A34689:3842
A34689:3842
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.
What is meant by Gods back parts?
That is spoken of God according to the manner of men, Numb. 12.8.
Quest. What was it that Moses saw, when he saw Gods glory?
Answ. That he should see him in a glorious resemblance, he should see him in his attributes, which did wonderfully affect Moses, that glorious similitude was such, as that it was wonderful glorious, so that it did make his face to shine vers. 35. And as the out-side was glorious, so was the in-side of Moses heart enlarged, which made him go in and out before the people: in this manner they saw Christ, Matth. 17.1. to 5. they were so affected: they knew not what they said.
Answ. That he should see him in a glorious resemblance, he should see him in his attributes, which did wonderfully affect Moses, that glorious similitude was such, as that it was wonderful glorious, so that it did make his face to shine vers. 35. And as the out-side was glorious, so was the in-side of Moses heart inlarged, which made him go in and out before the people: in this manner they saw Christ, Matth. 17.1. to 5. they were so affected: they knew not what they said.
Quest. Why cannot we see Gods face and live?
Ans. First, from the frailty of flesh and blood: The presence of God would swallow us up, we are not capable of beholding God the Father, Son, or holy Ghost; when we are in heaven, we shall be changed.
2 From the sinful corruption of humane nature; his glorious presence, which is a consuming fire, would consume us. When Isaiah saw God in a similitude, but in a glimpse of his presence, then said he, Isa. 1.5. Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am unclean, he was afraid of his life, though he saw God but in a similitude.
Use 1. To teach us how to understand many places of Scripture, that speak of Gods manifesting himself to any; understand not God the Father, but Jesus Christ assuming a humane body, they saw him face to face, or spake mouth to mouth, or they saw a similitude of God his glorious attributes.
Ʋse 1. To teach us how to understand many places of Scripture, that speak of Gods manifesting himself to any; understand not God the Father, but Jesus Christ assuming a humane body, they saw him face to face, or spake mouth to mouth, or they saw a similitude of God his glorious attributes.
2 Be willing to put off mortal infirmities, so shall we see God face to face, Phil. 1.23. 2 Cor. 12.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
3 Of trial whether we have communion with God or no?
3 Of tryal whether we have communion with God or no?
1 You never heard God the Father, nor the Son; God hath now delivered all his counsel in his Word by his Son, yet we may have familiar, sensible, affectionate communion with God, Heb. 1.1.
1 You never heard God the Father, nor the Son; God hath now delivered all his counsell in his Word by his Son, yet we may have familiar, sensible, affectionate communion with God, Heb. 1.1.
2 We may find God revealing himself to our hearts and consciences, Psal. 73.24, 25. That he is the chiefest joy, other fears and cares take us not up, Heb. 11.27.
2 We may finde God revealing himselfe to our hearts and consciences, Psal. 73.24, 25. That he is the chiefest joy, other feares and cares take us not up, Heb. 11.27.
4 It stirs us up to the love of our brethren. No man hath seen God at any time, but have communion with him, and communion of love; God loves his people, we have communion with God, Psal. 16.2, 3. The Papists ask for Images, can there be any better resemblance of the Father then the Son his Image? and in loving and having communion with Gods Image that is like him? they kill his living Images to honour dead Images. It is the greatest love we can show to God, to love his Image.
4 It stirs us up to the love of our brethren. No man hath seene God at any time, but have communion with him, and communion of love; God loves his people, we have communion with God, Psal. 16.2, 3. The Papists ask for Images, can there be any better resemblance of the Father then the Son his Image? and in loving and having communion with Gods Image that is like him? they kill his living Images to honour dead Images. It is the greatest love we can shew to God, to love his Image.
What is it for God to dwell or abide in us?
God is said to dwell, not where he is, but where he loves to be, and so doth a man. Now God loves to be where love is, God loves not to be where malice and discontent is; God being a God of peace, loves to dwell in a ⟨p. 307⟩place of peace, or else he dwells not. God indeed is all the world over, if we go to Hell, he is there; if to Heaven, he is there; but yet he doth not dwell every where, Isa. 57.15. If where the Devil dwells, all that he possesseth is in peace, much more God, who is the God of peace, loves to be where peace is, & keeps that peace which passeth understanding.
God is said to dwell, not where he is, but where he loves to be, and so doth a man. Now God loves to be where love is, God loves not to be where malice and discontent is; God being a God of peace, loves to dwell in a ⟨p. 307⟩place of peace, or else he dwels not. God indeed is all the world over, if we go to Hell, he is there; if to Heaven, he is there; but yet he doth not dwell every where, Isa. 57.15. If where the Devill dwels, all that he possesseth is in peace, much more God, who is the God of peace, loves to be where peace is, & keeps that peace which passeth understanding.