A34689:1908
A34689:1908
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.
2 Though true Members cannot fall off, yet there are many Hypocrites that seem to have fellowship with the Church, and they may fall away.
Obj. This Doctrine breeds security, seeing they cannot fall off, what need they care how they live?
A, This is no doctrine of security but only to carnal men, for we shall find that no Christian is more careful to please God, and fearful to offend him, than those that have got most assurance of Gods love, and fellowship with Christ and his members, 2 Cor. 5.4. Gen. 39.19.
A, This is no doctrin of security but only to carnal men, for we shall find that no Christian is more careful to please God, and fearful to offend him, than those that have got most assurance of Gods love, and fellowship with Christ and his members, 2 Cor. 5.4. Gen. 39.19.
2 If Gods Children do wax wanton, yet he hath means to scourge them soundly, though he doth not take away his loving kindness; and we say, though he cannot loose grace wholly, yet he may loose the strength of his grace. And Secondly, Corruption may grow strong; and Thirdly, He may loose all the comfort of his grace; Fourthly, he can make them meet with such afflictions from men as David did, though he cast him not out of Heaven, yet out of his Kingdom, after he had committed murder and Adultery, he raised up his own Son to rebel against him; so that David saw the bitterness of his wantonness against Gods grace, As if a Physician should give a man such a Drug, and say it will not only free you from your sickness, but also preserve you that you shall never dye; therefore should he say, What need I care what enemies I meet with, or what diet I use? no, it implieth that he ⟨p. 154⟩must have a care of such things; so though God give us a Well-spring of eternal life, yet if you look not to your selves, but rush into danger, you may be so wounded and unsettled, and so terrify your Consciences, that you shall feel the smart of your wantonness all your days.
2 If Gods Children doe wax wanton, yet he hath means to scourge them soundly, though he doth not take away his loving kindnesse; and we say, though he cannot loose grace wholly, yet he may loose the strength of his grace. And Secondly, Corruption may grow strong; and Thirdly, He may loose all the comfort of his grace; Fourthly, he can make them meet with such afflictions from men as David did, though he cast him not out of Heaven, yet out of his Kingdome, after he had committed murther and Adultery, he raised up his own Son to rebel against him; so that David saw the bitternesse of his wantonness against Gods grace, As if a Phisitian should give a man such a Drugg, and say it will not only free you from your sicknesse, but also preserve you that you shall never dye; therefore should he say, What need I care what enemies I meet with, or what dyet I use? no, it implieth that he ⟨p. 154⟩must have a care of such things; so though God give us a Wel-spring of eternal life, yet if you look not to your selves, but rush into danger, you may be so wounded and unsetled, and so terrifie your Consciences, that you shall feel the smart of your wantonnesse all your dayes.
Obj. Did not Lot depart from the fellowship of Abraham, and pitch his Tents in Sodom? Gen. 13.9. to 13.
A. 1. This was dangerous to Lot.
2 It was not without the consent of Abraham, and there was some necessity of it, for they could not well live together, they had such great estates.
3 The church was not then in Congregations, but in Families, &c.
Obj. But what say you to the Ten Tribes, did not they renounce fellowship with the Church? 2 King. 12.16.
A. Herein they did reject the Covenant of Grace, and so had no fellowship with the church.
Obj. Were there no good people there?
A. The good people of the Land left their possessions and went to Jerusalem, with the Priests and Levites, 2 Chron. 11.13. to 17. so that rather then they would leave the Fellowship of the church, they would sell all that they had to purchase such a Pearl.
Use 1. To reprove the error of the Pelagians and Papists, that do teach, that the true Members of the church may fall away, not only for a time, but finally, and for ever, contrary to this Doctrine, for though they may be as ornaments, or supports, yet they are no true members, for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
Ʋse 1. To reprove the errour of the Pelagians and Papists, that doe teach, that the true Members of the church may fall away, not onely for a time, but finally, and for ever, contrary to this Doctrine, for though they may be as ornaments, or supports, yet they are no true members, for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
Use 2. May show us the wonderful eminency of that Grace, and that Covenant that we have in Christ, above that grace and Covenant that Adam had, Adam had that Grace which he might keep, and he might loose, and that Covenant which he might break, or not break, but we have such grace as we cannot loose, and such a Covenant as we cannot break, so that true christians have no cause to complain of Adams fall, for they have a more sure Covenant, such a Covenant as we can no more hreak than we can Noah's Rain-bow; and according to the state of the Covenant, God hath given several Sacraments to confirm it, he had a Sacrament of Death, but we have no Sacrament of Death, but both are for our confirmation in Life; therefore had there been a possibility of Death, he would have given us a Sacrament to put us in mind of it.
Ʋse 2. May shew us the wonderfull eminency of that Grace, and that Covenant that we have in Christ, above that grace and Covenant that Adam had, Adam had that Grace which he might keep, and he might loose, and that Covenant which he might breake, or not breake, but we have such grace as we cannot loose, and such a Covenant as we cannot break, so that true christians have no cause to complain of Adams fall, for they have a more sure Covenant, such a Covenant as we can no more hreak than we can Noahs Rain-bow; and according to the state of the Covenant, God hath given several Sacraments to confirme it, he had a Sacrament of Death, but we have no Sacrament of Death, but both are for our confirmation in Life; therefore had there been a possibility of Death, he would have given us a Sacrament to put us in minde of it.
Use 3. Be not offended, because of all these Antichrists, and Back-sliders, there are thousands fallen away within these few years, why understand this, they were not of us, but as noisome Humours, and the body is better without them; such as have true fellowship never depart, such as do depart never had true fellowship, 2 Tim. 4.15. Demas forsook Paul, an evident sign he was an Hypocrite, if his heart had been right, he would not have left Paul for the whole world.
Ʋse 3. Be not offended, because of all these Antichrists, and Back-sliders, there are thousands fallen away within these few years, why understand this, they were not of us, but as noysome Humours, and the body is better without them; such as have true fellowship never depart, such as doe depart never had true fellowship, 2 Tim. 4.15. Demas forsook Paul, an evident sign he was an Hypocrite, if his heart had been right, he would not have left Paul for the whole world.
Use 4. Would you have good company (as most men desire to have) why as you desire company that may be for your perpetual comfort, then use this fellowship of the church, there was never any that once got into true society of the Saints, that would ever be pulled from them; Whither should we go thou hast the words of eternal life? what company so sweet as christian communion? Moses that had trial of Princes courts, yet he found the sourest bit of christian communion sweeter then the sweetest pleasures of Egypt; you that delight in the company of Drunkards, and Whoremongers, and Harlots, at length when you are consumed, and your estate spent, you must be glad to leave them, and wish you had never kept them company; but on the contrary had you but once got into a near communion with the Saints, you should never depart from them, it was the saying of a late faithful Servant of God, Dr. Preston, Though I leave my life, yet I shall not leave my company.
Ʋse 4. Would you have good company (as most men desire to have) why as you desire company that may be for your perpetuall comfort, then use this fellowship of the church, there was never any that once got into true society of the Saints, that would ever be puld from them; Whither should we goe thou hast the words of eternall life? what company so sweet as christian communion? Moses that had trial of Princes courts, yet he found the sourest bit of christian communion sweeter then the sweetest pleasures of Egypt; you that delight in the company of Drunkards, and Whoremongers, and Harlots, at length when you are consumed, and your estate spent, you must be glad to leave them, and wish you had never kept them company; but on the contrary had you but once got into a near communion with the Saints, you should never depart from them, it was the saying of a late faithful Servant of God, Dr. Preston, Though I leave my life, yet I shall not leave my company.