A34689:1884
A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…
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.
We say therefore that such were not true Members, but ill humours, and superfluous excrements of the body, and therefore no wonder though they fell off. But you will say, some there are that continue faithful friends to the Church, and never fall off from them; are there not some that are ornaments, and maintainers, and supporters of the Church, yet have no truth of Grace in their hearts, are not they Members of the Church?
We say therefore that such were not true Members, but ill humors, and superfluous excrements of the body, and therefore no wonder though they fell off. But you will say, some there are that continue faithfull friends to the Church, and never fall off from them; are there not some that are ornaments, and maintainers, and supporters of the Church, yet have no truth of Grace in their hearts, are not they Members of the Church?
They have the place of Members, but are not true Members, a glass eye may be an ornament to the body, and a wooden Leg a support to the body, yet are no true Members, so such may be ornaments and supporters of the Church, yet no true Members, but as a glass eye, or a wooden leg; these though they cleave to the body, yet they are not joined by nerves and sinews, neither animated by the head, so these are not tied to the Church by the spirit of God, or bond of Faith and Love, but some external ligaments, as honour, or profit in the Church.
They have the place of Members, but are not true Members, a glasse eye may be an ornament to the body, and a wooden Legg a support to the body, yet are no true Members, so such may be ornaments and supporters of the Church, yet no true Members, but as a glasse eye, or a wooden legge; these though they cleave to the body, yet they are not joyned by nerves and sinews, neither animated by the head, so these are not tyed to the Church by the spirit of God, or bond of Faith and Love, but some external ligaments, as honour, or profit in the Church.