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
A commentary upon the epistle of Saint Paul written to the Colossians. Preached by Thomas Cartwright, and now published for the further use of the Church of GodA commentary vpon the epistle of Saint Paule written to the Colossians. Preached by Thomas Cartwright, and now published for the further vse of the Church of God
Thomas Cartwright 1535–1603London: printed by Nicholas Okes, 1612
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
COLOSS. 1. V. 21. 22.
21 And you which were in times past strangers and enemies, because your minds were set in evil works, hath he now also reconciled,
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to make you holy and unblameable, and without fault in his sight,
COLOSS. 1. V. 21. 22.
21 And you which were in times past strangers and enemies, because your minds were set in euill workes, hath he now also reconciled,
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to make you holy and vnblameable, and without fault in his sight,
THE Apostle Saint Paul having set forth unto us the rich redemption of the world by the blood of CHRIST, doth now show how the same doth agree unto the Colossians 1themselves.
THE Apostle Saint Paule hauing set forth vnto vs the rich redemption of the world by the blood of CHRIST, doth now shew how the same doth agree vnto the Colossians 1themselues.
Wherefore having reconciled all unto himself, he hath also reconciled you: which benefit that it may the better be esteemed, consider what you were, when he reconciled you, strangers from God, yea enemies in your very understanding, which is the chiefest, and therefore much more in other parts; which enmity was made manifest by your evil works.
I say now he hath reconciled you (in his humane nature like unto ours) by his death, to the end he might make you holy, and without spot and blameless in all sincerity as before
⟨p. 73⟩
himself.
§23
And this reconciliation know no otherwise to belong unto you; unless you abide grounded and settled in faith, & be not carried away from the hope you have had in the Gospel. The truth whereof appeareth in that so short a time it hath been Preached to all Nations under the cope of heaven; of which Gospel I my self also am a Minister.
§24
Wherein it ought not dismay you that I am in bonds, seeing I my self do rejoice in it: seeing also it is, not for redemption (which CHRIST himself alone hath
wrought) but for the confirmation of your faith, and example of your patience. And seeing thereby are fulfilled the passions, which are yet wanting unto the body of CHRIST, which is the Church, which must be like unto CHRIST her Head in suffering, that it may be like unto him in glory. And finally seeing it is not for your good alone, but for the good of the whole body of CHRIST which is his Church.
§25
Whereof as of the Gospel I am a Minister, & that by the ordinance of God, who hath committed a stewardship unto me, that in you also might be fulfilled the word of God; I mean the secret of the Gospel,
§26
so worthily called, for that it hath been hidden from all times and generations hitherto, and now is made manifest, not to all, but to his Saints:
§72
Even to as many, as God of his good will would make known the glorious riches of this secret unto, amongst the Gentiles; which glorious riches is CHRIST in you, the same alone, by whom we may hope for glory;
§28
the same also whom we preach, partly admonishing all sorts of men, partly teaching all sorts of men all heavenly wisdom,
§29
thereby to present men of all sorts perfectly wise and blessed through JESUS CHRIST: whereunto I labour sore, striving forcibly,
⟨p. 74⟩
which yet would be unfruitfully, were it not that God worketh by his Spirit mightily, with my Ministry.
Wherefore hauing reconciled all vnto himselfe, he hath also reconciled you: which benefit that it may the better be esteemed, consider what you were, when he reconciled you, strangers from God, yea enemies in your very vnderstanding, which is the chiefest, and therefore much more in other parts; which enmity was made manifest by your euill workes. §22I say now he hath reconciled you (in his humane nature like vnto ours) by his death, to the end he might make you holy, and without spot and blameles in all sincerity as before ⟨p. 73⟩himselfe. §23And this reconciliation know no otherwise to belong vnto you; vnlesse you abide grounded and setled in faith, & be not carryed away from the hope you haue had in the Gospel. The truth wherof appeareth in that so short a time it hath bene Preached to all Nations vnder the cope of heauen; of which Gospell I my selfe also am a Minister. §24Wherein it ought not dismay you that I am in bonds, seeing I my selfe doe reioyce in it: seeing also it is, not for redemption (which CHRIST himselfe alone hath1 wrought) but for the confirmation of your faith, and example of your patience. And seeing thereby are fulfilled the passions, which are yet wanting vnto the body of CHRIST, which is the Church, which must bee like vnto CHRIST her Head in suffering, that it may be like vnto him in glory. And finally seeing it is not for your good alone, but for the good of the whole body of CHRIST which is his Church. §25Whereof as of the Gospell I am a Minister, & that by the ordinance of God, who hath committed a stewardship vnto mee, that in you also might be fulfilled the word of God; I meane the secret of the Gospell, §26so worthily called, for that it hath bene hidden from all times and generations hitherto, and now is made manifest, not to all, but to his Saints: §72Euen to as many, as God of his good will would make knowne the glorious riches of this secret vnto, amongst the Gentiles; which glorious riches is CHRIST in you, the same alone, by whom we may hope for glory; §28the same also whom we preach, partly admonishing all sorts of men, partly teaching all sorts of men all heauenly wisedome, §29thereby to present men of all sorrs perfectly wise and blessed through IESVS CHRIST: whereunto I labour sore, striuing forcebly, ⟨p. 74⟩which yet would be vnfruitfully, were it not that God worketh by his Spirit mightily, with my Ministery.
The sum of all is, that the Colossians, in the general redemption of mankind by CHRIST, through the working of the Spirit have their part, upon condition, if they abide in the truth to the end.
