some will aske a question whether we should do good deedes for hope of eternall life or no To this question maie be made answer thus that we must do good workes appoynted vs of GOD to do principally for God and for his loue because we are his creatures made to do good woorkes and to walke in them lookyng for that rewarde that he hath bothe frely promised will frely geue accordyng to his promise to all thē that with a sure faith and constaunt hope do perseuer and continue in the wayes of the Lorde kepyng his commaundementes Secondely for the rewardes sake promsed vs of God we must do good workes so that in all oure workes we muste moste chiefly and aboue all thynges looke to the will pleasure loue and glory of GOD. Thirdely to our profite glorie or life to come wee muste so in all our workes loke for the glory of God that skarce once wee should remembre oure profit or glory to come for if we seke more our awne profite and glory then the glory of God we bee but mercemarii hirelynges vnworthy that glory immortall life in the worlde to come with Christ whiche glory cānot bee bought by woorkes of vs but we muste come to it onely of the free gifte of God and of his mercie and grace Roma vi Of the whiche before you harde by the true word of the Gospel whiche is come to you as to all the worlde and as it fructifieth throughout the whole worlde so it doeth emonges you since that daie you heard and haue knowen the grace of God by the truthe And as you haue learned of Epaphras our welbeloued seruaunt whiche is for you a faithfull minister of Christ which shewed to vs youre loue in the spirite The Apostle shewed before their mercifulnes to the poore sainctes and faithfull in Christ for hope of reward layed vp for them in heauen now he sheweth how thei gotte that hope that it was by the true preachyng of the Gospell whiche Epaphras preached vnto thē Learne here how hope of heauenly rewarde and life commeth that it commeth by preachyng of the Gospell of Christe whiche is called here the true woorde of the Gospell and the truthe it self If hope of heauenly rewarde commeth by the preaching of the Gospell as it dooeth in deede then what hope of heauenly rewarde can thei haue where as the word of the Gospel is not peached or what hope of heauenly life haue thei that will not here the worde of God preached That contempneth and despiseth it and estemeth it no better then a foolishe tale of Robyn Hoode Guye of Warwicke or Beuis of Hampton surely no hope at al. Learne here also how necessary a thyng for our saluaciō is the preachig of Gods worde that without it seldom be geuen faithe hope or charitie For faithe commeth by hearyng hearyng by the word of God Roma x. And hope commeth by the true woorde of the Gospell as here is shewed and Charitie spryngeth out of true faithe and sure hope The Apostle garnisheth the Gospell with his due laude and cōmendacion callyng it the true woorde that deceiueth no man the truthe it self that none should doubt of it but that euery man that loueth the truth should be glad to here the Gospell preached or taught because it is the truth and putteth away all falsed lies errors and heresies 2 And as it fructifieth throughout the whole worlde so it doeth emōges you He saith the Gospell to fructyfye and encrease throughout all the whole world as emōges thē that thei should more reioyse and be glad as all good menne reioyseth when the Gospell gooeth forwardes and fructifieth and euill men be sory that the Gospell is purely and sincerely preached receiued and beleued but thei geue thankes to God for it Here we learne to be our office to bee glad to here the Gospell of God to bee preached sincerely and to geue God thankes for it 3 Sence that daie you harde and haue knowen the grace of God by the truthe He sheweth how long the Gospell hath fructefied emōges them euen sence that daie thei heard the grace of God and knewe it by the true preachyng of the Gospell And here we maie lerne diuerse good lessons First that faithe is sure and firme that commeth by the worde of truthe Secondly that the sincere preachyng of the gospell not to bee vain or frustrate although it is not knowen how it dooth fructifie and in whō at the first to hym that preacheth yet it goeth not away in vain as the Prophet Esaie saieth Thirdely the benefites or the grace of God bee knowen by the pure preachyng of the Gospell of truth and not of mē or of a multitude of men that call theimselfes the church when it maie be doubted of whether thei bee any membre of the churche or no seyng their workes be so contrary to Christes true Churche Fourthely learne that the grace of GOD and his benefites is surely knowen by the truth of gods word And here it semeth that saincte Paule would haue vs to learne and know Christ and the grace of God by no other thyng but by the truth and to iudge euery thyng by the truthe of Goddes holy worde for the holy ghost is the moste surest declarer of hymself Learne also that Christ and the grace of GOD and Gods benefites is there vnknowen where as the woorde of God is not preached and how can God be loued feared or dread where as he is not knowen Or howe can there be any health or eternall saluacion where as is no loue feare ne dread of God And if it bee life eternall as it is in deede witnes sainct Ihon. xvii to knowe GOD the father and his sonne Iesus Christe then it muste nedes followe that it is death not to knowe God the father and his sonne Iesus Christ and Gods benefites to vs for Christes sake these benefites be vnknowen where as the worde of God is not taught therfore se how necessarie it is for oure saluaciō to haue the worde of God plenteously preached and truly taught that God might be knowē loued feared and dread and his wil and pleasure fulfilled of al men Finally learne here how farr be thei from health life and saluacion that will not here the worde of God but contempneth to here it ye dispiseth it and the true preachers of it slaunders backebites persecutes and as muche as in them lieth goeth aboute to let hinder and vtterly to stoppe and quenche the word of God and to bryng to deathe the faithfull ministers of Gods holy worde the necessarie foode of our soule and yet of the ignoraunt it is thought poyson and death of the soule God turne the hartes of suche and make theim his seruauntes 4 And as you haue learned of Epaphras our welbeloued seruaunt whiche is for you a faithful seruaunt of Christ Now he sheweth who it was that firste preached the gospel to these Colossians not Paule hymself but
