1 After the salutation, 4 hee praiseth them the more to make them attentiue vnto him. 7 Hee reporteth the testimonie of the doctrine which they heard of Epaphras. 13 Hee magnifieth Gods grace towardes them, 20 and sheweth that all the parts of our saluation consist in Christ alone.

¹ Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ, by the [Note: [a] By the free bountifulnes of God. ] will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

² To them which are at [Note: [b] Colosse is situated in Phrygia, not far from Hierapolis & Laodicea, on that side that they bend toward Lycia and Pamphylia. ] Colosse, Saintes and faithfull brethren in Christ: Grace bee with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lorde Iesus Christ.

³ [Note: [1] He commendeth the doctrine that was deliuered the by Epaphras, and their readinesse in receiuing it. ] We giue thankes to God euen ye [Note: [c] We can not otherwise consider of God to our saluation, but as he is Christs Father, in whom we are adopted. ] Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, alway praying for you:

⁴ Since wee heard of your faith in Christ Iesus, and of your loue toward all Saintes,

⁵ For the [Note: [d] For the glorie that is hoped for. ] hopes sake, which is laide vp for you in heauen, whereof yee haue heard before by the word of trueth, which is the Gospel,

⁶ Which is come vnto you, eue as it is vnto al the world, & is fruitful, as it is also amog you, from ye day that ye heard & truely knew ye grace of God,

⁷ As yee also learned of Epaphras our deare fellowe seruaunt, which is for you a faithfull minister of Christ:


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⁸ [Note: [2] He declareth his good will towards them, telling them that they must not still remaine at one stay, but go on further both in the knowledge of the Gospell, and also in the true vse of it. ] Who hath also declared vnto vs your loue in the [Note: [e] Your spirituall loue, or your loue which commeth from the Spirit. ] Spirit.

⁹ For this cause wee also, since the day wee heard of it, cease not to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be fulfilled with knowledge of [Note: [f] Gods will. ] his will in all wisdome, and spirituall vnderstanding,

¹⁰ That ye might walke worthy of the Lord, & please him in all things, being fruitefull in all good workes, and increasing in the knowledge of God,

¹¹ [Note: [3] The gift of continuance is not of vs, but it proceedeth from the vertue of God, which he doeth freely giue vs. ] Strengthened with all might through his glorious power, vnto all patience, and long suffering with [Note: [g] It must not be vnwilling, and as it were drawen out of vs by force, but proceede from a merie and ioyfull minde. ] ioyfulnesse,

¹² [Note: [4] Hauing ended the preface, he goeth to the matter it selfe, that is to say, to an excellent description (although it be but short) of whole Christianitie, which is fitly diuided into three treatises: for first of all he expoundeth the true doctrine according to the order of the causes, beginning from this verse to the 21. And from thence he beginneth to apply the same to the Colossians with diuers exhortations to the 6. verse of the seconde Chapter. And last of all in the thirde place, euen to the thirde Chapter, hee refuteth the corruptions of true doctrine. ] Giuing thankes vnto the [Note: [5] The efficient cause of our saluation is the onely mercie of God the Father, who maketh vs meete to be partakers of eternall life, deliuering vs from the darkenesse wherein wee were borne, and bringing vs to the light of the knowledge of the glory of his Sonne. ] Father, which hath made vs meete to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saintes in [Note: [h] In that glorious and heauenly kingdome. ] light,

¹³ Who hath deliuered vs from the power of darkenesse, and hath translated vs into the kingdome [Note: Matth.3.17. and 17.5. 2.Peter 1.17. ] of his deare Sonne,

¹⁴ [Note: [6] The matter it selfe of our saluation, is Christ the Sonne of God, who hath obteined remission of sinnes for vs, by the offering vp of himselfe. ] In whome we haue redemption through his blood, that is, the forgiuenesse of sinnes,

¹⁵ [Note: [7] A liuely description of the person of Christ, whereby we vnderstand that in him only, God sheweth himselfe to be seene: who was begotten of the Father before any thing was made, that is, from euerlasting, by whome also all thinges that are made, were made without any exception, by whome also they doe consist, and whose glory they serue. ] Who is the [Note: Hebr. 1.2. ] image of the inuisible God, [Note: [i] Begotten before any thing was made: and therefore the euerlasting Sonne of the euerlasting Father. ] the first begotten of euery creature.

