Colossians

In this Epistle St. Paul putteth difference between the lively, effectual and true Christ, and the feigned, counterfeit and imagined Christ, whom the false apostles taught. And first, he confirmeth the doctrine which Epaphras had preached, wishing them increase of faith, to esteem the excellency of God's benefit toward them, teaching them also that salvation, and whatsoever good thing can be desired, standeth only in Christ, whom only we embrace by the Gospel. But forasmuch as the false brethren would have mixed the Law with the Gospel, he toucheth those flatterers vehemently, and exhorteth the Colossians to stay only on Christ, without whom all things are but mere vanity. And as for Circumcision, abstinence from meats, external holiness, worshipping of Angels as means whereby to come to Christ, he utterly condemneth, shewing what was the office and nature of ceremonies, which by Christ are abrogate: so that now the exercises of the Christians stand in mortification of the flesh, newness of life, with other like offices appertaining thereto, generally and particularly to all the faithful.