke, which wrings tears from our eyes, and vaniſh…th into nothing.

And not on things on earth] Set not thine heart upon the aſſes, ſaid Samuel to Saul, …ith the deſire of all Iſrael is thee: So, ſet not your affections on out ward things, …ith better things abide you. It is not for you to be fiſhing for gudgeons, but for towns, forts and caſtles, ſaid Cl…pa…ra to M. Antony. So neither is it for ſuch as hope for heaven to be taken up about trifles: as Domitian ſpent his time in catching ſhes, and Artaxerxes in making hafts for knives. There is a generation of Torrigen… fratres, whoſe names are written in the …arth, Ier. 17 13. called the inhabitants of the earth, Rev…l. 12.12. in oppoſition to the Saints and heirs of heav…n. Theſe may with the Ath…ians give for their badge the Graſhopper, which is bred, liveth and dieth in the ſame ground: and though the hath wings, yet ſlieth not: ſometimes ſhe hoppeth upwards a little, but ſalleth to the ground again. So here.

Verſe 3. For ye are d…ad] Crucified to the world as Paul, Gal. 6.14. weaned as a childe from the bre…s, or rather botches of the world, as David, Pt. 131.1. Dead alſo in regard of dady miſeries, Iſa. 26.19. 1 Cor. 15.31.

And your liſt is hid] As the pearl is hid, till the ſhell be broken.

Verſe 4. Then ſhall we appear.] What then do we loading our ſelves with thick clay? or moiling our ſelves here, as much worms?

p. 269Verſe 5. Mortifie therefore] Sin hath a ſtrong heart, and will not be done to death, but with much ado. Peccata ſapè raduntur, ſed non eradicantur. Something is done about ſins, little againſt them: as artificiall juglers ſeem to wound themſelves, but do not; or as plaiers ſeem to thruſt themſelves thorow their bodies, but the ſword paſſeth only thorow their clothes.

Covetouſneſſe Which is idolatry] For it robs God of (his ſlower) his truſt, and draws a man away from all the Commandments. Pſ. 119.36 See the Note on Eph. 5 5.

Verſe 6. On the children of diſobedience] Unperſwadable, uncounſellable perſons, that regard not good courſes or diſcourſes.

Verſe 7. When ye lived in them] Mans life is a walk, and each action a ſtep either to heaven or hell.

Verſe 8. Filthy communication] The devils drivell. See the Note on Eph. 5.4.

Verſe 9. Lie not one to another] No not in jeſt, leſt ye go to hell in earneſt. See the Note on Eph. 4.25.

Verſe 10. After the image] If morall vertue could be beheld with mortall eyes, faith the Philoſopher, it would ſtir up wonderfull loves of it ſelf. How much more would the image of God in the hearts of his people? See the Note on Eph, 4.24.

Verſe 11. Christ is all, and in all] Not only in the hearts of men, but in all things elſe foreign in the neuter gender. This ſecond Adam hath filled all things again: neither is there any thing elſe required to juſtification and ſalvation.

Verſe 12. As the elect of God, holy and beloved] Therefore holy, becauſe elect, and therefore beloved, becauſe holy; as Gods name is holy, and therefore reverend, Pſ. 111.9. God choſe his for his love, and now loves them for his choice.

Bowels of mercies] Draw out thy ſoul as well as thy ſheaf to the hungry, Iſa. 58.10. Steep thy thoughts in the mercies of God (ſaith one) and they will die thine, as the die-fat doth the cloth.

Verſe 13. If a man have a quarrell] Occaſions will be given,Prov. 19.11Prov 19:11 and offences will fall out. Now it is the glory of a man to paſſe over a tranſgreſſion. See 1 Sam. 10.27. And to forgive where there is juſt cauſe of complaint: If no quarrell, no quarrell, no thank.

Verſe 14. The bond of perfectneſſe] Or the couple, the juncture,foreign. the tie: as the curtains of the Tabernacle were joyned by loops: ſo are all true Chriſtians by love.

