A18073:926
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.
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 knowledge1 that there is a God, and the creation be no mysteries, because every one hath that knowledge naturally in him, though the Atheists would gladly put out that light: yet the redemption by our Saviour Christ is a mystery hid from the reason of Men and Angels, before it was revealed. Again, it is a mystery, because in a sort it was hid from the Jews, before the coming of Christ, being not so plainly known as afterward. And seeing it is a secret of God, we ought to desire to2 have it opened, as men will be desirous to know the secret counsels of a Prince when they are published.
And the Apostle teacheth them the cause why they should pray for him, viz. that he may be losed: 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 hee sent abroad to this Citty, and that Citty: And ⟨p. 229⟩therefore he wils them to pray that he may haue free liberty to speake: and therefore compares the opening of his mouth to a doore, that it may be throughly opened, to preach the whole will of God to all men freely, without any flattery, or restraint. And he giueth a reason that they should pray for the opening of their mouthes, because it is a Mystery; signifying that the Gospell is a hid thing, a thing hid from the wit and reason of men: for howsoeuer the knowledge