Footnotes

1. Colossians 2:20 Now last of all he fighteth against the second kind of corruptions, that is to say, against mere superstitions, invented of men, which partly deceive the simplicity of some with their craftiness, and partly with very foolish superstitions, and to be laughed at: as when godliness, remission of sins, or any such like virtue is put in some certain kind of meat and such like things, which the inventors of such rites themselves understand not, because indeed it is not. And he useth an argument taken of comparison. If by the death of Christ who establisheth a new covenant with his blood, you be delivered from those external rites wherewith it pleased the Lord to prepare the world, as it were by certain rudiments to that full knowledge of true religion, why would ye be burdened with traditions, I wrote not what, as though ye were citizens of this world, that is to say, as though ye depended upon this life, and earthly things? Now this is the cause why before verse 8 he followed another order than he doth in the confutation: because he showeth thereby what degrees false religions came into the world, to wit, beginning first by curious speculations of the wise after which in process of time succeeded gross superstition, against which mischiefs the Lord set at length that service of the Law, which some abused in like sort: but in the confutation he began with the abolishing of the Law service, that he might show by comparison, that those false services ought much more to be taken away.
2. Colossians 2:20 As though your felicity stood in these earthly things, and the kingdom of God were not rather spiritual.
3. Colossians 2:21 An imitation in the person of these superstitious men, rightly expressing their nature and use of speech.
4. Colossians 2:22 Another argument: The spiritual and inward kingdom of God cannot consist in these outward things, and such as perish with the using.
5. Colossians 2:22 The third argument: Because God is not the author of these traditions, and therefore they do not bind the conscience.
6. Colossians 2:23 The taking away of an objection. These things have a goodly show, because men by this means, seem to worship God with a good mind and humble themselves, and neglect the body, which the most part of men curiously pamper up and cherish: but yet notwithstanding the things themselves are of no value, for so much as they pertain not to things that are spiritual and everlasting, but to the nourishment of the flesh.
7. Colossians 2:23 Which seem indeed to be some exquisite thing, and so wise devices as though they came from heaven.
8. Colossians 2:23 Hence sprang the works of supererogation, as the Papists term them, that is to say, needless works, as though men performed more than is commanded them, which was the beginning and the very ground whereon Monks’ merits were brought in.
9. Colossians 2:23 A lively description of Monkery.
10. Colossians 2:23 Seeing they stand in meat and drink, wherein the kingdom of God doth not stand.