The Rheims New Testament (1582) — Colossians

Saint Paul's Epistle to the Colossians, as printed in the Rheims New Testament of 1582, the English Catholic translation made from the Latin Vulgate at the English College, then in exile at Rheims, chiefly by Gregory Martin. The page gives the edition's argument of the book, all 4 chapters, each with its printed summary, every verse in the original spelling, and the marginal notes (cross-references, the days on which passages are read, and other readings); the edition's annotations follow 3 of the 4 chapters, as printed.

The Argument

THE ARGVMENT OF THE EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO THE COLOSSIANS.

THE Epiſtle to the Coloſsians is not only in ſenſe, but almoſt in vvordes alſo, all one vvith the Epiſtle to the Epheſians, and vvas ſent alſo by the ſame meſſenger Tychicus. c. 4▪ ⟨illegible⟩. 7. And in it he maketh like mention of his bandes and ſufferings. c. 1. v. 24. and c. 4. v. 3, 18. And therfore no doubt is vvas vvritten at Rome at the ſame time, to vvitte, in his laſt apprehenſion, yet before he knevv of his martyrdom.

This difference there is, that he had himſelf preached to the Epheſians, but vvith the Coloſsians he had neuer bene, as he ſignifieth c. 2. v. 1. Therefore although in matters of exhortation he be here briefer then to the Epheſians, yet in matters of doctrine be is longer. And generally he aſſureth them, that to be the truth, vvhich their Apoſtle Epaphras had taught them, but namely he giueth them vvarning both of the Iudaical Falſe-apoſtles, vvho ſought to corrupt them vvith ſome ceremonies of Moyſes lavv: and alſo of the Platonike Philoſophers, vvho reiected Chriſt (vvho is in deede the head of the Church and Mediator to bring vs to God) and in ſteed of him, brought in certaine Angels as more excellēt then be, vvhom they termed, Minores dij, teaching the people to ſacrifice vnto them (calling that, humilitie) that they might bring them to the great God. Vvith vvhich falſehood the hereſie of Simon Mague a long time deceiued many, as vve reade in Epiph. har. 21.

Againſt ſuch therefore S. Paul telleth the Coloſsians, that Chriſt is the Creator of all the Angels, God in perſon, the head of the Church, the principall in all reſpects: that he is the Redeemer, Mediator, and pacifier betvvene God and men, and therefore by him vve muſt goe to God, ſo that vvhether vve pray our ſelues, or deſire any other in earth or in heauen to pray for vs, al muſt be done (as the Cath. Church in euery Collect doth) Per Chriſtum dominum noſtrum, that is, through Chriſt our Lord. or, per Do. noſtrum Ieſum Chriſtum filium tuum, qui tecum viuit & regnat, &c. Vvhereby the Church profeſſeth cōtinually againſt ſuch ſeductions, both the Mediator ſhip, and the Godhead of Chriſt.

Chapter 1

Saying, that he thanketh God for their excellent faith and charitie, and continually praieth for their encreaſe, he doeth vvithal giue vvitnes to the preaching of their Apoſtle Epaphr⟨illegible⟩s▪ and extelleth the grace of God in bringing them to Chriſt, vvho is cheefe aboue al, and peacemaker by his bloud. This is the Goſpel not of Epaphras alone, but of the vniuerſal Church, and of Paul him ſelf, vvho alſo ſuffereth for it.

1 PAVL an Apoſtle of IESVS Chriſt by the vvil of God, and brother Timothee:

2 to them that are at Coloſſa ſainctes and faithful brethren in Chriſt IESVS.

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord IESVS Chriſt. Vve giue thankes to God and the Father of our Lord IESVS Chriſt alvvaies for you, praying:

4 hearing your faith in Chriſt IESVS, and the loue vvhich you haue tovvard al the ſaincts,

5 for the hope that is laid vp for you in heauen, vvhich you haue heard in the vvord of the truth of the Goſpel,

6 that is come to you, as alſo in the vvhole vvorld it is, and fructifieth, and grovveth, euen as in you, ſince that day that you heard & knevv the grace of God in truth,

7 as you learned of Epaphras our deereſt fellovv-ſeruant, vvho is a faithful miniſter of IESVS Chriſt for you,

8 vvho alſo hath manifeſted to vs your loue in ſpirit.

9 Therefore vve alſo from the day that vve heard it, ceaſe not praying for you and deſiring, that you may be filled vvith the knovvledge of his vvil, in al vviſedom, and ſpiritual vnderſtanding:

10 that you may vvalke vvorthie of God, in al things pleaſing: Fructifying in al good vvorke, & increaſing in the knovvledge of God:

11 in al povver ſtrengthened according to the might of his glorie, in al patience and longanimitie vvith ioy

12 giuing thankes to God and the Father, vvho hath made vs vvorthy vnto the part of the lot of the ſainctes in the light:

13 vvho hath deliuered vs from the povver of darkenes, and hath tranſlated vs into the kingdom of the ſonne of his loue,

14 in vvhom vve haue redemption, the remiſſion of ſinnes: ⊢

15 vvho is th⟨illegible⟩ * image of the inuiſible God, the firſt-borne of al creature:

16 becauſe * in him vvere created al things in heauen, and in earth, viſible, and inuiſible, vvhether Thrones, or Dominations, or Principalities, or Poteſtates: ✝ al by him, & in him vvere created:

17 and he is before al, and al conſiſt in him.

18 And he is the head of the body, the CHVRCH, vvho is the beginning, firſt-borne of the dead: that he may be in al things holding the primacie:

19 becauſe in him it hath vvel pleaſed, al fulnes to inhabite:

20 and by him to reconcile al things vnto him ſelf, pacifying by the bloud of his croſſe, vvhether the things in earth, or the things that are in heauen.

21 And you, vvhereas you vvere ſometime alienated and enemies in ſenſe, in euil vvorkes:

22 yet novv he hath reconciled in the body of his fleſh by death, to preſent you holy & immaculate, and blameles before him:

23 if yet ye cōtinue in the faith, grounded and ſtable, and vnmoueable from the hope of the Goſpel vvhich you haue heard, vvhich is preached among al creatures that are vnder heauen, vvhereof I Paul am made a miniſter.

24 Vvho novv reioyce in ſuffering for you, and ⟨illegible⟩ do accompliſh thoſe things that vvant of the paſſions of Chriſt, in my fleſh for his body, vvhich is the CHVRCH:

25 vvhereof I am made a miniſter according to the diſpenſation of Gods, vvhich is giuen me tovvard you, that I may fulfil the vvord of God,

26 the myſterie that hath been hidden from vvorldes and generations, but novv is manifeſted to his ſainctes,

27 to vvhō God vvould make knowen the riches of the glorie of this ſacrament in the Gentiles, vvhich is Chriſt, in you the hope of glorie,

28 vvhom vve preache, admoniſhing euery man, and teaching euery man in al vviſedom, that vve may preſent euery man perfect in Chriſt IESVS.

29 Vvherein alſo I labour ſtriuing according to his operation vvhich he vvorketh in me in povver.

Marginal notes to Chapter 1

• v. 6 ⸬ He ſheweth that the Churche and Chriſtes Goſpel ſhould daily grovv and be ſpred at length through the whole world. which can not ſtand vvith the heretikes opinion of the decay thereof ſo quickly after Chriſtes time, nor ⟨illegible⟩gree by any meanes to their obſcure Conuenticles. See S. Auguſtine ep. 80. in fine.
• v. 9 ᵇ The Epiſtle vpon the 24 Sunday after Pentecoſt.
• v. 10 ᶜ So S. Ambr. & the Gr. Doctors. or thus: vvorthily, pleaſing God &c.
• v. 10 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩
• v. 10 ᶜ Many things requiſite, and diuers things acceptable to God beſide faith.
• v. 12 ⸬ We are not onely by acceptation or imputation partakers of Chriſtes benefites, but are by his grace made worthie thereof, and deſerue our ſaluation condignely.
• v. 15 Hebr. 1, 3
• v. 15 Io. 1, 3.

Annotations to Chapter 1

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I.

