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…

6 As.) Unto praise he joineth exhortation, in which he teacheth that it will nothing profit them that they have once received Christ, except they abide continually in him. Furthermore in that the false Apostles allege the name of Christ, to deceive and beguile: he twice preventeth this danger while he biddeth them go forward as they had been taught, and as they had received Christ. For with these words he admonisheth, that so constantly must they stick to the doctrine which Epaphras delivered and they embraced, that they take heed to them selves for (admitting) any other doctrine & faith. As Isaiah said, chap. 30.21. This is the way, walk in it. And truly so must we use the matter that the truth of the Gospel, after it is manifested unto us, must be unto us a brazen wall, to fend of all deceits. And with three Metaphors, doth he set out what manner constancy of faith he requireth of them. The first is in the word Walk. For he compareth the pure doctrine of the Gospel, as they learned it, to a certain and plain way: which whosoever keepeth, shall be out of danger of error and going awry. He exhorteth them then if they will not go out of the way, that they turn not out of the course or walk which they have begun. ⟨p. 38⟩The second metaphor is taken of trees. for as a tree spreading his roots deep in the ground hath sustentation and defence enough to abide all the forces of winds and storms: so if any be fixed in Christ deeply and thoroughly, as in a strong rote, he can by no subtle devises of Satan be hurled down from a right state. Contrariwise if any do not groundfaste his roots in Christ, he will easily be carried about with every blast of doctrine, no otherwise than a tree that is defenced with no roots, at the first blast is turned up. The third metaphor is of building. for an house which is not supported with a foundation, will quickly fall. The like happeneth to them who lean upon other shores then Christ: or else who are not strongly founded in him, but have the house of their faith as it were doubtful and hanging by means of their weakness and lightness. These two things are to be marked in the words of the Apostle: viz. that the firmness of them who rest upon Christ must be unmoveable: and their course or proceeding never a whit doubtful, or endangered unto error.

6 As.) Vnto prayse he ioyneth exhortation, in which he teacheth that it will nothing profite them that they haue once receaued Christ, except they abide continuallye in him. Furthermore in that the false Apostles alleage the name of Christe, to deceaue and beguile: he twise preuenteth this danger while he biddeth them go forwarde as they had bene taught, and as they had receaued Christ. For with these wordes he admonisheth, that so constantly must they stick to the doctrine whiche Epaphras deliuered and they embraced, that they take heede to thē selues for (admitting) any other doctrine & fayth. As Esay said, chap. 30.21. This is the way, walke in it. And truelye so must we vse the matter that the truth of the Gospell, after it is manifested vnto vs, must be vnto vs a brasen wall, to fende of all deceites. And with three Metaphors, doth he set out what maner constancie of fayth he requireth of them. The first is in ye worde Walke. For he compareth the pure doctrine of the Gospell, as they learned it, to a certayne and playne way: which whosoeuer keepeth, shall be out of daunger of error and going awrie. He exhorteth them then if they wil not go out of the way, that they turne not out of the course or walke which they haue begonne.