A34689:1414
A34689:1414
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.
1 Truth of grace; no man by any outward performance only can be strong; a shadow of a man may be like a man, but it hath no strength; truth of grace and power go together, but where there is no truth there is no power, 2 Tim. 3.5. therefore as we would be powerful in godliness, let us do duties with hearty affection, do all things in obedience to God, and to do him service, and this very truth and sincerity will grow up to such strength, as you may go further conquering and to conquer.
1 Truth of grace; no man by any outward performance only can be strong; a shadow of a man may be like a man, but it hath no strength; truth of grace and power go together, but where there is no truth there is no power, 2 Tim. 3.5. therefore as we would be powerful in godlinesse, let us do duties with hearty affection, do all things in obedience to God, and to do him service, and this very truth and sincerity will grow up to such strength, as you may go further conquering and to conquer.
2 To get strength, we must get wholesome and good diet, and feed heartily on it; so if we would get Spiritual strength, we must feed on the Ordinances of God, the Word of God, 1 Pet. 2.1, 2. no man that receives the Word and Sacrament with a good heart, but he grows strong thereby, they are meat and drink indeed, and it is not enough to hear, but especially attend to it, and apply that which belongs to you; this is a means whereby you may grow strong, and put forth your strength to it: water it with Prayer, and look up to God for a Blessing: thus if a young man feed on these wholesome meats he will grow strong; indeed if a man feed on windy meats he will never grow strong: so if men affect tricks of Elegance, and Wit, and Speech, such will be filled only with vain empty Notions, but he that feeds on wholesome food, on the purity and simplicity of Gods own Ordinances, will grow in strength.
2 To get strength, we must get wholsome and good diet, and feed heartily on it; so if we would get Spiritual strength, we must feed on the Ordinances of God, the Word of God, 1 Pet. 2.1, 2. no man that receives the Word and Sacrament with a good heart, but he grows strong thereby, they are meat and drink indeed, and it is not enough to hear, but especially attend to it, and apply that which belongs to you; this is a means whereby you may grow strong, and put forth your strength to it: water it with Prayer, and look up to God for a Blessing: thus if a young man feed on these wholsome meats he will grow strong; indeed if a man feed on windy meats he will never grow strong: so if men affect tricks of Elegancy, and Wit, and Speech, such will be fill'd only with vain empty Notions, but he that feeds on wholsome food, on the purity and simplicity of Gods own Ordinances, will grow in strength.
3 Exercise increaseth strength: let a man daily exercise himself, let a man exercise himself in Grace, and he will grow up in the Lord, and increase in Spiritual strength, Gal. 5.16. Col. 2.6, 7. a tree, the more deeply it is rooted, the more fruit it brings forth, and so they that walk daily in a Christian course increase in strength: it is not every duty that will strengthen us, though it be often renewed, but walk in Christ, that is, walk not in your own strength, in your own gifts and parts, Without me you can do nothing: even Paul of himself was not able to think a good thought, 2 Cor. 3.5. therefore let us exercise our gifts in Christ, that is, to wait on Christ daily for the renewal of strength, according to our daily employments, Isa. 40.30.31. shall change his strength, renew it according to the necessity of his business, that so he may walk in obedience to him, and depend on him for strength, and aim at his glory.
3 Exercise encreaseth strength: let a man daily exercise himself, let a man excercise himself in Grace, and he will grow up in the Lord, and increase in Spiritual strength, Gal. 5.16. Col. 2.6, 7. a tree, the more deeply it is rooted, the more fruit it brings forth, and so they that walk daily in a Christian course increase in strength: it is not every duty that will strengthen us, though it be often renewed, but walk in Christ, that is, walk not in your own strength, in your own gifts and parts, Without me you can do nothing: even Paul of himself was not able to think a good thought, 2 Cor. 3.5. therefore let us exercise our gifts in Christ, that is, to wait on Christ daily for the renewal of strength, according to our daily employments, Isa. 40.30.31. shall change his strength, renew it according to the necessity of his businesse, that so he may walk in obedience to him, and depend on him for strength, and aim at his glory.
4 Because we often contract Crudities, and ill Humours, therefore if we would increase strength we must purge out these, so if we would get Spiritual strength; we must purge out our corruptions, Rev. 2.3, 4, 5. there is ⟨p. 106⟩need of daily repentance which may cast out all noisome lusts and weaknesses, and make us able to perform duties in strength; as you desire therefore to be strong, and to have your strength acknowledged by God, and good men; as you desire to do the will of God cheerfully, diligently, laboriously, and constantly; as you desire to suffer with boldness and patience; as you desire to stand out against all temptations, this God requires of you, to grow true hearted, to feed heartily on every ordinance, to exercise your graces in Christ, to depend on him, to deny your selves; and if you find you have committed any sin, cast out all before God by confession, and purge it out by repentance, and then you shall find your selves to increase in strength, as becomes young-men.
4 Because we often contract Crudities, and ill Humours, therefore if wee would increase strength wee must purge out these, so if we would get Spirituall strength; we must purge out our corruptions, Rev. 2.3, 4, 5. there is ⟨p. 106⟩need of daily repentance which may cast out all noysome lusts and weaknesses, and make us able to perform duties in strength; as you desire therefore to be strong, and to have your strength acknowledged by God, and good men; as you desire to do the will of God chearfully, diligently, laboriously, and constantly; as you desire to suffer with boldnesse and patience; as you desire to stand out against all temptations, this God requires of you, to grow true hearted, to feed heartily on every ordinance, to exercise your graces in Christ, to depend on him, to deny your selves; and if you find you have committed any sin, cast out all before God by confession, and purge it out by repentance, and then you shall find your selves to increase in strength, as becomes young-men.
