A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Secondly, whereas this church dwelleth where the devils throne is, we may observe, whence the church of God is gathered, namely, out of Satan's kingdom. Gods church is a company of men ordained to salvation, taken from under the power of the devil: though after their calling they be Gods peculiar flock, yet they are by nature the children of wrath. Thus Paul speaketh of all the Gentiles, Act. 26.18. And particularly of the church of Colossae, Colos. 1.13. that God delivered them from the power of darkness, and translated them into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Secondly, whereas this church dwelleth where the diuels throne is, wee may obserue, whence the church of God is gathered, namely, out of Sathans kingdome. Gods church is a company of men ordained to saluation, taken from vnder the power of the diuell: though after their calling they be Gods peculiar flocke, yet they are by nature the children of wrath. Thus Paul speaketh of all the Gentiles, Act. 26.18. And particularly of the church of Colossa, Colos. 1.13. that God deliuered them from the power of darknesse, and translated them into the kingdome of his deare sonne.

Hence we learn. I. That no man is to stand upon his his gentility,¹ or glory in his parentage for nobility and great blood, but only rejoice in this, that he is drawn out of the kingdom of darkness, and from under the power of Satan, and placed by Christ Jesus in the kingdom of grace. For what will it profit a man to wear about his neck a chain of gold, if so be his heart, will, & affections be chained to the devils service? and what availeth it princes to sit upon their stately thrones, if they themselves be in subjection unto Satan, and do homage unto his throne? yea what will all the treasures, honours, and pleasures of the world avail to him that is debarred from the riches of Gods love in Christ, and destitute of the treasures of his grace, and so led captive by Satan at his will and pleasure? Secondly, some do think that a man may be saved by any religion, the Jew by his religion, the Turk by his, and the Papist by his, &c. Yea, it is the common received opinion of our ignorant people, that every one shall be saved by his good meaning. But all these are mere dotages of mens brain: for a man may hold his good meaning, and yet serve the devil at his throne. It is not sufficient to hold this or that religion, or to practise civill virtues, as justice, temperance, &c. unless a man be one of Gods church, severed from the company of them that serve Satan. Thirdly, here all Gods servants have a notable means of stay and comfort in afflictions. If they be persecuted, and cast into most dark dungeons for the name of Christ, they must call to mind, that they are taken out of the devils prison in the kingdom of darkness, and placed in the glorious kingdom of Jesus Christ, and made members of his church, and shall be inheritors of his glory. Fourthly, hence we learn, that the preaching of the gospel hath in it a divine power: no creatures, except the good Angels, have power comparable to the devils: and yet the preaching of the gospel is stronger than all the power of Satan, for it gathereth a church where the devil hath his throne, it delivers men from under the power of Satan, and placeth them in the glorious liberty of the sons of God: although therefore it be preached by sinful man, yet it must be reverenced as the power of God, and his own arm to save his elect.