A34689:1423
A34689:1423
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 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.
Obj. I have a brittle memory and cannot retain the Word, therefore how can the Word be said to abide in me?
Obj. I have a brittls memory and cannot retain the Word, therefore how can the Word be said to abide in me?
Ans. Dost thou remember other things well, and not the Word? then it is dangerous, but if thy memory be brittle in other things, then it argues the less danger, though the Word do so also; but though it slip out of thy memory, doth it not abide in thine heart? dost thou not delight in, and desire more and more after it? if it be so, it may be said to abide in thee.
Ans. Dost thou remember other things well, and not the Word? then it is dangerous, but if thy memory bebrittle in other things, then it argues the lesse danger, though the Word do so also; but though it slip out of thy memory, doth it not abide in thine heart? dost thou not delight in, and desire more and more after it? if it be so, it may be said to abide in thee.
Use 2 Of exhortation to young men, whosoever have found your sins forgiven, this God requires of you, that you give up your hearts to the whole word of God, to be wholly guided by it for ever, if you sit loose from the word, you shall find the pardon of your sins sit loose from your souls, he will take away the comfort of the pardon of your sins; therefore let the Word of God abide in you richly and plentifully, that so you may have the comfort of such a benefit as pardon of sins.
Ʋse 2 Of exhortation to young men, whosoever have found your sins forgiven, this God requires of you, that you give up your hearts to the whole word of God, to be wholly guided by it for ever, if you sit loose from the word, you shall find the pardon of your sins sit loose from your souls, he will take away the comfort of the pardon of your sins; therefore let the Word of God abide in you richly and plentifully, that so you may have the comfort of such a benefit as pardon of sins.
Reas. 1 They are strong, first, because the Word of God wheresoever it abides, abides not in the letter, but in the power and efficacy, and the Word of God is mighty and powerful; and therefore where it dwells, it conveys strength and power, Rom. 1.16. 2 Cor. 10.4. it is mighty to cast down the strong holds of Satan, mighty to overwrestle lusts, mighty to overcome the World, Psal. 119.9. & 11.
Reas. 1 They are strong, first, because the Word of God wheresoever it abides, abides not in the letter, but in the power and efficacy, and the Word of God is mighty and powerfull; and therefore where it dwells, it conveyes strength and power, Rom. 1.16. 2 Cor. 10.4. it is mighty to cast down the strong holds of Satan, mighty to overwrestle lusts, mighty to overcome the World, Psal. 119.9. & 11.
Use 1 May serve to show you, what poor weak young men they be, that have not the Word of God abiding in them, if you see such a young man, write on him, he is a weak young man, if if the Word of God abide not in him, every company, every temptation will carry him away.
Ʋse 1 May serve to shew you, what poor weak young men they be, that have not the Word of God abiding in them, if you see such a young man, write on him, he is a weak young man, if if the Word of God abide not in him, every company, every temptation will carry him away.
2 Learn hence, if you desire to be strong indeed, to let the Word abide in you; thus Joseph, though he was much tempted to uncleanness, yet he did not consent, but looked at it as a breach of Gods Word, how can I do this wickedness, and sin against God? none so able to resist temptations, as those that have the Word of God abiding in them; therefore if you would overcome pride, wantonness, &c. let the Word of God dwell in you, receive it in your Judgements, in your wills, memories, affections, do not think it weakness for men to have the Word abiding in them, they are strong; he that fears God, fears not any Commandment or threatening in respect of Gods, he that is affected with Gods promises, regards not all the flatteries of the World.
2 Learn hence, if you desire to be strong indeed, to let the Word abide in you; thus Joseph, though he was much tempted to uncleannesse, yet he did not consent, but lookt at it as a breach of Gods Word, how can I do this wickednesse, and sinne against God? none so able to resist temptations, as those that have the Word of God abiding in them; therefore if you would overcome pride, wantonnesse, &c. let the Word of God dwell in you, receive it in your Judgements, in your wills, memories, affections, do not think it weaknesse for men to have the Word abiding in them, they are strong; hee that fears God, fears not any Commandment or threatning in respect of Gods, hee that is affected with Gods promises, regards not all the flatteries of the World.
There are three special temptations of Satan, either against Repentance, or Faith, or Sanctification, now the Word of God is mighty through God to repel all these.
There are three special temptations of Satan, either against Repentance, or Faith, or Sanctification, now the Word of God is mighty through God to repell all these.