A34689:2139
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…
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,