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

And therefore in the Epistle to the Hebrews¹ the Apostle saith, he himself was afflicted, as that we might be redeemed, so also that he might have experience of our troubles, that so he might the more tender us in our afflictions. As the woman that hath felt the pains of child-birth can tell best what it is. So CHRIST himself knoweth our troubles, who hath had the sense of troubles in himself.

And therefore in the Epistle to the Hebrewes¹ the Apostle saith, he himselfe was afflicted, as that we might be redeemed, so also that he might haue experience of our troubles, that so he might the more tender vs in our afflictions. As the woman that hath felt the paines of child-birth can tell best what it is. So CHRIST himselfe knoweth our troubles, who hath had the sense of troubles in himselfe.

1. 1Heb. 2 17. 18.

The Apostle after calleth himself, the Minister ¹of the Church, as before of the Gospel, both are one. He means that he was Gods Minister for the edification and comfort of his Church. The end of his Ministry of the Church: is to fulfil the word of God,² by calling those that are to be called to the knowledge of the truth wherein the word is fulfilled, or else fulfilled in hardening the hart of those, that are not to be saved: for to them the Ministry of the word is to further judgement, to them, that contemn it, and profit not by it. In the next words he sets down the dignities of Gods word 1. it is a mystery, ³