A34689:1311
A34689:1311
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.
He doth not write to Fathers or Babes, that they have overcome the wicked one, as if it were not so proper to them, but he chiefly encourages young men, I write unto you young men, implying, it was a proper work for them. Observe all the temptations of Satan in Scripture, and where you shall read of one old man tempted by Satan, you shall read of ten young men; when did Satan set upon Eve, was it not presently after her first creation? our Saviour was not above thirty years old when Satan tempted him; Peter when he was tempted was young: we shall find few falls of Gods Saints, but it was in their young days, except two, Noah and Solomon, who fell in their old days; and less shall we read of Children, 2 Kings 2.22. but Satan, chiefest assaults have always been against young men.
He doth not write to Fathers or Babes, that they have overcome the wicked one, as if it were not so proper to them, but he chiefly incourages young men, I write unto you young men, implying, it was a proper work for them. Observe all the temptations of Satan in Scripture, and where you shall read of one old man tempted by Satan, you shall read of ten young men; when did Satan set upon Eve, was it not presently after her first creation? our Saviour was not above thirty years old when Satan tempted him; Peter when he was tempted was young: we shall finde few falls of Gods Saints, but it was in their young dayes, except two, Noah and Solomon, who fell in their old dayes; and lesse shall we read of Children, 2 Kings 2.22. but Satan, chiefest assaults have alwayes been against young men.
Reas. 1. Why Satan chiefly sets upon young men, it is from the vigour of their nature and parts which God gives them, their courage, their strength, and fervency; therefore Satan strives to draw them on, and he knows, that if they get loose from him, they will do him least and do God most service, more than either old men or Children; therefore he strives chiefly to draw them on; indeed God sometimes makes use of the weakest, but Satan always makes use of the stirring, quickest spirits among men.
Reas. 1. Why Satan chiefly sets upon young men, it is from the vigour of their nature and parts which God gives them, their courage, their strength, and fervency; therefore Satan strives to draw them on, and he knows, that if they get loose from him, they will doe him least and doe God most service, more than either old men or Children; therefore he strives chiefly to draw them on; indeed God sometimes makes use of the weakest, but Satan alwayes makes use of the stirring, quickest spirits among men.
2. Because he hath most advantage to surprise them; no age so subject to temptation, 2 Tim. 2.22. Fly youthful lusts, yet he was not more subject to lusts than others, nay, he was of a weak abstemious nature, 1 Tim. 5.23. yet Paul charges him to take heed of youthful lusts; if such a weak abstemious nature was subject to youthful lusts, then it implies, that no age is so subject to be led into lusts, as youth.
2. Because he hath most advantage to surprize them; no age so subject to temptation, 2 Tim. 2.22. Fly youthfull lusts, yet he was not more subj•ct to lusts than others, nay, he was of a weak abstemious natu•e, 1 Tim. 5.23. yet Paul charges him to take heed of youthfull lusts; if such a weak abstemious nature was subject to youthfull lusts, then it implies, that no age is so subject to be led into lusts, as youth.
3. From the counsel of God, whose purpose it is then to magnify his Grace when corruption is strongest, therefore God himself, who is that [Greek or Hebrew], to magnify his Grace, lets loose Satan upon young men; so it was with our Saviour, Mat. 4. It is the purpose of God, that where sin abounds, Grace should much more abound, Rom. 5.20. therefore it is, that young men are most strongly assaulted, that God may magnify his Grace.
3. From the counsel of God, whose purpose it is then to magnifie his Grace when corruption is strongest, therefore God himselfe, who is that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, to magnifie his Grace, lets loose Satan upon young men; so it was with our Saviour, Mat. 4. It is the purpose of God, that where sin abounds, Grace should much more abound, Rom. 5.20. therefore it is, that young men are most strongly assaulted, that God may magnifie his Grace.
But why do the temptations of young men exceed all other ages?
But why doe the temptations of young men exceed all other ages?
Why, Children are not yet come to the lusts of youth, and old men are past them, so that young men are most liable to temptations and discouragements.
Use 1. It may therefore teach young men to fear their Estates; if they have not strong temptations, it is a sign the Devil hath strong hold already, and so is in peace, but otherwise they are subject to spiritual assaults.
Ʋse 1. It may therefore teach young men to fear their Estates; if they have not strong temptations, it is a sign the Devill hath strong hold already, and so is in peace, but otherwise they are subject to spirituall assaults.
Three Temptations Satan commonly assaults the Sons of men with.
1. Against their effectual Callings; their repentance, he persuades them it is yet too soon to look towards repentance; and they are more liable to evil company, given more to pleasures and delights than old men, and impatient of Counsel; and if God break through this,
1. Against their effectual Callings; their repentance, he perswades them it is yet too soon to look towards repentance; and they are more liable to evill company, given more to pleasures and delights than old men, and impatient of Counsell; and if God break through this,
2. Then he puts them to question their Faith and Adoption, whether they be Gods Children or no? their strong lusts make them doubt of it, and if Gods Grace break through this,
3. He tempts them about their sanctification, he will fill their hearts with unclean lusts; and if a man break through these, he hath much cause to magnify Gods Grace.
3. He tempts them about their sanctification, he will fill their hearts with unclean lusts; and if a man break through these, he hath much cause to magnifie Gods Grace.
Use 2. To teach young men, seeing Satan's aim is chiefly at them, to strive ⟨p. 98⟩to grow strong against him, watch warily against him, that the evil one touch you not.
Ʋse 2. To teach young men, seeing Satans aime is chiefly at them, to strive ⟨p. 98⟩to grow strong against him, watch warily against him, that the evill one touch you not.
And there are three especial Graces to help young men against the assaults of Satan.
And there are three especiall Graces to help young men against the assaults of Satan.