A34689:3636
A34689:3636
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.
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.
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.
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.
3. A ground of much consolation and assurance to Gods children of perseverance, for if any thing could separate them from God, then it must be, either the world, the Devil, or lusts of their own flesh, but none of these can. Ergo, Rom. 8.15. to the end.
3. A ground of much consolation and assurance to Gods children of perseverance, for if any thing could separate them from God, then it must be, either the world, the Devill, or lusts of their own flesh, but none of these can. Ergo, Rom. 8.15. to the end.
1 JOHN 4.5, 6. They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us: hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 JOHN 4.5, 6. They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us: hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of errour.
Quest. What is it to be a worldly teacher?
Answ. 1. Teachers are said to be of the world, because it is their natural frame and temper to be worldly, John 3.23. There be several descents of Ministers, some have no other spirits then that they draw from their Parents, but the Spirit of God comes down from God upon some Ministers, and makes them walk by another rule then worldly men do.
Answ. 1. Teachers are said to be of the world, because it is their naturall frame and temper to be worldly, John 3.23. There be severall descents of Ministers, some have no other spirits then that they draw from their Parents, but the Spirit of God comes down from God upon some Ministers, and makes them walk by another rule then worldly men doe.
2. Worldly men savour the things of the world; if a man be of a divine Spirit, he relisheth divine matters, the saving of the souls of Gods people, he relisheth the danger of sin; but a worldly teacher, he relisheth preferment and house-keeping, his spirit reacheth no higher.
3. The end of worldly teachers are worldly. And
First, To draw disciples after them, Acts 20.30.
Secondly, They have respect to their wages of unrighteousness, they love only to live in pleasure, and keep a good house, 2 Pet. 2.13. But godly Ministers labour to make Disciples for God, Mat. 28.19, 20. they make not disciples for themselves; for what is Paul? or what is Apollos? They do not seek their hearers goods, but their souls good, they look for their pleasure in another world, 2 Cor. 12.15. According to the descents of Ministers, such are their doctrine, and such are their hearers; worldly teachers speak of the World, and from worldly principles, and from worldly helps, and to worldly ends.
Secondly, They have respect to their wages of unrighteousnesse, they love onely to live in pleasure, and keep a good house, 2 Pet. 2.13. But godly Ministers labour to make Disciples for God, Mat. 28.19, 20. they make not disciples for themselves; for what is Paul? or what is Apollos? They doe not seek their hearers goods, but their souls good, they look for their pleasure in another world, 2 Cor. 12.15. According to the descents of Ministers, such are their doctrine, and such are their hearers; wordly teachers speak of the World, and from worldly principles, and from worldly helps, and to worldly ends.
Quest. What is meant by the world?
Answ. 1. The world is a mass of mankind, that lies in a state of corruption, such as fell in Adam, and never rise again, of whom it is said, you are of the world, John 15.19. wicked men are called the world, because they are but flesh and blood, John 3.6.
Answ. 1. The world is a masse of mankind, that lies in a state of corruption, such as fell in Adam, and never rise again, of whom it is said, you are of the world, John 15.19. wicked men are called the world, because they are but flesh and bloud, John 3.6.
2. They savour of those things that are of the world, every man speaks of matters in his own element.
3. Because most of the world are such, 1 John 5.19. the world lieth in wickedness, take up their rest therein.
3. Because most of the world are such, 1 John 5.19. the world lyeth in wickednesse, take up their rest therein.