it was Epaphras a disciple of Paules and a true minister of Christe in the sincere preachyng of Christes Gospel and this Epaphras returnyng agayne to Paule in prison for the Gospelles sake shewed to Paule of the faith hope and of the charitie of these Colossians for the whiche thynges Paule commēdeth thē not that thei should bee proude but that thei should increase daily more and more in these holy vertues and giftes with thākes to God Nā uirtus laudata crescit Vertue commendeth increases Learne here what seruauntes or chapilaines should Bishoppes haue aboute thē surely suche as this Epaphras was to Paule one that loued his Master in al goodnes and Godlines and for the truth sake a man that loued God and his woorde that was glad when he hard the worde of God to bee purely preached abrode and to bryng furth Godly fruites as faithe hope and charitie and of greate gladnes shewed these fruictes to other that other mighte glorifie God and geue thankes to GOD for the Gospell preached to make other to followe these Colossiās in faithe hope and charitie and in other Godly vertues I feare me that all Bishoppes and noble men hath not alwaie suche seruaūtes or chapilaines about them and with theim that be fauorers and louers of Gods holy word but rather enemies and aduersaries to it ye haters of it slaunderers liers and euill reporters of faithfull ministers of Gods woorde reportyng suche euil vpō preachers as the preachers neuer did speake nor thoughte ye parauenture suche thynges as true preachers hath and dooth euer abhorre and detest Ye parauenture suche thynges as the preachers hath spoken again and forbiddyng to be doen spoke or thought and such euill toungues liyng to please their Maisters by their false liyng hath broughte many good and faithfull preachers to bee had in hatered and euil estemed of many Bishoppes and noble men whiche of ignoraunce hath persecuted ye parauenture put to death faithfull ministers of Christes Gospell whose innocēt bloud shed for Christes Gospel sake God will punishe excepte thei repent and amende and to cal to God for mercy and grace Therefore lette bishoppes and al noble men and noble women bee not hastie of credence to report euill or preachers and monishe their seruaūtes to beware what thei reporte of preachers and that thei reporte no other thyng of them then that thei can proue by honest menne as thei would haue their masters fauor or profites by their Maisters then should euill reportes and false slaūders cease of true preachers of Goddes woorde then should faithefull Ministers of Christes Gospell bee knowen frō the false ministers and true preachers fauored and estemed of men as thei bee worthie then should God bee the more glorified his word better trusted and beleued God better knowē and loued and so come into health to eternall saluacion by Christ whereas now the contrary doen and suffred many worketh their awne and euerlasting death and dampnacion persecutyng Christes faithfull Ministers thynkyng parauenture then to do a sacrifice pleasaunt to God whē thei do persecute Christe in his membres as Paule did before he was conuerted as it is written Actes ix Philip. iii. I praie God thei maye be cōuerted with Paule to plaie Paules parte that thei maie be preachers teachers and setters furth of Gods holy woorde as earnest as euer holy sainct Paule was and seke Gods glory and the saluacion of other as Paule did Therfore and we sēce the daie wee harde haue not ceassed do praye for you to desire that you might bee fulfilled with the knowlege of his will in all sapience and wisedome spirituall vnderstandyng that ye mighte walke worthelye pleasyng God in all thynges fructifiyngi al good workes and increasing in the knowlege of God strengthened with all strēgth after the power of the glory of hym to all tollerance and pacience with ioye geuyng thankes to the father Nowe the Apostle goeth forward in his praier he had begō and saieth that he geueth thankes to God and hath not ceased to praie to God for theim that thei might be fulfilled with all godly wisedō spiritual knowlege that thei might walke worthily pleasyng God and bryng furthe all good workes increasyng in the knowlege of God In this praier the Apostle teacheth vs one to praie for another and to geue thākes to God for his benefites geuen to men and specially for faith hope and charitie as here Paule did Secondly here we maie learne not to ceasse from praier to God for other Thirdely this place teaceth vs what wee should desire to other aboue al thynges surely this thyng that thei mighte haue knowlege of God and of his benefites whiche is so necessary that no man can bee saued without it Fourthly hereis shewed for what ende and purpose Godly wisedō is necessary that it is ordeined for this ende that men should walke worthily accordyng to their vocacion euery man in his state and degre that he is called vnto of God Alway studiyng to please God and not hymself the worlde or the fleshe the multitude of the people but God alwaye For he that seketh to please men high or lowe hymself or the worlde he cannot please God