A34689:1391
A34689:1391
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 know Christ, and his worth, and our need of him, is a sufficient motive to wean old men from the world.
Two things there were which made wise, ancient, cautelous men, not to embrace Christ, and his Gospel.
1. The antiquity of the Heathenish Religion; Jesus Christ seemed a new God, but of two or three and thirty years, hated of all men, and Crucified, now to commend such a God to them against their ancient Doctrine, and that all must subject themselves to him, seemed strange.
1. The antiquity of the Heathenish Religion; Jesus Christ seemed a new God, but of two or three and thirty years, hated of all men, and Crucified, now to commend such a God to them against their ancient Doctrin, and that all must subject themselves to him, seemed strange.
2. The Authority of Heathen Emperors that gain-said it. Now to remove these impediments, the Apostle lays down this as a means, Love not the world, implying, that it was love of the world that made them to embrace that ancient Religion, and reject Christ, therefore he writes unto them, Love not the world; and that they might do this, he tells them, that they knew him that was from the beginning, the Ancient of days, and all other Religions are but novelties.
2. The Authority of Heathen Emperours that gain-said it. Now to remove these impediments, the Apostle layes down this as a means, Love not the world, implying, that it was love of the world that made them to embrace that ancient Religion, and reject Christ, therefore he writes unto them, Love not the world; and that they might doe this, he tells them, that they knew him that was from the beginning, the Ancient of dayes, and all other Religions are but novelties.
Use. It shows a preservative against deluding our souls, against embracing false Religion, either from grounds of antiquity or authority; if old men follow it, yet it is no good ground, for St. John writes to them, Love not the world, which you may be kept from, if you know him that was from the beginning; and if the Authority and Laws of man should go that way, yet if you rightly know Christ, and him that was from the beginning, you will be kept off from the love of the world, and then no worldly things will keep you ⟨p. 104⟩from embracing Christ and his Gospel; I have written to you young men, because you are strong and the Word of God dwelleth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
Ʋse. It shews a preservative against deluding our souls, against embracing false Religion, either from grounds of antiquity or authority; if old men follow it, yet it is no good ground, for St. John writes to them, Love not the world, which you may be kept from, if you know him that was from the beginning; and if the Authority and Laws of man should go that way, yet if you rightly know Christ, and him that was from the beginning, you will be kept off from the love of the world, and then no worldly things will keep you ⟨p. 104⟩from embracing Christ and his Gospel; I have written to you young men, because you are strong and the Word of God dwelleth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
Here are two Causes of their Victory over the wicked one, that is, their strength, and the abiding of the Word in them. For the first,
Prov. 20.29. The glory of Young-men is their strength; but the Apostle speaks not here of bodily strength, but such strength whereby they overcome the wicked one, and this he acknowledgeth in them.
Q. 1. What is this strength?
A. 1. It is the power of Gods Spirit, whereby a Christian is enabled to do all Spiritual duties in the power of Christ.
A. 1. It is the power of Gods Spirit, whereby a Christian is inabled to do all Spirituall duties in the power of Christ.
2. It is a power of Gods Spirit, 2 Tim. 1.17. 2 Cor. 3.5. Gal. 6.10. and hereby he is enabled to do all spiritual duties, Phil. 4.13.
2. It is a power of Gods Spirit, 2 Tim. 1.17. 2 Cor. 3.5. Gal. 6.10. and hereby he is inabled to doe all spirituall duties, Phil. 4.13.
A Christian man, younger or elder, is able to perform every Christian duty, he is able to do all duties, and suffer for Christ, with power.
A Christian man, younger or elder, is able to perform every Christian duty, he is able to doe all duties, and suffer for Christ, with power.
1. It enables a man to do every Christian duty with strength, and so to do implies three things.
1. It inables a man to doe every Christian duty with strength, and so to doe implies three things.
1 When a man performs a thing in strength he performs it cheerfully, Psal. 19.5. The Sun rejoiceth to run his course, &c. if a man runs through his work with cheerfulness it is a sign of strength, John 4.34. Christ accounted it his meat and drink to do his Fathers will, he took as much delight in it, and it was his strength that made him do so.
1 When a man performes a thing in strength he performes it chearfully, Psal. 19.5. The Sun rejoyceth to run his course, &c. if a man runs through his work with chearfulnesse it is a sign of strength, John 4.34. Christ accounted it his meat and drink to doe his Fathers will, he took as much delight in it, and it was his strength that made him doe so.
2 Doing the Will of God with strength implies a spirit of boldness and courage, that they are not fearful, but go on with courage and boldness, 1 Tim. 1.7. Acts 4.13. & 19.20. they were strengthened by Christs power.
2 Doing the Will of God with strength implies a spirit of boldnesse and courage, that they are not fearfull, but go on with courage and boldnesse, 1 Tim. 1.7. Acts 4.13. & 19.20. they were strengthened by Christs power.
3 Strength makes a man do Gods Will diligently, and constantly; an old man is soon wearied, and slacks, but take a strong man, and he does his business diligently and constantly, 1 Cor. 15.10. and painfully, he doth things with dexterity, and he that hath strength doth things constantly, with constancy and perseverance. Let a Child shoot an Arrow with a weak hand, it waggles, but if a strong man shoots it, it goes evenly; so if a weak man take a duty in hand, he begins to lag, and fail, but a strong Christian he does duties constantly.
3 Strength makes a man doe Gods Will diligently, and constantly; an old man is soon wearied, and slacks, but take a strong man, and he does his businesse diligently and constantly, 1 Cor. 15.10. and painfully, he doth things with dexterity, and he that hath strength doth things constantly, with constancy and perseverance. Let a Childe shoot an Arrow with a weak hand, it waggles, but if a strong man shoots it, it goes evenly; so if a weak man take a duty in hand, he begins to lagge, and fail, but a strong Christian he does duties constantly.