¹⁶ [Note: Iohn 1.3. ] For by him were all things created, which are in heauen, and which are in earth, thinges visible and inuisible: whether they be [Note: [k] Hee setteth foorth the Angels with glorious names, that by the comparison of most excellent spirits, we may vnderstand how farre passing the excellencie of Christ is, in whome onely we haue to content our selues, and let goe all Angels. ] Thrones or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers, all things were created by him, and for him,

¹⁷ And hee is before all things, and in him all things consist.

¹⁸ [Note: [8] Hauing gloriously declared the excellent dignitie of the person of Christ, he describeth his office and function, to wit, that hee is that same to the Church, that the head is to the body, that is to say, the Prince and gouernour of it, and the very beginning of true life, as who rising first from death, is the Author of eternall life, so that he is aboue all, in whom onely there is most plentifull aboundance of all good things, which is powred out vpon the Church. ] And hee is the head of the body of the Church: he is the beginning, [Note: Reuel.1.5. 1. cor.15.20. ] and the [Note: [l] Who so rose againe that hee shall die no more, and who raiseth other from death to life by his power. ] first begotten of the dead, that in all thinges hee might haue the preeminence.

¹⁹ [Note: Iohn.1.14.chap.2.9. ] For it pleased the Father, that in him should [Note: [m] Most plentifull aboundance of all things perteining to God. ] all fulnesse dwell,

²⁰ [Note: [9] Now he teacheth how Christ executed that office which his Father inioyned him, to wit, by suffering the death of the crosse (which was ioyned with the curse of God) according to his decree, that by this sacrifice he might reconcile to his Father all men, as well them which beleeued in him to come, and were alreadie vnder this hope gathered into heauen, as them which should vpon the earth beleeue in him afterward. And thus is iustification described of the Apostle, which is one & the chiefest part of the benefite of Christ. ] And through peace made by that blood of that his crosse, to reconcile to himselfe through him, through him, I say, [Note: [n] The whole Church. ] all thinges, both which are in earth, and which are in heauen.

²¹ [Note: [10] Sanctification is another worke of God in vs by Christ, in that that hee restored vs (which hated God extremely, and were wholly and willingly giuen to sinne) to his gracious fauour in such sort, that hee therewithall purifieth vs with his holy Spirit, & consecrateth vs to righteousnes. ] And you which were in times past strangers and enemies, because your mindes were set in

euill workes, hath [Note: [o] The sonne. ] he nowe also reconciled,

²² In that body of his [Note: [p] In that fleshly body, to giue vs to vnderstand that his body was not a fantasticall body, but a true body. ] flesh through death, to make you holy, and vnblameable and without fault in his sight,

²³ [Note: [11] The seconde treatise of this part of the Epistle, wherein he exhorteth the Colossians not to suffer themselues by any meanes to be moued from this doctrine, shewing and declaring that there is no where any other true Gospel. ] If ye continue, grounded and stablished in the faith, & be not moued away from the hope of the Gospel, whereof ye haue heard, and which hath bene preached to [Note: [q] To all men: whereby we learne that the Gospel was not shut vp within the corners of Iudea alone. ] euery creature which is vnder heauen, [Note: [12] He purchaseth authoritie to this doctrine by his Apostleship, and taketh a most sure proofe thereof, of his afflictios, which hee suffereth for Christ his Name, to instruct the Churches with these examples of patiece. ] whereof I Paul am a minister.

