A commentary upon the epistle of Saint Paul written to the Colossians. PreachedA commentary vpon the epistle of Saint Paule written to the Colossians. Preached

The sum of these three verses is a prayer, that the Apostle doth make for the Colossians, for all manner of Christian conversation, and for all Christian duty whatsoever, so that in these 3. verses are shut ⟨p. 33⟩up whatsoever may be required of a Christian man, so that the like prayer in so few words is scarce to be found in the Scripture again. Wherein these two things are to be considered, first, the cause why the Apostle prayeth, secondly the prayer it self laid down in the rest of the text. For the first, for this cause Viz. because of that for which we have given thanks before, Viz. your faith and love, because that it is wrought abundantly in you. Doctrine Whence we learn that those that are called to the knowledge of the truth, and are endued with excellent gifts, of faith, hope, and love &c. are they, for whom we ought most especially to pray, and as they are lift up higher, by the Lord to heaven (as it were) to be as stars to the rest of the world, by so much the more are we to pray for them, that they may stand in the truth, and be daily increased in the gifts of God: And this is a common thing often observed and mentioned in the Scripture, that those, whom God hath advanced with graces, he will be further gracious to them, and therefore we are more to regard them in our prayers. And therefore our Saviour¹ saith, those that have shall have more abundantly. And the same we see verified, that he that hath 5. talons hath gained. 5. more, he that hath gained 2. hath two more, he that hath one, having hid it, and being judged to have it taken away, the King commandeth it to be given to him that had 5. and² they object that he hath 5. he answers, he that hath, shall have in abundance. And Saint James saith, God giveth without upbraiding, he giveth without grudging or repining, or casting it in their teeth; which receive of him: for he doth not as men, who having bestowed much on a man, if he come again, he will ⟨p. 34⟩lay it in his dish, that he hath bestowed on him already, this and this, and shall he give him more? but the Lord doth not so, but to whom he hath given much, he will yet give more. And therefore the Lord in some sort doth after the manner of men, from whence the proverb of our Saviour is taken, that when men are rich, others will give great gifts unto them: but the Lord doth after a far other manner: