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

Having all fullness and sufficiency in him: it followeth that you have that in him, you seek out of him, which is the circumcision of the fore-skin: who was circumcised not for himself, but for you. and in him you have a more excellent circumcision then that you so greedily pursue. For that is made with the bodily hand of man, which can go no further then to the flesh: whereas your circumcision is made by the finger of God, which entereth into the heart, whereof one fruit is the putting off, of the whole body and mass of sin, which riseth and buddeth from the carnal corruption of original sin.

Hauing all fulnesse and sufficiency in him: it followeth that you haue that in him, you seeke out of him, which is the circumcision of the fore-skinne: who was circumcised not for himselfe, but for you. and in him you haue a more excellent circumcision then that you so greedily pursue. For that is made with the bodily hand of man, which can go no further then to the flesh: whereas your circumcision is made by the finger of God, which entreth into the heart, whereof one fruite is the putting off, of the whole body and masse of sinne, which riseth and buddeth from the carnall corruption of originall sinne.

Where if you reply that Abraham and other the godly Patriarchs and Fathers under the Law, had this circumcision of the heart: and yet notwithstanding received the outward cutting of the fore-skin for a seal of that inward circumcision. I grant: And therefore you have for an outward seal of your inward cutting and purging of the corruption, the Sacrament of Baptism, a seal that with CHRIST you are buried to sin, that sin is truly mortified and deadened in you, that it should no more reign over you, nor you should live unto it. Another fruit also of this circumcision, whereof Baptism is a seal, is that with CHRIST you are raised up to newness of life, through faith, which God hath wrought in you by the same almighty power, whereby he hath raised CHRIST from the dead.

Where if you reply that Abraham and other the godly Patriarkes and Fathers vnder the Law, had this circumcision of the heart: and yet notwithstanding receiued the outward cutting of the fore-skin for a seale of that inward circumcision. I grant: And therefore you haue for an outward seale of your inward cutting and purging of the corruption, the Sacrament of Baptisme, a seale that with CHRIST you are buried to sinne, that sinne is truely mortified and deaded in you, that it should no more raigne ouer you, nor you should liue vnto it. Another fruite also of this circumcision, whereof Baptisme is a seale, is that with CHRIST you are raised vp to newnesse of life, through faith, which God hath wrought in you by the same almighty power, whereby hee hath raised CHRIST from the dead.