Non potest quisquā duobus dominis seruire No man can please twoo Masters of cōtrary affecciōs and myndes Finally Godly wisedome is ordinated that men should fructifie in all good workes that is doo all good workes whiche thyng thei cānot do till thei be taught which are the good woorkes that pleaseth God how thei should do thē and for whose sake for what ende good workes should be dooen This place reproueth al thē that bee sory that there is so muche knowlege of gods holy worde had emonges the people as is saiyng it was a merie worlde when euery manne woman or child could not prate of Gods word and sence that time there was neuer no mery world curssyng and banning and wisshyng to the Deuill suche as brought in this newe learnyng as thei call it so by theimselfes you maie see and by their awne wordes it is plain thei cal gods woorde newe learnyng and the preachers and setters furth of it heretiques worthy fire and a fagotte to burne them saiyng thei would go .xx. mile bare foote to burne suche heretiques so by ignoraunce thei speake worke their awne dampnaciō And as Christe saied to the Sadduces Math. xxii So maie men saie to them erratis ignorantes scripturas you erre and fal into errors and heresies deceiuyng your selfes and other because you are ignoraunte of the holy scriptures althoughe you call other heretiques and deceiuers yet you bee the heretiques in deede and deceiuers of the people worthy that punishement that you wisshe to other excepte you repent and amende and reforme your iudgementes wordes and deedes and call to God for mercy and grace and seke for better more truer knowlege in Gods veritie and truthe and haue a better mynde to it and to
reproued all suche as will be fauorers of Gods worde as long as hope of fauor pleasure profite or commoditie doo come by the word of God and when that hope is gone thei shrynke from the Gospell are ashamed of it leaue it and forsake it followyng men the world and their belies ye and al the knowlege thei haue by the Gospell thei turne it to a carnall libertie and to a worldly commoditie makyng the Gospell to bee as a cloke to their coueteousnes pompe pleasure insaceable myndes to gette riches landes and possessions and to make themselfes riche in worldly possessions and suche there is many nowe adaies as Christ saieth Math. xiii Multi ad tempus credunt in tempore tentationis recedūt Many for a time doth beleue but in tyme of temptacion thei shrynke from faith from God but these be not thei that bee blameles and without faute in Gods sight but thei bee worthy blame and bee spotted with many vices and synnes shall not escape punishemente excepte thei repent and amende and be constaunt in faithe Here is two thynges required of vs that wee should be without blame or spotte in Gods sight the one is that we should bee constaunt in faithe the second not to shrinke from the hope of these heauenly treasures promised by the Gospell preached to all creatures vnder heauen See the mightie power of GOD that made his worde to bee preached throughout all the worlde in the spite of all enemies to the Gospell and magre to their tethe and therefore the Apostle was not ashamed to call hymself not a lorde but a Minister of the Gospell called of God And here he reproueth those bishoppes or hye prelates that will be called lordes and yet thei be no ministers of the Gospell of Christe seldom or neuer preached Christes Gospell Now I ioy in my sufferynges for you and fulfill that whiche are behynde of the affliccions of Christ in my fleshe for his body sake whiche is the Churche of the whiche Churche I am made a Minister accordyng to the ordinaunce of GOD whiche is geuen to me emonges you to fulfil the worde of God A mistery hid from the worlde and from generacions but now shewed opēly to his sainctes to whom God would make it knowen The Apostle because he shewed before that the Gospel was preached throughout al the world and that he was a minister of it by the ordinaunce of God now he sheweth that he suffered many affliccions for it and for the health of them to whom he preached it and that he was not sory for his afflicciōs but rather did reioyse in theim for the Gospelles sake and for the health of other saiyng now I reioyse in my sufferyng and suffre mine affliccions gladly for the Gospelles sake and for you Colossiās and other of the Gentiles knowyng by that meanes God woorketh your saluaciō And in these wordes Paule maketh answere to carnall men that would obiecte to hym after this maner If this doctryne that thou preachest be true and come of God frō heauen of the whiche commeth life and eternall felicitie as thou saiest how can it bee that these that be preachers setters furth of it bee moste miserable of all men leaste estemed or regarded cast in fetters and in prison bee called heretiques lollers deceiuers of the people sedicious mē and suffre some times shameful death for his doctryne sake To these carnall men saincte Paule maketh here answere saiyng that he suffereth slaunder checkes and rebukes imprisonment and fetters not for his sinnes or euill dooynges but for the Gospelles sake and for their sakes to whom it was preached which came to healthe by the Gospell preached and therefore it was no shame to suffre for the Gospell but rather commendable that these affliccions was not hurtefull to thē that suffered vniustely but to thē that afflicted other thei were dampnable and that God suffered euill men so to afflict the good that the iudgemēt to the euill should bee the more greater and that the good should by muche tribulacions enter into ioy blisse after the example of Christ that the euill should be confounded seyng thei could by no affliccions hynder or lette the word of God to be preached or to hynder it or lette it that it should sprede abrode increase for the