A18073:462
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
London: 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.
Here we are to consider of the order of the Apostle according to the custom of the Scripture. For the Scripture useth to set the handling of those last, which were named first, and the handling of those things first, which were named last, and therefore the Apostle having spoken of, & named Philosophy first, and then of the rudiments and ceremonies: he first speaketh against the ceremonies of the Law, and because circumcision was most stood upon, and chiefly regarded, therefore the Apostle doth speak of circumcision.
Heere we are to consider of the order of the Apostle according to the custome of the Scripture. For the Scripture vseth to set the handling of those last, which were named first, and the handling of those things first, which were named last, and therefore the Apostle hauing spoken of, & named Phylosophy first, and then of the rudements and ceremonies: hee first speaketh against the ceremonies of the Law, and because circumcision was most stood vpon, and chiefly regarded, therefore the Apostle doth speake of circumcision.
For circumcision was especially commended in the Law, as that which was performed by all, and was appointed as a badge under the Law, to distinguish the Church of God from the world, and therefore they that were not circumcised, were abominable, as Moses was in danger for his son uncircumcised: ⟨p. 130⟩Exod 4. 24. Again, because the circumcision was 400. years before the Law was, and therefore they thought it should not be abolished with the Law. But the Apostle answereth that we are, and need not to be circumcised, because CHRIST was circumcised for us, having no cause for himself to be circumcised. Now circumcision is a note of pollution, but we are cleansed in CHRIST. And a man is not to be circumcised twice, but once we are circumcised in CHRIST, and therefore need not to be circumcised again. Further, we have Baptism in steed of Circumcision, and therefore it is not belonging unto us.