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 Church being with child, that is, desirous and taking pains to bring forth Christians, and¹ children unto God (for it asketh great pains to beget a Christian) we see the devil is waiting and leering to devour them, when they come out, as the kite hovereth over the chickens, to devour them, when they are young. So the devil is ready to devour the children of God at the first when they are young and tender, and new borne: for when they are strong, he doeth not so much assault them.

The Church being with child, that is, desirous and taking paynes to bring forth Christians, and¹ children vnto God (for it asketh great paynes to beget a Christian) we see the deuill is wayting and leering to deuoure them, when they come out, as the kite houereth ouer the chickens, to deuour them, when they are young. So the deuill is ready to deuour the children of God at the first when they are young and tender, and new borne: for when they are strong, he doeth not so much assault them.

1. 1Apocal. 12.

Fourthly, a principal reason, why we are to pray for them is, because a Christian by reason of his profession (as it were) carieth in his forehead that name of God, and therefore the falls of him, more then of any other, do tend to the dishonour of God, and are turned against God himself. Indeed it is a shame that the fall of the servant should be laid upon the Master, for if a master or father having laboured to bring their son or servants up in the fear of God, ⟨p. 36⟩it is a shame that the fault should be laid on the Parent or Master: for we usually say, if one thus brought up, do fall in his life, their parents or Masters have done their part, but he is an ungracious child, or servant. But men do not so to God; for if any of his children fall, they lay it straight and impute it unto God himself. And therefore we ought the more to pray for them, that are exalted by the Lord, that by their falls the Gospel of God may not be dishonoured. And as they are placed in higher place, and are endued with greater gifts, so the more earnestly we ought to pray for them. And therefore let us examine whether, when we have a Minister to enter, and come unto us, to instruct us, we have commended him to the Lord, or whether we have been thankful for any blessing, that we have received by our Minister.