²⁴ Now reioyce I in my suffrings for [Note: [r] For your profite and commoditie. ] you, and fulfill the [Note: [s] The afflictions of the Church are said to be Christs afflictions, by reason of that felowship & knitting together, that the body & the head haue the one with the other, not that there is any more neede to haue the Church redeemed, but that Christ sheweth his power in the dayly weaknes of his, and that for the comfort of the whole body. ] rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the Church,

²⁵ [Note: [13] He bringeth another proofe of his Apostleship, to wit, that God is the Author of it, by whom also he was appointed peculiarly Apostle of the Gentiles, to the end that by this meanes, that same might be fulfilled by him, which the Prophetes foretolde of the calling of the Gentiles. ] Whereof I am a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is giuen mee vnto you ward, to fulfill the word of God,

²⁶ [Note: Rom.16.25. ephes.3.9 2.tim.1.10. titus 1.2. 1 peter 1.20. ] Which is the mysterie hid since the world began, and from all ages, but nowe is made manifest to his [Note: [t] Whome he chose to sanctifie vnto himselfe in Christ: moreouer hee saith that the mysterie of our redemption was hidden since the world began, except it were reueiled vnto a fewe, who also were taught it extraordinarily. ] Saintes,

²⁷ To whome God [Note: [u] Thus Paul brideleth the curiositie of men. ] woulde make knowen what is the riches of his glorious mysterie among the Gentiles, which riches is Christ in you, the hope of glory,

²⁸ [Note: [14] Hee protesteth that hee doeth faithfully execute his Apostleship in euery place, bringing men vnto Christ onely, through the Lordes plentifull blessing of his labours. ] Whome we preache, admonishing euery man, & teaching euery man in [Note: [x] Perfect and sounde wisdome, which is perfect in it selfe, and shall in the ende make them perfect that followe it. ] all wisdome, that we may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus,

²⁹ Whereunto I also labour & striue, according to his working which worketh in me mightily.

4 He condemneth, as vaine, whatsoeuer is without Christ, 11 intreating specially of circumcision, 16 of abstinence from meates, 18 and of worshipping of Angels. 20 That we are deliuered from the traditions of the Law through Christ.

¹ For I [Note: [1] The taking away of an obiection. In that that he visited not the Colossias, nor the Laodiceans, he did it not of any negligence, but is so much ye more careful for them. ] woulde ye knewe what great fighting I haue for your sakes, and for them of Laodicea, and for as many as haue not seene my [Note: [a] Me present in bodie. ] person in the flesh,

² [Note: [2] He concludeth shortly the summe of the former doctrine, to wit, that the whole summe of true wisdome, and most secret knowledge of God, consisteth in Christ only, & that this is the vse of it touching men, that they being knit together in loue, rest themselues happily in the knowledge of so great a goodnes, vntill they come fully to enioye it. ] That [Note: [b] Whom he neuer sawe. ] their heartes might be comforted, and they knit together in loue, and in all riches of the [Note: [c] Of that vnderstanding, which bringeth foorth a certaine and vndoubted perswasion in our mindes. ] full assurance of vnderstanding, to know the mysterie of God, euen the Father, and of Christ:

³ In whom are hid all the treasures of [Note: [d] There is no true wisdom, without Christ. ] wisedome and knowledge.

⁴ [Note: [3] A passing ouer to the treatise folowing, against the corruptions of Christianitie. ] And this I say, lest any man shoulde beguile you with [Note: [e] With a framed kinde of talke made to perswade. ] entising wordes:

⁵ [Note: 1.Cor.5.3. ] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, reioycing & beholding your [Note: [f] The maner of your Ecclesiastical discipline. ] order, and your [Note: [g] Doctrine. ] stedfast faith in Christ.

⁶ As ye haue therefore [Note: [h] So then Christ hageth not vpo mens traditions. ] receiued Christ Iesus the Lord, so walke in him,

⁷ Rooted and built in him, and stablished in [Page]

the faith, as ye haue bene taught, abouding therein with thankesgiuing.