more the euil goth about by affliccions persecucion or death to stop the worde of God the more it goeth forwardes by that meanes God will not haue his woorde altogether stopped and hid and oft tymes it chaunceth that by euil men the worde of God is promoted and setforwardes by that meanes by the whiche euill men went about to hynder it example in Christes death and in the death of many other for Christes Gospel sake 2 I fulfill that whiche are behind of the affliccions of Christ in my fleshe for his body sake This place hath of some euill men been wrested oute of tune and from his true sence to the greate contumely of Christes bloud as thei would saie that Christes bloud was not a full satisfaccion for our redēpciō forgeuenes of our synnes but that to it some thyng lacked whiche by our woorke deede merite or affliccions should bee fulfilled and satisfied as thei should saie that Christes passion was not sufficient to take awaie the synnes of the whole worlde and as Christe had not fully satisfied for the sinnes of all men whiche thyng to thinke or saie is greate blasphemie to Christ and to his holy bloud God forbid that any any man should thinke so or say it For Christ by his death once for all hath fully and perfitely satisfied for the synnes of al mē and by one oblacion made them perfite that shal be holy Hebr. x. He entred once into the holy place called sancta sanctorum found eternall redempcion Hebre. iiii Wherfore this is an vndoubted truthe euer to bee beleued of all christiās that Christe by his passiō and death hath taken awaie all the synnes of the worlde without our workes deedes or merites for he nedeth not our woorkes merites or affliccions to purge man frō synne as saincte Ihon saith i. Ihon .i. The bloud of Christe hath purged vs from all our synnes and Ihon in the Reuelacion he hath wasshed vs from oure synnes in his bloud Of these scriptures it is certain that thei bee iniurious to the bloude of Christe and blasphemers of Christ that thynke our workes or affliccions to purge vs from our synnes or to satisfy for synnes for these bee offices onely perteinyng to Christe alone And for our afflicciōs thei bee not worthie the glory that shall bee shewed to the electe of God Roma viii What blasphemie canne bee more to Christes bloude then to thinke that oure litle nothyng can make perfite that Christ left vnperfite or can satisfy or fulfil that Christ hath not fulfilled and fully satisfied without our woorkes merites dedes or satisfacciō What can we doo that could pacifie Gods Ire
and displeasure or deserue life euerlastyng surely nothing And where as Paule saith here I fulfil that are behynd or that dooth remain of the affliccions of Christe is nothyng els but that sainct Peter saith i. Peter .ii. where he saith that Christ hath suffered for vs leauyng to vs example that we should followe his footsteppes that is that we should suffre afflicciōs after the example of Christ and the affliccions that we suffre Christ saith that he suffereth theim because we be membres of his body and Christ suffereth when his members suffereth Actes .ix. GOD spake to Paule Saule Saule quid me persequeris Why doest thou persecute me And so Christe is called to suffre twoo waies one way in his awne naturall body as when he suffered vpon the crosse another way when he suffereth in his misticall membres in the bodies of his elect people After the firste waie nothyng was left vnperfite as touchyng the mēbres that remaineth that Christe in theim should suffre vnto the worldes ende and that thei by pacient suffryng should entre into the kyngdom of glory and so sainct Paule here meaned saiyng I fulfill that which is behind of the passiō of Christ that is Christe did suffre bothe to take awaie oure synnes and also for our example to suffre so I do nowe suffre affliccions for the Gospels sake to geue other example to suffre paciently such affliccions as shal chaunce vnto theim here in this worlde for the truthe sake and for the comforte of other as he testifieth of hymself i. Corin. i. Saiyng whether we are punished or that we suffre it is for your comfort and health So Paule suffered affliccions for the example of the whole Churche of God that all should learne of Paule to suffre paciently for Christes sake for his worde and for his Gospell And so this is behynde of the Passion of Christe not that any thyng remayned vnperfite in Christes passion whiche by our suffrynges should be made perfite But that as Christe in his awne body here suffered hunger cold thurst many afflicciōs and death so he doth dow suffre in his members and that thyng the Passion of Christe sheweth that we should so do suffre with Christ and arise with hym So as parteinyng to our redempciō iustificacion and saluacion nothyng remaineth that was not fulfilled in the passiō of Christ but as touchyng the sufferyng of Christe in his membres this remaineth to be fulfilled in euery one of theim as sainct Paule saieth Omnes qui uolunt pie uiuere in Christo Iesu persecutionem patientur All that will liue godly in Christ must suffre persecucion and affliccions here in this worlde 3 A misterie hid from the world and from generacions but now shewed opēly to his sainctes to whom God would haue it knowen Paul saied he was made not of man but of God and by the ordinaunce of God a minister of the Gospell whiche Gospell was hid from the Gentiles and from a greate parte of the world of a long tyme From the beginnyng of the worlde vnto Christes tyme a fewe of the Gētiles excepted to whom it pleased God of his especial grace to shewe his Gospell his will and pleasure and so did geue to thē faith also by the whiche thei wer saued For what causes GOD would not haue had his worde openly preached to the Gentiles vnto Christes tyme it is not of vs to bee curiously searched