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

For the first it must be familiar with the word of God, for as Eliphah showeth the means to be familiar with God, is to be familiarly acquainted with his word: And therefore we must be acquainted with it as with that, which dwelleth in our house with us. As a man may have other acquaintance and other business, yet his special acquaintance is in the house: So ought we to be with the word of God. And therefore it is said we must have the word of God dwelling in us, it must not be loose, as Math. 13. the seed by the way-side: but it must be rooted in us, as the Apostle saith: And Saint James saith it must be ingrafted ¹into us, as the graft into the stock. And Heb. 2. Seeing CHRIST is above all Angels, it behooves us to take heed to his word that we hold it well, and be not as riven vessels, that let it run out. This the Apostle speaketh here, is notably set forth in Psalm 119. 2.² part: He covered the word in his heart, as the husbandman ⟨p. 201⟩that covereth the seed in the earth, that it may take root and bring forth fruit: So that this is to be acquainted, & to have the word dwell with us.

For the first it must bee familiar with the word of God, for as Eliphah sheweth the meanes to be familiar with God, is to be familiarlly acquainted with his word: And therefore wee must be acquainted with it as with that, which dwelleth in our house with vs. As a man may haue other acquaintance and other businesse, yet his speciall acquaintance is in the house: So ought we to bee with the word of God. And therefore it is said wee must haue the word of God dwelling in vs, it must not bee loose, as Math. 13. the seed by the way-side: but it must be rooted in vs, as the Apostle saith: And Saint Iames saith it must be ingrafted ¹