⁸ [Note: [4] He bringeth all corruptions to three kindes. The first is that, which resteth of vaine and curious speculations, and yet beareth a shew of a certaine subtil wisdome. ] Beware lest there be any man that [Note: [i] This is a word of warre, and it is as much as to driue or carie away a spoile or bootie. ] spoile you through philosophie, & vaine deceit, [Note: [5] The seconde, which is manifestly superstitious and vaine, and standeth only vpon custome and fained inspirations. ] through the traditions of men, [Note: [6] The third kinde was of them which ioyned the rudimets of the world, (that is to say, the ceremonies of the Lawe) with the Gospel. ] according to the [Note: [k] Principles and rules, wherewith God ruled his Church, as it were vnder a scholemaster. ] rudiments of the world, [Note: [7] A generall confutation of all corruptions is this, that that must needes be a false religion, which addeth any thing to Christ. ] and not after Christ.

⁹ [Note: [8] A reason: Because only Christ God and man, is most perfect, and passeth farre aboue all things, so that whosoeuer hath him, may require nothing more. ] For [Note: [l] By these words, is shewed a distinction of the natures. ] in him [Note: [m] This word (Dwelleth) noteth out vnto vs the ioyning together of those natures, so that of God and Man, is one Christ. ] dwelleth [Note: [n] These words set downe most perfect Godhead to be in Christ. ] all the fulnesse of the Godhead [Note: [o] The knitting together of God and man, is substantiall and essentiall. ] bodily.

¹⁰ And yee are complete in him, which is the head of all principalitie and power.

¹¹ [Note: [9] Nowe he dealeth precisely against the thirde kinde, that is to say, against them which vrged the Iewish religion: and first of all, hee denieth that we haue neede of the Circumcision of the flesh, seeing that without it we are circumcised within, by the vertue of Christ. ] In whome also yee are circumcised with [Note: Rom.2.29. ] circumcision made without handes, by putting off the [Note: [p] These many words are vsed to shew what the olde man is, whom Paul in other places calleth the body of sinne. ] sinfull body of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ,

¹² [Note: [10] The taking away of an obiection: We neede not so much as the external signe which our fathers had, seeing that our baptisme is a most effectuall pledge and witnes, of that inward restoring, and renuing. ] In that yee are [Note: Rom.6 4 ephes.1.19. ] [Note: [q] Looke Rom.6.4. ] buried with [Note: [r] So then all the force of the matter commeth not from the very deede done, that is to say, it is not the dipping of vs into the water by a Minister that maketh vs to be buried with Christ, as the Papists say, that euen for the very acts sake, we become verily Christians, but it commeth fro the vertue of Christ, for the Apostle addeth the resurrection of Christ, and faith. ] him through baptisme, [Note: [11] One ende of Baptisme is the death and buriall of the old man, and that by the mightie power of God onely, whose vertue we lay holde on by faith, in the death and resurrection of Christ. ] in whome ye are also raised vp together through the faith of the operation of [Note: [f] Through faith which commeth from God. ] God, which raised him from the dead.

¹³ [Note: Ephes.2.1. ] [Note: [12] An other ende of Baptisme is, that we which were dead in sinne, might obteine free remission of sinnes and eternall life, through faith in Christ who died for vs. ] And you which were dead in sinnes, [Note: [13] A new argument which lieth in these fewe wordes, and it is thus: Vncircumcision was no hinderance to you, why you being iustified in Christ should not obteine life, therefore you neede not circumcision to the attainement of saluation. ] and in the vncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, forgiuing you all your trespasses,

¹⁴ [Note: [14] Hee speaketh nowe more generally against the whole seruice of the Lawe, and sheweth by two reasons that it is abolished: First, to what purpose should he that hath obteined remission of all his sinnes in Christ, require those helpes of the Lawe? Secondly, because, that if a man do rightly consider those rites, hee shall finde that they were so many testimonies of our guiltinesse, whereby we manifestly witnessed as it were by our owne handwritings, that wee deserued damnation. Therefore did Christ put out that handwriting by his comming, and fastening it to the crosse, triumphed ouer all our enemies, were they neuer so mightie. Therefore to what end and purpose should we now vse those ceremonies, as though we were still guiltie of sinne, and subiect to the tyrannie of our enemies? ] And putting out the [Note: Ephe.2 15. ] [Note: [t] Abolishing the rites and ceremonies. ] hand writing of ordinances that was against vs, which was contrarie to vs, hee euen tooke it out of the way, and fastened it vpon the crosse,

¹⁵ And hath spoyled the [Note: [u] Satan and his angels. ] Principalities, and Powers, & hath [Note: [x] As a coquerour made he a shew of those captiues, & put them to shame. ] made a shew of them openly, and hath triumphed ouer them in the [Note: [y] The crosse was as a chariot of triumph. No coquerour could haue triumphed so gloriously in his chariot, as Christ did vpon the croße. ] same croße.