nor inquired it is enough for vs to knowe that that was his will for his glory as holy scripture telleth vs whether it was that thei had by their synnes deserued their blyndnes and dāpnacion as thei had in very deede or it was that God knewe the hardnes of their hartes their stiffeneckes and that thei would not haue receiued it before Christes comming if the Gospel had been preached vnto them or that God reserued that misterie vnto the commyng of our sauioure Christ that by hym all goodnes should be knowē to come to vs by Christ and in Christ and all misteries by Christe to bee opened and shewed to oure profite and commoditie and that onely of the goodnes of GOD of his mere mercie and grace and not of our workes merites or deseruynges And here we maie lerne two thynges the one is that the misterie of the Gospell to bee openly shewed emonges the Gentiles was hid from the beginnyng and was not openly preached to theim in Paules tyme Therfore thākes is to be geuen to GOD of whose grace it was shewed so now in our daies that the veritie of Gods holy worde is plainly opened to vs more then it was in our fathers daies the cause is not of manne but of Gods goodnes to vs not of our wisedom pollicy connyng learnyng goodnes but onely of Gods grace and because it hath so pleased hym to shewe to vs that truthe that was hid from ourfathers that we should more thanke and glorifie God for the same and vse the light of Gods truthe shewed to vs better and liue accordyng to the Gospell opened to vs now in our daies Another thyng wee maye here learne that GOD sheweth his truthe and openeth the light of his Gospell of misteries long hid when it pleaseth him and to whom it pleaseth hym and not at the will or pleasure of manne that none should thynke he may vnderstand the holy scriptures whē yt pleaseth himself or of his awne might or power Learne that the knowleg of holy scriptures and of misteries hid cōmeth of God onely not of man God vsynge our diligēce labors as meanes by that which God vseth to geue his giftes of sciences knowlege of holy scriptures whiche as the riches of the glorie of this misterie emonges the Gentiles whiche is Christ in you the hope of glorye whom wee shewe monishyng euery manne and teachyng all men in all wisedom that we should make euery man perfite in Christe Iesu for the whiche thyng I labour with all force after the might of hym workyng in me by strength Now the Apostle sheweth what was that misterie that was hid from the worlde that it was the riches of the glory of Christe emong the Gētiles that is Christ in you that is that the Gentiles receiued Christe by faithe and saluacion by Christe was vnto the Gentiles suche riches glory as passed all other riches and glory that no toungue could tel it nor harte thynke it that was Christ to bee with theim and all benefites of Christe to come to the Gentiles by true faithe in Christe whiche is the hope of eternall glory 2 The hope of glory He sheweth that Christe is our hope of glory and none els neither his mother Ihon ne Iames here is declared the effecte of sainct Paules doctryne that it was that all menne should put their hope and trust of glory to come in no other but in Christe Iesu not in circūcision in no sacrifice ceremony or worke of the lawe in no deedes of men
not in merites of sainctes departed not in masses of Scala caeli but in Christ alone our sauior 3 That wee should make euery manne perfite in Christe Iesu Loke to what ende sainct Paules doctrine doth extende that it was to make euery manne as muche as in hym lied perfite in Christe Iesu that thei should lacke nothyng that perteined to eternall life and felicitie that thyng to be doen by the woorde of GOD that he preached and taughte This place maketh against all them that would kepe men still in their infirmitie and weakenes and would haue thē alwaies weakelynges and not perfite men ye not to increase to perfite men but to bee children waueryng with euery blaste of doctryne nowe ready to receiue this doctryne now that and not able to iudge themselfes in manifest truthes cōtrary to the doctryne of saincte Ihon biddyng vs to proue the spirites whether thei be of God or no 4 For the whiche I labor with al might The Apostle labored with all his power and diligēce to bryng al men to perfeccion in Christ to a full perfite knowlege of Christe and of his benefites that al men should knowe perfitely their health life saluacion to come to theim onely by Christ and that there was no health without Christ And this he did by the mightie power of God workyng in hym or by the ministracion of that woorkyng Godly woorde whiche he preached for God by his worde purely and sincerely preached doth worke therefore it is called a liuely woorde for it geueth life And here wee maie learne that the doctryne of saincte Paule and of other that wrote the holy scriptures not to bee of man although thei that wrote or preached them wer men but of God and of his holy spirite by whose inspiracion thei wrote as Peter saieth ii Peter .i. Learne to attribute to God all thynges that be dooen well of vs and not to our selfes as Paule did here to God workyng in hym and by hym ¶ The .ii. Chapiter FOR I woulde you knew what care I had for you and for thē that are of Laodice and as many as hath not sen my persone in the fleshe that their hartes mighte take cōfort seyng thei be ioyned in charitie in al riches of certain perswasion of vnderstanding in to the knowlege of the misterie of God and the father and of Christe in whō are hid all the treasures of the wisedō and knowlege of God The Apostle here getteth the fauor of these Colossians and of the Laodicenses shewyng his hartes desire was to confort the hartes of them that had not sene hym corporally by the spirite of God and that thei should agre and cleaue together