A34689:1154
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.
Use 2 From hence every one may take a scantling of his own Estate; whether do we hate our Brother, any brother, whether spiritual or natural, or any other man? then we are in darkness.
Ʋse 2 From hence every one may take a scantling of his own Estate; whether doe we hate our Brother, any brother, whether spiritual or naturall, or any other man? then we are in darknesse.
Object. But may not a man hate those that hate God, with a perfect hatred? Psal. 139.22. David makes it a sign of a Citizen in heaven, Psal. 15.4.
Ans. If a man hates God, and malign goodness, we must consider two things, 1 Whether he doth it of ignorance, or 2 Whether he doth it of malice; if he doth it of malice, we may, and ought to hate him, Mat. 15.12, 13.14. and of these did David speak; but if they sin of Ignorance, I must not hate them with a perfect hatred, but so far as not to affect fellowship, and communion with them, but yet to communicate good to them, that I may and must do upon all occasions; I must pray for them; and admonish ⟨p. 84⟩them; Luke. 23.34. Christ prayed for those that crucified him, so did Stephen, Act. 7.60. and it is thought by learned Divines, that prayer was a means of Souls conversion; and for admonishing such an one, read 1 Thes. 3.14, 15. but if a man sin of malice, we are neither to pray for him, nor admonish him.