24. D⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩pliſh that ⟨illegible⟩teth.] As Chriſt the head and his body make one perſon myſtical and one full Chriſt, the Church being therfore his plenitude, ful⟨illegible⟩es, or complement Epheſ. 1: ſo the paſſions of his head and the afflictions of the body and members make one complete maſſe of paſſions. Vvith ſuch difference for al that, betvvene the one ſort and the other, as the preeminence of the head (and ſpecial⟨illegible⟩y ſuch a head) aboue the body, requireth and giueth. And not only theſe paſſions vvhich he ſuffered in him ſelf, vvhich vvere fully ended in his death, and vverein them ſelues fully ſufficient for the redemption of the vvorld & remiſſion of al ſinnes, but al thoſe vvhich his body and members ſuffer, are his alſo, and of him they receiue the condition, qualitie, and force to be meritorious and ſatisfactorie For though there be no inſufficiencie in the actions or paſſions of Chriſt the head, yet his vviſedom vvil▪ and iuſtice requireth and ordaineth, * that his body and members ſhould be f⟨illegible⟩llovves of his paſſions, as they looke to be fellovves of his glorie: that ſo ſuffering vvith him and by his example, they may appl⟨illegible⟩e to them ſelues and others the general medicine of Chriſtes merites and ſatisfactions, as it is effectually and applied to vs by Sacraments, ſacrifice, and other vvaies alſo ⟨illegible⟩ ſor being no more iniurious to Chriſte⟨illegible⟩ ▪ death then the other, notvvithſtanding the vaine clamours of the Proteſtants, that vvould vnder pretence of Chriſtes Paſſion, take avvay the valure of al good deedes. Herevpon it is plaine novv, that this accompliſhment of the vvants of Chriſtes Paſſions, vvhich the Apoſtle and other Saincts make vp in their fleſh, is not mean⟨illegible⟩ but of the penal and ſatisfactorie▪ vvorkes of Chriſt in his members, euery good man adding continually (and ſpecially Martyrs) ſomevvhat to accompliſh the full meaſure thereof: and theſe be the plenitude of his paſſions and ſatisfactions, as the Church is the plenitude of his perſon: & therfore theſe alſo through the communion of Saincts and the ſocietie that is not onely betvvene the head and the body, but alſo betvvene one members and an other, are not only ſatisfactorie and many vvaies profitable for the ſufferers them ſelues, but alſo for other their fellovv-members in Chriſt. for though one member can not merite for an other properly, yet may one beare the burden and diſcharge the debt of an other, both by the lavv of God and nature▪ and it vvas ridiculous Hereſie of Vvicleffe to deny the ſame. Yea (as vve ſee here) the paſſions of Saincts are alvvaies ſuffered for the common good of the vvhole body, and ſometimes vvithal by the ſufferers ſpecial intention they are applicable to ſpecial perſons one or many: as here the Apoſtle ioyeth in his paſſions for the Colloſſians, in an other place his afflictions be for the ſaluation of the Corinthians, ſometimes he vviſheth to be Anathe⟨illegible⟩a, that is according to Origens expoſition (i⟨illegible⟩ li. ⟨illegible⟩. ho. 10. & 24.) a ſacrifice for the Ievves, and he often ſpeaketh of his death as of a libation, hoſt, or offering▪ as the fathers do of al Martyrs paſſions. Al vvhich dedicated and ſanctified in Chriſtes bloud and ſacrifice, make the plenitude of his Paſſion, and haue a forcible crie, interceſſion, and ſatisfaction for the Church and the particular neceſſities thereof. In vvhich, as ſome do abound in good vvorkes and ſatisfactions (as S. Paul, vvho reckeneth vp his afflictions and glorieth in them 2 Cor. 11: and Iob, vvho auoucheth that his penalties farre ſurmounted his ſinnes: and our Ladie much more, vvho neuer ſinned, and yet ſuffered ſo great dolours) ſo others ſome do vvant, and are to be holpen by the aboundance of their fellovv-members. [Margin: There is no want in Chriſtes paſsions vvhich he ſuffred in him ſelf as head: but there is vvant in thoſe paſsions of Chriſt vvhich he daily ſuffereth in his body the Church, and the members thereof. · Ro. 8, ⟨illegible⟩. ⟨illegible⟩ ſ⟨illegible⟩r. 19. de paſ⟨illegible⟩. · How Chriſts merites are applied to vs, vvithout any iniurie to his death. · The vvorkes of one may ſatisfie for an other. · 2. Cor. 1, ⟨illegible⟩. · Ro. 9, 3. · Phil. 2. · 2 Tim. 4. · Iob ⟨illegible⟩.]

Vvhich entercourſe of ſpiritual offices and the recompenſe of the vvants of one part by the ſtore of the other, is the ground of the old libels of Indulgence vvhereof is treated before our of S. Cyprian (See the Annotations 2 Cor. 2. v. 10) and of al indulgences or pardons, vvhich the Church daily diſpenſeth vvith great iuſtice and mercie, by their hands in vvhom Chriſt hath put the vvord of our reconcilement, to vvhom he hath committed the keies to keepe and vſe, his ſheep⟨illegible⟩ to ſeede, his myſteries and al his goods to diſpenſe, his povver to binde and looſe, his commiſſion to remine and reteine, and the ſtevvardſhip of his familie to giue euery one their meate and ſuſt⟨illegible⟩nance in due ſeaſon. [Margin: The ground of Indulgēces or pardons.]

Chapter 2

He is careful for them, though he vvere neuer vvith them: that they reſt in the vvonderful vviſedom vvhich is in Chriſtian religion, and be not caried avvay either vvith Philoſophie, to ⟨illegible⟩ Chriſt and to ſacrifice to Angel⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩ or vvith Iudaiſme, to receive any ⟨illegible⟩ of Moyſes lavv.

1 FOR I vvil haue you knovv brethren, vvhat maner of care I haue for you and for them that are at Laodicia, and vvhoſoeuer haue not ſeen my face in the fleſh:

2 that their hartes may be comforted, inſtructed in charitie, & vnto al the riches of the fulnes of vnderſtāding, vnto the knovvledge of the myſterie of God the Father of Chriſt IESVS,

3 in vvhom be al the treaſures of vviſedom and knovvledge hidde.

4 But this I ſay that no man deceiue you in loftines of vvordes.

5 For although I be abſent in body, yet in ſpirit I am vvith you: reioycing, & ſeeing your order, & the conſtancie of that your faith which is in Chriſt.

6 Therfore as you haue receiued IESVS Chriſt our Lord, vvalke in him,

7 rooted and built in him, and confirmed in the faith, as alſo you haue learned, abounding in him' in thankesgiuing.

8 Bevvare leſt any man deceiue you ⟨illegible⟩ by philoſophie, and vaine fallacie: according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the vvorld, and not according to Chriſt.

9 For in him dvvelleth al the fulneſſe of the Godhead corporally:

10 and you are in him repleniſhed, vvho is the head in al Principalitie and Povver:

11 in vvhom al you are circumciſed vvith circumciſion not made by hand in ſpoiling of the body of the fleſh, in the circumciſion of Chriſt,

12 buried vvith him in Baptiſme: in vvhō alſo you are riſen againe by the faith of the operation of God, vvho raiſed him vp from the dead.

