A34689:3822
A34689:3822
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.
1 In regard of us that are beloved of God; children should be like the parents, therefore the Apostle presseth the argument from our near conjunction with God, Ephes. 5, 1. and the resemblance that ought to be between God and us, Mat. 5.44, 45. as we look to approve our selves as children of such a kind, gracious tender hearted Father, so to be to our Brethren.
2 In regard of us, as loved of God; there is an equity required in our giving and receiving, Mat. 10.8. as we have received love, so give, Mat. 18.33, 34. Oughtest not thou to have forgiven, &c. ought we to be so rigorous to our brother, when God is so gracious to us?
3. From the just recompense of love we owe to God that hath loved us: where we sow more seed, we look for a more plentiful harvest, Matth. 25.28. not to give God his own with advantage, is a part of unjustice in us; our love cannot much reach to God, but as David, Psal. 16.2, 3. 1 Cor. 12.7. the members of the body serve for the help of the body, pour all Gods love upon his Saints: David inquires if there be any left of Jonathans house, that he might show kindness to, 2 Sam. 9.2. the kindness of the Lord; as if David had been bound to it by the Lord.
3. From the just recompence of love we owe to God that hath loved us: where we sow more seed, we look for a more plentifull harvest, Matth. 25.28. not to give God his own with advantage, is a part of unjustice in us; our love cannot much reach to God, but as David, Psal. 16.2, 3. 1 Cor. 12.7. the members of the body serve for the help of the body, pour all Gods love upon his Saints: David inquires if there be any left of Jonathans house, that he might shew kindnesse to, 2 Sam. 9.2. the kindnesse of the Lord; as if David had been bound to it by the Lord.
2 Look at them that are to be loved, since they have received such love, we are to love them from the firmness of Gods love to them, which we cannot reverse: therefore to be beloved of men and Angels. Numb. 23.20. he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it, my curses cannot pierce through Gods blessing towards them; it's a vain thing to hate there where God hath blessed, we may say, How can I hate, where God hath not hated? He hath loved, and I cannot reverse it: it is not for the creature to be so saucy, malepert to dare to bestow his hatred, where God his love and blessing; when Isaac had blessed Jacob the younger brother, Gen. 27.33, 34. though Esau did entreat him, and fought it with tears, though his own affection we•t that way, yet he would not reverse it.
2 Look at them that are to be loved, since they have received such love, we are to love them from the firmnesse of Gods love to them, which we cannot reverse: therefore to be beloved of men and Angels. Numb. 23.20. he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it, my curses cannot pierce through Gods blessing towards them; it's a vain thing to hate there where God hath blessed, we may say, How can I hate, where God hath not hated? He hath loved, and I cannot reverse it: it is not for the creature to be so sawcy, malepert to dare to bestow his hatred, where God his love and blessing; when Isaac had blessed Jacob the younger brother, Gen. 27.33, 34. though Esau did intreat him, and fought it with tears, though his own affection we•t that way, yet he would not reverse it.
3 From the danger that may befall our selves, if we love not where God hath loved, 2 Chron. 19.2, 3. The wrath of God hath gone out against his children, when they have loved where God hath hated; So when we hate where God hath loved, the wrath of God is gone out against us. What displeasure did befall Jehoshaphat? was he not a prosperous Prince? there were only some few ships broken in going to Tarshish, he met with no great matter of wrath: but yet because he joined in league and affection with Ahab, Gods enemy, wrath was gone out, and did not return in vain, but fell foul upon his children; his eldest son proved a persecutor: As Jehoshaphat put forth love to Gods enemies, so his own bowels hated Gods children: So if we shall be straight hearted where God hath loved, Gods wrath is gone out against us, and will find either us out, or our children.
3 From the danger that may befall our selves, if we love not where God hath loved, 2 Chron. 19.2, 3. The wrath of God hath gone out against his children, when they have loved where God hath hated; So when we hate where God hath loved, the wrath of God is gone out against us. What displeasure did befall Jehosaphat? was he not a prosperous Prince? there were only some few ships broken in going to Tarshish, he met with no great matter of wrath: but yet because he joyned in league and affection with Ahab, Gods enemy, wrath was gone out, and did not return in vain, but fell foul upon his children; his eldest son proved a persecutor: As Jehosaphat put forth love to Gods enemies, so his own bowels hated Gods children: So if we shall be straight hearted where God hath loved, Gods wrath is gone out against us, and will finde either us out, or our children.
