That their hearts might be comforted and they knit together in love and in all riches of the full assurance of understanding to know the mystery of God even the Father and of Christ THis Verse openeth the matter for which he strove with God by all meanes in it two points 1 The thing it selfe 2 The antecedents or meanes leading to it The thing is that their hearts might bee comforted at the knowledge of the mystery of God the Father and of Christ that is of the Gospell which told them that Iesus Christ God-man was made light and salvation to them as to other Gentiles for the incarnation of the Sonne of God and the calling them to be a people who before were none were hidden mysteries till God reveiled them Now to this end he prayeth that they might be knit together in love and a more full knowledge having with it fullnesse of perswasion The better to understand it we must remember that these Colossians were brought by Epaphras to know the Gospell in truth Secondly you must know that they had love yea true love Thirdly that they did not feele the joy of the Holy Ghost so plentifully as others first because through the Divels tares of dissension there was not that soundnesse of love which should make them fully of one heart Secondly because though they knew the Gospell yet they knew it not so plentifully being in part ignorant of their Christian liberty of the all sufficiency of Christs sole mediation as who looked and listened a little to the helpe of Angells this way Thirdly from hence it came that being weake in knowledge they somewhat staggered the Apostle therefore wisheth them the tast of heavenly joy more fully in that they knew and to this end wisheth that all impediments of heavenly joy as dissension doubting ignorance being remooved they might be one in love rich in knowledge and fully perswaded and resolved in the things they knew First then Doct. from Saint Pauls example Ministers must see what they must chiefely helpe forward even the spirituall rejoycing of their people It is a great matter of their office to serve Christians this way What are we saith S. Paul no Lords over your faith but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Co-workers with GOD furthering your joy this he prayed for Rom. 1.10.12 this he made the intent of his journeyes to give and take comfort in them To this end Eph. 6.21 22. hee dispatched messengers to comfort their hearts True it is that sometime they are forced to make sadde as Saint Paul did the Corinthians but this is not their principall intent for they doe this not for it selfe but that it may make way for rejoycing as a Physitian is forced to make his Patients sicke that thus he may restore him to health There is great reason for this We are bound every one by the Commandement that sayth we shall not kill Reas 1 to be no way wanting to the life of others even this bindeth us that we doe every way seeke to make the lives of others comfortable unto them 2 Againe Saint Paul knew how many things the Saints have to presse them downe through the malice of Sathan and keepe them from knowing the sweet fruit of the spirit 3 He knew that this was a friendly Sunne which maketh all graces thrive the better in the heart where it is 4 That if GOD should not refresh them this way by letting them feele this power of that life which is to come they were in danger to shrinke from Christ in the midst of such discouragements with which this world aboundeth For as we say without this vita is not vitalis no man liveth or can live without a delight and joy As we see kind men when they tast a thing that pleaseth them more then ordinary will invite others to tast it with them So the Communicative love of this Apostle was such that finding in his own experience what a soveraigne thing this was he could not but wish it unto others 5 Lastly S. Paul knew that this was forcible to draw others to the profession when men should marke this in it that it filled those that imbraced it with gladnesse of heart and that in the midst of the greatest evils by seeing the joyfulnesse of such who were converted Wherefore it is a slander of sinfull men that thinke a Preacher of the Gospell killeth all good company Vse 1 cryeth down all rejoycing so that none can be merry that live under them indeed we kill that mirth that is nothing but madnesse that we may bring men to sound rejoycing even joy unspeakable and glorious Ministers must set an edge upon this grace and stirre up their people to it Vse the drooping and uncomfortable lives of Christians maketh many affrayd to looke this way For there are some men when God hath touched them a little they are affraid of progresse they thinke they are brought into bondage because they meete with discouragement and turne againe to sinne because they find more sorrow in goodnesse then they did in ill So there be others that are affrayd to enter into Gods way least they should come out of Gods comforts these are like the spies that brought an ill report of the good land it was a good land and fruitfull but there were Gyants Anakims Num. 14. c. and for this they never entered into the land of Canaan save only two faithfull Caleb and Ioshua So these people speake ill of the way to heaven even of heaven upon earth Oh say they the land is good the Kingdome of heaven is a glorious place but the way thither is by a sadde life so full of troubles that a man were as good be dead as live so But marke because they said they could not enter the Lord sware they shall not enter Secondly marke here That beliefe of the Gospell may bee Doctr. where the consolation of it and rejoycing of it appeare not Saint Paul need not to pray for this on their behalfe but that he doth intimate that many of them wanted it We reade indeed of first conversions of Christians accompanyed with the grace of spirituall joy as the City of Samaria very glad and full of joy Mat. 13.46 So the Merchant in the Gospell finding the Pearle in the field went away rejoycing But this is a fruite that lasteth all the yeare yea a babe in CHRIST may be borne crying as we say of teares Esau may have them that wanteth true repentance and another truely repenting may want them So it is true of joy a false Convert may have it Luk. 8.13 as the stony ground received the Word with joy Herod heard the Word gladly when a true Christian ere-while is without the fruite of it The fruite I say for he hath in him the seede of rejoycing which will budde forth blossome and show the fruite in due season Light is sowen for the righteous and joy for the upright in
