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…

4 This I say least any body. Because the devises & inventions of men (as afterward we shall see) have a show or kind of wisdom, the minds of the Godly must be prevented by this persuasion that the only knowledge of Christ is enough and enough. And surely this is the Ray which may lock up the gate against all wicked errors. For what was the cause ⟨p. 36⟩that men wrapped themselves in so many ungodly opinions, in so many idolatries, in so many foolish speculations, but because they despised the simplicity of the Gospel, and were bold to aspire higher? Whatsoever errors than is in the papacy, they may thank this ungratefulness of it, that being not content with Christ alone, they gave themselves to strange doctrines. Well therefore doth the Apostle to the Hebrews, while he minded to exhort the faithful that they should not suffer themselves to be carried away with strange or new doctrines, use this foundation first of all, Christ yesterday, and to day, and for ever. with which word he signifieth that they are out of danger who abide in Christ and that they are laid open to all deceits and subtleties, which think not Christ sufficient. So Paul here willeth, that whosoever he is that will not be deceived, must be armed with that principle, (namely) It is not lawful for a Christian man, to savour any thing but Christ. Although whatsoever shall be brought afterward have never so beautiful a colour, yet nothing will be done, it shall work nothing. To be brief there shall be no likelihood nor persuading speech which shall bend but even the breadth of a finger the hearts of them who have addicted their minds to Christ. A place truly to be commended highly. for as he hath prevented or stopped all wicked opinions and doctrines, who hath taught men to know nothing beside Christ; so the same is the way, whereby we may at this day destroy and hurl down the whole Papacy, as that which evidently appeareth compact and made out of the ignorance of Christ.

4 This I say least any body. Because the deuises & inuentions of men (as afterwarde we shall see) haue a shew or kynde of wisdome, the myndes of the Godlye must bee preuented by this perswasion that the onelye knowledge of Christ is ynough and ynough. And surely this is the Ray which maye lock vp the gate agaynste all wicked erroures. For what was the cause ⟨p. 36⟩that men wrapped themselues in so many vngodly opinyons, in so many idolatries, in so many folish speculations, but because they despised the simplicitie of the Gospell, and were bold to aspire higher? Whatsoeuer errours than is in the papacie, they maye thanke this vngratefulnesse of it, that being not content with Christ alone, they gaue themselues to straunge doctrines. Well therefore doth the Apostle to the Hebrewes, while hee minded to exhort the faythfull that they should not suffer themselues to be carried away with straunge or new doctrines, vse this foundation firste of all, Christ yesterday, and to daye, and for euer. with whiche worde hee signifieth that they are out of daunger who abide in Christ and that they are laide open to all deceites and subtelties, which thinke not Christ sufficient. So Paule here willeth, that whosoeuer he is that will not be deceiued, must be armed with that principle, (namely) It is not lawfull for a Christian man, to sauour any thing but Christ. Although whatsoeuer shall be broughte afterwarde haue neuer so bewetifull a coloure, yet nothing will bee done, it shall worke nothing. To bee briefe there shall be no likelyhoode nor perswading speeche which shall bende but euen the bredth of a finger the heartes of them who haue addicted their myndes to Christe. A place truely to be commended highly. for as he hath preuented or stopped all wicked opinyons and doctrines, who hath taught men to know nothing beside Christ; so the same is the waye, whereby we may at this daye destroy and hurle down the whole Papacie, as that which euidently appeareth compact and made out of the ignoraunce of Christ.