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

4. And lastly, for that when CHRIST, of whom you have life, shall be made manifest in glory, then shall you also with him appear glorious.

4. And lastly, for that when CHRIST, of whom you haue life, shall be made manifest in glory, then shall you also with him appeare glorious.

Wherein we have to consider of the exhortation to abstain from certain vices, secondly the reason, whereupon it is laid, viz. the punishment. It seemeth¹ very strange that he should call sin the members of a mans body: and the reason is first because the Apostle else where calleth sin a body, and then it is fitly said that the particulars thereof be the members of this body. 2. Our sin may be called members, for that they are so grafted and deeply set as members in the body. And this is notably set forth in Math. 5. 18. If thy eye offend pluck it out &c. if thy foot &c. Where our Saviour doth as Paul doth here compare sin to our eye, and hand, and foot: for that we come to them by our sight, by handling, yet we must pull them out. So violently we must strive to pull out our sins as a man to have his eye pulled, yea and though they were sins as dear unto us as our eye, our hands, feet &c. excellent instruments & deer. Now some will abstain from drunkenness, stealing, and yet are given to whoring. And therefore² Paul insinuates that we should strive with sin unto blood. Every Christian, that doth not strive even to blood, if need be, he shall not be cro•ned.

Wherein we haue to consider of the exhortation to abstaine from certaine vices, secondly the reason, whereupon it is laid, viz. the punishment. It seemeth¹