A Commentarie VPON THE FIRST AND SECOND CHAPTERS OF SAINT PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS WHEREIN THE TEXT IS CLEERELY opened Observations thence perspicuously deducted Vses and Applications succinctly and briefely inferred sundry holy and spirituall Meditations out of his more ample Discourse extracted TOGETHER WITH DIVERS PLACES of Scripture briefely explained By Mr. PAUL BAYNE B. D. LONDON Printed by Richard Badger for NICHOLAS BOURNE and are to be sold at his Shop at the Royall Exchange 1634. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE RELIGIOVS AND VERTVOVS LADY THE LADY MARY Countesse Dowager of Westmorland HONOURED MADAM SAint PAUL'S glory and exceeding great cause of rejoycing was this that as a wise Master-builder hee had laid the foundation whereupon the whole building of Christianity is established Though not to lay the ground-work or Principles of Religion yet to be fellow-workers with GOD and His holy Apostles is now the glory and rejoycing of the Ministers of the Word in these latertimes Amongst the rest a sincere faithfull and judicious Divine in these Workes of his never yet before extant is presented to your Honours view and approbation His abilities were such as became a Successour of a worthy and religious Predecessour in his ministeriall function in the Vniversitie of Cambridge by him performed unto GOD's glory the good of others and his owne comfort The first he unfainedly desired and propounded as the utmost scope of all his endeavors that GOD might be glorified by him both in life and death the second as subordinate to the other hee procured not ayming at his owne advantage so much as their salvation that heard him not seeking theirs but them The last was an effect of the two first this must needs be a consequent where the others are precedent for GOD forgets not our labour of love to Himselfe or others Sensible experience hereof had this holy man who found much comfort by his Ministry in himselfe and by the fruits of it in others There be many that spend much time in studying are never weary in wel-doing are instant in season and out of season but with how small successe for it is in vaine to rise early and sit up late except GOD give a blessing Paul planteth and Apollos watereth but GOD giveth the encrease if GOD put not His hand to the worke there will be but a Babel of confusion He knew it very well who prayed continually for the divine assistance to make his ministeriall worke effectuall Hee prayed and his prayer was heard hee wrestled with GOD as Iacob did and overcame Him Hee fulfilled his desires and granted his requests and made him a spirituall Father of many children by him begotten unto GOD. Should I say more I will adde this only what in him was praise-worthy let it be applauded what was in him for Instruction and a godly life let us imitate Let us learne of a dead man to live Dead doe I call him Though the body die by reason of sinne yet the spirit liveth unto GOD through IESUS CHRIST our LORD Let us therefore learne of him to live spiritually that with him we may live eternally I have shewed in some sort what hee was and what it concerneth us to be And this the rather presuming of your Honours favourable acceptance not so much of him that Dedicates these following Expositions as of him by whose incitement hee was encouraged thereto his worthy friend Your Ladyships humble servant that for his sake and the Authors You would vouchsafe to cast over this Booke the wing of Your protection This is his desire who shall ever remaine Devoted to your Honour in all humilitie IUSTINIAN STUBBS TO THE READER THE Mother of Nazianzene as himselfe relates it was so beneficiall to the poor that a sea of wealth was not sufficient for her What was her industrious diligence in relieving of outward necessities was this religious Pastors in supplying the wants of such as are spiritually poore thinking no time to be well imployed which was not a testimoniall of his pious life in word in conversation 1 Tim. 4 13. in charitie in spirit in faith in purity or of his wholesome doctrine in reproving correcting 2 Tim. 3.16 instructing in righteousnesse Thus thundring in doctrine and lightening in conversation hee left no stone unmoved that might further the building of the new Ierusalem For living in these last dayes the very dregs of time when iniquitie aboundeth and GOD is provoked every day so that fin cannot be more sinful nor wickednesse more wicked by his * Praecep a ducunt exempla trahunt Sen. exemplary deportment he fastned the naile which was driven by judicious Instruction in Precept and Practise A MAN OF GOD a Beacon on an hill a burning and a shining Lampe His method and matter were plaine and perspicuous yet so as if occasion served hee had meate for strong men as well as milke for babes he became all unto all to gaine some Blessed Saint quae sparsa per omnes In te multa fluunt what couldst thou more have done than in leaving nothing undone to receive at thy Masters hands an Euge bone serve Well done good and faithfull servant His well-doing and well-being is an invitation unto us to doe and to be the like which whosoever desires let him seriously survey these ensuing Expositions of Scripture composed with Laconicall brevity yet including in them the immense treasures of divine Speculation I suppose there is none will maligne them that understand them If there be any others as it was once said unto Philip King of Macedon passing unjust sentence betweene sleeping and waking I appeale ô King from thy selfe to thy selfe So let them reade with judgement and deliberation and then whatsoever fault was imputed to the Author will become their owne In a word whosoever thou art that carpest at these following Treatises whatsoever in them thou deemest either frivolous or superfluous emendes illa vel ede tua I. S. THE DOCTRINES OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE EPISTLE OF Saint PAUL to the Colossians Verse 2. 1 EVery true member of the Church is a Saint 2 GOD gathereth and supporteth His people in all places 3 In distributing holy things wee must put a difference betwixt men betwixt sound and counterfeit 4 Christians are knit together by the straitest bond 5 Wee are to wish our selves and others favour from God and peace of Conscience as the chiefe blessings 6 The fountaine of all true Peace is the favour of God testified to us in Christ 7 All good things are to be sought from God the Father and the Sonne Verse 3. 1 DVtie bindeth us to pray for others and to give thankes for others as for our selves Verse 4. 1 SPirituall graces bestowed upon any must move us to thankfulnesse and to make request for them 2 Faith layeth hold onely upon Christ lesus for life everlasting 3 Our love must specially be shewed to the Saints Verse 5. 1 THe recompence which God hath in store for
best of all Obs 2 but especially of Ministers though not outwardly glorious Nay the lesse glorious they are we must put the more upon them that their ministry through such good testimony might be more effectuall As in the naturall body the face hath no cover the lesse honest parts have So in the mysticall body This is required in the ninth Commandement to give good testimony and put honour one on another 2 We must the rather commend others because ordinarily they may neither praise for that were pride nor yet dispraise themselves for that were folly 3 It doth strengthen their hands in the worke of the ministery and maketh them better regarded with their people CHRIST Himselfe refused not Iohn's testimony in this regard and Paul lest he should run in vaine did come to Peter that he might have testimoniall from him Now we must give them testimony 1 So farre as we know else wee should not say true 2 Not to their face 3 To some good end as to glorifie GOD in winning authority to those we commend To teach us our duties Vse 1 to credit and countenance all we can one another especially faithfull Ministers The Divell is very diligent to ply their disgrace Especially we must not so dishonour our owne Ministers who are Fathers to us in the 〈◊〉 as to thinke and speake basely of them The Apostle his fact convinceth such as will detract Vse 2 speake by halfes with buts and ifs a good man but c. yea if they see a man downe the wind will betray him with silence dare not speake what truly they may on his behalfe VERSE 8. Who declared unto us your love in the Spirit THe doctrine of this Verse is to be gathered on a double ground 1 As it is the relation of the Apostle to the Colossians 2 As it sheweth the fact of Epaphras by the Colossians Now that the Apostle writeth to the Colossians such a good part of Epaphras as might further encrease their affection to him it doth teach us That we are to speake such things of man to man as may tye them more