¹⁶ [Note: [15] The conclusion: wherein also he nameth certaine kindes, as the difference of dayes, and meates, and proueth by a newe argument that we are not bound vnto them: to wit, because those things were shadowes of Christ to come, but we possesse him now exhibited vnto vs. ] Let no man therefore condemne you in meate and drinke, or in respect of an holy day, or of the newe moone, or of the Sabbath dayes,

¹⁷ Which are but a shadowe of thinges to come: but the [Note: [z] The body as a thing of substance and pith, he setteth against shadowes. ] body is in Christ.

¹⁸ [Note: [16] He disputeth against the first kinde of corruptions, and setteth downe the worshipping of Angels for an example: which kinde of false religion hee confuteth, first, this way: because that they which bring in such a worship, attribute that vnto themselues which is proper onely to God, to wit, authoritie to binde mens consciences with religio, although they seeme to bring in these thinges by humblenesse of minde. ] Let no man at his pleasure beare rule ouer you by [Note: [a] By foolish humblenes of minde: for otherwise humblenes is a vertue. For these Angel worshippers, blamed such of pride as would go straight to God, & vse no other vnder meanes beside Christ. ] humblenesse of minde, and worshipping of Angels, [Note: [17] Secondly, because they rashly thrust vpon them for oracles, those things which they neither saw nor heard, but deuised of themselues. ] aduauncing himselfe in those thinges which hee neuer sawe, [Note: [18] Thirdly, because these things haue no other grounde whereupon they are built, but onely the opinion of men, which please themselues without all measure in their owne deuices. ] [Note: [b] Without reason. ] rashly puft vp with his fleshly minde,

¹⁹ [Note: [19] The fourth argument, which is of great waight, because they spoyle Christ of his dignitie, who onely is sufficient both to nourish & also to increase his whole body. ] And holdeth not the [Note: [c] Christ. ] head, whereof all the body furnished and knit together by ioyntes and bands, increaseth with the increasing of [Note: [d] With the increasing which commeth from God. ] God.

²⁰ [Note: [20] Now last of all he fighteth against the second kinde of corruptions, that is to say, against mere superstitions, inuented of men, which partly deceiue the simplicitie of some with their craftinesse, and partly with very foolish superstitions and to bee laughed at: as when godlinesse, remission of sinnes, or any such like vertue, is put in some certaine kinde of meate and such like thinges, which the inuentours of such rites themselues vnderstand not, because in deede it is not. And he vseth an argument taken of comparison. If by the death of Christ who established a newe couenant with his blood, you be deliuered from those external rites wherewith it pleased the Lorde to prepare the worlde, as it were by certaine rudiments to that full knowledge of true religion, why would ye be burdened with traditions I wote not what, as though ye were citizens of this worlde, that is to say, as though ye depended vpo this life, & earthly things? Now this is the cause why before, vers.8. he folowed an other order then he doth in the confutation: because he sheweth there, by what degrees false religions came into the world, to wit, beginning first by curious speculations of the wise, after which in processe of time succeeded grosse superstition, against which mischieues the Lord set at legth that seruice of the Law, which some abused in like sort: but in the confutation, he began with the abolishing of the Law seruice, that he might shew by comparison, that those false seruices ought much more to be taken away. ] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ fro the ordinances of the world, why, [Note: [e] As though your felicitie stood in these earthly things, & the kingdom of God were not rather spiritual. ] as though ye liued in ye world, are ye burdened with traditions?

²¹ [Note: [21] An imitation in the person of these superstitious me, rightly expressing their nature and vse of speach. ] As, Touch not, Taste not, Handle not.

