A34689:1144
A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…
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.
Doct. He that hateth his brother, whether he profess the light or no, he is in darkness, and ever was in darkness, and knows not where he is, nor whither he goes.
Doct. He that hateth his brother, whether he professe the light or no, he is in darknesse, and ever was in darknesse, and knows not where he is, nor whither he goes.
By Brother is here meant chiefly a Christian Brother, as vers. 7. it is chiefly meant of Spiritual brethren, but there is a truth in it, even towards natural brethren; such as are of the same Parents, as likewise those of one Kindred, or of the same Country.
By Brother is here meant chiefly a Christian Brother, as vers. 7. it is chiefly meant of Spiritual brethren, but there is a truth in it, even towards naturall brethren; such as are of the same Parents, as likewise those of one Kindred, or of the same Country.
To hate here, is opposed to love, which stands in two things, desire of communion, and communication of good to him whom we love; hatred therefore desires neither of these, but consists in strangeness and enmity; in strangeness, when they desire not communion with them, and enmity, when they are not willing to communicate good to them; although for the most part it goes further, to do evil to one; yet, Levit. 19.17. Thou shalt not hate thy Brother; there hatred is not to communicate good to our brother, viz. wholesome reproof; now he that thus hates these brethren, or his brother, any Brother, though not all (for if a man should hate all that were Spiritual brethren, it were manifest that he were in darkness; as it were strange for a man to hate all his natural brethren) but if there be but one brother whom he hates, he is yet in darkness, both of ignorance, and wickedness.