neerely in love one to another We must not like envious men sow tares of discord and whisper such things as may set them further and further out like as whisperers and back-biters who will speake this and this if you will keepe their counsell which tendeth onely to make debate But let us wisely report such things which may heale and conglutinate the bond of love somewhat loosed Blessed are the Peace makers For Epaphras his fact 1. We must consider him as communing with the Apostle 2. As affected toward the Colossians of whom he speaketh Marke from the matter which the holy apostle and he a faithfull Minister entreat of Observ What intelligence and newes are the fittest for Ministers to speake and heare of viz. How it fares with the soules of the faithfull what grace of GOD is in them How they walke this way looke into Paul's communication and the Brethrens that came from the Churches with him all is about this point We see how in Princes as in our Kings you have Embassadours from all States sometime France Venice Low-countries c. and there are politike relations of strength wealth civill deliberations and occurrances in Kingdomes So Paul a great overseer in the Church had his intelligence as his care was over them all so from them all but the matter altogether spirituall what oppositions against the Gospell what successe how the Churches walked c. Happie overseers that lye in the wind onely for this newes As Epaphras doth make good report of grace in his people Obs 2 viz. their love his example is our instruction That we are to tell what good things GOD worketh in our people It is GOD's glory when His gifts are confessed it is their encouragement It is a fruit of our love and evidence to them that we give them good allowance Parents delight to speake of their childrens good qualities So Ghostly Fathers Lastly marke how he beareth the witnesse of love in the Spirit that is spirituall inner hearty love whose example teacheth us Obs 3 That our love must bee heartie and unfained Saint Paul Rom. 12.13 requireth that love be without dissimulation So Saint Peter Love with a pure heart Saint Iohn Love not in word and shew but in deed and truth And such love was in Paul and other Saints they had desires one to another even from the heart-roots The effects are more common but the affection of love is exceeding rare We must chiefly labour for this GOD is a Spirit and he loveth the spirit in our workes Againe the affection of love is proper to the Saints the worke others may doe likewise To lay our selves to them Vse 1 and bewaile our key-cold counterfeit times our age wherein lust and self-selfe-love have devoured Love For exhortation Vse 2 the LORD thaw our frozen soules kindling and keeping in them this holy fire which may make us affectionate to Him and one to another He who is love it selfe effect it What is our love but formality and externall complement doing one good turne for another bidding to meat such as reinvite us Loving not so much our friends as our selves in them a copie of the countenance without hearty affection But what is this but a gilded potsheard as Salomon saith a golden glister without there being nothing within of any worth VERSE 9. For this canse wee also since the day wee heard it doe not cease to pray for you and to desire that yee might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdome and spirituall understanding I Told you in the third Verse how the Apostle propoundeth his fact of Thanksgiving and Prayer digressing hitherto as matter did occasion Now hee returneth to expound and open to them the forme and summe of them the order inverted first of his Prayer which was last mentioned in the third Verse then of his Thanksgiving His Prayer to the twelfth Verse His Thanksgiving with the occasionall opening of a head of doctrine to the eighth Verse of the second Chapter In the Prayer these points lye in order 1 The occasion For this cause 2 The Persons the Apostle with other Wee 3 The time From the first heare say of it The manner in two points 1 Vncessantly not ceasing 2 Fervently which is infolded in this double word We pray we desire Lastly here is the matter of his Prayer which respecteth them either as they were to doe GOD's will or to endure his pleasure For the first The grounds of obedience The obedience it selfe The fruit of it For the first The grounds of obedience are 1. The gift of knowledge that they might know the will of GOD fully 2. Gifts or graces practicall with wisdome and spirituall understanding The obedience it selfe followeth first set downe in generall That they might walke worthy the LORD Secondly opened by two particulars pleasing Him fruitfully the fruit of
were too good to favour the Gospell to pray in their Families The cause of our ruine is not three yeares but sixtie yeares unfruitfulnesse nay is it not better to bee any thing than fruitfull doe not many beginne to say what neede so much fruite I wonder how you can beare with such a fellow how can you stand to his bent preach and pray repeate in Families conferre and meditate c. What adoe is here what so much fruite will breake the boughes Alas is this to answer the cost that God hath bestowed on us The better the Land is compassed the more tedious yea the more odious it is to the Husband-man if it answer not his expectation with a fruitfull encrease Oh my brethren lay this neere to your hearts would you bee content to part with the Gospell with your Lands with your Children If you would not then bring forth the fruites of the Gospell Your grounds cry out unto you master be fruitfull or wee shall be laid desolate your Wives and Children cry be fruitfull or we shall perish Consider the unnaturalnes of this sin must none kil your Children but your selves none give your wives to bee ravished but your selves but Lord pardon us then you wil cry no go to your lazy proud hearts for comfort you have despised the bowels of Christ and are you not justly left to men that have no bowels But is there no hope reade Psal 81 13 14 16. The Lords compassions have rolled within him many a time and he cryes how shall I give thee up Oh England as the Palatinate how shall I make thee as Bohemia as God did be speake Ephraim Hos 11. v. 8. But how shall we doe to become fruitfull Que. Keep thy soule abiding in CHRIST Ans 1 A Tree out of the earth growes not a painted Tree never growes give the Lord Iesus earth enough in thy heart Keep the little succours about the Tree fresh Ans 2 keep love joy and hope alive there is about every seede a skinne if that be off it dyes that suckes moister from the earth which is the cause of growth Keepe close to the rivers of water Ans 3 reading are waters hearing and praying are waters the spirit is waters holy conference is waters Take heede of wilde beasts and cold Northerne blasts the commission of sinnes will bee as the letting in of wilde beasts into the Vinyard these blasts are cold company Act. 2.40 save your selves from this untoward generation the Apostle speakes to them as to men a drawing to whom a rope is cast The Gardiner desires to plant the Apricocke tree against the backe of a Chimney where the heate of the Sunne may come most directly on it and where besides the benefit of reflexion it may have warmth from the Chimnie The other particular is Obs that We must increase in the knowledge of GOD. Of that which the Scriptures teach concerning the essence property workes and Ordinances of God this is also commanded 2 Pet. 1.5 Ioyne moreover to your faith vertue and to your vertue knowledge faith and vertue could not bee without knowledge It is cleare then that hee meaneth an increase of knowledge So 