A34689:1206
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. It reproves their Doctrine that say, The afflictions of Gods children are punishments for sin; but we must know, if sins be not accounted ours, punishments are of another nature, if sins be changed then punishments also; all the sins of Gods Children are not accounted as sins, but diseases of the soul; and so all the afflictions of Gods servants are not as punishments, but as medicines and purges to root out distempers, Dan. 11.35. so that now afflictions do not come out of Gods justice in way of revenge, but in mercy, in way of cure.
Ʋse 2. It reproves their Doctrin that say, The afflictions of Gods children are punishments for sin; but we must know, if sins be not accounted ours, punishments are of another nature, if sins be changed then punishments also; all the sins of Gods Children are not accounted as sins, but diseases of the soul; and so all the afflictions of Gods servants are not as punishments, but as medicines and purges to root out distempers, Dan. 11.35. so that now afflictions doe not come out of Gods justice in way of revenge, but in mercy, in way of cure.
3 It confutes purgatory; If God pardon sins so as he remembers them no more, then what need of purgatory, to punish the relics of sin in Gods Children?
3 It confutes purgatory; If God pardon sins so as he remembers them no more, then what need of purgatory, to punish the reliques of sin in Gods Children?
Use 4. It may teach all that desire to have their sins forgiven, to be of Child-like dispositions, free from ambition, and malice, and revenge, to frame themselves to humility, and innocency, and meekness, and simplicity, and contentment, and resting on promises and hopes; if it be thus with us, God will forgive us our sins; what is the reason why we doubt of Remission, but because we fail in this condition?