A34689:1071
A34689:1071
A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first Epistle general of John by ... John Cotton ...A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first Epistle generall of John by ... John Cotton ...
London: printed by M.S. for Thomas Parkhurst, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Obj. Is it not said, Mat. 13.52. is it not the part of a good Scribe to bring forth things both new and old?
Ans. True, he is to bring forth new things; but,
1. Such as may be new to the people, not new to the Word, such as they never heard of, yet not new to the Word, for it is their duty to bring their sheep to new fresh green Pastures, Psal. 23.2. but it must not be new in it self, but anciently delivered by the Prophets and Apostles.
2 A Minister that delivers an old Doctrine, and known to the people, yet he must bring it in in a new manner, that it may affect them the more, being dressed after a new manner; the appetite desires new dishes more, as for our Saviour, he taught no new Doctrine, but he spake it in such a manner, in such Parables, that it seemed strange to them.
2 A Minister that delivers an old Doctrin, and known to the people, yet he must bring it in in a new manner, that it may affect them the more, being drest after a new manner; the appetite desires new dishes more, as for our Saviour, he taught no new Doctrin, but he spake it in such a manner, in such Parables, that it seemd strange to them.
3 He should have so much respect to newness, as to bring out all old Doctrine with a new vigour of Spirit, not with the old Spirit, but with a new affection and vigour, that so the people may be more affected therewith, he must deliver the same matter with a new Spirit, he must drink a new draught of the Wine of the Sanctuary, but a Minister must not teach any thing that is new to the Scripture.
3 He should have so much respect to newnesse, as to bring out all old Doctrin with a new vigour of Spirit, not with the old Spirit, but with a new affection and vigour, that so the people may be more affected therewith, hee must deliver the same matter with a new Spirt, he must drink a new draught of the Wine of the Sanctuary, but a Minister must not teach any thing that is new to the Scripture.
Reas. From the perfection of the Scripture, Psal. 19.7. Gods perfection is more seen in this than in any other works, the World is perfect in its kind, vers. 6. but vers. 7. How perfect is the Law of God? Now, as it were a Frantic thing to go about to create new Creatures, so to come with Nova dogmata, and new Opinions; it is as if a man should come with new Creatures, there is not any new Creature in the World, so let a man survey all Doctrines, he shall find them to be the same which were from the Creation.
Reas. From the perfection of the Scripture, Psal. 19.7. Gods perfection is more seen in this than in any other works, the World is perfect in its kinde, vers. 6. but vers. 7. How perfect is the Law of God? Now, as it were a Frantique thing to go about to create new Creatures, so to come with Nova dogmata, and new Opinions; it is as if a man should come with new Creatures, there is not any new Creature in the World, so let a man survey all Doctrins, he shall finde them to be the same which were from the Creation.
Use 1. To mortify a new-fangled trick of Ministers and People, when the Minister fits their itching ears with New-fangled Doctrine, and the people affect new Doctrine, this is against the Apostles practice here, 2 Tim. 4.2, 3. Act. 17.19, 20, 21. they thought Paul came in with new matters, and they were affected with news, but though this Doctrine was new to them, yet it was not new to the Word.
Ʋse 1. To mortifie a new-fangled trick of Ministers and People, when the Minister fits their itching ears with New-fangled Doctrin, and the people affect new Doctrin, this is against the Apostles practice here, 2 Tim. 4.2, 3. Act. 17.19, 20, 21. they thought Paul came in with new matters, and they were affected with news, but though this Doctrin was new to them, yet it was not new to the Word.
Use 2. To reprove the Popish-Religion, it is new, some are Franciscans, and some Dominicans; these are new, we never read of them in the Scripture, ⟨p. 77⟩neither do we read of Jesuits, or Monks, or Abbots, they never had any footsteps in Scripture; some of them confess that in their matters of difference from us, they have no ground in Scripture for purgatory, or prayer for the dead; but what saith St. John, I write unto you no new Commandment.
Ʋse 2. To reprove the Popish-Religion, it is new, some are Franciscans, and some Dominicans; these are new, we never read of them in the Scripture, ⟨p. 77⟩neither do we read of Jesuits, or Monks, or Abbots, they never had any footsteps in Scripture; some of them confesse that in their matters of difference from us, they have no ground in Scripture for purgatory, or prayer for the dead; but what saith St. John, I write unto you no new Commandment.
Use 3 To Assemblies and Synods to take heed what they impose on the Church, no new traditions must be thrust on us, if it be not from God, let it be abandoned.
Ʋse 3 To Assemblies and Synods to take heed what they impose on the Church, no new traditions must be thrust on us, if it be not from God, let it be abandoned.
But that which you have had from the beginning.
1 That which hath had its original from old times, is not always safe, as we see, Mat. 5.27. & 35. and yet this doth not make it true Antiquity, because it was not from the beginning, Joh. 8.44. the Devil had his lying from the beginning, but it was not from the first beginning, for he was not created a liar, but he made himself so.
1 That which hath had its original from old times, is not alwayes safe, as we see, Mat. 5.27. & 35. and yet this doth not make it true Antiquity, because it was not from the beginning, Joh. 8.44. the Devil had his lying from the beginning, but it was not from the first beginning, for he was not created a lyar, but he made himself so.
But the true Antiquity is twofold.
2 That which fetcheth its beginning from God, though it were of later times, for he is Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1.8. the beginning and end of all things.
2 That which fetcheth its beginning from God, though it were of later times, for hee is Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1.8. the beginning and end of all things.
Rea. 1 From the nature of all evil, which is an aberration from the first good Estate, if any corruption be in marriage, as polygamy, or adultery; from the beginning it was not so, if the Devil be a liar, from the beginning he was not so.
Rea. 1 From the nature of all evill, which is an aberration from the first good Estate, if any corruption be in marriage, as polygamy, or adultery; from the beginning it was not so, if the Devill be a lyar, from the beginning he was not so.