Colossians 1

3. The saints at death shall not only have a sight of God, but shall enjoy the love of God; there shall be no more veil on God's face, nor his smiles checkered with frowns, but God's love shall discover itself in all its radiant beauty and fragrant sweetness. Here the saints pra…

5. Is creation proper to the Deity? This is a flower of Christ's crown (Colossians 1:16): By him were all things created. 6. Is invocation proper to the Deity?

Resp. He has redeemed us to a glorious inheritance (1 Peter 1:4): To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1. To an inheritance.] Christ has not only redeemed us out of prison, but he has redeemed us to a state of happin…

Such were some of you, but you are washed, etc. Before effectual calling, we are not only without strength (Romans 5:6), but enemies (Colossians 1:21). So that the foundation of vocation is election.

Response: We must conceive of him spiritually, namely: 1. In his attributes; his holiness, justice, goodness, which are the beams by which his divine nature shines forth. 2. We must conceive of him as he is in Christ; Christ is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). S…

The excellencies of the creature are limited. A man may have health, not beauty; learning, not parentage; riches, not wisdom: but in God are eminently contained all excellencies: he is a good commensurate fully to the soul; he is a sun, a portion, a horn of salvation; in him dwe…

1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be God, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively hope. Colossians 1:12: Giving thanks to the Father, who has made us meet for the inheritance in light. The new creature is a sign of election, a badge of adoption.

Men adopt because they want children, and desire to have some to bear their name; but that God should adopt us when he had a Son of his own, the Lord Jesus, here is the wonder of love. Christ is called God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13). A Son more worthy than the angels (Hebrews…

He has a mighty arm (Psalm 89:13). God's power is a glorious power (Colossians 1:11). 1. It is an irresistible power (Romans 9:19).

2. God the Son is the purchaser of peace. He has made peace by his blood (Colossians 1:20): Having made peace by the blood of his cross. The atonement Aaron made for the people when he entered into the holy of holies with blood, was a type of Christ our high priest, who has by h…

God infinitely out-shines all sublunary glory; he is better than the soul, than angels, than heaven. Thirdly, in the chief good, there must be not only fullness but variety; where variety is wanting, we are apt to nauseate; to feed only on honey, would breed loathing; but in God…

2. We must conceive of him as he is in Christ. Christ is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). As in the wax we see the print of the seal.

And this knowledge of God is through Christ. Christ is the glass in which the face of God is seen (Colossians 1:15). And then we know God aright, when we know him not only with a knowledge of speculation, but appropriation.

1. I begin with the first thing implied in this petition, Your Kingdom come: It is implied that we are in the kingdom of darkness; and we pray, that we may be brought out of the kingdom of darkness; the state of nature is a kingdom of darkness: It is a kingdom; sin is said to re…

Sanctification is still increasing, like the morning sun which grows brighter to the full meridian. Knowledge is said to increase (Colossians 1:10), and faith to increase (2 Corinthians 10:15); a Christian is continually adding a cubit to his spiritual stature. It is not with us…

He is [illegible], the Almighty (Revelation 1:8). He creates (Colossians 1:16). 2. Is God the Father infinitely immense, filling all places (Jeremiah 23:24), so is Jesus Christ.

2. The palace of this Kingdom is lucid and transparent; 'tis adorned with light, [illegible Greek text], The light is sweet. Hell is a dark dungeon, but the palace above is bespangled with light (Colossians 1:12). Such illustrious beams of glory shine from God as shed a brightne…

3. If God should pardon and not sanctify, then that should enter into heaven that defiles, but (Revelation 21:27): "Nothing shall enter that defiles." Then God should settle the inheritance upon men before they are fit for it, contrary to that (Colossians 1:12): "He has made us…

And this makes their case utterly different from that of the primitive Christians. This religion being thus reinstated in many nations, it brought forth fruit in them, even as the Gospel did at its first preaching in the places whereinto it came (Colossians 1:6). It brought fort…

Phil. 2:5, 6. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Col. 1:15, 16, 17. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature; for by him were all things created, that a…

And the Lord Christ has not left that as a matter of liberty, choice or conveniency, which he has made the foundation of the due manner of the performance of all those duties whereby his disciples yield obedience to his commands, to his glory in the world. Sixthly, the principal…

(8) To attend with diligence, skill and wisdom to the discharge of that authority which in the rule of the Church is committed to them. (1) 1 Timothy 3:10, 11, 13; chap. 4.12; 2 Timothy 2:3; Colossians 1:24; Philippians 2:17; chap. 3.17. (2) Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28.

First, Carefull walking so as to give no offence to one another; which although it be a moral duty in reference to all, yet therein especial regard is to be had to other Churches of Christ, that they be not in any thing grieved or tempted (1 Corinthians 10:32): "Give none offenc…

Q. What is the effect and benefit of his mediatorship? A. Hereby God and man that were at enmity are reconciled together again, and made one (Colossians 1:20; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:14, 15).

Q. How is he King over all creatures? A. In sustaining and disposing of them all by his providence, as may be for his glory, and the good of the elect (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Proverbs 8:15-16; Isaiah 43:14-15). Q. And how is he King of the visible Church?