The summe of all is, that the Colossians, in the generall redemption of mankind by CHRIST, through the working of the Spirit haue their part, vpon condition, if they abide in the truth to the end.
The parts are
1 A particular application of the common benefits of CHRISTS redemption unto the Colossians.
2 An exhortation to perseverance, that they may be truly partakers of that redemption.
The parts are
1 A particular application of the common benefits of CHRISTS redemption vnto the Colossians.
2 An exhortation to perseuerance, that they may bee truely pertakers of that redemption.
Wherein we consider: First, the application of the benefits of CHRIST to the Colossians: Secondly, the end of this redemption, that they should be holy, without spot, and unblameable.
Wherein we consider: First, the application of the benefits of CHRIST to the Colossians: Secondly, the end of this redemption, that they should bee holy, without spot, and vnblameable.
For the application; it appeareth herein: for when he saith, you hath he reconciled; he declareth the wonderful kindness of God towards them, viz. the Colossians, for though that there be a redemption wrought, yet if the Colossians could not apply it to themselves, nor have any hope that it belonged to them, they were not the better for it; Nay, it is the worse, when as a blessing being abroad, is yet neglected, and not obtained of some, when as others get it. And therefore our Saviour CHRIST, speaking to the obstinate Jews, saith: ye shall see the Prophets in heaven, and. your ⟨p. 75⟩1selves shut out; ye shall see it, arguing the greatness of the judgment.
For the application; it appeareth herein: for when he saith, you hath he reconciled; he declareth the wonderfull kindnesse of God towards thē, viz. the Colossians, for though that there be a redemption wrought, yet if the Colossians could not apply it to themselues, nor haue any hope that it belonged to them, they were not the better for it; Nay, it is the worse, when as a blessing being abroad, is yet neglected, and not obteined of some, when as others get it. And therefore our Sauior CHRIST, speaking to the obstinate Iewes, saith: ye shall see the Prophets in heauen, and. your ⟨p. 75⟩1selues shut out; yee shall see it, arguing the greatnesse of the iudgemnt.
Here then we are to learn, to try whether we our1 selves have any part or portion in the same, & whether we be not those, which only shall see the same, and not feel it in our selves, and that we are of those that enjoy it, and not such as only hear tell of it.
Here then we are to learne, to try whether we our1 selues haue any part or portion in the same, & whether we be not those, which onely shall see the same, and not feele it in our selues, and that we are of those that enioy it, and not such as onely heare tell of it.
For even as if there should be a thousand Rebels, and a pardon granted to some ten, or an hundred, if a man know not that he is one of the men, which should be pardoned, what should it profit him to know there is a pardon?1
For euen as if there should be a thousand Rebels, and a pardon granted to some ten, or an hundred, if a man know not that hee is one of the men, which should bee pardoned, what should it profite him to know there is a pardon?1
And as if any should hear of a treasure found, and yet be not sure that he hath part in it, what availeth it him? so it is in the case of our Redemption, when as we know not that this favour belongeth to us. And when as we only can say that there are some that shall be redeemed, and can talk of the salvation of others, and not of our own: how can we be truly thankful?
And as if any should heare of a treasure found, and yet be not sure that he hath part in it, what auaileth it him? so it is in the case of our Redemption, when as wee know not that this fauour belongeth to vs. And when as wee onely can say that there are some that shall bee redeemed, and can talke of the saluation of others, and not of our owne: how can wee bee truely thankfull?
Use. This serveth to confute the Papists, which say that this is a presumptuous doctrine to be assured of our salvation. But we see the Apostle dealeth otherwise to the Colossians, for he assureth the Colossians of their redemption.1
Vse. This serueth to confute the Papists, which say that this is a presumptuous doctrine to bee assured of our saluation. But we see the Apostle dealeth otherwise to the Colossians, for he assureth the Colossians of their redemption.1
And it is far otherwise with the possession of our salvation, then with worldly possessions, which possession may be lost, but this cannot be taken away.
And it is farre otherwise with the possession of our saluation, then with worldly possessions, which possession may bee lost, but this cannot bee taken away.
Now against the wretched opinion of the Papists we out of Genesis 15. and 17. are to consider, that seeing the Lord saith, (making his covenant to Abraham) I am thy God, thou art my servant, why should not ⟨p. 76⟩the covenant of God make Abraham say again, Thou art my God, I am thy servant? Hos. 2. 23. I will say to them, which were not my people, Thou art my people, and they shall say, Thou art my God.
Now against the wretched opinion of the Papists we out of Genesis 15. and 17. are to consider, that seeing the Lord saith, (making his couenant to Abraham) I am thy God, thou art my seruant, why should not ⟨p. 76⟩the couenant of God make Abraham say againe, Thou art my God, I am thy seruant? Hos. 2. 23. I will say to them, which were not my people, Thou art my people, and they shall say, Thou art my God.
Question. Quest. How could Saint Paul know this, seeing there are so many deceits, and turnings of Hypocrisy in a mans heart, that a man can hardly know any thing of certain in himself.
Question. Quest. How could Saint Paul know this, seeing there are so many deceits, and turnings of Hypocrisy in a mans heart, that a man can hardly know any thing of certaine in himselfe.
Ans. The Apostle might know, and we may well1 know, that wheresoever God doth spread the banner of the Gospel, there are some, that are certainly called and elected.
Ans. The Apostle might know, and we may well1 know, that wheresoeuer God doth spread the banner of the Gospell, there are some, that are certainely called and elected.
