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…

8 Take heed lest any. Again it teacheth them against what poison the preservative which he gave them ought to be taken. For although that [I mean a firm faith] be a common remedy against all the deceits of the devil, as I have said: yet had it at that time a peculiar use among the Colossians, unto which it ought to be applied. Take heed, saith he, lest any rob you. He useth a very fit term. for he alludeth unto thieves, who when they cannot violently steal the whole flock, than do they by subtlety drive away some of the Cattle. So maketh he the church Christs sheepfold, and the hurdles or closures hereof, the pure doctrine of the Gospel. Us than that are the sheep of Christ, he declareth to rest in safety, as long as we hold the unity of faith, and he maketh the false Apostles like to Thieves which carry us away from the folds. Wilt thou then be reckoned in the flock of Christ, wilt thou abide in his folds? bend not the breadth of a nail from the purity of doctrine. For undoubtedly Christ will do the duty of a good Pastor Shepherd with shielding us, if we will hear his voice only, and refuse the voices of others. To be brief, the 10. chapter of John, is an exposition of this present place. By Philosophy. Because many have ••te• lye thought that Paul in this place doeth condemn Philosophy, it must be defined what he meaneth thereby. In my ⟨p. 40⟩judgement he understandeth, whatsoever men do invent of their own heads, while they will have a smack of their •••ne sense: and that not without some fair pretence or colour of reason, that in show it may be probable. For there is not much ado about rejecting the inventions of men, when they have no commendation or setting out: but about them that deceive the minds with a deceitful opinion of wisdom. Or if any had rather have it spoken at a word, Philosophy is nothing else but a persuading manner of speech, which insinuateth or shouldereth in it self by fair and plausible reasons into the minds of men. Such I grant shall all the sly reasons of Philosophers be, if they put too ought of their own to the pure word of God. therefore Philosophy shall be no other thing but a corrupting of pure doctrine, if it be mingled with Christ.

8 Take heede lest any. Agayn it teacheth them against what poyson the preseruatiue which he gaue them ought to be taken. For although that [I meane a firme fayth] be a common remedie agaynst all the deceites of the deuill, as I haue sayd: yet had it at that time a peculiar vse among the Colossians, vnto which it ought to be applyed. Take heede, saith he, lest any robbe you. He vseth a very fit tearm. for he alludeth vnto theeues, who whē they cannot violētly steale the whole flock, than do they by subtletie driue away some of the Cattel. So maketh he the church Christs sheepefolde, and the hurdles or closures hereof, the pure doctrine of the Gospell. Vs than that are the sheepe of Christe, he declareth to rest in safetie, as long as wee holde the vnitie of fayth, and he maketh the false Apostles like to Theeues whiche carye vs awaye from the foldes. Wilt thou then be reckoned in the flock of Christ, wilte thou abide in his foldes? bende not the bredth of a nayle from the puritie of doctrine. For vndoubtedlye Christ will doe the duetie of a good Pastor Sheaphearde with shielding vs, if we will heare his voyce only, and refuse the voyces of others. To be breefe, the 10. chapter of Iohn, is an exposition of this present place. By Philosophie. Because many haue te lye thoughte that Paule in this place doeth condemne Philosophie, it must be defined what he meaneth therby. In my