A34689:1346
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 1. Since young men may, and do so overcome the World, it must teach young men to make this their glory, to be fighting this spiritual battle; there is no gifts they should so much please themselves in, as in this, Prov. 20.29. What a shame is it for young men to show their strength in pouring down strong drink, and spend their strength upon women? what a pitiful thing is it, for young men to strive to overcome one another in drinking and gaming? &c. nay, were they valiant in war, yet how much more honourable is it to fight the Lords battles, to over-wrestle our lusts? when a young man shall single out that grand Captain the Devil, and foil him in war, that is truly honourable; if Satan in a special manner strive to overcome you, then strive you most against him, stand out against him, resist him, and yield not to him; and examine what spiritual battles you have had with Satan, if none, then your case is not good.
Ʋse 1. Since young men may, and doe so overcome the World, it must teach young men to make this their glory, to be fighting this spiritual battell; there is no gifts they should so much please themselves in, as in this, Prov. 20.29. What a shame is it for young men to shew their strength in powring down strong drink, and spend their strength upon women? what a pittifull thing is it, for young men to strive to overcome one another in drinking and gaming? &c. nay, were they valiant in war, yet how much more honourable is it to fight the Lords battells, to over-wrestle our lusts? when a young man shall single out that grand Captain the Devill, and foil him in war, that is truly honourable; if Satan in a speciall manner strive to overcome you, then strive you most against him, stand out against him, resist him, and yield not to him; and examine what spirituall battells you have had with Satan, if none, then your case is not good.
Use 2. May hearten the feeblest Christians not to be discouraged with conflicts; many a soul saith, my corruptions are so strong, and my lusts so powerful, I shall never be able to stand out against them, and overcome them, why St. John writes here to young men, whose corruptions were strong and violent, and yet he saith, You have overcome the wicked one.