A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…

In psalms and hymns. He restraineth not the word of Christ to these specialties, but he doeth rather express that all our speeches ought so greatly to be framed to edification, that even those that do serve to mirth, may savour of nothing that is vain. as if he should say, Leave unto unbelievers this foolish delight, which they take of vain and trifling sports and jests. As for your speeches not only which are grave, but also even such as be glad and merry, let them contain in them some profit. In stead of their bawdy, or at least immodest and light and joyish songs: Hymns and songs which may sound out the praise of God become you. Furthermore under these three names, he hath comprehended all kind of Songs. which they commonly do thus distinguish, that a Psalm may be that unto which in singing some musical instrument beside the tongue is joined. A Hymn may be properly a Song of praise, whether it be song with a loud voice or otherwise. A Song doeth not only contain praises, but admonitions too, and other matters. But he will have the spiritual songs of Christians, not such as be indited of frivolous trifles, and things of naught. For this hath relation to the argument. This piece In grace, Chrysostom diversly expoundeth: but I take it simply, as also afterward in the 4. chap. 6. vers. when he saith, let your speech be powdered with salt, in grace. that is to say, powdered with such a dexterity or •••somnes as may be gracious or acceptable, and by the commodity and profit thereof may please the hearers: that it may be contrary to scoffing or knavery or like Follies. Singing in your hearts. This belongeth to the affection, for as we ought to stir up others, so also must we singe from our hart, that it be not an outward sound of the mouth only. Although ⟨p. 74⟩it be not so to be taken, as though he bad every one sing inwardly to himself: but he will have both joined together, so that the hearts go before the tongues.

In psalmes and himnes. He restraineth not the word of Christ to these specialties, but hee doeth rather expresse that all our speaches ought so greatly to be framed to edification, that euen those that doe serue to mirth, may sauor of nothing that is vain. as if he should say, Leaue vnto vnbeleeuers this folishe delight, which they take of vayne and trifling sportes and iestes. As for your speeches not onelye which are graue, but also euen suche as be glad and merrye, let them contayne in them some profite. In steede of their bawdie, or at least immodest and light and ioyish songes: Hymnes and songes which may sound out the praise of God become you. Furthermore vnder these three names, hee hath comprehended all kynde of Songes. which they commonly do thus distinguish, that a Psalme may be that vnto whiche in singing some musical instrument beside the tongue is ioyned. A Hymne maye bee properlye a Songe of prayse, whether it bee song with a loude voyce or otherwise. A Song doeth not onelye contayne prayses, but admonitions too, and other matters. But hee will haue the spirituall songs of Christians, not suche as bee endited of friuolous trifles, and things of naught. For this hath relation to the argument. This peece In grace, Chrisostome diuerslye expoundeth: but I take it simply, as also afterward in the 4. chap. 6. vers. when hee sayth, let your speeche be poudered with salte, in grace. that is to say, poudered with suche a dexteritie or somnes as maye bee gracious or acceptable, and by the commoditie and profite thereof maye please the hearers: that it maye bee contrarye to scoffing or knauerye or like Follies. Singing in your hartes. This belongeth to the affection, for as we oughte to stirre vp others, so also must we singe from our hart, that it bee not an outward sounde of the mouthe onelye. Although