as mēbres in the body surely by a true faith knowyng that all treasures of wisedom and knowlege of God are laied vp in Christe whom if thei should haue thei should lacke nothyng whō if thei lacked thei should haue nothyng whatsoeuer they had wythout Christ This place teacheth one of vs to be carefull for another that we might haue cōforte by the holy ghost and by Gods worde as Paule was for these Colossians and Laodicenses and it reproueth all theim that care not for other whether thei flete or sinke whether thei haue knowlege of Gods worde or no whether thei bee saued or dampned Ye this place reproueth al them that bee haters of Gods worde that care not for it but contēpne and despise it that bee contencious and vncharitable caryng not what chaūce to other so thei be well theimselfes liue in welth and pleasure Learne it is the office of a true pastor to edifie not to destroye to feede not to bryng to deathe to conforte mennes hartes in Christe not to discomfort and discorage theim from Christe or from his holy worde and Gospell 2 When thei shal bee ioyned in Charitie In these woordes is shewed how their hartes shal be cōforted that is when thei shall be compacted and knit together so in charitie that one of theim cannot bee seperated from another that thei be as sure one coupled to another as membres in the body bee ioyned together that thei all thynke and saie one thyng and that also when thei bee ioyned together with a true faithe whiche he calleth here riches of the sure perswasion in the knowlege of the misterye of GOD. And here me thynketh saincte Paule declareth what faithe is that it is riches of sure perswasiō in knowlege of Goddes woorde and that knowlege to bee so sure that it cannot bee false or brought in doubte for faith knoweth the truth of goddes woorde and promises to the whiche it staieth surely and will not be moued from it And here he sheweth that those men that bee doubtfull in their doctryne inconstaunt or waueryng haue not faythe For true faythe commeth of sure knowlege of Gods worde and hath annexed to hym hope and charitie and obedience to do Gods cōmaundementes al respectes of worldly riches fauor or pleasure well or wo set a parte example in Abrahā Isaac Iacob and other holy fathers 3 In Christ bee all treasures of wisedome and knowlege laied vp in score As he would say he that hath Christ he hath al thynges necessary for his saluacion as all wisedome knowlege vertue holines health and life he wanteth nothyng he hath a well of all goodnes euer spryngyng and flowyng ouer he hath treasures that cānot be spent or wasted Here the Apostle reproueth arrogant men and proude Philosophiers that thynketh humain learnyng and knowlege of mannes learnyng to bee preferred aboue the learnyng of Christe Ye here he checketh all theim that bee more studious of humain sciences then thei bee of Gods holy diuinitie Ye all thei be reproued that will spend dayes nightes yeres in the studie of humain Philosophie and will not geue more studie to the knowlege of Gods holy worde by the whiche Christe is gotten by faithe and keped by faithe and he that hath Christ hath all thinges he that lacketh Christ hath nothyng haue he neuer so muche humaine learnyng Philosophie or Poetrie as Tully and Demostenes was found in th ende as thei had had no learnyng because thei lacked Christ and Godly doctryne for al learnyng muste geue place to Christes doctryne as moste chief far excellyng all other learnynges This I saie that none should deceiue you with entisyng woordes although I am absent frō you in the flesh yet in the spirit I am present with you ioyyng seyng your ordre and stedfastnes of your faithe in Christe Now he sheweth for what end he said all treasures of wisedom and knowlege of God to be hid in Christe that it was that thei should not suffre theimselfes to be deceiued by no intisyng wordes of Rethorique or of mannes lernyng or by no other doctrine had it neuer so greate pretense of holines or apparaunce of wisedome and by it to be brought to the degrees of humain Philosophy from the pure clere spring and
fountain of liuely water of the word of God And he exhorteth thē to abide and sticke sure to that faithe thei had receiued by Gods woorde and that in no wise thei should turne from it to Iewishnes or to the lawe to the sacrifices or Ceremonies of the lawe as to thinke thei cannot be saued without theim when by Christ thei haue all thynges necessarie for saluacion nor yet it is not necessary to ioyne with Christ any other thyng as learnyng of Philosophie workes of the lawe Ceremonies Tradicions of men as without them no man can be saued For Christ is a sufficient sauior without all these thynges nor it is not nedefull to saluacion to ioyne any other thyng with Christe as necessary for saluaciō without the which saluacion cannot be had This place doth reproue theim that saith menne cannot vnderstāde holy scripture truly without humain Philosophie and therefore thei say that Philosophie is necessarie and that yong men brought vp in the Vniuersities must nedes learne Philosophie thei will not suffre theim to studie diuinitie before thei haue spente three or foure yeres in Philosophy in Aristotle or in Platoes woorkes that by Philosophie thei maie bee hable to iudge of diuinitie and so it ofte tymes commeth to passe that diuinitie is iudged by Philosophie and as the Heathen Philosophier hath thought and iudged of diuinitie so many young mennes iudgementes be and so the studious youth in Vniuersities bee poysoned by humain Philosophie in their firste studies for as it is ofte tymes sene that the vessell will kepe lōg the smell of that liquor that was firste putte in it so the studious youth first brought vp in Gentile learnyng kepe long the Gētiles iudgementes and maners of these Gentile aucthors thei