A34689:3677
A34689:3677
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.
3. Of comfort to such souls, as abound in their love to their brethren; so much love, so much grace, so much hope of an everlasting inheritance: if your love decays, your faith and hope of salvation decays.
Obj. But a little thing frets my soul, and I am not so soon healed being fretted; ⟨p. 296⟩some flesh is hard to heal, so is it with some mens spirits: What shall I do to uphold my brotherly love?
Obj. But a little thing frets my soul, and I am not so soon healed being fretted; ⟨p. 296⟩some flesh is hard to heal, so is it with some mens spirits: What shall I doe to uphold my brotherly love?
Answ. 1. Keep your love to God, and so you shall preserve your love to your brethren; forgive your brethren, and God will forgive you, Mat. 18. ult.
2. Keep your hearts clean; love will not long rest in an unclean heart, 1 Pet. 1.22. because love is an heavenly fire.
1 JOHN 4.8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love.
What is it to know God? The Apostle bears witness of the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 1.5. that they abound in knowledge, so that they fall short of no gift, yet 1 Cor. 1.10. he complains that there is schism among them; therefore there may be knowledge of God, and yet want of love to our brethren.
What is it to know God? The Apostle bears witnesse of the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 1.5. that they abound in knowledge, so that they fall short of no gift, yet 1 Cor. 1.10. he complains that there is schism among them; therefore there may be knowledge of God, and yet want of love to our brethren.
Answ. 1. The knowledge that is there spoken of, is a knowledge that enlightens the understanding, that puffs up and swims in the brain, it sinks not into their hearts and affections.
Answ. 1. The knowledge that is there spoken of, is a knowledge that enlightens the understanding, that puffes up and swims in the brain, it sinks not into their hearts and affections.
2. There is a knowledge that reacheth to the heart and life of a man, a man is said not to know, when he doth not acknowledge, Psal. 1.6. The Lord knows the way of the righteous, the Lord approves, affects and delights in their way; when a man doth not regard, he is said not to know, Mat. 7.23. Known unto God are all his works, Acts 15.18,
3. There is a knowledge that doth express its self in action, Know you the God of thy Fathers, 1 Chron. 18.9. 1 Sam. 2.12. the Sons of Eli they knew not God, though Priests, yet knew not the way of Religion, because they were wicked children without yoke, they are not acquainted with the ways of the Lord.
3. There is a knowledge that doth expresse its selfe in action, Know you the God of thy Fathers, 1 Chron. 18.9. 1 Sam. 2.12. the Sons of Eli they knew not God, though Priests, yet knew not the way of Religion, because they were wicked children without yoak, they are not acquainted with the wayes of the Lord.
Reas. 1. From the nature of God both in his attributes and works, both express in abundance, that those that know God, cannot but love their brethren; for no attribute doth so much express the nature of God, as this of love.
Reas. 1. From the nature of God both in his attributes and works, both expresse in abundance, that those that know God, cannot but love their brethren; for no attribute doth so much expresse the nature of God, as this of love.
2 If we know God, and be acquainted with God, there will be some likeness between God and us; if we see God loving godly Ministers and hearers, so will we, Gal. 6.10.
2 If we know God, and be acquainted with God, there will be some likenesse between God and us; if we see God loving godly Ministers and hearers, so will we, Gal. 6.10.
3. From the impression which the love of God makes in our hearts, Rom. 5.5. our hearts are like to a stone-wall in a cold day, the wall is cold always, but warmed on a Sun-shine day.
4. From our love to God: What causeth you to love God? if for this, because he pardons your sins, and saves your souls, this a man may do by a spirit of false love; he that loves God truly, will love him for his goodness, not only to us, but to others.
4. From our love to God: What causeth you to love God? if for this, because he pardons your sins, and saves your soules, this a man may doe by a spirit of false love; he that loves God truly, will love him for his goodnesse, not onely to us, but to others.
Use 1. This may be a ground of trial of our love and fellowship with God; if you find in your hearts an unfeigned love to godly Ministers; if you make Gods servants the men of your delight, you need no better evidence from Heaven, that you are beloved of God.
Ʋse 1. This may be a ground of tryall of our love and fellowship with God; if you find in your hearts an unfeigned love to godly Ministers; if you make Gods serv•nts the men of your delight, you need no better evidence from Heaven, that you are beloved of God.
Obj. I am acquainted with many godly Ministers and good men.