A commentary upon the epistle of Saint Paul written to the Colossians. PreachedA commentary vpon the epistle of Saint Paule written to the Colossians. Preached

But let us come to our selves, let us examine whether we be able to discern between sweet and sower, nay, between that which hath a show of good, and ill, evil from good, and not only of the foulest and grosest, but of the least sins, that we be able to discern them to be sins: this discerning spirit must be in us: And we must discern between good and good also, which is more good, which less. And in evil to see the least evil, that can be, which every Christian ought to do. Indeed the world usually doth not discern of evil things, &c. but Gods children do: for they look into the sin, as a man into a Crystal glass, wherein a man may see the least moat: Even as well, as a man can by his taste discern meats and drinks. Indeed in matter of meat and drink we can soon feel whether it be sweet or sower, salt, or ill-savoury, and yet in sins though as great as Mountains we cannot discern them.

But let vs come to our selues, let vs examine whether wee bee able to discerne betweene sweete and sower, nay, betweene that which hath a shew of good, and ill, euill from good, and not onely of the foulest and grosest, but of the least sinnes, that wee be able to discerne them to be sinnes: this discerning spirit must be in vs: And we must discerne betweene good and good also, which is more good, which lesse. And in euill to see the least euill, that can bee, which euery Christian ought to do. Indeed the world vsually doth not discerne of euill things, &c. but Gods children do: for they looke into the sinne, as a man into a Christal glasse, wherein a man may see the least moate: Euen as well, as a man can by his tast discerne meates and drinkes. Indeed in matter of meate and drinke wee can soone feele whether it be sweete or sower, salt, or ill-sauory, and yet in sinnes though as great as Mountaines wee cannot discerne them.

This of the first point, the next is, that they walk worthy of God: this is another point of Christianity and a far greater, for knowledge indeed is necessary, but with it must be joined practise, without which knowledge is unprofitable, nay rather hurtful. And it may be said that a man knows so much in Christianity, ¹