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…

9 Because in him dwelleth. The reason why those elements of the world, which are the traditions of men, agree not with Christ. for they are additions to supply defect or want, as they say. But in Christ is perfection, to which nothing can be added. Therefore whatsoever men mingle in of their own heads, it fighteth with the nature of Christ because it condemneth him of imperfection, and insufficiency This argument alone is enough to confute all the feigned devises of the papists. For to what end belong they but to make up & bring to perfection, the which is begun in Christ? but this reproach against Christ is not to be born. They say in deed that they add nothing to Christ: because they (I mean elements) are a piece of Christianity which they have tied or patched to […] Gospel. but they escape not with that kind of Cavil. For Paul speaketh not of an imagined Christ but of a Christ preached, who hath revealed himself by a certain and sure doctrine. Furthermore where he saith that, The fullness of the Godhead dwelleth in Christ, he meaneth no other thing but that God wholly is found in him: so that he, longeth after a thing that is better and more excellent than God, who is not content with Christ alone. The sum is that God hath exhibited himself unto us in Christ fully and wholly. The interpreters do sundry ways expound the Adverb, bodily. I doubt not but that it is put unproperly, for substantially. for he setteth opposite this manifestation which we have in Christ, unto all other manifestations that ever were. For God hath often exhibited himself unto men, but that in part (only). but in Christ he wholly communicateth himself unto us. Otherwhere also he hath manifested himself, but in figures, or power and grace. but in Christ he hath essentially appeared unto us. So is fulfilled that, 1. John 2.23. He that hath the Son, hath also the Father. For they have God truly present, ⟨p. 42⟩& altogether have the fruition of him, who have Christ in profession.

9 Because in him dwelleth. The reason why those elements of the worlde, whiche are the traditions of men, agree not with Christ. for they are additions to supply defect or want, as they say. But in Christ is perfection, to which nothing can be added. Therefore whatsoeuer men mingle in of their own heades, it fighteth with the nature of Christ because it condemneth him of imperfectiō, and insufficiencie This argumēt alone is ynough to confute all the fained deuises of the papistes. For to what end belōg they but to make vp & bring to perfection, ye which is begon in Christ? but this reproch agaynst Christ is not to be born. They saye in deede that they adde nothing to Christ: because they (I meane elements) are a peece of Christianitie which they haue tied or patched to Gospell. but they escape not with that kynde of Cauill. For Paule speaketh not of an imagined Christ but of a Christ preached, who hath reuealed himselfe by a certayne and sure doctrine. Furthermore where he sayth that, The fulnesse of the Godhed dwelleth in Christe, he meaneth no other thing but that God wholy is founde in him: so that he, longeth after a thing that is better and more excellent than God, who is not content with Christ alone. The summe is that God hath exhibited himselfe vnto vs in Christ fully and wholy. The interpreters doe sundrye wayes expounde the Aduerbe, bodily. I doubt not but that it is put vnproperlye, for substantiallie. for he setteth opposite this manifestation which we haue in Christ, vnto all other manifestations yt euer were. For God hath often exhibited himselfe vnto men, but that in part (onelye). but in Christ he wholye communicateth himselfe vnto vs. Otherwhere also he hath manifested himselfe, but in figures, or power and grace. but in Christe hee hath essentiallye appeared vnto vs. So is fulfilled that,