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Saviour Iesus Christ This is very worthy to bee noted here that having prayed before that they might bee filled with the knowledge of His will he now addeth increasing in the knowledge of God and addeth it as a practice of former knowledge We should never cease to grow in knowledge the rather because when wee know all we can attaine we know but in part 1 Cor. 13. And our knowledge is but like the knowledge of Children in comparison of the perfect knowledge wee shall have in the world to come This checketh all that are negligent herein Vse especially such as make an opposition betwixt knowledge and practice we have knowledge enough say they let us labour to practice that wee know whereas it is evident here that increasing in the knowledge of God is a part of practice Such also are here to bee rebuked whose office being to plant and increase knowledge in others doe either neglect increasing in knowledge themselves or which is much worse discourage the people from so doing perswading that they should content themselves with the knowledge of the principles and for other things depend on them that have the guiding and leading of them verily this bewrayeth they meane not well that they are loath to have the people have too much knowledge they sinne against this Doctrine VERSE 11. Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulnesse NOw because they that doe but sincerely labour thus to be filled with the knowledge of God and to walke worthy of the Lord as hath beene said shall bee thought to bee strang men in the world specially by their old consorts 1 Pet. 4.4 and shall be sure to bee scorned taunted and diversely ill intreated in the world for all that desire to live godly in Christ Iesus must suffer perfecution 2 Tim. 3.12 that they may be like their Head therefore in the close of his prayer he desireth that they may be strengthned to all patience to beare these afflictions be they never so great or many and long-sufferance bee they never so long in continuance and because there is a singular measure of strength required herein he asketh that they may bee strengthened with all might that is with abundance of strength according to His glorious power which being in Him infinitely is expressed mervailously in His workes that so they may bee able to beare these things not with patience onely but even with joyfulnesse rejoycing that hereby they are made like to Christ and counted worthy to suffer any thing for His Name sake Christians have neede of spirituall strength to walke with God in their spirituall conditions Hence S. Paul Eph. 6.10 Obs 1 exhorteth all to goe out of themselves for strength and power from God whereby they might bee able to withstand those spirituall enemies which will encounter them Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might This spirituall strength stands in two things Eph. 6.10 1 That the principium or cause of this strengthning be from the spirit 2 That the object of it whereabout it is conversant be spirituall things To strive with God a little in Prayer is a signe of some strength but to wrastle with God as Iacob did not to let Him goe without a blessing shewes great strength To beleeve a promise wherin there is a little difficulty shewes some strength but for Abraham to offer up his Sonne in whom the promise was made shewes great strength to beare a little iniury without desire of revenge shewes some patience but to endure great and manifold persecutions and reproaches and with Saint Paul and Sylas to rejoyce in afflictions and to sing in Prison shewes
it more that we are reconciled to GOD already than that we shall have full salvation in due time If we are reconciled to GOD by the death of His Sonne which is the greater Ro. 5 1â— much more shall we be saved by His life which is the lesser To pardon a traytour when he is enemy-like affected to us and take him to favour is more than when he is a friend to give him a preferment To beget and bring forth a son Vse is more than when now it is to nurse it to full stature Wee must stirre up our selves to praise GOD in our precious blessing we are ashamed to take common kindnesse from men but we will returne them a thousand thanks yet who almost heartily praiseth GOD for these spirituall blessings which passe understanding Our plough would speed the better though we should not beg so much if we were more in thanksgiving up goeth thanksgiving downe comes blessings That we by nature are unfit for GOD's Kingdome Obs 2 So our SAVIOUR saith Vnlesse we be borne anew Ioh. 3. â— we cannot enter into GOD's Kingdome What disposition can be in such as are the children and thralls of the Devill to be the sons and heires of GOD No there is nothing in us but enmity against God Rom. 8.7 The wisdome of the flesh is enmitie against God and in the one and twentieth Verse of this Chapter now who can make me owner of that which I am not nor cannot be willing with We see in outward affaires an out-landish man a forreiner cannot have inheritance in our Land untill he be naturalized the son of a traytour whose lands are confiscate cannot inherit them as before till his bloud be restored So it is with us wee are all strangers by nature to God and heaven where Hee dwelleth wee are a tainted bloud rebels from the wombe and therefore till God doe restore us and make us fit wee cannot have part in this heavenly inheritance we love our hell as well as if there were no other heaven Ezek. 16. we are such as have an Amorite to our father an Hittite to our mother such as lye weltering in our bloud It is the worke of God alone that must prepare and fit us for this blessed inheritance all our sufficiencie is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 we are not able to thinke a thought this day No man can beget himselfe and therefore what man can fit himselfe for the heavenly estate none but the Father of spirits can effect this matter he that only can draw us changing our wils who can purge us beautifie us adopt us c. he hath begotten us to this inheritance Which letteth us see Gods exceeding grace to us Vse if there had beene an aptnesse in us as in those children which were trained up to minister before the King his love had not beene so great but when there is nothing but indisposition and withall utter unwillingnesse ready to put His grace from us to set light by and scorne this heavenly birth-right as Esau did his earthly that then he should look lovingly toward us and allure our hearts to Himselfe make us sons and daughters who can sound the depth of this love Suppose a King should take some youth up by the high-way all in ragges ill-favoured ignorant of all liberall education ill mannered such a one as loved a rogueing humor more than a kingdome were it not strange love in him that should fit such a one win his good will and proclaime him heire apparant to the crown So stands the matter betwixt GOD and us This serveth to humble us and make us walke modestly Vse 2 with an holy blush seeking to please our GOD. Away with all kinde of merit as well of congruitie as of condignity What disposition hath darknesse to light that have we to grace and salvation 3 That you may further see His love and what cause we have to give thankes marke what it is Hee putteth upon us Verse 17. an inheritance Observe then Obs 3 That as GOD's manner of taking us up so the matter he taketh us unto must move us to blesse Him The Lawyers know that the title of inheritance is the greatest title to give a stocke of money to one is much to bestow an office to let to farme rich things upon easie rent all are beneficiall good estates but to make one my heire this is farre greater this