13 And you * vvhen you vvere dead in the offenſes and the prepuce of your fleſh, did he quicken together vvith him: pardoning you al offenſes,

14 vvyping out the hand vvriting of decree' that vvas againſt vs, vvhich vvas contrarie to vs, and the ſame he hath taken out of the vvay, faſtening it to the croſſe:

15 and ſpoiling the Principalities and Poteſtats, hath ledde them confidently in open ſhevv, triumphing them in him ſelf.

16 Let no man therfore iudge you ″ in meate or in drinke, or in part of a feſtiual day, or of the Nevv-moone, or of Sabboths:

17 vvhich are a ſhadovv of things to come, but the body Chriſts.

18 Let no man ſeduce you, vvilling in the humilitie and ⟨illegible⟩ religion of Angels, vvalking in the things vvhich he hath not ſeen, in vaine puffed vp by the ſenſe of his fleſh,

19 and ⟨illegible⟩ not holding the head, vvhereof the vvhole body by ioyntes and bandes being ſerued & compacted, grovveth to the increaſe of God.

20 If then you be dead vvith Chriſt, from the elements of this vvorld: ⟨illegible⟩ vvhy do you yet decree as liuing in the vvorld?

21 Touch not, taſt not, ⟨illegible⟩ not:

22 which things are al vnto deſtruction by the very vſe, according to the precepts and doctrines of men.

23 vvhich are in deede ⟨illegible⟩ hauing a ſhevv of vviſedom in ſuperſtition and humilitie, and not to ſpare the body, not in any honour to the filling of the fleſh.

Marginal notes to Chapter 2

• v. 4 ⸬ Heretikes do moſt commonly deceiue the people with eloquēce namely ſuch as haue it by the gift of nature, as the Heretikes of al ages had, & lightly al ſeditious perſo⟨illegible⟩s, vvhich dravv the vulgar ſort to ſedition by the allurement of their tongue. Nothing (ſaith S. Hierom. ep. 2. ad Nepotian▪) is ſo eaſie as vvith volubilitie of tongue to deceiue the vnlearned multitude, which whatſoeuer it vnderſtandeth not, doth the more admire and wonder at the ſame. The Apoſtle here calleth it, ⟨non-Latin script⟩, perſuaſible ſpeache.
• v. 7 ` in it
• v. 12 Eph. 2, 1.
• v. 14 ` by decrees
• v. 15 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩,
• v. 18 ᵇ That is, wilful or ſelfwilled in voluntarie religiō. for that is, ⟨non-Latin script⟩, whereof commeth the word folowing ⟨non-Latin script⟩, Superſtitiō. v. 23. See Annot. v. 2⟨illegible⟩.
• v. 19 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩. That is, taking ſubminiſtration of ſpiritual life and nouriſhment by grace from Chriſt the head.
• v. 20 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩.

Annotations to Chapter 2

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. II.

8. By Philoſophie.] Philoſophie and al humane ſcience, ſo long as they be ſubiect and obedient to Chriſt (as they be in the Schooles of Chriſtian Catholike men) be not forbidden, but are greatly commended and be very profitable in the Church of God. Othervviſe vvhere ſecular learning is made the rule of religion and commaundeth ⟨illegible⟩aith, there it is pernicious and the cauſe of al hereſi⟨illegible⟩ and infidelitie▪ for the vvhich▪ S. Hierom and before him Tertullan call Philoſophers, the Patriarkes of Heretikes. and declare that al the old hereſies roſe onely by to much admiring of prophane Philoſophie. Hier⟨illegible⟩. ad C⟨illegible⟩eſiph. cont. ⟨illegible⟩. c. 1. Tertul. de praſer. & cont. Hermeg. & cont. Marcio. li. 5. And ſo do theſe nevv ſectes no doubt in many things. for, other arguments haue they none againſt the preſence of Chriſt in the B. Sacrament but ſuch as they borovv of Ariſtotle and his like, concerning quantitie, accidents, place, poſition, dimenſions, ſenſes, ſight, taſt, and other ſtraites of reaſon, to vvhich they bring Chriſtes myſteries. Al Philoſophical arguments therfore againſt any article of our faith be here condemned as deceitful, and are called alſo here, the tradition of men, and the elements of the vvorld. The better to reſiſt vvhich fallacies and traditions of Heathen men, the School learning is neceſſarie, vvhich keepeth Philoſophie in avve and order of faith, and vſeth the ſame to vvithſtand the Philoſophical and ſophiſtical deceites of the Heretikes and Heathen. So the great Philoſophers S. Denys, S. Auguſtine, Clemens Alexandrinus▪ Iuſtine, Lactantius and the reſt▪ vſed the ſame to the great honour of God and benefite of the Church. So came S. Cyprian, S. Ambroſe, S. Hierom, and the Greeke fathers, furniſhed vvith al ſecular learning vnto the ſtudie of Diuinitie, vvherof ſee S. Hierom ep. 84 ad Magnum Oraetorem. [Margin: Philoſophie and other humane ſciences hovv profitable or hurtful to the Church of God. · The Proteſtants abuſe Philoſophie againſt the B. Sacrament. · Schoole learning.]

