A34689:3718
A34689:3718
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.
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.
John 3.16. God so loved the world, this love is manifest.
1 If we consider, that God doth not only send us bodily bread every day, but the bread of eternal life, not so much the gift, as the giver himself.
1 If we consider, that God doth not only send us bodily bread every day, but the bread of eternall life, not so much the gift, as the giver himself.
2 Consider upon what terms we stood with God, when he sent us his ⟨p. 299⟩on? Even then when we provoked him to his face, and were enemies to his Majesty, Rom. 5.8.
2 Consider upon what tearmes we stood with God, when he sent us his ⟨p. 299⟩on? Even then when we provoked him to his face, and were enemies to his Majesty, Rom. 5.8.
3 Consider we that God looked not at the Angels, but the seed of man, God passed over Angels, left them in chains of darkness, Heb. 2.16. but of man he said, shall he fall and not rise again?
3 Consider we that God looked not at the Angels, but the seed of man, God passed over Angels, left them in chains of darknesse, Heb. 2.16. but of man he said, shall he fall and not rise again?
Consider we were strangers and enemies to God; dead in sins and trespasses▪ and so we did neither desire nor deserve love, yet us he hath reconciled, Col. 1.21. Ephes. 2.4, 5.
4 Consider Christ who was sent, had it been a morsel of daily bread, it had been a great mercy, but in Christ he sent an horn of salvation, Psal. 89.19. Luke 1.69.
4 Consider Christ who was sent, had it been a morsell of dayly bread, it had been a great mercy, but in Christ he sent an horn of salvation, Psal. 89.19. Luke 1.69.