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

Again, they are to be prayed for; because in their¹ fall the Devils kingdom is exalted: And contrariwise, by their standing the Devils fall is procured, and the kingdom of God advanced. And we are to pray for them, that they may both teach, admonish, ²comfort, and exhort, and reprove us for our good.

Againe, they are to be prayed for; because in their¹ fall the Diuels kingdome is exalted: And contrariwise, by their standing the Diuels fall is procured, and the kingdome of God aduanced. And we are to pray for them, that they may both teach, admonish, ²comfort, and exhort, and reproue vs for our good.

1. 13 Reason.
2. 2Note.

And the Apostle teacheth them the cause why they should pray for him, viz. that he may be loosed: viz. seeing now he was in prison, and could not preach, as before time, indeed being bound, yet the word was not bound: for he laboured by Letters and Epistles, which he sent abroad to this City, and that City: And ⟨p. 229⟩therefore he wills them to pray that he may have free liberty to speak: and therefore compares the opening of his mouth to a door, that it may be throughly opened, to preach the whole will of God to all men freely, without any flattery, or restraint. And he giveth a reason that they should pray for the opening of their mouths, because it is a Mystery; signifying that the Gospel is a hid thing, a thing hid from the wit and reason of men: for howsoever the knowledge