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

for the Lord feareth none, neither is beholden to any, as men are to those, that are greater then they,¹ and therefore for that cause bestoweth not his gifts.

for the Lord feareth none, neither is behoulden to any, as men are to those, that are greater then they,¹ and therfore for that cause bestoweth not his guiftes.

1. 1Reasons showing that those. that have grace, ought especially to be commended to God.Reasons shewing that those. that haue grace, ought especially to be commended to God.

The reasons why they, that have received graces from God, are more specially to be prayed for, and that those, that are entered into the lists of Christianity, are principally to be recommended unto God, are divers, and worthy to be considered. Reason. 1 The first is in regard of themselves, for though they have received, yet they still want, and therefore they are not so much to regard that they have, but also to regard that they want: for unless a man do look to his wants and corruption, though he have but one little grace, he will be li•ted up against God and against men, and therefore to be prayed for. As we see in Popery, that howsoever they have no gifts, but natural and common, yet are they puffed up in the pride of their hearts, in this regard, that they boast they can merit at Gods hands. And therefore we are to consider that in those, that have the greatest gifts, there are great wants, and causes of humiliation, for which cause they have need to be prayed for.

The reasons why they, that haue receaued graces from God, are more specially to be prayed for, and that those, that are entred into the lists of Christianitie, are principally to be recommended vnto God, are diuers, and worthy to be considered. Reason. 1 The first is in regard of themselues, for though they haue receiued, yet they still want, and therefore they are not so much to regard that they haue, but also to regard that they want: for vnles a man doe looke to his wants and corruption, though he haue but one little grace, he will be lited vp against God and against men, and therefore to be prayed for. As we see in Poperie, that howsoeuer they haue no guiftes, but naturall and common, yet are they puffed vp in the pride of their hartes, in this regard, that they boast they can merit at Gods handes. And therefore we are to consider that in those, that haue the greatest guifts, there are great wants, and causes of humiliation, for which cause they haue need to be prayed for.