²² [Note: [22] An other argument: The spiritual & inward kingdome of God cannot cosist in these outward things, & such as perish wt the vsing. ] Which al perish with the vsing, [Note: [23] The third argumet: Because God is not the author of these traditions, & therfore they do not binde the cosciences. ] and are after the commandements and doctrines of men.

²³ [Note: [24] The taking away of an obiection. These things haue a goodly shew, because men by this meanes, seeme to worship God with a good minde, & humble theselues, & neglect the body, which the most part of men curiously pamper vp & cherish: but yet notwithstading the things themselues are of no value, forsomuch as they perteine not to things that are spiritual and euerlasting, but to the nourishment of the flesh. ] Which thinges haue in deede a shewe of [Note: [f] Which seeme in deed to be some exquisite thing, & so wise deuices as though they came fro heauen. ] wisdome, in [Note: [g] Hence sprang the works of super erogation, as the Papists terme them, that is to say, needelesse works, as though men performed more then is comanded them: which was the beginning & the very groud, wheron Monks merits were brought in. ] voluntarie religion and humblenesse of minde, and in [Note: [h] A liuely descriptio of mokery. ] not sparing the body, which are thinges of no valewe, sith they perteine to the [Note: [i] Seeing they stand in meate & drinke, wherein the kingdome of God doth not stand. ] filling of the flesh.

1 Against earthly exercises, which the false apostles vrged, 2 he setteth heauenly: 5 And beginneth with the mortifying of the flesh, 8 whence he draweth particular exhortations, 18 and particular dueties which depende on eche mans calling.

¹ If [Note: [1] An other part of this Epistle, wherein he taketh occasion by reason of those vaine exercises, to shew the dutie of a Christian life: which is an ordinary thing with him, after he hath once set down the doctrine it self. ] yee then [Note: [2] Our renuing or newe birth, which is wrought in vs by being partakers of the resurrection of Christ, is the foutaine of al holines, out of which sundry armes or riuers do afterwards flow. ] bee [Note: [a] For if we be partakers of Christ, we are caried as it were into another life where we shal neede neither meat nor drinke, for we shalbe like vnto the Angels. ] risen with Christ, [Note: [3] The ende & marke which all the duties of Christian life shoote at, is to enter into the kingdome of heauen, & to giue our selues to those things which lead vs thither, that is, to true godlines, and not to those outward and corporall things. ] seeke those thinges which are aboue, where Christ

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sitteth at the right hand of God.
² Set your affections on things which are aboue, and not on things which are on the [Note: [b] So he calleth that shewe of religion, which he spake of in the former Chapter. ] earth.

³ [Note: [4] A reason taken of ye efficient causes and others: you are dead as touching the flesh, that is, touching the olde nature which seeketh after all transitorie things, and on the otherside, you haue begun to liue according to the Spirit, therefore giue your selues to spirituall and heauenly, and not to carnall and earthly things. ] For ye are dead, [Note: [5] The taking away of an obiection: whiles we are yet in this world, we are subiect to many miseries of this life, so that the life that is in vs, is as it were hidden: yet notwithstanding we haue the beginnings of life and glory, the accomplishment whereof which lyeth now in Christs and in Gods hand, shalbe assuredly and manifestly perfourmed in that glorious comming of the Lord. ] and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴ When Christ which is our life, shall appeare, then shal ye also appeare with him in glory.

⁵ [Note: [6] Let not your dead nature bee any more effectuall in you, but let your liuing nature be effectuall. Nowe the force of nature is knowen by the motions. Therefore let the affections of the flesh dye in you, and let the contrary motions which are spiritual, liue. And he reckoneth vp a great long scroule of vices, and their contrary vertues. ] [Note: Ephes.5.3. ] Mortifie therefore your [Note: [c] The motions and lustes that are in vs, are in this place very properly called members, because that the reason and will of man corrupted, doeth vse them as the body doeth his members. ] members which are on the earth, fornication, vncleannes, the inordinate affection, euill concupiscence, and couetousnes which is idolatrie.

