A34689:1918
A34689:1918
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.
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.
Use 5, Of consolation to any soul that ever had true fellowship with Christ, and his church, having once loved you, he will love you to the end, 1 Cor. 10.13. 1 Thes. 5.23, 24. Psal. 37.23, 24, 25. though we do fall, yet the Lord puts under his hand, Rom. 8.25. Rom. 5.10. 1 Pet. 1.5. we are kept by the power of God to Salvation he embraceth us with his everlasting arms, so that if we have once got fellowship with God, and his Church, fear not, you shall not fall, and if you do start aside, and feed on ill Diet, you shall find the smart of it, he will humble you, that he may save you at the last day.
Ʋse 5, Of consolation to any soul that ever had true fellowship with Christ, and his church, having once loved you, he will love you to the end, 1 Cor. 10.13. 1 Thes. 5.23, 24. Psal. 37.23, 24, 25. though we doe fall, yet the Lord puts under his hand, Rom. 8.25. Rom. 5.10. 1 Pet. 1.5. we are kept by the power of God to Salvation he embraceth us with his everlasting arms, so that if we have once got fellowship with God, and his Church, fear not, you shall not fall, and if you doe start aside, and feed on ill Dyet, you shall finde the smart of it, he will humble you, that he may save you at the last day.
They went out from us, because they were not of us, and so such were never cordial or hearty to the church, therefore when you see any fall off, know it argues an Antichristian spirit, 2 Thes. 2, 3. 1 Tim. 4.1. Many [Greek or Hebrew] shall depart from the Church, so that all Antichristian spirits have a corrupt spirit of separation.
They went out from us, because they were not of us, and so such were never cordial or hearty to the church, therefore when you see any fall off, know it argues an Antichristian spirit, 2 Thes. 2, 3. 1 Tim. 4.1. Many 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 shall depart from the Church, so that all Antichristian spirits have a corrupt spirit of seperation.
For Explication.
Q, 1. What is this separation?
Q, 1. What is this seperation?
A. 1. A separation Local, such was that practise of the Tribe of Gad. and Manasseh. Josh. 22.9, 10. it was not separation in fellowship as they profess, vers. 26, 27, but that is not a separation that makes an Antichrist.
A. 1. A seperation Local, such was that practise of the Tribe of Gad. and Manasses. Josh. 22.9, 10. it was not seperation in fellowship as they professe, vers. 26, 27, but that is not a seperation that makes an Antichrist.
2 A departing in fellowship, which yet falls short of an Antichristian spirit, though it deserve blame and reproof, Gal. 2.12. not but that his judgement and affection was with them, yet he with-drew from their society in Ordinances, for this Paul blamed him, but yet it was not an Antichristian spirit, though he were a man of great zeal and courage, yet none so subject to be carried away with fear as he was, let christians therefore most suspect themselves there wherein they least suspect themselves, and think themselves strongest, but this was an infirmity in him.
2 A departing in fellowship, which yet falls short of an Antichristian spirit, though it deserve blame and reproof, Gal. 2.12. not but that his judgement and affection was with them, yet he with-drew from their society in Ordinances, for this Paul blamed him, but yet it was not an Antichristian spirit, though he were a man of great zeale and courage, yet none so subject to be carried away with fear as he was, let christians therefore most suspect themselves there wherein they least suspect themselves, and think themselves strongest, but this was an infirmity in him.
3 There is a departing from the Faith of the church▪ or sitting loose from them in Spirit, judgement, and affection, their Doctrine contrary, and hearts contrary, as Paul saith, In the latter days certain shall depart from the Faith, Heb. 10.25. to 29. so that such fall off not only in place, or fellowship, in ordinance, but in judgment, heart, and affection, that is a mark of an Antichristian spirit, Jude 4.5. 3 Epist. Joh. 8, 9, 10.
3 There is a departing from the Faith of the church▪ or sitting loose from them in Spirit, judgement, and affection, their Doctrin contrary, and hearts contrary, as Paul saith, In the latter dayes certain shall depart from the Faith, Heb. 10.25. to 29. so that such fall off not only in place, or fellowship, in ordinance, but in judgment, heart, and affection, that is a mark of an Antichristian spirit, Jude 4.5. 3 Epist. Joh. 8, 9, 10.
It is said of the new converts that were added to the church, that they continued in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship, Acts 2.42. therefore when they break from the fellowship of the church, they depart from the Apostles doctrine.
It is said of the new converts that were added to the church, that they continued in the Apostles Doctrin and fellowship, Acts 2.42. therefore when they break from the fellowship of the church, they depart from the Apostles doctrin.
Q. What be the grounds?