16. In meate.] The Proteſtants vvilfully or ignorantly applie al theſe kindes of forbearing meates, to the Chriſtian faſtes: but it is by the circunſtance of the text plaine (at S Auguſtine alſo teacheth) that the Iudaical obſeruation and diſtinction of certaine cleane and vncleane meates is forbidden to the Coloſſians, vvho vvere in danger to be ſeduced by certaine Ievves, vnder pretence of holines to keepe the Lavv touching meates and feſtiuities and other like, vvhich the Apoſtle ſhevveth vvere onely ſhadovves of things to come: vvhich things are come, and therfore the ſaid ſhadovves to ceaſe. Vvhere he nameth the Sabboths and feaſtes of the nevv moone, that no man neede to doubt but that he ſpeaketh onely of the Ievviſh daies and kindes of faſtes and feaſtes, and not of Chriſtian holidaies or faſting daies at all. [Margin: Aug. ep. 59. ad Paulinum in ſolut. 7. quast. · Scriptures abuſed by the Proteſtants againſt Chriſtian faſting & holydaies.]

18. Religion of Angels.] By the like falſe application of this text as of the other before, the Heretikes abuſe it againſt the inuncation or honour of Angels vſed in the Catholike Church, vvhere the Apoſtle noteth the vvicked doctrine of Simon Magus and others (See S. Chryſ. ho. 7 in hun⟨illegible⟩ locum. and Epiph. har. 21.) vvho taught. Angels to be our mediators and not Chriſt, non tenens caput. not holding the head, as the Apoſtle here ſpeaketh, & preſcribed ſacrifices to be offered vnto them, meaning indifferently as vvel the il Angels as the good. Vvhich doctrine the ſaid Heretike had of Plato, vvho taught, that ſpirites (vvhich he calleth damones) vvere to be honoured as mediators next to God. Againſt vvhich S. Auguſtine diſputeth li. 8. 9. & 10 de ciuit. as the condemneth alſo the ſame vndue vvorſhip li. 10 Confeſſ. cap. 42. S. Hierom (q. 10 ad Algaſiam) expoundeth this alſo of il ſpirites or diuels, vvhom he proueth (out of S. Steuens ſermon Act. 7) that the Ievves did vvorſhip, auouching that they ſerue them ſtill, ſo many of them and ſo often as they obſerue the Lavv. Of vvhich idolatrie alſo to Angels Theodorete ſpeaketh vpon this place, declaring that the Ievves defended their ſuperſtition tovvardes Angels by that, that the Lavv vvas giuen by them, deceitfully at once inducing the Coloſſiās, both to keepe the lavv, & to honouring of the Angels as the giuers of the ſame. Vvhereby diuers of the faithful vvere ſo ſeduced, that they forſooke Chriſt and his Church and ſeruice, and committed idolatrie to the ſaid Angels. Againſt vvhich abominations the Councel of Laodicia Cap. 35 tooke order, accurſing all that forſooke our Sauiour and committed idolatrie to Angels, and contemning Chriſt, kept conuenticles in the name of ſpirites and Idols. of vvhich kinde of vvorſhip of Angels and Diuels ſee Clemens Alexand. Strom. 3. Tertulliā (li. 5. cont. Marcion.) expoundeth this place of the falſe teachers that feined them ſelues to haue reuelatiō of Angels, that the Lavv ſhould be kept touching differēce of cleane & vncleane meates. Vvhich is very agreable to that * in the Epiſtle to Timothee, vvhere S. Paul calleth abſtaining from meates after the Ievviſh or heretical maner, the doctrine of Diuels: vvhereof ſee more in the annotation vpon that place. Haimo a godly aūcient vvriter, vpon this place, ſaith further, that ſome Philoſophers of the Gentils and ſome of the Ievves alſo taught, that there vvere foure Angels Preſidents of the foure elements of mans body, and that in feined hypocriſie (vvhich the Apoſtle here calleth humilitie) they pretended to vvorſhip by ſacrifice the ſaid Angels. Theophylacte expoundeth this feined humilitie, of certaine Heretikes, that pretending the mediatorſhip to be a derogation to Chriſts maieſtie, vvorſhipped Angels as the only mediators, Al vvhich vve ſet dovvne vvith more diligēce, that the Heretikes may be aſhamed to abuſe this place againſt the du⟨illegible⟩ reuerence and reſpect or praiers made to the holy Angels. Vvhom the Scriptures record ſo often to offer our praiers vp to God, and to haue been lavvfully reuerenced of the Patriarkes, neuer as gods▪ but as Gods miniſters and meſſengers, Ioſu. 5, 14. Tob. 12, 12. Gen. 48, 16. Angelus qui ⟨illegible⟩ruit m⟨illegible⟩. 1 Tim. 5, 21. And that they may be praied vnto, & can helpe & heare vs, ſee S. Hierom in cap. 10 Dani⟨illegible⟩lis. S. Ambroſe in Pſal. 118. ſer 1. S. Auguſtine li. 10 de ciuit. Dei c. 12. Bede li. 4 in Cantica c. 24. [Margin: S. Paules place cōcerning religion of Angels, explicated: and that the Proteſtants vvickedly abuſe it againſt the due honour & inuocation of Angels. · ⟨non-Latin script⟩. 4, 1.]

