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

An other thing the Apostle willeth them to take heed of, is, of the elements of the world, which were the traditions of God. For might they say if you will not have us to deal with the inventions of men, will ye deny that we should use the decrees of God, as the traditions of the law? Here we see whom the Apostle had to do with all, viz. such as joined with the Gospel the inventions of men and Philosophy, ⟨p. 123⟩and the ceremonies of the law. The same do we deal withal, viz. the Papists: for though they confess CHRIST &c. yet because they join the traditions of men & ceremonies which the Gospel will not admit, therefore we are not to join with them, but to oppose against them, as the Apostle did.

An other thing the Apostle willeth them to take heed of, is, of the elements of the world, which were the traditions of God. For might they say if you will not haue vs to deale with the inuentions of men, will ye deny that we should vse the decrees of God, as the traditions of the law? Here we see whom the Apostle had to doe with all, viz. such as ioyned with the Gospell the inuentions of men and Phylosophy, ⟨p. 123⟩and the ceremonies of the law. The same doe we deale withall, viz. the Papists: for though they confesse CHRIST &c. yet because they ioyne the traditions of men & ceremonies which the Gospell will not admit, therfore we are not to ioine with them, but to oppose against them, as the Apostle did.

The reason why the Apostle showeth they should not be bound unto the traditions of the law: Because the ceremonies of the law are the elements, as it were the A. B. C. wherein children are to be taught. Now it is no point of a good scholar to be always in the A. B. C. so we must not always be babes in Christianity, for those were the shadows of that truth, which now is, and therefore these are the days of restoration, and perfection.