1 JOHN 2.14. The Word of God abideth in you.
WE have heard of the strength of Young-men.
The second cause of their victory is, because The Word of God abideth in them. Verse 12. he had called all [Greek or Hebrew], and he testifies that their sins were forgiven, and of those, the Fathers knew him which was from the beginning, and Young-men had overcome the wicked one, and were strong, and the word of God did abide in them.
The second cause of their victory is, because The Word of God abideth in them. Verse 12. he had called all 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and he testifies that their sins were forgiven, and of those, the Fathers knew him which was from the beginning, and Young-men had overcome the wicked one, and were strong, and the word of God did abide in them.
Q. What is meant by the Word of God abiding in them?
1 He means not part of the Word, but the whole Word abides in them, both Promises, Commands, and Threatenings; Commands to bind them, Threatening to awe them, Promises to comfort them; good examples to encourage them, bad examples to discourage them; therefore for men to be carvers and choosers of the Word, is not to have the Word abiding in them. Herod would have some of Johns words abide in him, hut not all, but this is the commendation of good young men, that not only every kind, but every parcel of the Word abides in them.
1 He means not part of the Word, but the whole Word abides in them, both Promises, Commands, and Threatnings; Commands to bind them, Threatning to awe them, Promises to comfort them; good examples to encourage them, bad examples to discourage them; therefore for men to be carvers and choosers of the Word, is not to have the Word abiding in them. Herod would have some of Johns words abide in him, hut not all, but this is the commendation of good young men, that not only every kind, but every parcel of the Word abides in them.
2 When he saith, the Word of God, it implies, that they receive it as the Word of God, and not as the word of man, 1 Thes. 2.13. and a man then receives the Word, as the Word of God, when he looks at the Commandments, as Gods Commandments, and so the Promises and Threatenings as Gods, he looks at them as of highest authority, so as no word of man shall stand against it, all falls to the ground before it; it sways all.
2 When he saith, the Word of God, it implyes, that they receive it as the Word of God, and not as the word of man, 1 Thes. 2.13. and a man then receives the Word, as the Word of God, when he looks at the Commandments, as Gods Commandments, and so the Promises and Threatnings as Gods, he looks at them as of highest authority, so as no word of man shall stand against it, all falls to the ground before it; it swayes all.
3 When he saith, the Word abideth, it implies, that this Word did not only flash in suddenly, and continued for a time, but it abideth in them continually, Joh. 5.35. Heb. 2.1, 2.
3 When he saith, the Word abideth, it implyes, that this Word did not only flash in suddenly, and continued for a time, but it abideth in them continually, Joh. 5.35. Heb. 2.1, 2.
4 (In you) that implies the whole man, in their judgment they understood the word, in their wills they embraced it, in their affections they rejoiced in it, in their lips, the law was in their mouths, in the whole man the word of God abode, and that not for a time, but continually.
4 (In you) that implyes the whole man, in their judgment they understood the word, in their wills they embraced it, in their affections they rejoyced in it, in their lips, the law was in their mouths, in the whole man the word of God abode, and that not for a time, but continually.
Q 2 What is the reason why those that have their sins forgiven them, have the Word of God abiding in them?
Reas. The ground of this is, because whose sins soever are forgiven them, their eyes have been opened to see the weight and danger of sin, the Word hath opened and affected the heart, and hath made such deep impression, that it cannot be rooted out, Psal. 119.93. those promise that have comforted his soul, he shall never forget, Psal. 119.129. and hence he looks at them as sweeter than the honey and the honey comb; and those threatenings that have awed his soul, he still trembles at them; because he hath found the Word wonderful to humble him and to comfort him, therefore he still keeps it.
Reas. The ground of this is, because whose sins soever are forgiven them, their eyes have been opened to see the weight and danger of sin, the VVord hath opened and affected the heart, and hath made such deep impression, that it cannot be rooted out, Psal. 119.93. those promise that have comforted his soul, he shall never forget, Psal. 119.129. and hence he looks at them as sweeter than the honey and the honey combe; and those threatnings that have awed his soul, he still trembles at them; because he hath found the VVord wonderful to humble him and to comfort him, therefore he still keeps it.
Use 1 Of trial unto us, whether our sins be forgiven us or no; nothing ⟨p. 107⟩more necessary to know, nor nothing more comfortable; how then shall I know this? Why, onsider what place the Word of God takes, if the Word of God abide in you, the whole Word, there is no Commandment but you would obey it, no Threatening, but you humble at it, no Promise, but you look at it as the Word of God; do you find your whole man submitting to it, your minds understanding it, your wills embracing it, your affections rejoicing and delighting in it, as the Word of God? it is an evident sign of the remission of your sins; this could not have been, had not the Word of God been wonderful to humble you and comfort you.
Ʋse 1 Of tryal unto us, whether our sins be forgiven us or no; nothing ⟨p. 107⟩more necessary to know, nor nothing more comfortable; how then shall I know this? Why, onsider what place the Word of God takes, if the Word of God abide in you, the whole Word, there is no Commandment but you would obey it, no Threatning, but you humble at it, no Promise, but you look at it as the Word of God; do you find your whole man submitting to it, your minds understanding it, your wills embracing it, your affections rejoycing and delighting in it, as the Word of God? it is an evident signe of the remission of your sins; this could not have been, had not the Word of God been wonderfull to humble you and comfort you.