Verſe 15. And let the peace of God rule] Sit certaminis Moderator, p. 270let it rule after the manner of a Moderatour,foreign. or an umpire: Let it over-ſee and over-rule in all your perſonall diſcords. Or (as others ſenſe it) let it carry away the prize, or diſtribute the garlands.

And be ye thankefull]Arhor …onoreiur cujvs nos umbra ruetur. ſc. To thoſe that are courteous and beneficiall to you. Ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris. Lycurgus would make no law againſt unthankfulneſſe, becauſe he could not think there could be any ſuch evil committed. If there be any ſin in the world againſt the holy Ghoſt (ſaid Queen Elizabeth in a letter to Henry 4 of France)Camder… it is ingratitude. This (ſaith one) is a monſter in nature, a ſoleciſme in good manners, a paradox in divinity,Ventus u…rs & exi…ans. a parching winde to damme up the fountain of divine and humane favours.

Verſe 16. Dwell in you richly] Indwell in you, as an ingraffed word,foreign. incorporated into your ſouls: ſo concocted and digeſted by you,foreign. as that you turn it in ſuccum & ſanguinem, into a part of your ſelves. This is your riches: and thus David reckons of his wealth, Pſ. 119.31.

Teaching and admoniſhing one another] It is rightly obſerved by a late reverend Writer,D. Sibbs on Cant. 5.Song 5 That although we know that which we ask of others, as well as they do: yet good ſpeeches will draw us to know it better, by giving occaſion to ſpeak more of it; wherewith the Spirit works more effectually, and imprints it deeper, ſo that it ſhall be a more rooted knowledge then before. For that doth good, that is graciouſly known; and that is graciouſly known, that the Spirit ſeals upon our fouls.

In Pſalms and hymns]Dinnius. Papiſts forbid people to ſing Pſalms, and permit only Quiriſters to ſing, leſt the muſick ſhould be marred. But the Apoſtle biddeth every Saint to ſing. And Nicephori…s writeth,Hiſt Eccleſ.l. 3. sap. 37.Sir 50:3 that the Chriſtians of his time, even as they travelled and journeyed, were wont to ſing Pſalms. Tatianus alſo faith, That every age and order among the Chriſtians were Chriſtan Philoſophers: yea that the very virgins and maids, as they ſat at their work in wool, were wont to ſpeak of Gods Word.

With grace in your heart] This is the beſt tune to any Pſalm.

Verſe 17. Do all in the Name] By the warrant of his word, and with an aim to his glory.

Verſe 18. Wives ſubmit your ſelves] Inferiours are ordered before ſuperiours, to teach them to do duty before they expect it. Love deſcendeth, duty aſcendeth.

p. 271In the Lord] Though the husbands will be crooked (ſo it be not wicked) the wives will is not ſtraight in Gods ſight, if not pliable to his. Sed liberum arbitrium, pro quo tantopcrè contenditur, viri amiſerunt, uxores arripuerunt, faith an Authour.

Verſe 19. Husbands love your wives] He faith not, Rule ever them, Subdue them if they will not ſubmit, but love them, and ſo win them to your will: make their yoke as eaſie as may be, for they ſtand on even ground with you, as yoke-fellows, though they draw on the left ſide. Yet is ſhe thy companion, and the Wiſe of thy covenant, Mal. 2.14. He therefore that is free may frame his choice to his minde: but he that hath choſen, muſt frame his heart to his choice.

Ʋxorem vir amato, marito pareat uxor:

Conjugis illa ſui cor, caput ille ſuae.

And be not bitter against them] Nothing akin to Nabal, to thoſe Caldeans, a bitter and furious Nation, or to that ſtar, Rev. 8.11. called worm wood, that imbittered the third part of the waters. The Heathen when they ſacrificed at their marriage-feaſts,Plut. praec. cojug. uſed to caſt the gall of the beaſt ſacrificed out of doors.

Verſe 20. In all things] Vultu ſaepè laeditur pietas. See the Note on Eph. 6.1.