Use 1. Reproves all such strangeness or enmity that is found in Gods people towards the brethren, one would think they should love one another, that have Gods love shed abroad in them; yet this exhortation shows they are backward in this duty: When Gods people are young beginners, and new come on, then they think they can never love Christ nor his servants enough; so Mary, Luke 7.47. when her sins were now forgiven her, many debts forgiven her, she loved the creditor much: but St. John implies, that his old age had need of this exhortation, what through love of the world, themselves, and their lusts the people of God grow cold in their love to God and his servants: This argument of love St. John doth press in all this Epistle, and the danger of the contrary is great, you renounce the resemblance of your heavenly Father; you are not like him, you cannot love them so manifestly, freely and largely as God hath loved us, we expose our selves to the loss of the sense of our comfort: This is one reason why we call in question our hopes of eternal life, because we love not our brethren.
Ʋse 1. Reproves all such strangenesse or enmity that is found in Gods people towards the brethren, one would think they should love one another, that have Gods love shed abroad in them; yet this exhortation shews they are backward in this duty: When Gods people are young beginners, and new come on, then they think they can never love Christ nor his servants enough; so Mary, Luke 7.47. when her sins were now forgiven her, many debts forgiven her, she loved the creditor much: but St. John implies, that his old age had need of this exhortation, what through love of the world, themselves, and their lusts the people of God grow cold in their love to God and his servants: This argument of love St. John doth presse in all this Epistle, and the danger of the contrary is great, you renounce the resemblance of your heavenly Father; you are not like him, you cannot love them so manifestly, freely and largely as God hath loved us, we expose our selves to the losse of the sense of our comfort: This is one reason why we call in question our hopes of eternal life, because we love not our brethren.
2 To exhort us to put this will of our heavenly Father in execution, Christ did show us an example in his life, death, urged it upon his Disciples; God hath bequeathed a testimony of love from our hearts to our brethren, Rom. 13.8. this is a due debt, we must pay it out of our hearts; and if we do not so, no wonder if our wills be not executed. As God loves us manifestly, graciously, bountifully, so should we our brethren, Prov. 27.5. 1 Cor. 16.14. be bounteous in your love, so shall you enjoy peace and comfort to your souls, we shall keep the wrath of God from us, procure good to others and our selves for many generations. Since God hath loved and blessed his people, let us love and bless them, and make it our happiness to be doing his will.
2 To exhort us to put this will of our heavenly Father in execution, Christ did shew us an example in his life, death, urged it upon his Disciples; God hath bequeathed a testimony of love from our hearts to our brethren, Rom. 13.8. this is a due debt, we must pay it out of our hearts; and if we do not so, no wonder if our wills be not executed. As God loves us manifestly, graciously, bountifully, so should we our brethren, Prov. 27.5. 1 Cor. 16.14. be bounteous in your love, so shall you enjoy peace and comfort to your soules, we shall keep the wrath of God from us, procure good to others and our selves for many generations. Since God hath loved and blessed his people, let us love and blesse them, and make it our happinesse to be doing his will.
1 JOHN 4.12. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
IN these words the Apostle stirs us up to brotherly love, and that from the benefit of it, which is two-fold.
1 Fellowship with God, vers. 13, 14, 15, 16.
2 From the perfection of his love to the end, both mentioned in the 12 Verse. The fellowship we have with God is invisible: No man hath seen God a any time.
How can we love God since we never saw him?
We never saw our own souls, nor ever shall; yet we know that such we have and without such we could not subsist. No man hath seen God.
Joh. 1.18. No man hath seen God at any time, no man hath had speech face ⟨p. 306⟩to face with God the Father, the only begotten Son that lay in the bosom of the Father hath revealed him, 1 Tim. 1.16. He dwells in that light that no eye can attain unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; his light is so glorious, that no man can behold it; when Moses desired to see God face to face; God answered None could ever see him and live, Exod. 33.10.
Joh. 1.18. No man hath seen God at any time, no man hath had speech face ⟨p. 306⟩to face with God the Father, the onely begotten Son that lay in the bosome of the Father hath revealed him, 1 Tim. 1.16. He dwels in that light that no eye can attain unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; his light is so glorious, that no man can behold it; when Moses desired to see God face to face; God answered None could ever see him and live, Exod. 33.10.
Obj. Jacob saw God when he wrestled with him, Gen. 32.24,