Hanserd Knollys on the supremacy of Christ

For our 2005 summer hols, we rented a chalet in Freshwater East near Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The chalet had a small library which included Kifffin, Knollys and Keach by Michael A. G. Haykin (A Carey Title, 1996). I just about had time to read it in in between swimming in the sea, visiting castles, theme parks etc. Haykin tells the fascinating story of three pioneering Calvinistic Baptists and the development of the 1689 Baptist Confession. The other day I managed to get my hands on a copy for only £2.50 at a Minister's Fraternal book sale.

Here's Knolly's (ca. 1599-1691) on Colossians 3:1,

Let Christ be all, in all in the gifts of the Spirit and graces of sanctification; for...he is the Author, the Preserver, and finisher of all. Therefore let him have the preeminence above all, set an high esteem of every gift and grace of God, account a little grace better than all riches. honours, pleasures, and creature-comforts of the world. But you ought to prize Christ far above all his own gifts and graces in us, for he is the life of them all, the marrow and substance of them all. What is all knowledge, unless ye know God in Christ? 1 Corinthians 13:2: nothing. What is all faith, except Christ be the object of it? 1 Corinthians 13:2: nothing.

(quoted on p. 59 of Kiffin, Knollys and Keach)

See here for Michael Haykin's blog and here for Rober Oliver's history of the later English Calvinistic Baptists.