by sacrificing to them,
as carriers of intelligence betwixt God and men; pretending humility in
so doing, as if God was too great to be addressed by men; and setting
aside the mediatorship of Jesus Christ, who is the head both of angels
and men. Such also was the worship paid by the ancient heretics,
disciples of Simon and Menander, to the angels, whom they believed to be
makers and lords of this lower world. This is certain, that they whom
the apostle here condemns, did not hold the head, (ver. 19,) that is,
Jesus Christ, and his mediatorship; and therefore what he writes here no
way touches the Catholic doctrine and practice, of desiring our good
angels to pray to God for us, through Jesus Christ. St. Jerome [Epist.
ad Algas.] understands by the religion or service of angels, the Jewish
teachers, who sought to subject the new Christians to the observance of
the Mosaic law.

2:19. And not holding the head, from which the whole body, by joints and
bands, being supplied with nourishment and compacted, groweth into the
increase of God.

2:20. If then you be dead with Christ from the elements of this world,
why do you yet decree as though living in the world?

2:21. Touch not: taste not: handle not.

Touch not, etc... The meaning is, that Christians should not subject
themselves, either to the ordinances of the old law, forbidding touching
or tasting things unclean; or to the superstitious invention of
heretics, imposing such restraints, under pretence of wisdom, humility,
or mortification.

2:22. Which all are unto destruction by the very use, according to the
precepts and doctrines of men.

2:23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superstition and
humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of
the flesh.

Colossians Chapter 3

He exhorts them to put off the old man, and to put on the new. The
duties of wives and husbands, children and servants.

3:1. Therefore if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are
above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.

3:2. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the
earth.

3:3. For you are dead: and your life is hid with Christ in God.

3:4. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall
appear with him in glory.

3:5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth:
fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence and covetousness,
which is the service of idols.