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…

Use. 1. It shows a reason of that little good which hath been done among the Papists, by any Writings that have been writ in defence of the truth, they have been means of much good to them that have known the truth, but amongst Millions of Papists, it is hard to know whether any have been converted to the true Religion, after such evident demonstration and conviction, the reason is, because Writings do not profit them that know not the truth, but such as know the truth, for else why did not Saint John write to Cerinthus, or other Heretics in that time? but he tells them, I write to you, because you know the truth, had he writ to Cerinthus or Menander, his labour would have been lost; not but that it hath done much good, not only to them that have known the truth, but those that have not known the truth, it hath stirred them up to like the truth better, and some to seek out the truth in other Writings; but never to convert them to the truth; God hath many times blessed sudden speeches to convert some that have come to hear the truth, but it hath never been so effectual to them that have only read it in writings, for God never sanctified the Apostles Writings to the conversion of the unbelieving Gentiles.

Ʋse. 1. It shewes a reason of that little good which hath been done among the Papists, by any Writings that have been writ in defence of the truth, they have been means of much good to them that have known the truth, but amongst Millions of Papists, it is hard to know whether any have been converted to the true Religion, after such evidet demonstration and conviction, the reason is, because Writings do not profit them that know not the truth, but such as know the truth, for else why did not Saint John write to Cerinthus, or other Heretiques in that time? but he tells them, I write to you, because you know the truth, had he writ to Cerinthus or Menander, his labour would have been lost; not but that it hath done much good, not only to them that have known the truth, but those that have not known the truth, it hath stirred them up to like the truth better, and some to seek out the truth in other Writings; but never to convert them to the truth; God hath many times blessed sudden speeches to convert some that have come to hear the truth, but it hath never been so effectual to them that have only read it in writings, for God never sanctified the Apostles Writings to the conversion of the unbeleeving Gentiles.