Q. But what do you think of the Angels, were they also created by God? A. Angels are the chief of those invisible things, those thrones and dominions, principalities, and powers, which are expressly mentioned to have been created by the Lord (Colossians 1:16). Q. With what did G…

Is it the continuance in sin and the number and repetition of them that amazes you? 'All fullness dwells in him who is our righteousness' (Colossians 1:19) and has dwelt in him longer than sin has dwelt in you. And the righteousness of our Messiah is 'everlasting righteousness'…

There being even in the best something which does belong to his jurisdiction, which makes their spirits fit subjects for his temptations to take upon. In Ephesians 6:12, they are called 'the rulers of the darkness of this world'; and Colossians 1:12-13, their power is called 'th…

Romans 16:25-26. To him now that is of power to establish you according to my Gospel and preaching of Jesus Christ, by the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is opened. Colossians 1:26-27. Which is the mystery hid since the world bega…

Romans 16:25-26. — by the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began, but now is opened and published — for the obedience of faith among all nations. Colossians 1:26-27. The mystery which was hid since the world began and from all ages, is now made man…

The second fruit of their faith is noted in these words; And believed them: where, by believing, we must understand not so much the act of faith, for that was noted before, as the growth and increase of their faith; for the word imports a confirmation of their hearts, and a reso…

The image of the man is not something distinct from him, something to represent him; but the man himself. See Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15; chapter 3:10. This therefore is that which the Apostle denies concerning the Law.

The constitution of his person, was the greatest mystery that ever infinite wisdom effected (1 Timothy 3:16). And thereby did God gloriously represent himself and all his infinite perfections to us (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:14, 15; 2 Corinthians 4:6). Had he not the divine natu…

And the end of the institution of the ministry of the Gospel, to make his mediation effectual to the souls of men by the application of it in the Word to them, was to bring the Church [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (Ephesians 4:13), to a perfect man; or that perfection of state whi…

The Son of God in infinite Grace condescending to the susception of this Office, and the discharge of all the Duties of it, it was meet that all things which might contribute any thing to the Glory, or efficacy of it should accompany his undertakings. For being in himself the Im…

Therefore God will now secure all the good things of this Covenant, both as to grace and glory, in a third hand, in the hand of a Mediator. Hereon the Promises are made to him, and the fulness of grace is laid up in him (John 1:14; Colossians 1:17; Chapter 2:2; Ephesians 3:8; 2…

In the close of the whole they affirm, that the obtaining of everlasting salvation by Christ, was not an act antecedent to his entering into Heaven, as the word seems to import, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], having obtained; but it was done by his entrance itself into that Holy P…

The enmity on our part also must be taken away, or reconciliation will not be finished. Now we were enemies in our minds by wicked works (Colossians 1:21), and thereby alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18). The removal hereof consists in this repentance.

The next thing ascribed to them is [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩]. Patience, say we, that is, [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩]; but these Graces are expressly distinguished, 2 Timothy 3:10. [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩]; Faith, Long-suffering, Patience; so plainly Colossians 1:11. [⟨in non-Lati…

[⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], is to rest in, to approve, to delight in, to be pleased with: so is it always used in the New Testament, whether spoken of God or men. See (Matthew 3:17), Chap. 12:18, Chap. 17:5, (Luke 3:22), Chap. 12:32, (Romans 15:26, 27), (1 Corinthians 1:21), Ch…

For this fruit God both expects, and will require. This is the work and effect of the Gospel (Colossians 1:6). And the fruit of it is threefold: (1) of persons in their conversion to God (Romans 15:16); (2) of real internal holiness in them or the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians…

Oh! see here the privilege, the glory, and the happiness of a child of God: and consider it — you it may be, have many duties, good desires and affections, and the like, in which you secretly trust: but consider, does Christ live in you does he dwell, and rule in you? If not, yo…

That a heart set for the doing of good works, is a qualification, and a preparation of them that shall inherit the recompenses of everlasting life. There is no passing into the most holy heavens, without being, as it is expressed in (Colossians 1:12), made meet to be partakers o…

And if you ask, what the believer's hope is built on? Answer: Christ, and free grace is the foundation of it (Colossians 1:27), Christ in you the hope of glory; (2 Thessalonians 2, second to last verse) good hope through grace; (1 Timothy 1:1) Jesus Christ which is our hope. Not…

1. It shows us the necessity of effectual calling; without it there is no going to Heaven: We must be made meet for the inheritance, Colossians 1:12. As God makes Heaven fit for us, so he makes us fit for Heaven; and what gives this idoneity and meetness, but effectual Calling?

Your] This word puts us in mind that there are two kingdoms: one God's, and that is the kingdom of heaven: the other the devil's, called the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13). For when all had sinned in Adam, God laid this punishment on all, that seeing they could not be con…

1 Corinthians 13:12: We may see God as men do, through spectacles in his word, sacraments, and creatures. And therefore as Paul prayed for the Colossians (Colossians 1:10), that they might increase in the knowledge of God: so are we taught to pray for ourselves in this petition.…

3. Again, we are here taught to have a desire in our hearts, and an endeavor in our lives, in all things to perform obedience to God's word in our lives and conversations, and in our particular callings. 4. Lastly, we desire patience and strength, when it shall please God at any…

And again it is said, that God by his son made the world (Hebrews 1:2). As for the Holy Ghost, the work of creation is also ascribed to him: and therefore Moses says, The spirit moved upon the waters (Genesis 1:2): and Job says, His spirit has garnished the heavens ([reconstruct…

Question: Must we of necessity follow all the petitions in conceiving a prayer? Answer: No, but only those which do principally belong to the time, place, and occasion, as Paul makes a prayer (Colossians 1:9-10). And all the points of it may be referred to the third and last pet…