A34689:3711
A34689:3711
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 This love of God is manifested to the rest of mankind, Rev. 3.9.
Reas. From Gods glory, Luke 2.14. the high praises of God were in their mouths; Jerusalem shall be comforted, because God will make bare his arm in the redemption of his people, Isa. 52.9, 10.
Reas. From Gods glory, Luke 2.14. the high praises of God were in their mouthes; Jerusalem shall be comforted, because God will make bare his arm in the redemption of his people, Isa. 52.9, 10.
2 If God did not reveal our salvation to us, it would be no comfort to us, but when it is manifested, it is a ground of joy.
3 It's a means to draw on many men into the unfeigned love of God, which otherwise might be left in darkness, Zech. 8.23. When the love of God, is manifested to the children of men, it doth raise them up to seek God, Cant. 5.16. therefore the daughters of Jerusalem are provoked to seek Christ Jesus with the rest of his people; when they discern what a gracious God he is to them that cleave to him in a conjugal affection, Psal. 106.45. this encourageth them that are coming on in the ways of grace, and discourageth them that do not, and convinceth them that are of the Synagogue of Satan, who know that he is the Lord.
3 It's a means to draw on many men into the unfeigned love of God, which otherwise might be left in darknesse, Zech. 8.23. When the love of God, is manifested to the children of men, it doth raise them up to seek God, Cant. 5.16. therefore the daughters of Jerusalem are provoked to seek Christ Jesus with the rest of his people; when they discern what a gracious God he is to them that cleave to him in a conjugall affection, Psal. 106.45. this encourageth them that are coming on in the wayes of grace, and discourageth them that doe not, and convinceth them that are of the Synagogue of Satan, who know that he is the Lord.
Use 1. This should teach the servants of God not only to bear an hidden love, but also a manifest love to Christ; now indeed are the time, wherein men need not be ashamed to manifest their love; but if times grow hard, then men will come to Christ by night, as Nicodemus did; but God requires, if he manifest his love to your conscience, that you should make it known to the world, and not to be like Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, Joh. 9.38, 39. If ⟨p. 298⟩we be ashamed of him in the world, he will be ashamed of us before his Father, Mark 8, 38. when Christ hung on the Cross, Joseph came in boldly to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus, Mark. 15.43, which shows you, that where there is truth of grace, though it be close at the first coming on, yet when there is danger indeed, every man will put forth himself to bear witness to the truth.
Ʋse 1. This should teach the servants of God not only to bear an hidden love, but also a manifest love to Christ; now indeed are the time, wherein men need not be ashamed to manifest their love; but if times grow hard, then men will come to Christ by night, as Nicodemus did; but God requires, if he manifest his love to your conscience, that you should make it known to the world, and not to be like Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, Joh. 9.38, 39. If ⟨p. 298⟩we be ashamed of him in the world, he will be ashamed of us before his Father, Mark 8, 38. when Christ hung on the Crosse, Joseph came in boldly to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus, Mark. 15.43, which shewes you, that where there is truth of grace, though it be close at the first coming on, yet when there is danger indeed, every man will put forth himselfe to bear witnesse to the truth.
Reas. He dyed for us to make an atonement for us, Christ did not come unsent, he was sent before he went, Heb. 5.45.
Answ. 1. Christ by his blood wrought reconciliation, because God loved us before, yet we loved not him before, for there must be a mutual fellowship in reconciling us to God, 2 Cor. 5.16. not so much in reconciling himself to the world, in the 20. verse, he saith we pray you in Christs stead, which shows you that Christs blood did not so much reconcile God to us, as us unto God, that we seeing the blood of Christ shed for us, we might be stirred up to love God, who out of the abundance of his compassion takes a course, that we may be brought unto him.
Answ. 1. Christ by his blood wrought reconciliation, because God loved us before, yet we loved not him before, for there must be a mutuall fellowship in reconciling us to God, 2 Cor. 5.16. not so much in reconciling himselfe to the world, in the 20. verse, he saith we pray you in Christs stead, which shewes you that Christs blood did not so much reconcile God to us, as us unto God, that we seeing the blood of Christ shed for us, we might be stirred up to love God, who out of the abundance of his compassion takes a course, that we may be brought unto him.
2 Because though he did bear love to us before, yet his love was secret, and he did not break forth into a manifestation of his love to us, until he sent his Son into the world: though God did love us with an everlasting love, Jer. 31.3. yet God did not manifest it to our conscience, neither could it stand with his Justice so to do, until he had given his Son the Lord Jesus Christ to dye for us.
2 Because though he did bear love to us before, yet his love was secret, and he did not breake forth into a manifestation of his love to us, untill he sent his Son into the world: though God did love us with an everlasting love, Jer. 31.3. yet God did not manifest it to our conscience, neither could it stand with his Justice so to doe, untill he had given his Son the Lord Jesus Christ to dye for us.
Quest. What kind of love was it, that God bare to the world in that he sent his Son, Tit. 3.5. was it his love towards mankind, by which he did love the whole world, or a peculiar love which he bare to the people of the Election of grace? Joh. 3.16. The Arminians say, that he bare a love to the World, and this love was general to all, before the sending of Christ, and therefore all may be saved.
Quest. What kind of love was it, that God bare to the world in that he sent his Son, Tit. 3.5. was it his love towards mankinde, by which he did love the whole world, or a peculiar love which he bare to the people of the Election of grace? Joh. 3.16. The Arminians say, that he bare a love to the World, and this love was generall to all, before the sending of Christ, and therefore all may be saved.
The truth is, that God bare a love to the world, a [Greek or Hebrew] reaching to all, but he bare an ancient love to his own people, had he only bore a general love (as they say) all men might have perished, for if God sent his Son, that whosoever believed, should be saved, was it in the will to believe or not? yes say they, he gave them means, but they might will or not; if this was a general love, then there was a greater love, then the sending of Christ, which is contrary to Scripture, Greater love then this hath no man.
The truth is, that God bare a love to the world, a 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 reaching to all, but he bare an antient love to his owne people, had he onely bore a generall love (as they say) all men might have perished, for if God sent his Son, that whosoever believed, should be saved, was it in the will to believe or not? yes say they, he gave them means, but they might will or not; if this was a generall love, then there was a greater love, then the sending of Christ, which is contrary to Scripture, Greater love then this hath no man.
Use 1. Let us magnify the love of God to us in Christ, we esteem much of ancient love, it (like wine) is the best, God loved us, before he did send Christ, before the foundation of the world was laid Jer. 31.3. This love was without reason on our parts, for we were enemies to him.
Ʋse 1. Let us magnifie the love of God to us in Christ, we esteeme much of ancient love, it (like wine) is the best, God loved us, before he did send Christ, before the foundation of the world was laid Jer. 31.3. This love was without reason on our parts, for we were enemies to him.
2 This exhorts us to accept this love, shall God send his Ambassadors, 2 Cor. 5.20. and shall we still stand out with God?
2 This exhorts us to accept this love, shall God send his Embassadors, 2 Cor. 5.20. and shall we still stand out with God?
3 If God so loved the world, we ought to love one another.