A34689:3924
A34689:3924
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.
Object. But the Pharisees they confessed this, and they knew that he was the Son of God.
Quest. What is it to confess that Jesus is the Son of God?
Quest. What is it to confesse that Jesus is the Son of God?
Answ. It is not only an act of judgement, neither is it barely an act of the lips to say, that Jesus is the Son of God, this is no such sign of our fellowship with God; for it is now as great a wonder for a man to deny it, as it was then to confess it.
Answ. It is not onely an act of judgement, neither is it barely an act of the lips to say, that Jesus is the Son of God, this is no such sign of our fellowship with God; for it is now as great a wonder for a man to deny it, as it was then to confesse it.
That there is an act of the works or deeds of a man, and so confessing it is an argument that we have fellowship with God, God doth not take that for a true confession, when a man doth confess him with his lips, but in his works deny him, Tit. 1.16. Isa. 29.13. This confession is twofold 1. with the heart, 2. with the life, Confession with the heart is double.
That there is an act of the works or deeds of a man, and so confessing it is an argument that we have fellowship with God, God doth not take that for a true confession, when a man doth confesse him with his lips, but in his works deny him, Tit. 1.16. Isa. 29.13. This confession is twofold 1. with the heart, 2. with the life, Confession with the heart is double.
First, A looking to Christ for salvation, and this is an evident pledge of Gods dwelling with us, and we with him, Isa. 45.22. to 25. Rom. 14.11. Phil. 2.10, 11. Look to me and be saved, no man can look up to God as a God of his salvation but shall be saved; this is the proper work of faith.
The second is a penitential confessing, when Peter had convinced the Jews, that Jesus was the Lord, they were pricked in their harts, Acts 2.26, 37. For a man to confess that he is the Lord, and never to be troubled that he doth afflict him, nor never look for salvation by him, there is no truth, no heartiness in that confession, but when the heart is humbled for all the wrong it hath done to Christ, this is an evidence of hearty confession.
The second is a penitential confessing, when Peter had convinced the Jews, that Jesus was the Lord, they were pricked in their harts, Acts 2.26, 37. For a man to confesse that he is the Lord, and never to be troubled that he doth afflict him, nor never look for salvation by him, there is no truth, no heartinesse in that confession, but when the heart is humbled for all the wrong it hath done to Christ, this is an evidence of hearty confession.
In the confession of our life there are two parts.
1 If I confess Christ to be the Son of God; I do not only take him to be my Saviour, but to be my Lord and Governor, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Heb. 5.9. we obey Christ in thoughts, in speeches affections and conversations. 1 Pet. 3.14.2. When we suffer as Christians, and are not ashamed of the Cross of Christ, but answer as did the three children, Dan. 3.17, 18. The grace of a Christian is the lively confessing of Christ.
1 If I confesse Christ to be the Son of God; I doe not only take him to be my Saviour, but to be my Lord and Governour, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Heb. 5.9. we obey Christ in thoughts, in speeches affections and conversations. 1 Pet. 3.14.2. When we suffer as Christians, and are not ashamed of the Crosse of Christ, but answer as did the three children, Dan. 3.17, 18. The grace of a Christian is the lively confessing of Christ.
Reas. These may be all, as so many reasons of the point▪ another reason may be this, flesh and blood cannot believe it, and confess it, Matth. 16.16, 17.
Reas. These may be all, as so many reasons of the point▪ another reason may be this, flesh and bloud cannot believe it, and confesse it, Matth. 16.16, 17.
Object. But Peter did swear, that he never knew Christ.
Answ. But yet he did believe, for it pricked him at the heart, that he had so wronged Christ, he wept bitterly, and did afterward with constant courage profess Christ.
Answ. But yet he did believe, for it pricked him at the heart, that he had so wronged Christ, he wept bitterly, and did afterward with constant courage professe Christ.
Use 1. Refutes all contrary religions: you see what becomes of all the Nations of the world, that do not believe Christ to be the Son of God, they have no fellowship with God, nor God with them; there is no other Name given by which we shall be saved, but the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ; whosoever doth not believe that Christ is the Son of God, he excludes himself from the fellowship with God in this world, and in the world to come.
Ʋse 1. Refutes all contrary religions: you see what becomes of all the Nations of the world, that do not believe Christ to be the Son of God, they have no fellowship with God, nor God with them; there is no other Name given by which we shall be saved, but the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ; whosoever doth not belive that Christ is the Son of God, he excluds himselfe from the fellowship with God in this world, and in the world to come.
2. Of trial; would you know whether God dwells in you, or you in him, do you confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, do you look up to Christ for salvation? Isa. 45.22. Do you find that your hearts are pricked when you sin against Christ? Do you desire to walk in obedience unto Christ? Do you sanctify him in your hearts? Zach. 12.10. If you be obedient children unto God, you shall enjoy entire fellowship with God.
2. Of tryal; would you know whether God dwels in you, or you in him, doe you confesse that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, doe you look up to Christ for salvation? Isa. 45.22. Doe you find that your hearts are pricked when you sin against Christ? Doe you desire to walk in obedience unto Christ? Doe you sanctifie him in your hearts? Zach. 12.10. If you be obedient children unto God, you shall injoy intire fellowship with God.
3. Of comfort to such, as have prevailed with their hearts and lives to make such a confession: Doth any man desire everlasting life? Let him look up to Christ, there is none from whom you should look for salvation, but Christ, wrestle with God by prayer, that you may find Christ in all the Ordinances you partake of, so shall you be sure to have God dwelling in you, and you in him, so shall you not go from home, whither soever you go.
3. Of comfort to such, as have prevailed with their hearts and lives to make such a confession: Doth any man desire everlasting life? Let him look up to Christ, there is none from whom you should look for salvation, but Christ, wrestle with God by prayer, that you may find Christ in all the Ordinances you partake of, so shall you be sure to have God dwelling in you, and you in him, so shall you not goe from home, whither soever you goe.
1 JOHN 4.16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us, &c.