made Saint Peter so breake forth Blessed be GOD the Father 1 Pet. 1.3 who hath begotten us to an inheritance immortall undefiled that fadeth not away From whence it may be further amplified for if one were made an heire of some three halfe peny possession the benefit were not much to be stood on but to such an inheritance as there is described who can utter this mercy Looke at men on earth can they doe greater displeasure that to dis-inherit their children Can they shew any further love than to write this or that man the heire of all their estates It is so with God what greater love than this can Hee shew than to make us heires unto Him The use of this is to stirre us up to al thankfulnesse Vse 1 dutie yea spirituall joy Looke at children whose parents have great matters to leave them if they be good children what duty will they shew how obsequious will they be how glad to serve their earthly parents yea how jocond will they be for though they be kept low now they know they shall have faire patrimonies Thus should we be affected toward GOD yea much more should we joy in these heavenly possessions We must labour to looke into this our inheritance Vse 2 for if a man have any matter of estate in the world he will be sure to prie into the worth of it to looke upon the severalls to improve it and make the most of it he will lose nothing for the knowing thus we should doe in the heavenly riches But alas it is as nothing to us because we are ignorant of these things and wil not beg the spirit of illumination which might teach us to know the things bestowed upon us And as men that know not the worth of their heavenly things do make cheape and eafie peny worths passing away rich things for matters of nothing So we do even through ignorance like Esau for a little sinfull delight forgoe our inheritance This comforteth the Saints Vse 3 who though they count themselves poore yet they are rich heires of a Kingdome It might be marked that he saith Obs 4 To take part it teacheth That every Saint hath but a childes part GOD giveth not as men all to one the rest have nothing but he giveth every one a severall part as Hee seeth meet Some have greater some have lesse though all shall be blessed not knowing lacke of any good thing in that they possesse nor envying any thing they see in others and have not in the principall all are equall
Finally doth not onely doe things evill but applaudeth others that doe so with him Which things may open this truth that naturally a man converseth and maketh a trade of evill workes for figges cannot bee gathered from thornes nor an evill tree cannot doe other than bring forth evill fruits We are no murtherers adulterers c. Object There are two sorts of evill workes Answ some apparantly such as the light of nature condemneth Others more close which have the shew of externall righteousnesse now such are honest courses world-ward without religion and the Pharisees course externally both honest and religious but yet wanting the power of godlinesse of which our Saviour testifieth That many things glorious in mans eye are abomination before God Would not every one condemne such a course in a servant if he should spend his time doing things that had no hurt in them but out of his owne head never vouchsasing to know his masters minde in any thing if he should doe the things bidden him but when his master would have them done thus he will doe them after his owne fashion and when his master saith doe such things first and chiefly after take these in hand hee shall let the principall alone and onely be occupied in the other were not this a wicked course in a servant This is the course of every honest naturall man that is no more than honest world-ward To urge upon men the unrighteousnesse of their wayes Vse 1 yea of those wayes which may be called righteousnesse in comparison of the other that they may count all losse to be found having part in grace through CHRIST To shew us the difference of one converted and not converted the one slippeth and intendeth and endevoureth to doe good though evill be present and steppeth in everywhere the minde of the other is set upon evill the one beareth the presence of it mourning under it the other committeth it willingly he lyeth in evill he taketh care to fulfill the lusts of his flesh hee is a worker of iniquitie VERSE 22. Hath He now reconciled in the body of His flesh through death to make you holy and unblameable and without fault in His sight HItherto of their former Condition Now he having beaten them downe in remembrance of their misery doth raise them up in recounting GOD's mercy Observe hence in generall As wee must looke with one eye downe to our unworthinesse Observ so wee must cast the other upon GOD's mercies to us These two doe well together the one corrects the other so that both as wholesome purging medicines without interlacing restoratives will weaken too much 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but now yee are washed c. Eph. 2.13 Now in CHRIST IESUS yee which once were a farre off are made neere by the bloud of CHRIST Tit. 3.3 4. We also in times past were unwise disobedient deceived c. But when the bountifulnesse and love of GOD our SAVIOUR toward man appeared c. This is to be noted from this that Paul doth not shew them their estate of Nature alone but being a bitter pill doth gild it over with annexing their comfortable condition in CHRIST We must learne to compound these meditations Vse now taking a course in remembring our wretched estate now refreshing our selves in recounting the blessed benefits we have by CHRIST as men will walke in some garden or orchard or go a while to some pleasant exercise when they are wearied with bodily labours 2 From this that such are reconciled Obs marke the free and large grace of God if we had beene enemies in heart only it had beene much to finde favour but where wee have made a trade of evill workes and lived all our lives in open rebellion how undeserved and how rich is the grace which giveth pardon If the King doe pardon one whose good will is doubtfull and take him to grace it is much but when one hath lived in making attempts on his person then to forget and to forgive were more than credible clemencie The love of God is seene in this Rom. 5.10 that when we were enemies He gave His Son to reconcile us It is the greatest love that ever the sons of men enjoyed 1 Ioh. 3.16 Hereby wee perceive the love of God because He laid downe His life for us Herein is love not that we loved God but that He loved us 1 Ioh. 4.10 and sent His Sonne to be the propitiation for our sinnes See how the holy Apostle speaking of the love of God still layes his finger upon the matter in this not in noble birth in high Parentage no no away with that carnall plea I hope the LORD loves me why because He hath kept me to this day and He hath given me wealth and health No in this it appeares that He died for you make this good to your soules In the time of the old Law there were as it were some shadowes and glympse of Gods love but now CHRIST is come the Sunne shines in his full brightnesse The blessed Apostle who was almost as neere CHRIST's heart as his body stands admiring at this love So God loved the world as who should say Ioh. 3.16 so wonderfull it is I cannot expresse it it even ravisheth my heart to thinke on it but so it was that God should stoope to man and Majesty to meanenesse and Heaven bow to earth The Reasons hereof are divers The first is taken from the Partie that loved us Reas 1 it was God blessed for ever had He sent to a poore man in time of misery and poverty honour or money it had not been such a wonder but that he should send his Son and