⁶ For the which things sake ye wrath of God [Note: [d] Vseth to come. ] commeth on the children of disobedience.

⁷ Wherein ye also walked once, when ye liued in them.

⁸ But now put ye away euen all these things, wrath, anger, maliciousnes, cursed speaking, filthie speaking, out of your mouth.

⁹ Lie not one to another, [Note: [7] A definition of our newe birth taken of the partes thereof, which are the putting off of the olde man, that is to say, of the wickednes which is in vs by nature, and the restoring, and repairing of the new man, that is to say, of purenes which is giuen vs by grace: but both of them are but begun in vs in this present life, and by certaine degrees finished, the one dying in vs by litle and litle, and the other comming to the perfection of another life, by litle and litle. ] seeing that yee haue put off the olde man with his workes,

¹⁰ And haue put on the newe, [Note: [8] Newnes of life consisteth in knowledge which transformeth man to the image of God his maker, that is to say, to the sinceritie and purenes of the whole soule. ] which is renewed in [Note: [e] He speaketh of an effectuall knowledge. ] knowledge after the image of him that created him,

¹¹ [Note: [9] Hee telleth them againe that the Gospel doeth not respect those externall things, but true iustification and sanctification in Christ onely, which haue many fruites as he reckoneth them vp here: But commendeth two things especially, to wit, godly concord, and continuall study of Gods worde. ] Where is neither Grecian nor Iewe, circumcision nor vncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond, free: But Christ is all, and in all things.

¹² Now therfore as the elect of God holy and beloued, [Note: [f] So put on, that you neuer put off. ] put on the [Note: [g] Those most tender affections of exceeding compassion. ] bowels of mercies, kindnesse, humblenesse of minde, meekenesse, long suffering:

¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiuing one another, if any man haue a quarel to another: euen as Christ forgaue, euen so doe ye.

¹⁴ And aboue all these thinges put on loue, which is the [Note: [h] Which bindeth and knitteth together all the dueties that paße from man to man. ] bond of perfectnes.

¹⁵ And let the peace of God [Note: [i] Rule and gouerne all things. ] rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in [Note: [k] You are ioyned together into one body through Gods goodnes, that you might helpe one another, as felow members. ] one body, and be ye thankfull.

¹⁶ Let the worde of Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisdome, teaching and admonishing your owne selues, in [Note: [l] By Psalmes hee meaneth all godly songs which were written vpon diuers occasions, and by Hymnes, all such as conteine the prayse of God, and by spirituall songs, other more peculiar and artificious songs which were also in prayse of God, but they were made fuller of Musike. ] Psalmes, and hymnes, and spirituall songs, singing with a grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷ [Note: 1.Cor.10.31. ] And whatsoeuer ye shall doe, in worde or deede, doe all in the [Note: [m] Call vpon the Name of Christ, when you doe it, or, doe it to Christes prayse and glory. ] Name of the Lorde Iesus, giuing thankes to God euen the Father by him.

¹⁸ ¶ [Note: Ephes.5.22. ] [Note: [10] Hee goeth from precepts which concerne the whole ciuill life of man, to precepts perteining to euery mans familie, and requireth of wiues, subiection in the Lorde. ] Wiues, submit your selues vnto your

husbands, as it is [Note: [n] For those wiues doe not well, that doe not set God in Christ before them in their loue, but this, Philosophie knoweth not. ] comely in the Lord.

¹⁹ [Note: 1.Pet.3.1. ] [Note: [11] He requireth of husbands, that they loue their wiues, and vse them gently. ] Husbands, loue your wiues, and be not bitter vnto them.

²⁰ ¶ [Note: Ephes.6.1. ] [Note: [12] He requireth of children, that according to Gods commaundement they be obedient to their parents. ] Children, obey your parents in [Note: [o] In the Lord, and so is it expounded, Ephes.5.19. ] all thing for that is well pleasing vnto the Lord.

²¹ [Note: [13] Of parents, that they be gentle towards their children. ] Fathers, prouoke not your children to anger, least they be discouraged.

