A34689:2135
A34689:2135
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 know it, not only think so, but know it, and they know it.
1 From the contrariety that they see betwixt that unction of the Spirit which they have received, and that Doctrine; the Spirit of God in them teaches them to be humble, 2 Pet. 2.18. but the spirit of these false Doctors is ambitious, they speak great swelling words; this suites not with the Spirit of God, to look at their own ends, at their bellies, at their gain.
1 From the contrariety that they see betwixt that unction of the Spirit which they have received, and that Doctrin; the Spirit of God in them teaches them to be humble, 2 Pet. 2.18. but the spirit of these false Doctors is ambitious, they speak great swelling words; this suites not with the Spirit of God, to look at their own ends, at their bellies, at their gain.
2 It is contrary to their experience; a true Christian knows that the Doctrine of Antichrist is contrary to that experience he hath found; if they come to speak of Free Will, his own heart tells him, he was fain to be drawn out of himself, he found that he could very hardly be pulled out of his Natural estate, so that a Christian heart knows this is contrary to the truth. Let another say, we are justified by works, you cannot persuade a Christian to that, for he knows his best righteousness is defiled, Isa. 64.6. and when he hath done what he can he is but an unprofitable servant; when they tell him, there is merit and satisfaction in his Works, yea supererogation, no Christian but he knows this to be a lye, and that he deserves wrath for his best performances, he knows he is no way able to satisfy Gods Justice, or Gods Law, but only Christ satisfies for him. When they shall come to a poor soul and bid him confess his sins, and tell him they have power to absolve him from his sins, he knows it will not quiet his soul; tell a Christian, that going on Pilgrimages, and scourging himself will satisfy for his soul, he knows that is false; tell a Christian, he may fall away finally, he knows that is a lye, 2 Tim. 1.12. 1 Thes. 5.24.
2 It is contrary to their experience; a true Christian knows that the Doctrin of Antichrist is contrary to that experience he hath found; if they come to speak of Free Will, his owne heart tells him, he was fain to be drawn out of himselfe, he found that he could very hardly be puld out of his Naturall estate, so that a Christian heart knowes this is contrary to the truth. Let another say, we are justified by works, you cannnot perswade a Christian to that, for he knwows his best righteousnesse is defiled, Isa. 64.6. and when he hath done what he can he is but an unprofitable servant; when they tell him, there is merit and satisfaction in his Works, yea supererrogation, no Christian but he knows this to be a lye, and that he deserves wrath for his best performances, he knowes he is no way able to satisfie Gods Justice, or Gods Law, but only Christ satisfies for him. When they shall come to a poor soul and bid him confesse his sins, and tell him they have power to absolve him from his sins, he knows it will not quiet his soul; tell a Christian, that going on Pilgrimages, and scourging himselfe will satisfie for his soul, he knows that is false; tell a Christian, he may fall away finally, he knowes that is a lye,
3. They know the truth, because they have received it from a Messenger of truth.
4 They know the truth by the effects, by the peace and grace they find from the truth; and on the contrary, no Antichristian Doctrine ever brought peace to their souls, and there is no truth where no peace is, where you cannot find peace of Conscience, that Religion hath no saving truth in it; if they find not the fruit of peace, they know it is not of the truth.
4 They know the truth by the effects, by the peace and grace they finde from the truth; and on the contrary, no Antichristian Doctrin ever brought peace to their souls, and there is no truth where no peace is, where you cannot finde peace of Conscience, that Religion hath no saving truth in it; if they finde not the fruit of peace, they know it is not of the truth.
2 Another fruit of the true Religion, is, it brings liberty and freedom of spirit to come to God from Satan, from his Lusts, from the World, John 8.32. therefore if Religion do not make us free to come to God, and free from the World, and our own Lusts, surely that Religion is not of the truth, 2 Pet. 2.19. he speaks of these false Teachers, that they promise liberty, themselves being servants of sin.
2 Another fruit of the true Religion, is, it brings liberty and freedome of spirit to come to God from Sathan, from his Lusts, from the World, John 8.32. therefore if Religion do not make us free to come to God, and free from the World, and our own Lusts, surely that Religion is not of the truth, 2 Pet. 2.19. he speaks of these false Teachers, that they promise liberty, themselves being servants of sin.
Use 1 May serve to reprove all such as are at an uncertainty in their Religion, they know not which Religion to take, they say they find Reasons on both sides so probable, and there are some on both sides so corrupt, that they know not which to take; why, if it be so, you have not received the unction of the Spirit, for there is not the least of these little Children which have received this unction, but he knows the truth, and that no Lye is of the truth.
Ʋse 1 May serve to reprove all such as are at an uncertainty in their Religion, they know not which Religion to take, they say they finde Reasons on both sides so probable, and there are some on both sides so corrupt, that they know not which to take; why, if it be so, you have not received the unction of the Spirit, for there is not the least of these little Children which have received this unction, but hee knows the truth, and that no Lye is of the truth.
Use 2 For you that have took up your Religion, and the true Religion, but do you know your Religion to be the truth, and that it is no Lye? why they hope it is true, because the King and State follow it; but do you know it to be true, and do you know every contrary Doctrine to be a Lye? if you do not; you do not know what you should, Psal. 119.30. I have chosen the truth, he doth not say the State hath chosen it, or others have chosen it, and therefore I will follow it too; No, but I have chosen it, let others choose what they will; let every Christian know that he hath chosen the truth, and that no […]
Ʋse 2 For you that have took up your Religion, and the true Religion, but do you know your Religion to be the truth, and that it is no Lye? why they hope it is true, because the King and State follow it; but do you know it to be true, and do you know every contrary Doctrin to be a Lye? if you do not; you do not know what you should, Psal. 119.30. I have chosen the truth, he doth not say the State hath chosen it, or orhers have chosen it, and therefore I will follow it too; No, but I have chosen it, let others chuse what they will; let every Christian know that he hath chosen the truth, and that no 〈…〉
Use 3. It may teach all to grow up in discerning the truth, and that will discover all falsehood; as suppose you should have some come to you, and tell you, you frequent the ordinances, and perform good duties only in the Letter, but you ought to do nothing but when the Spirit moves you; but let a Christian examine if this be not a lye, and contrary to the truth, and to that experience I find, for we ought to pray continually; so if one come and tell you, you ought not to read the Scriptures, your own spirit tells you, you have as much need of the Word, as a Child of his daily Milk; therefore let Christians learn to discern of the Spirit of Truth and Error.
Ʋse 3. It may teach all to grow up in discerning the truth, and that will discover all falshood; as suppose you should have some come to you, and tell you, you frequent the ordinances, and perform good duties only in the Letter, but you ought to doe nothing but when the Spirit moves you; but let a Christian examine if this be not a lye, and contrary to the truth, and to that experience I finde, for we ought to pray continually; so if one come and tell you, you ought not to read the Scriptures, your own spirit tells you, you have as much need of the Word, as a Childe of his daily Milk; therefore let Christians learn to discerne of the Spirit of Truth and Errour.
1 JOHN 2.22. Who is a Liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? he is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 JOHN 2.22. Who is a Lyer, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? he is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son.
The Apostle, vers. 10, 21, 22. propounds some means to help them against false Teachers.
THe Apostle, vers. 10, 21, 22. propounds some means to help them against false Teachers.
1 By something in themselves, that Unction in them.