Verſe 21. Provoke not your children] See the Note on Epheſ. 6.4.

Lest they be diſcouraged] Diſpirited, foreign.and thorow deſpondency grow deſperate in their reſolutions.

Verſe 22. Not with eye-ſervice] See the Note on Epheſ. 6.5, 6.

Fearing God] That hath power to caſt body and ſoul to hell: Fear him more then you do your maſters, that have power over the fleſh only.

Verſe 23. Do it heartily, as to the Lord] This is to make a vertue of neceſſity, whiles in ſerving men, we ſerve the Lord Chriſt, going about our earthly buſineſſes with heavenly mindes, with not only an habituall, but an actuall intention, as much as may be, of glorifying God in all.

Verſe 24. Thereward of inheritance] And ſo be made of ſervants ſons, whoſe it is to inherit.

For ye ſerve the Lord Chriſt] Whiles godlines runneth thorow your whole lives, as the woof doth thorow the web, and you ſeek to approve your ſelves to Chriſt in all your actions and emploiments.

p. 272Verſe 25. But he that doth Wrong] Be it but by not doing right to poor ſervants, which in thoſe daies were bond ſl…ves. Note here (ſaith an Interpreter) the Apoſtles candour: he was not of the …umour of Lawyers that ſeldome ſpeak much, but for great men, or when they may have great gifts, &c.

CHAP. IV. Verſe 1. That which is juſt and equall]

SEe they muſt, both to the well chuſing, and the well uſing of their ſervants.

Ye alſo have a master] Eccl. 5 8. There be higher then they: and wherein they deal proudly, God is above them, Exod. 18.11.

Verſe 2. Continue in praier] Conſtant and inſtant in it, wait upon it,foreign. lay all aſide for it (as the word ſignifieth, Act. 6.2.) while praier ſtands ſtill, the trade of godlineſſe ſtands ſtill.

And watch in the ſame] Againſt dulneſſe of ſpirit, drowſineſſe of body, ſatanicall ſuggeſtions, ſecular diſtractions, &c.

With thanksgiving] Have your thanks ready, for you are ſure to ſpeed.

Verſe 3. Withall, praying alſo for us] See the Note on Eph. 6.19 By the word a door is opened into heaven.

Verſe 4. As I ought to speak] As every ſound is not muſick: ſo neither is every pulpit-diſcourſe a Sermon.

Verſe 5. Walk in wiſdom] Neither giving offence careleſly, nor taking offence cauſ…eſly.

Redeeming the time] Opportunities are headlong, and muſt be timouſly laid hold on, or all's loſt. See the Note on Eph. 5.16. It is ſaid of Hooper the Martyr, that he was ſpare of diet, ſparer of words, and ſpareſt of time.Act. and Mon. fol. 1366. Ibid 1…74. Ibid 1457. Latime… roſe uſually at two of the clock in a morning to his ſtudy. Bradford ſlept not commonly above four hours in the night: and in his bed, till ſleep came, his book went not out of his hand. He counted that hour not well ſpent, wherein he did not ſome good, either with his pen, tongue or ſtudy. Theſe Worthies well weighed what a modern Writer hath well obſerved, That they that loſe time are the greateſt loſers and waſtfulleſt Prodigals. For of all other poſſeſſions two may be had together, but two moments of time (much leſſe two opportunities of time) cannot be poſſeſt together.

p. 263Verſe 6. Seaſoned with ſale] Of mortification and diſcretion, even our common communication muſt be ſo ſeaſoned: as we pouder moſt thoſe meats that be moſt apt to putrifie, and as upon our uncomely parts, we put the more comelineſſe.

Verſe 7. All my ſtate ſhall Tychicus] See the Note on Eph. 6.21.

Verſe 8. And comfort your hearts] See the Note on Eph. 6.22.