²² ¶ [Note: [14] Of seruants, that fearing God himselfe to whome their obedience is acceptable, they reuerently, faithfully, and from the heart, obey their masters. ] [Note: Ephes.6.5. tit.2.9. 1.pet.2.18. ] Seruants, be obedient vnto them that are your masters according to the flesh, in all things, not with eye seruice as men pleasers, but in singlenes of heart, fearing God.

²³ And whatsoeuer ye doe, doe it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men,

²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receiue the [Note: [p] For that that you shall haue duely obeyed your Masters, the time shall come, that you shalbe made sonnes, of seruants, and then shal you knowe this of a suretie, which shall be when you are made partakers of the heauenly inheritance. ] reward of the inheritance: for ye serue the Lord Christ.

²⁵ [Note: [15] Hee requireth of masters, that being mindefull how that they them selues also shall render an account before that heauenly Lorde and master, which will reuenge wrongfull doings without any respect of masters or seruants, they shewe themselues iust and vpright with equitie, vnto their seruants. ] But he that doeth wrong, shall receiue for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

2 He returneth to generall exhortations, 3 touching prayer, and gracious speach, 7 and so endeth with greetings and commendations.

¹ Ye masters, doe vnto your seruants, that which is iust, and equall, knowing that ye also haue a master in heauen.

² [Note: [1] He addeth certaine generall exhortations, and at length endeth his Epistle with diuers familiar and godly salutations. ] [Note: Luke 18.1. 1.theß.5.17. ] [Note: [2] Prayers must be continuall and earnest. ] Continue in prayer, and watch in the fame with thankesgiuing,

³ [Note: [3] Such as minister the worde, must especially be commended to the prayers of the Church. ] [Note: Ephes.6.18. 2.theß.3.1. ] Praying also for vs, yt God may open vnto vs the [Note: [a] An open & free mouth to preach the Gospel. ] doore of vtterance, to speake ye mysterie of Christ: wherefore I am also in bonds,

⁴ That I may vtter it, as it becommeth mee to speake.

⁵ ¶ [Note: [4] In all partes of our life, we ought to haue good consideration euen of them which are without ye Church. ] [Note: Ephes.5.15. ] Walke [Note: [b] Aduisedly and circumspectly. ] wisely towarde them that are without, and redeeme the [Note: [c] Seeke occasion to winne them, although you lose of your owne by it. ] season.

⁶ [Note: [5] Our speach and talke must be applied to the profit of the hearers. ] Let your speach be [Note: [d] Framed to the profite of your neighbour. ] gracious alwayes, and powdred with [Note: [e] Against this is set filthy communicatio, as Ephe.4.29. ] salt, that ye may know how to answere euery man.

⁷ ¶ Tychicus our beloued brother and faithfull minister, and fellow seruant in the Lord, shall declare vnto you my whole state:

⁸ Whom I haue sent vnto you for the same purpose that he might know your state, & might comfort your hearts,

⁹ With Onesimus a faithfull and a beloued brother, who is one of you. They shall shew you of all things here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my prison fellow saluteth you, and Marcus, Barnabas cousin (touching whom ye receiued commandements. If he come vnto you, receiue him)

¹¹ And Iesus which is called Iustus, which are of the circumcision. These [Note: [f] Why then, Peter was not at that time at Rome. ] onely are my worke fellowes vnto the [Note: [g] In the Gospel. ] kingdome of God, which haue bene vnto my consolation.

¹² Epaphras the seruant of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, and alwayes striueth for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and full in all the will of God.

¹³ For I beare him record, that he hath a great zeale for you, and for them of Laodicea, & them of Hierapolis.
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¹⁴ [Note: 2. Tim.4.11. ] Luke the beloued physician greeteth you, and Demas.

¹⁵ Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the Church which is in his house.

¹⁶ And when this Epistle is read of you, cause that it be read in the Church of the Laodiceans also, and that ye likewise reade the Epistle written

from Laodicea.

¹⁷ And say to Archippus, Take heede to the ministerie, that thou hast receiued in the Lorde, that thou fulfill it.

¹⁸ The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bands. Grace be with you, Amen.