A34689:1948
A34689:1948
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.
1 Because they separate, where Christ keeps fellowship, Rev. 1.18. and that he walks with us, we argue, because he is still pleased to dispense to us the Word of Life, and edifies many souls thereby, and therefore surely Christ hath fellowship, and shall man be more pure than his Maker? where Christ vouch. safes fellowship, shall man renounce it?
1 Because they seperate, where Christ keeps fellowship, Rev. 1.18. and that he walks with us, we argue, because he is still pleased to dispence to us the Word of Life, and edifies many souls thereby, and therefore surely Christ hath fellowship, and shall man be more pure than his Maker? where Christ vouch. safes fellowship, shall man renounce it?
If they be converted, where had they their conversion?
2 Have not many of Gods Servants heretofore kept company with Churches as corrupt as ours are? Did not Peter and John keep company with them and shall they be more pure and curious?
3 Christ commands, If thy Brother offends admonish him, Matth. 18.17. if he hear thee not, take two or three more, if he hear not them, then tell it to the Church, and if he hear not the Church, let him be to thee as an Heathen, or Publican; but if the church hear not thy complaint, he doth not say let the church be as an Heathen, or Publican; now there are many of our Separatists never admonished their Brethren, nor made their complaint to the church, and if they did, and the church heard them not, must they therefore Excommunicate the church, and renounce it? therefore unless you find in it Blasphemy, or Idolatry, or Persecution, there is no just ground of separation.
3 Christ commands, If thy Brother offends admonish him, Matth. 18.17. if he hear thee not, take two or three more, if he hear not them, then tell it to the Church, and if he heare not the Church, let him be to thee as an Heathen, or Publican; but if the church hear not thy complaint, he doth not say let the church be as an Heathen, or Publican; now there are many of our Seperatists never admonished their Brethren, nor made their complaint to the church, and if they did, and the church heard them not, must they therefore Excommunicate the church, and renounce it? therefore unlesse you find in it Blasphemy, or Idolatry, or Persecution, there is no just ground of seperation.
Therefore this sin is very dangerous, it draws men from the Members of the Church.
1 They say, our Worship is corrupt. 2 Our Government is Antichristian.
For the first, you cannot maintain it, for in sundry Congregations you shall not find much corruption, as for reading of Prayers, if it be lawful to read Psalms, why is it not lawful to read Prayers? therefore that is no just ground, it is that which all Protestant Churches have used.
For the first, you cannot maintain it, for in sundry Congregations you shall not find much corruption, as for reading of Prayers, if it be lawful to read Psalmes, why is it not lawful to read Prayers? therefore that is no just ground, it is that which all Protestant Churches have used.
2 Suppose there were and are sundry abuses in the Church, yet that is no safe ground of separation, Ezek. 5.11. Ezek. 9.4. so when the Sons of Eli corrupted the Sacrifices of God, their Sin was great, yet it was a sin for the people to separate and abhor, 1 Sam. 2.17.
2 Suppose there were and are sundry abuses in the Church, yet that is no safe ground of seperation, Ezek. 5.11. Ezek. 9.4. so when the Sons of Eli corrupted the Sacrifices of God, their Sin was great, yet it was a sin for the people to seperate and abhor, 1 Sam. 2.17.
2 They say our Government is Antichristian, we say it is that Government that expelled Antichrist sometimes, and sundry have witnessed it with their blood; and I say further, there is no such corruption in our State as was in Jerusalem, when Christ and his Apostles kept Fellowship with them, as two High Priests, &c.
2 They say our Government is Antichristian, we say it is that Government that expeld Antichrist somtimes, and sundry have witnessed it with their blood; and I say further, there is no such corruption in our State as was in Jerusalem, when Christ and his Apostles kept Fellowship with them, as two High Priests, &c.
3 They say our Ministry and Calling is Antichristian, we say we do not profess our selves enemies to Christ, and for our Callings, many of us are elected by the peoples approbation, or by such as are set up by the King and State, and if God bless our Ministry to convert thousands to God by that means, it is an evident sign God approves our Calling, for, if it were Antichristian, they would not convert souls to God.
3 They say our Ministry and Calling is Antichristian, we say we doe not profess our selves enemies to Christ, and for our Callings, many of us are elected by the peoples approbation, or by such as are set up by the King and State, and if God blesse our Ministry to convert thousands to God by that means, it is an evident sign God approves our Calling, for, if it were Antichristian, they would not convert souls to God.
4 They say our people are corrupt, and some such as Paul bids not to have communion with, 1 Cor. 5.11. as Drunkards, Whoremongers, and therefore you see what evil such do, they make Gods people abhor the Offerings, and break off from fellowship with you.
4 They say our people are corrupt, and some such as Paul bids not to have communion with, 1 Cor. 5.11. as Drunkards, Whoremongers, and therefore you see what evill such doe, they make Gods people abhor the Offerings, and breake off from fellowship with you.
We cannot deny but there are very many corrupt and scandalous persons in our Church, but private Christians have no authority to root them out.
We cannot deny but there are very many corrupt and scandalous persons in our Church, but private Christians have no authority to roote them out.
1 For Ministers, if they see that it would turn to the dissipation and destruction of the F•ock, it were better to forbear, 1 Cor. 5. Mat. 13.29, 30. Ezra 4.20. they ceased from building the Temple, when there came a command against it; therefore they had better forbear, when it cannot be redressed without greater prejudice to the Church.
2 The corruption of such do not corrupt the Church, or the Ordinances of God, He that eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks damnation to himself, not to the whole Congregation, and you shall find many Churches as corrupt as the Church of Corinth, yet the Apostle would not have them renounce it.
2 The corruption of such doe not corrupt the Church, or the Ordinances of God, He that eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks damnation to himself, not to the whole Congregation, and you shall finde many Churches as corrupt as the Church of Corinth, yet the Apostle would not have them renounce it.
Lastly, they say we were never truly constituted, our Church had no true constitution.
A. That constitution which they themselves require hath not been wanting in ours.