A34689:1617
A34689:1617
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.
There is a threefold lust in pastime, 1 When we are set on unlawful Objects, unlawful Games, 2 In excessive Manner, 3 To a wrong end.
1 Our pastimes are unlawful in respect of the Object, if we make a pastime of every thing, of such things as should be matters of devotion, and sorrow, and humiliation, we may not jest in Scripture phrase, neither may we make shows and pageants of Scripture stories, as of Christ, or other holy men, this is unlawful, to make pastime of holy things; when Moses drew near to God, and God called to him, I am the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, Exod. 3.5. God bid him put of his shoes, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground; when men come into the presence of God, you should put off your shoes, that is, your unclean affections; if we come near to God, we must not come with common ordinary affections, we must not come with our old shoes; so cards and dice, we may not make a pastime of them, if they be lots, it is an ordinance of God, and therefore not to be made a pastime of.
1 Our pastimes are unlawfull in respect of the Object, if we make a pastime of every thing, of such things as should be matters of devotion, and sorrow, and humiliation, we may not jest in Scripture phrase, neither may we make shews and pageants of Scripture stories, as of Christ, or other holy men, this is unlawfull, to make pastime of holy things; when Moses drew near to God, and God called to him, I am the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, Exod. 3.5. God bid him put of his shooes, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground; when men come into the presence of God, you should put off your shooes, that is, your unclean affections; if we come near to God, we must not come with common ordinary affections, we must not come with our old shooes; so cards and dice, we may not make a pastime of them, if they be lots, it is an ordinance of God, and therefore not to be made a pastime of.
Obj. There are some religious lots, some civill, some indifferent, if we should deal with divine lots, we should use more devotion, but the other a man may take more liberty in.
Ans. I say all lots are religious, whether they be about holy things, as ⟨p. 127⟩choosing Apostles; or civill, as casting lots about division of lands, or any other thing to determine a controversy, or the like, as they cast lots on Christs Garments; for it is not the object that makes a thing lawful or unlawful, as whether we swear in Religious or Civill matters, or Lusory; because whatsoever we swear about, we call God to be a witness; so in all kind of lottery, whatsoever it be about, we appeal to God, who is disposer of all things, Prov. 16.33. for man being but causa per accidens of the event of the lot, there must be some cause per se, and that is God; so that whatsoever it be about, though matters of pastime or lusory, it is a religious ordinance, because it appeals to divine providence, and therefore to be avoided.
Ans. I say all lots are religious, whether they be about holy things, as ⟨p. 127⟩choosing Apostles; or civill, as casting lots about division of lands, or any other thing to determine a controversy, or the like, as they cast lots on Christs Garments; for it is not the object that makes a thing lawfull or unlawfull, as whether we swear in Religious or Civill matters, or Lusory; because whatsoever we swear about, we call God to be a witnesse; so in all kinde of lottery, whatsever it be about, we appeal to God, who is disposer of all things, Prov. 16.33. for man being but causa per accidens of the event of the lot, there must be some cause per se, and that is God; so that whatsoever it be about, though matters of pastime or lusory, it is a religious ordinance, because it appeals to divine providence, and therefore to be avoided.
2 It is a wrong object, when we set our pastime on other mens sins, which should be matter of grief and sorrow, 2 Pet. 2.3. it was profaneness in Ham to make a mock at his Fathers nakedness, so it is profaneness to make others drunk, and then make a pastime of it, and so for stage-plays, to put on women's apparel, to make pastime; so to make pastime by them, who live without a calling.
2 It is a wrong object, when we set our pastime on other mens sins, which should be matter of griefe and sorrow, 2 Pet. 2.3. it was prophanenesse in Cham to make a mock at his Fathers nakednesse, so it is prophanesse to make others drunk, and then make a pastime of it, and so for stage-playes, to put on womens apparrell, to make pastime; so to make pastime by them, who live without a calling.
3 When men play with the Judgements of God, Psal. 119.120. if you see Gods Judgements on another, make not a pastime of other mens infirmities, in this regard it hath been thought unmeet for great men to keep fools and mad-men to make them pastime, 1 Sam. 21.14, 15. he thought it unmeet for the gravity of a King, to make pastime of his folly, not but that a man may smile at the simplicity of an Idiot, but yet he should see Gods hand in it, and be thankful to God that he is not such a one; so it is unlawful to make a mere recreation of hawking and hunting, seeing the enmity between the Creatures came for our sins, and therefore it should be a matter of compassion.
