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

And this is the order which the Apostle useth, who having set down general duties of Christianity before, he now cometh to particular; thereby insinuating, that those that have laboured to observe the general, as of Holiness, Temperance, Long-suffering, Love, &c. they shall more easily perform these particular duties. This is a notable doctrine, and therefore we see Jethro counselleth Moses to choose such¹ rulers to help him, as hated covetousness. This is a general duty to hate covetousness; noting, that if they were faithful in that, they would be good Governors, and Magistrates▪ and Captains. And therefore we see Joseph, having all which his master had,² under his hand save his wife, is said to have ordered all things well: the reason is, because he feared God, that is, because he had the general duty.

And this is the order which the Apostle vseth, who hauing set downe generall duties of Christianity before, he now commeth to particular; thereby insinuating, that those that haue laboured to obserue the generall, as of Holinesse, Temperancy, Long-suffering, Loue, &c. they shall more easily performe these particular duties. This is a notable doctrine, and therefore we see Iethro counselleth Moses to choose such¹ rulers to helpe him, as hated couetousnesse. This is a generall duty to hate couetousnesse; noting, that if they were faithfull in that, they would be good Gouernours, and Magistrates▪ and Captaines. And therefore we see Ioseph, hauing all which his maister had,² vnder his hand saue his wife, is said to haue ordered all things well: the reason is, because hee feared God, that is, because he had the generall duty.

1. 1Exod. 18. 21.
2. 2