A commentarie vpon the first and second chapters of Saint Paul to the Colossians. Wherein, the text is cleerly opened, observations thence perspiciously deducted ... Together with diuers places of Scripture briefely explained. By Mr. Paul Bayne. B.D.

VERSE 14. In whom we have redemption through His bloud, the forgivenesse of sins.

NOw followeth the description, to shew the excel∣lency of this former blessing, from the excellent benefit wee have by him, and the worthinesse of his Person. [In whom] in which deare Sonne: and this phrase in whom, noteth both the Author of the benefit next adjoyned, and likewise the order or meane by which it commeth to be applyed in us, viz, wee being by faith in Him: in whom, then is, through which Sonne, we be∣ing set into Him by faith, wee have redemption; which word is taken Actively or Passively. Actively, for the act of CHRIST His working it; Passively, for the receiving of it into us, or the applying of it in us that are believers: so it is here, as if it were said, we are redeemed. The force of the Word is, ransomed, brought forth of some miserable penall condition: a price or ransome payd for us, which was His bloud. See Ephes. 1.7, 14. 1 Tim. 2.6. Who gave Himselfe a ransome for all. He con∣strueth this redemption to be Pardon of sinne; freedome from all that penall condition to which wee were subject by reason of sinne. For to pardon sinne is to release the punishment to which the guilt of sin doth bind us.

What is the singular love of our King unto us; [Obs. 1] even such that Hee hath bought us with His bloud, wee are ransomed by Him, and not with silver or gold, but with His pretious bloud. 1 Pet. 1, 18, 19. If that a King should empty all his coffers, and alienate all his Crowne Land to rescue his Subjects, he should shew himselfe a naturall Prince: but what is this to that ransome which our King hath ten∣dered?

This doth let us see what cause we have of thankeful∣nesse for CHRIST; not onely in regard of his love, [Vse 1] and naturall affection to us, but for this great benefit which we have by Him. Were we slaves in the Turkish gallies, taken prisoners in the warre, were we kept hard in debters hall, how would we give thankes to God for such a one as should purchase our liberty with some summe of money? How much more to be released from that woefull captivity in which the Divell doeth hold us through sinne, and the curse of God, whereof he is the exe∣cutioner?

This letteth us see our duties towards CHRIST, [Vse 2] not to be young masters, our owne men, walking after our owne hearts, but to live to Him who hath bought us dearely: the Apostle Saint Peter on the same ground in∣ferreth this exhortation. For as much then as CHRIST hath suffered for us us in the flesh, arme your selves likewise with the same minde: for hee that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin; that He no longer should live the rest of His time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. If men doe but small matters for us, ^ we are theirs to be commanded, their servants, theirs while we live, to the utmost of our power: but God may come from heaven, take thy nature to the fellowship of His Person, shed the pretious bloud of His man-hood, and when He hath done

all, have no thankefull duty acknowledged.

Lastly we see hence our woefull estates by nature; [Vse 3] wee are bondslaves, further then this our King doth set us free. True it is we are like the Iewes, when they were told of being set free from this thraldome; we (say they) were never any mans servants, never other then free: So wee thinke we are free enough: ô no (beloved) we are all by nature sold under ignorance, under sinne, under condem∣nation, neither shall we ever come forth till this Sonne of God, the truth set us free.

Remission of sins] Observe hence, What is the greatest blessing which CHRIST our King doth procure us, par∣don of sinne: great indeed, binding us to be thankefull for our King. We see how Kings at their Coronations, when they enter upon their people, they doe every way endeavour to winne their hearts, testifie their princelike bounty and clemency; hence come the customes of giv∣ing pardons to sundry, even of capitall offences, of relea∣sing subsidies and such like dues otherwise, of giving and enlarging and confirming charters to sundry places: thus our Saviour that King of glory, doth give a full pardon to His Subjects, a generall pardon; for it is sayd indefi∣nitely, none excepted, that in Him we have forgivenesse of sinnes: which Saint Iohn doth conster in these words, the bloud of CHRIST clenseth us from all sins; originall, actuall, past, future, the most royall Charter that ever was given to the sonnes of men. This is the grace pro∣mised, I will be mercifull to their iniquities, and remember their sinnes no more. It is the justification and absolving of us sinners by God for that satisfaction or redemption which Christ tendered, we are justified (saith Saint Paul) freely by His grace, that is, we are set free from our sins through Christ His redemption. Christ was made sinne,

that is, a sacrifice or surety for sinners, bearing all our sin, that we might be made Gods righteousnesse, righteous be∣fore God in him. Againe this remission is a general never-revoked pardon, I will be mercifull to them and remember their sins no more.