3 When men play with the Judgements of God, Psal. 119.120. if you see Gods Judgements on another, make not a pastime of other mens infirmities, in this regard it hath been thought unmeet for great men to keep fools and mad-men to make them pastime, 1 Sam. 21.14, 15. he thought it unmeet for the gravity of a King, to make pastime of his folly, not but that a man may smile at the simplicity of an Ideot, but yet he should see Gods hand in it, and be thankfull to God that he is not such a one; so it is unlawfull to make a mear recreation of hawking and hunting, seeing the enmity between the Creatures came for our sins, and therefore it should be a matter of compassion.
2 Pastime is unlawful when it exceeds measure. 1 Of time, Ephes. 5.16. when men spend whole nights and days in pastime.
2 Pastime is unlawfull when it exceeds measure. 1 Of time, Ephes. 5.16. when men spend whole nights and dayes in pastime.
2 When men make an occupation of recreation, as stage-players, and musicians, men should have a calling besides; so then it is profaneness for a man, altogether to follow his pastime and recreation, according to the Proverb, What hath a Gentlemen but his pleasure? six days should be employed in the works of our callings.
2 When men make an occupation of recreation, as stage-players, and musicians, men should have a calling besides; so then it is prophanesse for a man, altogether to follow his pastime and recreation, according to the Proverb, What hath a Gentlemen but his pleasure? six dayes should be imployed in the works of our callings.
3 When we abuse it in excess of our affections, that our hearts are overwhelmed therewith.
3 When we abuse it in excesse of our affections, that our hearts are overwhelmed therewith.
4 When we look at a wrong end, when as in our pastime, we look at no higher end than our own pleasure, whereas Paul saith, Whatsoever ye do, do it for the glory of God; we should hereby be the better fitted for Gods service.
Lastly, When we abuse our pastime in regard of gain, though carding were lawful, yet to make a gain of it, Aristotle could reprove it as [Greek or Hebrew], for pastime should be for our delight, and not to make a gain of; it is not a vendible matter to pay for our pastime, that a man should sell his pastime, is filthy lucre; indeed if you play for no more than you would spend betwixt you, or give to the poor, it is not unwarrantable, but to make a gain of recreation, is an abuse of the pastime.
Lastly, When we abuse our pastime in regard of gain, though carding were lawfull, yet to make a gain of it, Aristotle could reprove it as 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, for pastime should be for our delight, and not to make a gain of; it is not a vendible matter to pay for our pastime, that a man should sell his pastime, is filthy lucre; indeed if you play for no more than you would spend betwixt you, or give to the poor, it is not unwarrantable, but to make a gain of recreation, is an abuse of the pastime.
The last lust of the flesh, is the lust of Idleness, or ease, or sleepiness, for it is the body that craves sleep and ease, and is satisfied with it; sleep begets drowsiness, and case begets Idleness; now these, both young and old are to be weaned from.
The last lust of the flesh, is the lust of Idlenesse, or ease, or sleepinesse, for it is the body that craves sleep and ease, and is satisfied with it; sleep begets drowsinesse, and case begets Idlenesse; now these, both young and old are to be weaned from.
Q. 1. How is a man carried inordinately to ease or sleep?
First, Either in unseasonable objects; or secondly, In excessive measure; or thirdly, when we use them not to a right end.
1 When we sleep at such times as are unseasonable to sleep and be drowsy.
1 When we sleep at such times as are unseasonable to sleep and be drowzy.
1 In holy duties, when we are so drowsy that we cannot attend to them, the very inclination to sleep is now a sinful lust; this lust fell heavily on Eutiches, Acts 20.29. an heavy sleep fell on him, and an heavy hand of God followed it, which showed his judgement, though he restored him, because he ⟨p. 128⟩would not have such assemblies scandalized, but always some hand of God or other falls on them, either in body or soul; however the spirit gets such a cold by such sleepiness and drowsiness, that a man finds it lustful.
1 In holy duties, when we are so drowzy that we cannot attend to them, the very inclination to sleep is now a sinfull lust; this lust fell heavily on Eutiches, Acts 20.29. an heavy sleep fell on him, and an heavy hand of God followed it, which shewed his judgement, though he restored him, because he ⟨p. 128⟩would not have such assemblies scandalized, but alwayes some hand of God or other falls on them, either in body or soul; however the spirit gets such a cold by such sleepinesse and drowsinesse, that a man findes it lustfull.