19. Not holding the head.] Becauſe he hath much a do vvith ſuch falſe preachers as taught the people to preferre the Angels vvhich gaue the Lavv, or other vvhatſoeuer, before Chriſt: in this Epiſtle, and to the Epheſians, he often affirmeth Chriſt to be our head, yea and to be exalted far aboue al creatures, Angels, Poteſtats, Principalities, or vvhatſoeuer.

20. Why doe you.) A maruelous impudent tranſlation of theſe vvordes in the Engliſh Bibles thus, Why are you burdened vvith traditions? Vvhere as the Greeke hath not that ſignification: but to make the name of Tradition odious, here they put it of purpoſe, not being in the Greeke: and in other place where Traditions are cōmended (1 Cor. 11. and 2 Theſ. 2.) and where the Greeke is ſo moſt flatly (⟨non-Latin script⟩) there they tranſlate it, Inſtructions, ordinances⟨illegible⟩punc; &c. [Margin: Heretical tranſlation. · ⟨non-Latin script⟩]

21. Touch not.] The Heretikes (as before and alvvaies) very vainely alleage this againſt the Catholike faſtings: vvhen it is moſt cleere that the Apoſtle reprehendeth the foreſaid falſe teachers that though to make the Chriſtians ſubiect to the obſeruation of the ceremonies of the old Lavv, of not eating hogges, conies, hares fleſh⟨illegible⟩punc; and ſuch like, not to touch a dead corps nor any place vvhere a vvomā in her floures had ſittē, & other infinite doctrines of touching, taſting, vvaſhing, eating, and the reſt, either commaunded to the old people by God, or (as many things vvere) voluntarily taken vp by them ſelues, ſometime cleane againſt Gods ordinance, and often friuolous and ſuperſtitious. Vvhich ſort as Chriſt in the Goſpel, ſo here S. Paul calleth the precepts and doctrines of men, and ſuperſtition, and (as the Greeke vvord ſignifieth) voluntarie vvorſhip, that is inuented by Heretikes of their ovvne head vvithout the vvarrant of Chriſt in the Scriptures, or the Holy Ghoſt in the Church, or any lavvful authoritie of ſuch vvhom Chriſt commaundeth vs to obey. Againſt ſuch Sect-Maiſters therfore as vvould haue yoked the faithful againe vvith the Ievviſh or Heretical faſtes of Simon Magus and the like, S. Paul ſpeaketh, and not of the Churches faſtes or doctrines. [Margin: Scripture abuſed againſt the Churches faſtes. · * ⟨non-Latin script⟩]

23. Hauing a ſhevv.] Againe the Heretikes of our time obiect, that theſe foreſaid falſe teachers pretended holines, vviſedom, and chaſtiſement of their bodies (for ſo S. Paul ſaith) by forbidding certaine meates according to the Ievves obſeruation, euen as the Catholikes do. It is true they did ſo, and ſo do moſt vices imitate vertues▪ for if chaſtiſing of mens bodies and repreſſing their concupiſcences and luſtes vvere not godly, and if abſtinence from ſome meates vvere not laudably and profitably vſed in the Church for the ſame purpoſe, no Heretikes (to induce the ⟨illegible⟩boliſhed obſeruations and differences of meates of the Ievves, or the condemnation of certaine meates and creatures as abominable according to others) vvould haue falſely pretented the chaſtiſement of their fleſh, or made other ſhevv of vviſedom and pietie, to found their vnlavvful Heretical or Iudaical ſuperſtition concerning the ſame. The Catholike Church & her children, by the example of Chriſt, S. Iohn Baptiſt, the Apoſtles and other bleſſed men, do that lavvfully, godly, religiouſly, and ſincerly in deede to the end aforeſaid, vvhich theſe falſe Apoſtles onely pretended to do. So * S. Paul did chaſtiſe his body in deede, by vvatching, ⟨illegible⟩aſting, and many other afflictions, and that vvas lavvful and vvas true vviſedom and pietie in deede. The foreſaid Heretikes not ſo, but to induce the Coloſſians to Iudaiſme and other abominable errors, did but pretend theſe things in hypocriſie. [Margin: The hypocr⟨illegible⟩cal abſtinēce of old Heretikes, maketh nothīg againſt true and ſincere faſting, but cōmendeth it. · 1 Cor. 9, 27. 2 Cor. 11, 27.]

Chapter 3

He exhorteth to mortifie and put of al corrupt maners of the old man, and to put on ſuch vertues as are for the nevv man. 18 In particular alſo, vviues and huſbands, children and parents; ſeruants and maiſters, ech ſort to do their duetie.

1 THERFORE if you be riſen vvith Chriſt, ſeeke the things that are aboue: vvhere Chriſt is ſitting on the right hand of God.

2 Minde the things that are aboue, not the things that are vpon the earth.

3 For you are dead: and your life is hidde vvith Chriſt in God.

4 Vvhen Chriſt ſhal appeare, your life: then you alſo ſhal appeare vvith him in glorie. ⊢

5 * Mortifie therfore your members that are vpon the earth, fornication, vncleanneſſe, luſt, euil concupiſcence, and ⟨illegible⟩ auarice, vvhich is the ſeruice of Idols.