Verſe 9. With Oneſimus, a faith full] Once unprofitable, but now profitable, faithfull and beloved.Philoſophia non … …ed abſcond…t. DE Elta & jejun cap. 12. Plato went thrice to Sicily to convert Dionyſius, and loſt his labour. Polemo of a drunkard, by hearing Xenocrates, became a Philoſopher. But Ambroſe faith well of him, Sireſipuit à vino, f…it ſemper tamen temulentus ſacrilegio, If he repented of his drunkenneſſe, yet he continued drunk with ſuperſtition. Pauls convert proved better, a faithfull preacher, and a beloved brother.

Verſe 10 Marcus, ſisters ſon to Barnabas] Hence Barnabas ſtood ſo ſtiff for him againſt Paul his faithfull fellow traveller, Act. 15.37. See the Note there. Naturall affection ſwaies over much with ſome good men, as it did with Eli, and perhaps with Samuel, 1 Sam. 8.1, 3.

Verſe 11. Theſe only are my fellow-workers] S. Paul complains of fickle and falſe friends, that forſook him in his diſtreſſe, as Demas, 2 Tim. 4 16.2 Tim 4:162 Tim. 4.0 that like Jobs friends proved miſerable comforters, and as the brooks of Tema, which in a moiſture ſwell, in a drought fail: Or as the river Novanus in Lombardy, that at every Mid-ſummer Solstice ſw…lle…h and runneth over the banks, but in mid-winter is clean dry. Howbeit Marcus, Aristarchus, Oneſimus, Oneſiphorus, and ſome few others ſtuck to him. A great mercy: Optimum ſolatium, ſodalitium.

Verſe 12. Epaphras, who is one of you] See Chap. 1.7. and the Note there.

That ye may ſtand perfect] In his abſence eſpecially: for then the devil is moſt buſie, as he was with the people, when Moſes was but a while in the Mount, Exod. 32.

Verſe 13. And them that are in Laodicea] A Miniſter muſt be like the Sun, that ſhineth not only within it's own o…b, but i…lightneth all round about it, and within the reach of it.

Verſe 14. And Demas] he will needs be one, and is, but without any title of honour, as the reſt. He began to be ſuſpected: and he afterwards proved an utter apoſtate, and (as Dorotheus ſaith) an Idol-Prieſt at Theſſalonica.

p. 264Verſe 15. Salute the brethren] Chriſtianity is no enemy to courteſie. It removes not, but rectifies it.

The brethren which are in Laodicea] There God had his remnant, there Chriſt was Amen, the faithfull and true witneſſe, and there there were ſuch, as by a new creation of God, were begotten again, even among to car…ſſ… a multitude, Revol. 3.14. There remain in Conſtantinople at this day above 20. Churches of Chriſtians: and in Theſſalonica above 30. beſides very many Churches abroad in the province, &c. Breerw. Enquir Chytrae de ſtatu Eccleſiar.The whole countrey of Aſia the leſſe, wherein ſtood Coloſſe, Laodicea and H…erapolis, is now under the power and ſuperſtition of the Turk: yet no doubt God hath his remnant there.

Verſe 16. Reade the Epiſtle from Laodicea] Other good books then muſt be read, as well as the Scriptures; yet not idle pamphlets and love-toies. Theſe ſhould be burnt, as thoſe curious books were, Act. 19.

Verſe 17. And ſay to Archippus] Archippus was a Paſtour of the Laodicean Church; So that before S. Johns time in Pathmos they began to cool.

That thou fulfill it] By preaching the Word in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, &c. and ſo doing the work of an Evangeliſt, fulfilling his Miniſtery, 2 Tim. 4.2, 5. This to do, the people were to excite their Paſtour: yet with all due reſpect and reverence to his office, 1 Tim. 5.1.foreign. An Elder muſt not be laſhed or jerked with the ſcourge of the tongue, as a puny, but intreated as a father.

Verſe 18. Remember my bonds] To pray for me, and miniſter to me, &c. This he here inſerteth as his laſt charge, that they may the better remember and practiſe it. Something we ſhould leave with thoſe we love that may ſtick by them, and ſtand them in ſtead when we are gone, or have done with them.