haue red in their youth and it is a greate grace if euer thei bee brought from theim and that is a greate cause why so many brought vp in Gētile aucthors haue more swetenes and pleasure in Gentile learning then in the learnyng of Christe and of Goddes worde whiche thei contempne and despise for Gentile learnyng Therefore I thinke it moste expedient for Gods glory to be sprede abrode for the saluaciō of many and for true iudgement to be had that all youth should bee verteously broughte vp after the knowlege of Gods word that thei might haue their iudgementes truly formed and directed after the knowlege of holy scripture that thei should be taught by sobre discrete and learned men the true science of scripture and howe thei should take it and come to the knowlege of it with what humblenes and mekenes oft times geuyng themselfes too faithful praier desiryng the knowlege of holy scriptures of GOD to the glory of GOD to their saluacion and to the commoditie of other 2 Although I am absente in fleshe yet I am present with you in the spirite Note what affeccion Paule had to these Colossians he was present with them in spirite although he was absent in his body from theim he exhorted thē to continue in faith hope and in Charitie and not to shrynke from thē one here brede so he studied to profite them and to teache them the way to saluacion and that is to bee present with them in spirite 3 Ioiyng and seyng your ordre and surenes of your faithe in Christe He commendeth theim for twoo thinges and was glad to se in them stedfastnes the one was that he reioysed to see the good semely ordre vsed emonges theim a good ordre in dooyng of thynges emonges Christians is to be commended and where is no ordre there is confusion sainct Paule i. Cori. xiiii Would all thynges should bee dooen after a semely ordre and after a decent fassiō and here he commendeth a good ordre and reproueth those that kepe no ordre nor comelines He commendeth theim also for their surenes of their faithe in Christ that by no craft or intisyng perswasion thei shrynked from Christ or frō true beleue in Christe He reproueth here inconstaunt men and suche as will bee moued with euery blast or doctryne He commēdeth thē not that thei should bee proude but that thei should more and more go forwardes in vertue for vertue commended increaseth muche more As you haue receiued Christ Iesus our Lorde so walke in him that you maie bee rooted in hym and buylded in hym and made strōg by faith and as you haue learned aboundyng in hym with geuyng of thankes The Apostle exhorteth theim to go forwardes and increase euery daie more more in knowlege in faithe in hope in charitie as thei haue receiued Christ and faithe in hym and all treasures of perfeccion and saluaciō to be had in Christ by the preaching of the Gospel so he would haue them increase in knowlege and in all vertue euery daye more and more and not to ceasse from wel doyng good workes appoynted of God to be doen. 2 So that you might be rooted in hym and buylded and made strōg by faith The Apostle requireth constancie and surenes in them that thei should not bee moueable with euery wynde of doctryne but that thei should haue sure faithe constaunt hope and bee perfite in charitie in the knowlege of God and of Christ and as a tre surely rooted in the ground cannot well be plucked vp so sure he would haue theim rooted in faithe and that thei should buylde vpon Christe the sure foundacion and not vpon menne mennes phantasies and dreames tradicions religions of menne or vpon mennes good intentes without Gods worde Christe is the true foundacion that will not bee moued by no winde nor wether i. Cor. iii. Vpō Christe we should buylde suche workes as bee mete for Christe the foundacion and thei bee the woorkes commaunded in holy scripture by gold siluer and precious stones signified i. Cor. iii. And not voluntary woorkes signified by woode haye stobble whiche tried by the fire will not stande but either smodder as haye or els burne as woode and stobble but yet thei that hath doen these workes shal be saued if thei repent and amēde and cal to GOD for mercie and grace and do the workes of the spirit 3 As you haue been taught abundyng in knowlege with geuyng of thankes He moueth men to increase in knowlege of Christe and in true faithe and Charitie and in these to excell but alwaie with geuyng thankes to God whiche hath geuen thē power to do good that none should ascribe the good workes he dooeth to hym to his mighte and power but to God the aucthor of all goodnes Iames .i. Learne that it is not enough to haue knowlege of Christ and of his benefites but all men muste increase in the knowlege of god whiche knowlege commeth by Gods worde This place reproueth thē that loueth not to rede the holy scriptures that wil not suffre theim to bee red ye scarse will suffre the Bible to bee in their Parishe Churches muche lesse in their houses Take hede that no mā deceiue
as our redempcion reconciliacion remission of sinnes iustice righteousnes before GOD eternall life and felicitie all other giftes of God we receiue by Christ onely of Gods mere mercie and grace and not of our merites or deseruynges or of our workes merites or peticions of sainctes Al fulnes of the father is called to dwel in Christ not the Christ now hath receiued that thyng that he had not before for all goodnes of the father he had before as Ihon .v. saieth As the father hath life in hymself so he hath geuen to the sonne to haue life in hymself as the father raised ded men to life so doth the sonne And. Iho. xviii Christ said to his father glorify me with thy selfe with the same glory that I had before the world was created but all fulnes of the father is called to dwell in Christ that all men should knowe all the goodnes thei haue to come of God by Christe