A34689:1314
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.
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.