A34689:3623
A34689:3623
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.
Who so is born of God doth overcome the world, John 5.4. the world not only of vain glory and reproaches, of covetousness, injury, and losses, but the world of false Teachers also.
Who so is born of God doth overcome the world, John 5.4. the world not onely of vain glory and reproaches, of covetousness, injury, and losses, but the world of false Teachers also.
In what doth this victory stand? A godly Hearer overcomes worldly Teachers,
First, By trying and examining their doctrine, and finding it to be false; if he do discover him he overcomes him, Rev. 2.2. by this means he puts them to shame, as those that have lost the field.
First, By trying and examining their doctrine, and finding it to be false; if he doe discover him he overcomes him, Rev. 2.2. by this means he puts them to shame, as those that have lost the field.
Secondly, When they stand fast in the doctrine of Gods truth and liberty of Christian profession, whatsoever those false teachers say, James 4.7. Resist the Devil and he will fly from you, so those false teachers, if you yield not to their doctrine, you overcome them, Gal. 2.4, 5.
Secondly, When they stand fast in the doctrine of Gods truth and liberty of Christian profession, whatsoever those false teachers say, James 4.7. Resist the Devill and he will fly from you, so those false teachers, if you yeeld not to their doctrine, you overcome them, Gal. 2.4, 5.
Thirdly, When Gods servants grow so much the more fervent, resolute, and zealous Christians, by how much the more they see themselves opposed, as David when he danced before the Ark of the Lord, Michal the daughter of Saul, laughed at him, but saith David, I will yet be more vile then, thus 2 Sam. 6.20, 22.
Fourthly, A man gets ground when he is able to prevail, either by avoiding them, or by being content to suffer extremity under them; by avoiding them, as the Levites left their possessions, and went to Judah and Jerusalem, 2 Chron. 11.15, 16. when a man cannot overcome them, to hold constant to the death, and so vincit qui patitur.
Fourthly, A man gets ground when he is able to prevail, either by avoiding them, or by being content to suffer extremity under them; by avoiding them, as the Levits left their possessions, and went to Judah and Jerusalem, 2 Chron. 11.15, 16. when a man cannot overcome them, to hold constant to the death, and so vincit qui patitur.
Reas. 1. From the blood of Christ, whereby we are sprinkled, Luke 1 74. we are delivered from the hand of our enemies, verse 68. they overcome by the blood of the Lamb, Rev. 12.11. Col. 2.13, 14. Christ hath triumphed over them openly; so that we come to fight with wounded enemies, Christ hath broke the Serpents head; we come to finish the victory that Christ hath begun for us; were the Devil and ungodly teachers let loose in their great strength, they would be too strong for us, but now their teeth are broken.
Reas. 1. From the bloud of Christ, whereby we are sprinkled, Luke 1 74. we are delivered from the hand of our enemies, verse 68. they overcome by the bloud of the Lambe, Rev. 12.11. Col. 2.13, 14. Christ hath triumphed over them openly; so that we come to fight with wounded enemies, Christ hath broke the Serpents head; we come to finish the victory that Christ hath begun for us; were the Devill and ungodly teachers let loose in their great strength, they would be too strong for us, but now their teeth are broken.
2. From the mighty power of God that dwells in Gods children, I write to you young men (saith St. John) because you have overcome the wicked one, they are so ballasted with promises and threatenings as that they do not sin against God; if the Devil or the world promise them earthly things, they have a great many better promises.
2. From the mighty power of God that dwells in Gods children, I write to you young men (saith St. John) because you have overcome the wicked one, they are so balasted with promises and threatnings as that they doe not sin against God; if the Devill or the world promise them earthly things, they have a great many better promises.
3. From the glories of him that dwells in godly hearers, in respect of him that dwells in wicked teachers: Who is he that is greater in them? It is the Spirit of God, Eph. 1.22. 1 Cor. 3.16. the Lord dwells in his children by his Spirit, he is greater then he that dwells in the world.
Quest. Wherein is he greater?
Answ. In all those things whereby men achieve victory, Isa. 26.5. To the obtaining of a victory there are required three things, wisdom, strength, and watchfulness.
Answ. In all those things whereby men atchieve victory, Isa. 26.5. To the obtaining of a victory there are required three things, wisdome, strength, and watchfulnesse.
First, For wisdom, David saith, I have more wisdom and understanding then all my teachers, Psal. 119.98, 99, 100. God had so taught him by his Word, that he came to get more understanding then his old teachers, he doth not speak this in way of arrogancy, only he doth comfort himself hereby, God teacheth wisdom secretly, Psal. 51.6.
First, For wisdome, David saith, I have more wisdome and understanding then all my teachers, Psal. 119.98, 99, 100. God had so taught him by his Word, that he came to get more understanding then his old teachers, he doth not speak this in way of arrogancy, onely he doth comfort himselfe hereby, God teacheth wisdome secretly, Psal. 51.6.