Why doe we then still aske forgivenesse? [Que.]

We aske not every day to bee anew justified, [Ans.] but that the sense of this which our sinne doth weaken might bee renewed: the Copie of our Charter is not every day anew graunted, but exemplified onely. The Papists erre that make remission of sinne onely a release of some part of the punishment, and of sins before baptisme; leaving us to penance, to the treasury of satisfaction for our af∣ter offences, as if we could have no new benefit by Christ His bloud; they derogate from that worthy Sacrifice, and abridge our royall Charter.

To shew us what cause we have to blesse God for this deare Sonne: [Vse] to shew us likewise this comfortable estate to which we are brought: If we were deepe in books, and had Sergeants feed every where upon bils and bonds to lay us up; Is it not a wofull condition? would not one be beholding and glad of him that would set him forth of debt and danger, that he needed not to feare the wolfe at his doore? How much more are we to thinke that God hath forgiven us all our debts, that CHRIST hath paid the uttermost farthing? Hence commeth all our boldnesse, whereas before we durst not shew our heads: now we say, it is God that justifieth, who shall condemne us? What can comfort a man which is ready to suffer, if not this, to see his pardon sealed him from the King?

Lastly, marke that he saith, in CHRIST wee have these things; which noteth not onely CHRIST His meriting and effectuall applying, but our being in Christ

by faith, which is a necessary antecedent, before wee can have them applyed in us. Whence observe, That before we can have any of these blessings, which come from Christ, we must have Christ by faith. All benefits may be concei∣ved as they are gotten by CHRIST, as they are applied in us, begun, continued, perfected. Now our redempti∣on CHRIST hath begged or rather bought of His Fa∣ther; yet wee are in our selves, as if there were no such matter till by Faith we come to be in Him. Suppose there were twentie traytours in the Tower lay condemned: Say againe, the Prince should yeeld his Father such satis∣faction for some whom hee would save, wherewith the King his Father should be contented, and give him their pardon thereupon; here the thing is done betwixt the King and his Son, yet till the Prince send to them, write to the Keeper to deliver such and such to him, they are in the state they were in, and so continue: So it is with God, Christ and us: the redemption is all concluded be∣twixt God and His beloved Son; yet till this is effectually made knowne to our hearts, so that they beleeve on this grace of CHRIST; we are as we were, in hold, in the feare of our condemnation; we are justified through the re∣demption in CHRIST: but so that before it can be ap∣plyed in us, wee must have faith in His bloud, being set forth unto us in the Word preached. Can wee have the strength of bread without eating bread? no more can we have any benefit by the bread of life without belee∣ving on Him. In Christ by faith we have these things.

Wherefore rest not in your naturall conditions, [Vse 1] come forth of your selves to CHRIST; get Him your own, even to dwell in your hearts by faith, and all is yours. We see Princes doe give pardons; but yet if men according to the forme will not sue out their pardons, and take them

out of my Lord Keepers Court, they shall have no bene∣fit by the Kings mercy, and most worthily; for they de∣base the benefit; for we deeme that an ill benefit that is not worth the fetching: So you, if by faith and true re∣pentance you doe not sue forth this free pardon of God; then woe be to your soules, you shall have no benefit by His mercy.

We that have our part in CHRIST, [Vse 2] what cause have we to rejoyce, whom it hath pleased Him to ingraft into Himselfe? we can want nothing, being in Him, and He in us.

Thus much for the benefit.

Notes

• 1 Pet. 4.1, 2.
• Obs.
• 1 Ioh. 1.9.
• Rom. 3.21
• Observ.