A34689:1923
A34689:1923
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.
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?
A. 1. From the fellowship the true Members of the church have with Christ, 1 Joh. 1.4. therefore when you see a spirit of with-drawing from the fellowship of the church, they depart from the Apostles Doctrine, and if from them, then from Christ, for surely our fellowship is with God, and with the Son, therefore to prevent that denying of Christ, he gives them charge that they do not forsake assembling themselves, &c. Heb. 10.25. to 29. A finger cut off from the hand, is not only cut off from the hand but from the head too; so if men fall off from the Members, they will also fall off from Christ the Head.
A. 1. From the fellowship the true Members of the church have with Christ, 1 Joh. 1.4. therefore when you see a spirit of with-drawing from the fellowship of the church, they depart from the Apostles Doctrine, and if from them, then from Christ, for surely our fellowship is with God, and with the Son, therefore to prevent that denying of Christ, he gives them charge that they doe not forsake assembling themselves, &c. Heb. 10.25. to 29. A finger cut off from the hand, is not only cut off from the hand but from the head too; so if men fall off from the Members, they will also fall off from Christ the Head.
Use 1. Seems to inform our judgements what to think in case of separation, for this place is much abused; The Papists they build on this place that they that separate from their church are Antichrists. That company, say they that break off from the fellowship of the church is Antichristian▪ as it is plain here; now what were Calvin and Luther, but such as brake off from the fellowship of the church, therefore they were of Antichrists spirit, and fore-runners of him.
Ʋse 1. Seems to inform our judgements what to think in case of seperation, for this place is much abused; The Papists they build on this place that they that seperate from their church are Antichrists. That company, say they that breake off from the fellowship of the church is Antichristian▪ as it is plain here; now what were Calvin and Luther, but such as brake off from the fellowship of the church, therefore they were of Antichrists spirit, and fore-runners of him.
We must therefore know, it is not every separation from that which is called a church that is a note of an Antichristian spirit, but it must be known whether that were the true church; now this church St. John speaks of ⟨p. 156⟩was the true Church, for it was from such whose sins were forgiven; now if it be not a true Church that they break from, it is no sign of Antichrist, 2 Chro. 11.16. such as set their hearts to seek the Lord, separated themselves from those that followed Jeroboam, and came to Jerusalem; so the Apostles were fain to separate from the Church of the Jews which persecuted Christ, and them, and so constituted a Church by themselves, a Christian Church; so then it is not a separation from a false Church, but a true, that is a sign of an Antichristian spirit.
We must therefore know, it is not every seperation from that which is called a church that is a note of an Antichristian spirit, but it must be known whether that were the true church; now this church St. John speaks of ⟨p. 156⟩was the true Church, for it was from such whose sins were forgiven; now if it be not a true Church that they breake from, it is no sign of Antichrist, 2 Chro. 11.16. such as set their hearts to seek the Lord, seperated themselves from those that followed Jereboam, and came to Jerusalem; so the Apostles were faine to seperate from the Church of the Jewes which persecuted Christ, and them, and so constituted a Church by themselves, a Christian Church; so then it is not a seperation from a false Church, but a true, that is a sign of an Antichristian spirit.
Obj. But what pretence, or just ground had such Divines to fall from the Romish Church, or we in England? for we, only upon the falling out of Hen. 8. with the Pope fell from him?
A. True, that matter of Divorce did move him to fail off from the Pope, and indeed, that cause was enough to fall off from the Pope, who would bind a Prince to an unlawful Marriage.
A. True, that matter of Divorce did move him to fail off from the Pope, and indeed, that cause was enough to fall off from the Pope, who would binde a Prince to an unlawful Marriage.