Infer —
1. How great are the privileges of the Christian Church !
[The Jews were oppressed with a yoke of ceremonies, which they were not able to bear — the import of which they could very faintly discern — and the observance of which yielded no permanent satisfaction to their consciences11: but we are freed from that yoke, and enjoy a dispensation of light, and
liberty — ■ Let us be thankful for our privilege, and
" stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free."]
2. What spirituality of mind should we possess J
[Our superior privileges doubtless demand a correspondent pre-eminence in our spirit and conduct. If we are " no longer servants but sons," we ought to manifest a filial affection towards God, and a delight in his service. But do not many of the pious Jews reproach us ? O let us walk worthy of our high vocation, and shew forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvellous light1.]
h Heb. x. 1, 2. I 1 Pet. ii. 9.
Col. ii. 19. Not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints arid bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth ivith the increase of God.
WHILST the Apostles were yet in the full exercise of their ministry, all manner of heresies sprang up in the Church. The Jewish converts brought with them their partiality for the Mosaic ritual, and insisted on the continued observance of it : and the heathen converts introduced the dogmas of their philosophy ; on which they insisted, as rendering Christianity more conformable with the sentiments to which they had been accustomed. Hence the Apostle Paul, in the chapter before us, repeatedly cautioned the Colossian saints against both the one and the other of these heretical deceivers. " Beware," says he, " lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments