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

Of the great strife and agony: A similitude taken from the custom of the Country, where at certain times there was a great meeting to wrestle & run for mastery: So that as they, which did venture this strife, use all their strength and might to get the mastery, and so likewise in dangerous fight, which they had even to blood. Hereby the showeth the exceeding pains and great care he had for them; & therefore the Apostle, besides the outward thing of banishment, scourgings, shipwrecks, &c: had also a great troupe of enemies within: viz: his exceeding cares, which he took, that troubled him exceedingly. His care appeared not only in earnest prayer continually, but in writing, exhorting, & persuading them to continue & go forward, &c. And these cares he compares to an army or troupe of enemies which met with him & contended with him, such was his care: And no doubt, that seeing his charge was through the whole world, it must be great. For as the Church is said to travel in¹ bringing forth children, so the Apostle, travelling of so many, even through the whole world, it being committed unto him, must needs have great care & pain.

Of the great strife and agony: A similitude taken frō the custome of the Country, where at certaine times there was a great meeting to wrestle & run for mastery: So that as they, which did venture this strife, vse all their strength and might to get the mastery, and so likewise in dangerous fight, which they had euen to bloud. Hereby the sheweth the exceeding paines and great care he had for them; & therefore the Apostle, besides the outward thing of banishment, scourgings, shipwracks, &c: had also a great troupe of enemies within: viz: his exceeding cares, which he tooke, that troubled him exceedingly. His care appeared not onely in earnest prayer continually, but in writing, exhorting, & perswading thē to continue & go forward, &c. And these cares he cōpares to an army or troupe of enemies which met with him & contēded with him, such was his care: And no doubt, that seeing his charge was through the whole world, it must be great. For as the Church is said to trauell in¹ bringing forth children, so the Apostle, trauelling of so many, euen through the whole world, it being cō mitted vnto him, must needs haue great care & paine.