6 for vvhich things the vvrath of God commeth vpon the children of incredulitie.

7 in vvhich you alſo vvalked ſometime, vvhen you liued in them.

8 But novv lay you alſo al avvay: anger, indignation, malice, blaſphemie, filthie talke out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to an other: * ſpoiling your ſelues of the old man vvith his actes,

10 and ⟨illegible⟩ doing on the nevv, him that is renevved vnto knovvledge, * according to the image of him that created him.

11 vvhere there is not, Gentile and Ievve, circumciſion and prepuce, Barbarous and Scythian. bonde and free: but al, and in al Chriſt.

12 Put ye on therfore as the elect of God, holy, and beloued, * the bovvels of mercie, benignitie, humilitie, modeſtie, patience,

13 ſupporting one an other: and pardoning one an other, if any haue a quarel againſt any man. as alſo our Lord hath pardoned vs: ſo you alſo.

14 But aboue al theſe things haue charitie, vvhich is the band of perfectiō:

15 & let the peace of Chriſt exult in your hartes, vvherein alſo you are called in one body: and be thankeful.

16 Let the vvord of Chriſt dvvel in you aboundantly, in al vviſedom: teaching and admoniſhing your ovvne ſelues, vvith pſalmes, hymnes, and ſpiritual cāticles, in grace ſinging in your hartes to God.

17 Al vvhatſoeuer you doe in vvord or in vvorke, al things in the name of our Lord IESVS Chriſt, giuing thankes to God and the Father by him. ⊢

18 * Vvomen be ſubiect to your huſbands, as it behoueth in our Lord.

19 * Men, loue your vviues: and be not bitter tovvard them.

20 * Children obey your parents in al things: for that is vvel pleaſing to our Lord.

21 Fathers, prouoke not your children to indignation: that they become not diſcouraged.

22 * Seruants, obey in al things, your maiſters according to the fleſh, not ſeruing to the eie, as pleaſing men, but in ſimplicitie of hart, fearing God.

23 Vvhatſoeuer you doe, vvorke it from the hart as to our Lord, and not to men:

24 knovving that you ſhal receiue of our Lord the retribution of inheritance. Serue our Lord Chriſt.

25 For he that doeth iniurie, ſhal receiue that vvhich he hath done vniuſtly: and * there is not acceptiō of perſons vvith God.

Marginal notes to Chapter 3

• v. 1 The Epiſtle vpon Eaſter ⟨illegible⟩ue.
• v. 5 Eph. 5, 3.
• v. 5 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩.
• v. 9 Eph. 4, 22.
• v. 10 Gen. 1, 26.
• v. 12 The Epiſtle vpon the 5 Sunday after the Epiphanie.
• v. 12 Eph. 4, 32.
• v. 15 ᶜ ⟨non-Latin script⟩, triumph and haue the victorie
• v. 18 Eph. 5, 22.
• v. 19 1. Pet. 3, 7.
• v. 21 Eph. 6, 1.
• v. 21 Eph. 6, 5
• v. 22 Tit. 2. 9.
• v. 22 1. Pet. 2, 18.
• v. 24 ⸬ Retribution or revvard for good vvorkes: ⟨non-Latin script⟩, vvhich ſignifieth rendering one for an other.
• v. 25 Deu. 10, 17. Ro. 2, 11.
• v. 25 Gal. 2, 6.

Annotations to Chapter 3

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. III.

5. Auarice, vvhich is the ſeruice of idols.] Here is a maruelous impudent and foliſh corruption in the vúlgar Engliſh Bible printed the yere 1577 and (as it ſeemeth) moſt authoriſed. Vvhere for their errour againſt the Images of Chriſt and his Saincts, and to make image and idol, al one: the tranſlator, for that vvhich the Apoſtle ſaith in Greeke, Couetouſnes is idolatrie, maketh him to ſay in Engliſh, Couetouſnes is vvorſhipping of images: as alſo Eph. 5, ⟨illegible⟩ he tranſlateth thus, The couetous perſon is a vvorſhipper of images: for that vvhich the Apoſtle ſaith, The couetous man is an idolater, meaning ſpiritual idolatrie, becauſe he maketh money his God. In vvhich ſenſe to call this ſpiritual idolatrie, vvorſhipping of images, is to ridiculous, and muſt needes procede of blinde hereſie. [Margin: Heretical and fooliſh tranſlation.]

9. Doing on the nevv.] By this and the vvhole diſcourſe of this chapter conteining an exhortation to good life, and to put on the habite of the nevv man vvith al vertues: vve may ſee, our iuſtice in Chriſt to be a very qualitie and forme inherent in our ſoul, adorning the ſame, and not an imputation onely of Chriſtes righteouſnes, or a hiding onely of our ſinnes and vvickednes, vvhich the Heretikes falſely affirme to remaine in vs after baptiſme and alvvaies during life. See S. Auguſtine de pec. mer. & remiſ. li. 2 c. 7. & cont. Iulian. li. 6 c. 7. [Margin: Iuſtice an inherent qualitie in vs.]