Secondly, God puts a renewed strength and power into their souls, by which they are mighty to overcome all their enemies, Eph. 6.10. Phil. 4.13. and whereby they are able to do and suffer all things.
Secondly, God puts a renewed strength and power into their souls, by which they are mighty to overcome all their enemies, Eph. 6.10. Phil. 4.13. and whereby they are able to doe and suffer all things.
Thirdly, They are greater in watchfulness, which when it is wanting then they fall; they never want wisdom and strength, but then it is the fault of Gods servants to wax fat, and to kick up the heel against God, and to forget the great things he hath done for them; and then though they have their armour about them, yet are they beat back by worldly teachers, and beat almost dead, so that you shall scarce see them pant: but now at this time, greater is he that is in them, then he that is in worldly teachers, for they do rise again, and get greater strength, and overcome mightily, Mark 14.37, 38. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, so that when we have most need of watching and prayer, then we are least able; because Peter could not watch with our Saviour, therefore he fell away most grievously; which shows when Gods servants put on a careless spirit, and do not make use of their wisdom and strength they have received, they come to be foiled, yet there is a seed in them, by which they do overcome all their enemies, yea themselves also. Hence David breaks forth into praising of the Name of the Lord, Psal. 144.1. the people of God are blessed with the blessings of God, Gen. 49.19. they shall overcome at the last, in which respect they may well be said to be of his Tribe. How comes a man to overcome ⟨p. 293⟩at his first conversion? God puts forth such a mighty arm of watchfulness, wisdom and strength, as that he overcomes the Devil, Luke 11.21. thus he overcomes the world, Gal. 1.4. John 15.19. he is crucified to the world, and the world to him. He doth then crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts, Gal. 5.24. so that he looks at them all as ignominious and deadly enemies, and if Christ shows himself thus strong when a man comes on to grow, what will he do when Christians grow more strong in wisdom, grace, strength, and watchfulness.
Use 1. This reproves every one that excuseth himself, and thinks he may lawfully grow worse under bad and worldly teachers, they cannot do as they have done, they cannot walk on in that power and strength, which they did before; what is the reason, hath a worldly teacher overcome you? What a shame is it for a Christian man that hath the seed of God in him, to suffer himself to be overcome of worldly teachers? It is an ill sign for Christians to grow worse because of bad teachers: it is a great shame, that God should give place to the Devil, that the children of God should give place to the children of the world, and of the Devil.
Ʋse 1. This reproves every one that excuseth himselfe, and thinks he may lawfully grow worse under bad and worldly teachers, they cannot doe as they have done, they cannot walk on in that power and strength, which they did before; what is the reason, hath a worldly teacher overcome you? What a shame is it for a Christian man that hath the seed of God in him, to suffer himselfe to be overcome of worldly teachers? It is an ill sign for Christians to grow worse because of bad teachers: it is a great shame, that God should give place to the Devill, that the children of God should give place to the children of the world, and of the Devill.
2. This should teach all Gods children to war against all worldly teachers, with the wrestlings of God, with strong wrestlings, and not give over the conflict, for they are upon certain grounds of victory; if you stand but out, you shall overcome, for Christ hath overcome, and his promises and threatenings are greater then those of the world and of Satan.
2. This should teach all Gods children to war against all worldly teachers, with the wrestlings of God, with strong wrestlings, and not give over the conflict, for they are upon certain grounds of victory; if you stand but out, you shall overcome, for Christ hath overcome, and his promises and threatnings are greater then those of the world and of Satan.
Thirdly, They are greater in watchfulnesse, which when it is wanting then they fall; they never want wisdome and strength, but then it is the fault of Gods servants to wax fat, and to kick up the heel against God, and to forget the great things he hath done for them; and then though they have their armour about them, yet are they beat back by worldly teachers, and beat almost dead, so that you shall scarce see them pant: but now at this time, greater is he that is in them, then he that is in worldly teachers, for they doe rise again, and get greater strength, and overcome mightily, Mark 14.37, 38. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, so that when we have most need of watching and prayer, then we are least able; because Peter could not watch with our Saviour, therefore he fell away most grievously; which shews when Gods servants put on a carelesse spirit, and doe not make use of their wisdome and strength they have received, they come to be foyled, yet there is a seed in them, by which they doe overcome all their enemies, yea themselves also. Hence David breaks forth into praising of the Name of the Lord, Psal. 144.1. the people of God are blessed with the blessings of God, Gen. 49.19. they shall overcome at the last, in which respect they may well be said to be of his Tribe. How comes a man to overcome ⟨p. 293⟩at his first conversion? God puts forth such a mighty arm of watchfulnesse, wisdome and strength, as that he overcomes the Devill, Luke 11.21. thus he overcomes the world, Gal. 1.4. John 15.19. he is crucified to the world, and the world to him. He doth then crucifie the flesh, with the affections and lusts, Gal. 5.24. so that he looks at them all as ignominious and deadly enemies, and if Christ shews himselfe thus strong when a man comes on to grow, what will he doe when Christians grow more strong in wisdome, grace, strength, and watchfulnesse.