that to die for us this is miraculous It hath bin heard that a man hath sent a Pearle to his friend but this was never heard that any should send his whole treasury but God hath not spared to send all His whole treasure Coloss 2.3 the Text saith that in Him are all these treasures of wisdome and knowledge Heare this all you poore creatures that have any part in CHRIST you complaine you are poore comfort your selves in this you have a treasure better than the best gold in India you have the treasures of heaven how then can you be poore Consider this when the least favour was too much for us and the smallest mercy more than we deserved or desired yet God accounted the greatest favours too little for us earth He hath given to us and that 's not enough heaven Hee hath prepared for us with the joy and glory thereof and yet that 's not enough He hath sent His Spirit to guide us His CHRIST to redeeme us nay He hath bestowed Himselfe upon us hath laid downe His life for us that by His death we might live As the person is incomprehensible Reas 2 so the excellencie of the worke is beyond our reach or conceit me thinkes this love goes beyond God Himselfe The
of the former Chapter Now lest this report should seeme to drop from him unadvisedly for ordinarily another mouth must praise us not our owne lest it should thus be misconstrued he repeateth the strife he had with a more particular enumeration of the Persons for whom he thus contended v. 1. 2 The matter for which he laboured with GOD for them Verse 2 3. 3 The end why he telleth them these things or maketh such request V. 4. Namely that no Impostor might deceive them and draw them from that state wherein they were or perswade them as if the Apostle knew nothing of their matter nor yet tooke any care of them for the fourth Verse may be conceived as a reason of either of these you must know wee are in good cafe before you can wish us established in it But they might object Object thou never knewest us nor sawest us or you know not Paul how we stand how can you take care lest we be deceived Though my bodily presence is free from you Answ yet it is not out of sight and out of minde my Spirit is with you The first Verse then hath to be marked in it a deliberate asseveration of that he had in generall spoken I would have you know 2. A more particular repetition of this his strife applied in speciall to some certaine persons first definitely you and your neighbours about you those of Laodicea then indefinitely and all that have not seene mee in the flesh 1. Then wee learne this point of wisdome from the Apostle Doct. That we must warily prevent that which may be misconstrued of us in our speeches The Colossians might thinke him vaine-glorious in signifying such things as tended to his owne praise at least that his pen went too fast and he a little forgot himselfe in setting downe such personall matter the Apostle therefore goeth over again with it and sheweth a reason of it Vers 4. That he might wipe away the surmise of unadvisednesse and vaine-glorious humour To speake any thing either to the praise or dispraise of our selves is subject to imputation for it is a tickle theame hard to doe either without a spice of vanity in the one or dissimulation in the other the Apostle knowing this well had the hynt of their thoughts given him and therefore doth prevent them wisely There is great reason for this practice frequent with the Apostle For the just mainteyning of our owne honour with GOD in the fifth Commandement doth lay it on us Secondly the preventing of false witnesse-bearing by sinister surmises in my neighbour Reas 2 which if occasion offered I doe not so much as in me is hinder I become guilty of them Such therefore as give out speeches subject to misconstruction without any qualifying of them and salving such things as in probability are like amisse to be gathered by them Vse have not yet this wisedome which the example of the Apostle setteth before us being in this point for our imitation 2 Marke hence Doct. That in some case wee may report both our love and what we doe in love for others The Apostle telleth them now he out of his love to them strove in their behalfe There is reporting of kindnesse which out of proud displeasure upbraydeth those to whom we speake and this begetteth unthankfulnesse in them whom we have pleasured There is againe a reciting of that we doe out of religion love and wisdom which begetteth further love in those who heare it Out of religion I say for it is to Gods glory that we should tell such things as not we so much as His grace worketh in us especially when He doth so stand by us that we are called to contend and strive in prayer with him in prayer for the good of any Out of wisdom as when it breaketh the neast of such as labour to slander us behind our backs with others Out of love to God and my brother when I tell it that God may have glory from my brother knowing it that his confidence may be strengthened that his love to me may be further kindled thus Saint Paul reciteth that matter thus Rom. 9. He doth not simply protest his love to his Country men but doth bind it with an oath that he might mollify their displeasure and wind in with them Yea we read of the Saints who before God have orderly and holily made appeale how they have walked before Him Though therefore such as either proudly or out of unadvised levity or contumeliously sound out their owne praises are not to be justified yet neither on the other hand must we censure all speeches of this nature a mans neighbours may dwell so farre off or be so malignant that hee that would keepe silence in this kind should betray Gods glory the truth his owne honour and neighbours safety 3 Observe Doctr. That we must not onely seeke the good of those we know as familiars but of those who have no outward acquaintance with us Eph. 16.18 Pray for all Saints If our naturall Parents travailing to other places we being left behind should beget other children would we not upon the hearesay of it be affected to them as our brethren So when we heare that our heavenly Father hath begotten Himselfe other children here or there though we have not seene them yet we should in all love embrace them and seeke their well-fare yea there was great need why he on whom lay the care of all the Churches should pray fervently for these because these might even in this regard more easily be seduced as who had not knowne him and seen his conversation who was the great Doctor of the Gentiles for such as knew what kind of man he was that delivered these things were hence somewhat strengthened and encouraged in their way But how may we be rebuked who are farre from striving for those we know Vse Husbands that pray not for their Wives Parents that pray not for their children If we doe thus by them we see what doe we for such we never sawe Let us imitate this duty even of entreating for such we have not seene Which of us would not have benefit by the prayers of Gods people who know us not let us doe to others as we would have them doe to us He were a gracelesse child that would never pray for his Mother and we would thinke he would doe little for us that would not lend us a good word here or there So when we remember not the Church and will not open our mouthes one for another to God what love is there Let us therefore frequent this duty not in word or shew but in deed and truth From the practice of this duty it commeth to passe that a Christian is like a rich Merchant who hath his factors in divers Countryes So a Christian hath in all places of the world some that deale for him with God that never sawe his face who are petitioners for him unto God VERSE 2.