to thē that all that beleueth in Christ shuld not perishe but bee saued and should haue life euerlastyng by Christ with the father 4 And by hym to reconsile all thynges He goeth forwardes describyng what benefites wee haue receiued by Christ he saith that al thynges whiche wer out of Gods fauor to bee reconciled again to Gods fauor and loue as all mē whiche either for their originall sinne or for their actuall synne were out of Gods fauor and had offended GOD should by Christe onely bee reconciled to Gods fauour and haue remission of their synnes and be made partakers of euerlastyng life and that onely by Christe So by Christ alone all thinges in yearth or in heauē be brought again to Gods fauor And you whiche was farre of and enemies in mynde and in euill workes now he hath reconciled you again in the body of his fleshe by death that he should make you without fault without all spottes in his sight Before the Apostle shewed in parte what Christe was now he turneth his sermon to these Colossiās and sheweth what benefite thei haue receiued by Christ and that thei should loue Christ the better bee more thankefull and geue more thankes to God for their health life and saluacion he sheweth what thei wer before thei receiued Christes benefite then thei were farre from life and saluacion from God alienated by many vices and sinnes bothe originall and actuall in harte mynde will iudgement and in many euill workes as in Idolatrie supersticion fornicacion adultery errors and heresies for lacke of knowlege and of Goddes grace and by their naughtie liuyng in the whiche thei wer brought vp in and accustomed from their young age that thei committyng great and abhominable sinnes in the sight of God thei thought themselfes not to synne for thei knewe not what was synne nor the daungier of synne nor yet God their creator and maker Suche ther be many in the worlde brought vp in ignoraunce and blindnes supersticiō and Idolatrie thynketh supersticion and Idolatrie to please GOD well the cause whereof is euill bringyng vp of their parentes without knowelege of God and of his will and not taught to knowe God and his pleasure to bee dooen of vs his creatures and seruauntes as we haue promised in our baptisme by our Godfathers promisyng for vs. And here he sheweth some parte of their states Firste that thei were farre from God from life healthe and saluacion by reason of their ignoraūce and euill bryngyng vp in vice and synne from their yong age vnto that daie thei harde the worde of God preached vnto thē And here wee maie learne not to sticke much to those thinges wherein wee haue been brought vp from our yong age whiche parauenture haue been coumpted vertue and worshippyng of God yet the truth knowen thei haue been supersticion and Idolatrie as was Pilgrimage deckyng giltyng of Images settyng vp of candelles before images also again thei wer farre from GOD and from the house of Israel hauyng no title to claime or chalenge any parte of life or saluacion ye nothyng knowyng or myndyng life and health to perteine to theim that wer Gentiles as is more declared at large Ephe. ii But these that were farre of Christe hath made theim partakers of life and of heauenly ioye blisse and eternall felicitie with God Secondly thei wer enemies to God to their awne saluacion bothe in mynde and in euill woorkes thei had their myndes infected and poysoned with euill opinions errors and heresies euill and wicked iudgementes and full of euill woorkes Seruyng not the liuyng GOD true and iuste but many false Idolles ded Images stockes and blockes and ofte tymes thynkyng themselfes to serue the true and liuyng GOD when thei liued in al supersticion and Idolatry but these enemies Christe hath reconciled again to the fauor of GOD the father in the body of his flesh by death that by death of the Crosse whiche he suffered in his humain body for the redempcion of al bothe Iewe and Gentile that will beleue in him And thus Christes death was a full and sufficient satisfacciō for the synnes of the whole world for all theim that shal be sanctified and saued Hebre. x. 2 That he should make vs holy and blameles and without spottes in his sight Here is shewed for what ende and purpose Christe reconciled vs to the fauor of the father that we should returne again to vice synne and to our old naughtie liuing No no. But that wee should be holy and liue Godly and verteously knowe Gods will kepe it And that we should bee fautles that no notable faute crime or synne might be iustely imputed to vs of menne and that we should so beare behaue our selfes in all oure affaires that wee might be without reprofe that our faith should be so pure and stedfast garnished with all maner of good workes that we ded frō synne should liue to iustice as sainct Peter saieth i. Peter .ii. Here wee maie learne how pure holy a life all men should liue not onely the Bishoppe Pastor and prieste but also all laie men that desireth to bee felowes of saluacion and glory by Christ If you remain in faith groūded and stable and will not bee remoued frō the hope of the Gospell whiche you haue harde that was preached to all creatures vnder heauen of the whiche I Paule am made a minister Nowe he sheweth howe thei shal bee blameles without faute and spott in the sight God that is if thei shal abide in true faith and by no affliccion persecucion prosperitie or aduersitie decline or shrynke from true faith but bee constaunt and stable in it founded vpon Christ the true foundaciō and corner stone cleuyng vnto Christe and to his doctryne And here the Apostle reproueth al vnfaithfull that be doubtfull inconstaunt and waueryng in faith moued and tossed hether and thether with euery wynde and blast and tempest of wether of threatenynges of men or hope of fauor or pleasures of men And specially here is