(I )
An
Enquiry
after
a
mans
Eftate
before
G
o
D.
CoLoss.
4.8.
Whom
1
have fent
unto
you
for
the
fame purpofe,
that
he
may
know
your
efiate
and
comfort
your
hearts.
H E
elate of
a
man
before
God
is
the relati-
on
that
he
frandeth
in
unto
God,
as
God
is
the free fountain
of
all
fpiritual
life
and
falva-
tion,
and
the
determiner
of
mens
everlaíiing
conditions
either
in
heaven
or
in hell
:
So
that
when we
queflion about
a
mans
tírate
,
we
queírion
,
Whether
he be in
Chrifr
ornot;
Whether
he
have
true grace yea,
or
no
;
Whether
he
be
one
of
Gods
children
or
no
,
or whether
he
be
yet
no
better then
a
reprobate.
There
be
three
things
to be con(dered
in
this definition of
every
mans efface.
Firít,
it
is
a relation
unto
god;
not
as
a
man
is
in
hirnfelf,
it
may
be
rich, it may
be
poot
in
the world
;
but
I
(peak
here
as
he
is
in
relation
towards
God
,
Whether
he be
rich
towards God,
yea
or
no.
I
do
not
(peak
as
a
man
in
re-
gard
of
others
;
It
may be he
is a
father
or
a
forme,
a
mafrer
or
a
fervant
a
King
or
a
sub
jed
;
but
in
relation
CO
God,Whether
Gods
fervant
or
no,
Gods
child
or
no. Salute erfpelles, faith
B
Paul;
What
a
mans
elate
be-
fore God
is.