A34689:132
A34689:132
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.
To this I say, That the Angels might have had another time, beyond which there hath been no place for repentance, namely not their first sin, but their wilful rejecting of a Saviour, if he had pleased to have offered them any. Thus you see that all these (and so are the rest) but mens devices and conjectures; the true reason you have, John 3.16. Gods love to us, which also causeth the Lord to say, as Jer. 8.4. God neither turneth nor returneth, Angels turn, but return not, men both turn and return, through this unspeakable love of God.
To this I say, That the Angels might have had another time, beyond which there hath been no place for repentance, namely not their first sin, but their wilfull rejecting of a Saviour, if he had pleased to have offered them any. Thus you see that all these (and so are the rest) but mens devices and conjectures; the true reason you have, John 3.16. Gods love to us, which also causeth the Lord to say, as Jer. 8.4. God neither turneth nor returneth, Angels turn, but return not, men both turn and return, through this unspeakable love of God.
Use 1. To confute the Heresies of Eutiches and the Manichees, who taught Christ had no true, but a fantastical body.
Ʋse 1. To confute the Heresies of Eutiches and the Maniches, who taught Christ had no true, but a phantasticall body.
Secondly, To stir us up to some duties, 1 of Meditation, 2 of Practice.
First, Of Meditation, and that 1 Concerning God, and 1 Concerning his Justice, so severe against sin, as all the mere men in the world could not satisfy for it, and therefore Christ became man, and that is the reason why ⟨p. 7⟩the damned are tormented, because they cannot satisfy.
First, Of Meditation, and that 1 Concerning God, and 1 Concerning his Justice, so severe against sin, as all the meer men in the world could not satisfie for it, and therefore Christ became man, and that is the reason why ⟨p. 7⟩the damned are tormented, because they cannot satisfie.
Secondly, His mercy and and love to us; the Father to abase his Son, the Son to abase himself for us.
Secondly, His mercy and and love to us; the Father to abase his Son, the Son to abase himselfe for us.
Thirdly, His Wisdom, to find out such a means to save us, when he passed by the more glorious Angels.
Thirdly, His Wisdome, to find out such a means to save us, when he passed by the more glorious Angels.
Secondly, Concerning our selves, who were in so wretched a condition, as the blood of Bulls and Goats could not save us, men and Angels could not help us, only the Son of God must empty himself of Glory and Majesty, and become man for us: if therefore thou hast not part in Christ Jesus, the same sins which plucked Christ from Heaven to Earth, will pluck thee from the Earth to Hell.
Secondly, Concerning our selves, who were in so wretched a condition, as the blood of Bulls and Goats could not save us, men and Angells could not help us, onely the Son of God must empty himselfe of Glory and Majesty, and become man for us: if therefore thou hast not part in Christ Jesus, the same sins which plucked Christ from Heaven to Earth, will pluck thee from the Earth to Hell.
Secondly, It may stir us up to some duties of practice. 1. To teach us Humility, Phil. 2.6, 7. Psal. 22.6.
1. By Considering our own Estates, and the misery thereof, which caused him to take upon him the form of a servant.
2. By Considering his example, who took upon him the form of a servant, to be serviceable to us; so ought we to abase our selves to be serviceable to our Brethren.
Secondly, To stir us up to labour to be united to his nature, as he was to ours, 2 Pet. 1.4. he became the son of man, that we might become the sons of God; we cannot answer the intent of his incarnation better.
Secondly, To stir us up to labor to be united to his nature, as he was to ours, 2 Pet. 1.4. he became the son of man, that we might become the sons of God; we cannot answer the intent of his incarnation better.
Thirdly, To move us to an holy thankfulness and joyfulness in the Lord, as 1. Zechariah blessed the Lord in this behalf, Luke 1.68. 2. Mary magnified him, Luke 1.46. 3. John leaped at it for joy in his Mothers belly, Luke 1.41. 4. Abraham long before, John 8.56. he saw it in the promise, and laughed, Gen. 17.16, 17. and hereupon called his Son Isaac. 5. The Angels, who have less benefit than we hereby, Luke 2.14.
Thirdly, To move us to an holy thankfulnesse and joyfullnesse in the Lord, as 1. Zachary blessed the Lord in this behalfe, Luke 1.68. 2. Mary magnified him, Luke 1.46. 3. John leaped at it for joy in his Mothers belly, Luke 1.41. 4. Abraham long before, John 8.56. he saw it in the promise, and laughed, Gen. 17.16, 17. and hereupon called his Son Isaac. 5. The Angels, who have lesse benefit than we hereby, Luke 2.14.
And sure if John wrote every Doctrine in this Epistle, that our joy might be full, as chap. 1.4. then hence also let us raise up our hearts to this holy affection, this is the fittest exercise for Christmas, otherwise usually spent in carnal delights, because men have no part in this joy.
And sure if John wrote every Doctrine in this Epistle, that our joy might be full, as chap. 1.4. then hence also let us raise up our hearts to this holy affection, this is the fittest exercise for Christmas, otherwise usually spent in carnall delights, because men have no part in this joy.
Why? Because of his comely beauty, and goodly proportion? no, Isa. 53.2. and then Judas had been an happy man, as happy as the rest of the Apostles. But the Reasons are these.
First, By this means they had a greater measure of knowledge, Luke 10.22, 23. he expounded to them the secrets of the Kingdom of God, Mat. 13.11, 16. Mark 4.34. hence is that of the Samaritan woman, John 4.34. hence it was that John Baptist was more excellent than others, Mat. 11.11. So that as Solomons servants were happy, 1 Kings 10.8. so much more Christs Disciples, who saw and heard a greater than Solomon.
First, By this means they had a greater measure of knowledge, Luke 10.22, 23. he expounded to them the secrets of the Kingdome of God, Mat. 13.11, 16. Mark 4.34. hence is that of the Samaritan woman, John 4.34. hence it was that John Baptist was more excellent than others, Mat. 11.11. So that as Solomons servants were happy, 1 Kings 10.8. so much more Christs Disciples, who saw and heard a greater than Solomon.