Soveraigne salve of their soules not as a thing of rare and pleasant knowledge Secondly as they have not a licke but by beliefe bring CHRIST to dwell in their hearts and abide with them so their joy is a permanent abyding and durable joy No mans building can be better or firmer then his foundation nor no mans rejoycing better then the matter of his rejoycing if it be but meate and drinke both that and thou shalt perish and what shall become of thy joy yea if thou hadst a stately pallace like that of Nebuchadnezar which hee built for his royalty what is that to thee where is thy rejoycing when either thou shalt bee taken from it or it shall be taken from thee This is the state of all worldly comfort and of all things till we come to that which is above all that is to say the favour of GOD the eternall grace of GOD in our Lord Iesus Christ My peace I leave with you not as the world giveth the world gives a peace but what manner of peace why like the world it selfe but another manner peace is that which I give I give eternall peace and consolation as the Apostle calls it God hath given us good hope and everlasting consolation Thirdly as they doe not by vaine presumption apply CHRIST but by humble beleefe joyned with care of forsaking the love of all sinne so their joy standeth firme like a sure foundation when the other is turned into shame and confusion because it was grounded upon misconceit Wherefore labour if you be true beleevers Vse to make these things your joy Can a condemned fellow or a traytour get his pardon but it gladdeth him at the heart How can we heare all sinne forgiven Heaven opened God become a Father and take no contentment in them When a poore soule apprehends this it gives a man enough As Iacob said of his sonne Ioseph I have enough that my sonne is alive So the soule of a beleever can speake it in the presence of God My God liveth I have enough my Lord Christ hath redeemed mee I have enough the Spirit of God hath sealed mee to the day of redemption I have enough Psal 16. that I may say My line is fallen in a faire ground I have a goodly heritage Now for the meanes Being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding that so they might come to joy in the knowledge of that mystery Observe hence Doct. That soundnesse of love and fulnesse of affiance and understanding bring us to heartie rejoycing This may bee shewed by the contrary for these three things are great impediments to true beleevers intercepting that joy which otherwise they might have 1 Want of love when there creepeth in some little strangenesse that they are not one as they should be all of one heart Act. 4.32 as the multitude of beleevers Looke as a family full of contentments while all are friendly and linked in love let some spice of discord enter all the musike of the house is marred every thing as dolefull as before joyfull And no doubt but this hindered the Colossians joy some leaning to mediation of Angels Ceremonies some keeping to CHRIST only difference of opinion bred variance of affection as it commonly falleth out For Satan striveth nothing more than to disband the Church we being knit by sinewes if he can but cut the sinews of love and doctrine and crosse it he hath enough And as light vapours or exhalations being drawne up from the earth come downe with great tempests so from light differences in opinion if not a great measure of grace doe proceed often great stormes and tempests of wrath and envie 2 Want of full Perswasion eclipseth joy for tell a man never such joyfull things if he cannot resolve himselfe that they are so hee will take no pleasure in them The things are good he wil say but I am afraid too good to be true Nay let a man be troubled in matters of lesse moment with a scrupulous conscience being at a stand whether to doe this or that or not to doe it it is such a sicknesse as till it be out-growen doth much weaken the joy of the spirit Even as a man that hath a stone in his shooe cannot travell comfortably 3 Finally want of knowledge doth much hinder joy for further then we know things we cannot be glad of them beside want of understanding breedeth scruple as in young children who will be afraid of any thing almost through weaknesse of understanding But say they were fully perswaded yet if wee want understanding wherewith to give a reason of that wee beleeve it is a great damping to us wheras on the contrary love of our brethren O quà m bonum jucundum Psal 13 3.1 How good and pleasant a thing is it to see brethren to live together in unity It is as pleasant as a fragrant ointment it maketh a sowre sallad better than a stalled exe and it prepareth and fitteth us for that GOD of joy and love to come and dwell with us seâ—led perswasion and plentifull knowledge in one word fulnesse of faith for faith is nothing but an affianced knowledge this bringeth joy Rom. 15.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in beleeving that yee may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost By faith we rejoyce in afflictions For as in earthly things the further we come to get assurance and to know good things towards us the more we take joy in them So in heavenly things the further we grow up in the apprehension of them the more are our hearts cheered and revived Wherefore Vse 1 we may see here what causeth so little spirituall joy among us Christians even this with other things there wanteth that sound Vnion through love We are estranged one from another in opinions of doctrine government Ceremonies which is no small cooler of that spirituall joy which otherwise we might see For the avoiding of this impediment or stumbling block let Christians follow the Apostle in his exhortation in matters of religion and opinion therein he would have them labour to be of one minde 2 Cor. 13.11 to come as neere as possibly they can to the Vnity of Faith He doth be seech them by vertue of this bond Ephes 4.1 2. to walke worthy of the Lord and how should that be in all long-suffering and lowlinesse of minde supporting one another in love endeavouring to keepe the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Lowlinesse of minde and Patience will bring men to Vnity as Pride and selfe-love and impatience doth make men easily dissent in affection and opinion Againe private Christians are like the Coninthians very contentious to law for every trifle joy dwelleth not in disagreement So for the second here is much unbeleefe we fix not our perswasion nor provoke not our hearts confidently to rest and trust in
