A34689:1395
A34689:1395
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.
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.
2. For Sufferings; strength of grace appears in bearing all things patiently, and joyfully, Phil. 4.11, 12, 13. Col. 1.11. when a man therefore is able to do duties with cheerfulness, and suffer with patience, he is endued with the power of the Spirit.
2. For Sufferings; strength of grace appears in bearing all things patiently, and joyfully, Phil. 4.11, 12, 13. Col. 1.11. when a man therefore is able to doe duties with chearfulnesse, and suffer with patience, he is endued with the power of the Spirit.
3. There is a strength required for the over-coming and standing out against Satan, when a man is not only able to do and suffer valiantly, but is ready and able also to hold out, and resist all temptations, James 4.7. and makes advantage thereof, 2 Sam. 6.20. John 3.26. this argues much strength, when a man can go on in power and vigour, notwithstanding Satan's temptations.
3. There is a strength required for the over-coming and standing out against Satan, when a man is not onely able to doe and suffer valiantly, but is ready and able also to hold out, and resist all temptations, James 4.7. and makes advantage thereof, 2 Sam. 6.20. John 3.26. this argues much strength, when a man can go on in power and vigour, notwithstanding Satans temptations.
Q. 2. Why doth God vouchsafe Young-men this strength, and not old men, and children?
A. 1. Because they are to wrestle with stronger Lusts, which old men are past, and children are not come to; young men are sure to be transported with strong lusts, 1 Tim. 5.23. even those who are of a weak and abstemious nature, much more those that are of a strong constitution, therefore God gives young men such strength to resist against these strong lusts.
A. 1. Because they are to wrastle with stronger Lusts, which old men are past, and children are not come to; young men are sure to be transported with strong lusts, 1 Tim. 5.23. even those who are of a weak and abstemious nature, much more those that are of a strong constitution, therefore God gives young men such strength to resist against these strong lusts.