Chapter 4

He exhorteth to inſtance in praier, 5 and to vviſedom in behauiour. 7 He ſendeth Tychicus. 10 He doeth commendations, 15 and inioyneth to be done.

1 YOV Maiſters, that vvhich is iuſt and equal, doe to your ſeruants: knovving that you alſo haue a Maiſter in heauen.

2 * Be inſtant in praier: vvatching in it in thankes giuing,

3 * praying vvithal for vs alſo, that God may opē vnto vs the doore of ſpeache to ſpeake the myſterie of Chriſt (for the vvhich alſo I am bound)

4 that I may manifeſt it, ſo as I ought to ſpeake.

5 * Vvalke vvith vviſedom tovvard them that be vvithout: redeeming the time.

6 Your talke alvvaies, in grace let it be ſeaſoned vvith ſalte: that you may knovv hovv you ought to anſvver euery man.

7 The things that are about me, Tychicus our deereſt brother, and faithful miniſter, & fellovv-ſeruant in our Lord, vvil make you vnderſtand al,

8 vvhom I haue ſent to you for this ſame purpoſe, that he may know the things that concerne you, and may comfort your hartes,

9 vvith * Oneſimus the moſt deere and faithful brother vvho is of you. Al things that are done here, ſhal they doe you to vnderſtand.

10 Ariſtarchus my fellovv-priſoner ſaluteth you, & Marke the coſin-german of Barnabas (concerning vvhom you haue receiued commaundements, If he come to you, receiue him)

11 and Ieſus that is called Iuſtus: vvho are of the Circumciſion. theſe only are my coadiutors in the kingdom of God: vvhich haue been a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras ſaluteth you vvho is of you, the ſeruant of Chriſt IESVS, alvvaies careful for you in praiers, that you may ſtand perfect and ful in al the vvil of God.

13 For I giue him teſtimonie that he hath much labour for you, and for them that be at Laodicia, and that are at Hierapolis.

14 * Luke the moſt deere phyſiciō ſaluteth you: and Demas.

15 Salute the brethren that are at Laodicia: and Nymphas and the Church that is in his houſe.

16 And vvhen the epiſtle ſhal be read vvith you, make that it be read alſo in the Church of the Laodicians: and that you read that vvhich is of the Laodicians.

17 And ſay to Archippus, See the miniſterie vvhich thou haſt receiued of our Lord, that thou fulfil it.

18 The ſalutation: vvith mine owne hand, Paules. Be mindeful of my bandes. Grace be vvith you. Amen.

Marginal notes to Chapter 4

• v. 1 Luc. 18, 1
• v. 2 Eph. 6, 18. 2.
• v. 3 ⸬ S. Paul euer much deſireth the praiers of the faithful: whereby vve learne the great efficacie of them.
• v. 3 Theſ. 3, 1▪
• v. 5 Eph. 5, 15.
• v. 8 Phile. 10.
• v. 13 ⸬ He did not only pray, but tooke other great paines to procure Gods grace for the Coloſſians: perhaps by watching, faſting, and doing other penance of body: that God would not ſuffer them to fall from their receiued faith to the ſecte of Simon Magus or the Iudaizing Chriſtiās.
• v. 14 2 Tim. 4, 10. 11

Colophon

Printed edition: The Nevv Testament of Iesus Christ, translated faithfully into English, out of the authentical Latin … in the English College of Rhemes (Rhemes: Iohn Fogny, 1582; STC 2884, ESTC S102491), the Catholic New Testament translated from the Latin Vulgate chiefly by Gregory Martin. Copy transcribed: the Eton College Library copy, as filmed for Early English Books Online (image set 2646).

Transcription: Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP), Phase I text A16049 (keyed 2005–06, proofread and released 2006), placed in the public domain under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal. Converted for the Good Works Library in October 2026.

What was done: the spelling, punctuation and capitals of the transcription are kept exactly, including u/v, i/j, "vv" for w, long s (ſ), the abbreviation stroke (as in "vpō") and the edition's own marks (″ for an annotated word, ⸬ and * for marginal references, ⊢ for the end of a liturgical Gospel or Epistle; ▪ is the transcribers' sign for a punctuation mark they could not identify). Removed as apparatus: the TEI markup, page breaks, line-end hyphenation, and the small cross ✝ that the edition sets at the beginning of each verse beside the verse number in the margin; the number is given here instead. Marginal notes are gathered after each chapter, keyed to their verse; the annotations follow as the edition prints them. Words the transcribers could not read are shown as ⟨illegible⟩; words printed in Greek or other non-Latin letters, which the transcription did not key, are shown as ⟨non-Latin script⟩. No gap has been filled or guessed.

The book's heading in the edition reads: "THE EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE COLOSSIANS." The page title gives it in ordinary capitals and lower case, without other change.

Notes on this transcription: Colossians 1:16: a verse cross ✝ stands within this verse with no verse number beside it; kept as printed.

On this page 57 places are marked ⟨illegible⟩ and 14 words or phrases in Greek or other non-Latin letters are marked ⟨non-Latin script⟩.

This is an archival transcription of a historic English Bible. It is not a Good Works Translation.

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