GOD's promises we fight not against doubtings we cry not for eye-salve which might heale our fight that all scales done away we might see clearely to our comfort the things of our peace Let us Vse 2 as ever we would taste these heavenly joyes on earth labour to grow up in sound hearty love to Christ and all that are His in full perswasion and to get ripe understanding As love to CHRIST increaseth so joy encreaseth If any woman had the greatest Potentate on earth to her husband if she love him not what pleasure hath she in him If she love him but little she taketh but small joy but the more fervently shee loveth him the more abundantly she rejoyceth in enjoying of him So with us the more we get up to love CHRIST and His the more shall we rejoyce in our Vnion and communion one with another Hence it is that when knowledge shall be perfected in fight and when love shal be absolute lacking nothing then our joy shall be full in the highest degree of it Secondly observe when he prayeth for these things Doctr. In what things true Christians may be much wanting viz. in love confidence and spirituall understanding Had there not beene a defect this way henceded not to have laboured them in their behalfe We see how it was in Corinth schismes tooke place rents divisions and uncharitable contentions ever amongst beleevers even as brethren together agree not often So it is in the body of Christ the members are often jarring So for assurance it is weake in Christians even as babes so hold this or that that they may bee easily brought to bee of another minde So a weake Christian hath a levity and unsetlednesse dwelling in great measure with the perswasion which hee hath in the points of his faith Thus the Galathians for this cause who before had gladly received Paul's truth were quickly turned to a new Gospell Galath 1. Thus Israel wanting this fulnesse of perswasion quickly corrupted themselves and made a molten calfe Finally we see what doubtings and scruples are frequently found with true beleevers In the third place for understanding how ignorant a great while were the Apostles after the beginnings of grace in them As the understanding in civill things it commeth not all at once but is little in child-hood and so getteth up as yeares ripen So it is in the babes of GOD Yea our want of giving assent and confident resting upon that GOD revealeth doth keepe us from understanding for beleeving things upon God's Word which I am not able to understand at length I come understandingly to know those things which above that I could conceive I religiously beleeved Wherefore we must not be dismaid to see these things in Christians Vse nor yet to finde them in our selves all is in part and the reliques of the flesh are every where lusting against the frame of grace which GOD hath begun in us Neither must we be out with all whose hearts are a little bitter towards their brethren who sometimes through weaknesse cannot tell what to thinke of their religion who make scruple and doubt of many most plaine things not knowing their liberties who are much wanting in understanding all these may be in true Saints of GOD. Lastly Doct. marke hence what we must all labour for viz. soundnesse of love fulnesse of perswasion and understanding That which any asketh for us or we aske for our selves that we must strive for to pray for things we endeavour not to is to mocke GOD. Seeing then the Apostle doth strive with GOD for these things it doth shew that these are things wee must labour after things which faithfull ones shall in their time come unto Strive to perfection I forget that which is behinde and strive to that which is before for the price of the high calling of God in CHRIST Looke at little ones were it not a shame for them still to continue falling out comming with complaints for every trifle as they will while they are young ones to be afraid of bug-beggars and made beleeve every thing to bee ignorant alwayes as in child-hood So it were a shame for us to have no more love no more settlednesse in our perswasion no more understanding than when we first beleeved Which meeteth with Papists and carnall Gospellers Vse their religion teacheth doubting they count it presumption to perswade our selves firmely and infallibly that our sinnes are forgiven Yea in matter of faith they take away certainty of knowledge for they will not have us know the doctrines are true we receive but because the Church telleth us so which is to hang all upon the word of man who may deceive and be deceived unlesse he hath a speciall priviledge to shew for all men are lyars I know not but the Church telleth me so I cannot say certainly but I hope well here is their certainty of doctrine and salvation So we have many that are halfe Papists in this point they thinke this particular application but a tricke they construe the Creed all in generall termes for the Church further than uncertaine hope will say nothing of themselves for riches of knowledge they thinke to be able to repeat the Creed Lords Prayer and Commandements are enough to know they are baptised and serve God at home and at Church deeper knowledge than this belongeth to Doctors and teachers in the Church men of corrupt mindes who would have God's people lye in darknesse of ignorance lest their owne darknesse should be discerned Yea how many of the people that not being willing to obey the wayes of God care not for knowing them they are willing to keepe without light that they may sleepe more quietly Such finally who are babes in knowledge though for time they might be teachers who are ready to wagge at every wind of doctrine who upon every crosse and temptation are ready to call into question God's love forgivenesse of sin must hence be rebuked In the second place Vse 2 wee must seeing it is our duties labour to grow up from one degree of love to another from assurance to assurance from knowledge to knowledge I Object but how may we out-grow our doubting 1 Labour to know that experimentally which thou knowest Answ when thou hearest a thing at Church labour comming home to get God by His Spirit to witnesse to thy spirit the truth of it to make thee in His light to see light and to feele the power of it working in thee and thy affections moved as the nature of the word requireth that which a man thus knoweth you cannot beat him out of it with all the shew of reason that can be pretended 2 We must acknowledge the corruption of our mind which will not yeeld assent further than wee see reason and deny our reason becomming fooles that God may make us wise Nay we must know such is the vanity of our mindes that wee can sooner perswade our selves of any fabulous matter than of