A34689:3971
A34689:3971
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.
This Paul confirms, 2 Tim. 4, 7, 8. he is confident that God would give him a crown of righteousness, who had fought the good fight of faith, and had finished his course, had abounded in love to God and man, which is our righteousness, to […] God and man his due; and this crown of glory God ⟨p. 320⟩will give not only to him, but to all that love his appearing, James. 2.13. Mercy rejoiceth against judgement, which is a fruit of love, for mercy is nothing else but love compassionating our brothers distress: the judgement day is terrible to all bitter, cruel and harsh spirits, but mercy riseth against judgement, Matth. 25.34. to 41. We see what encouragement he gives to his sheep on this ground, because they showed him kindness in being kind to his brethren.
This Paul confirms, 2 Tim. 4, 7, 8. he is confident that God would give him a crown of righteousnesse, who had fought the good fight of faith, and had finished his course, had abounded in love to God and man, which is our righteousnesse, to 〈…〉 God and man his due; and this crown of glory God ⟨p. 320⟩will give not only to him, but to all that love his appearing, James. 2.13. Mercy rejoyceth against judgement, which is a fruit of love, for mercy is nothing else but love compassionating our brothers distresse: the judgement day is terrible to all bitter, cruel and harsh spirits, but mercy riseth against judgement, Matth. 25.34. to 41. We see what encouragement he gives to his sheep on this ground, because they shewed him kindnesse in being kind to his brethren.
Reas. 1. From the esteem the Lord Jesus bears to such, before whom they are to appear in judgement; for such as love Christ and his members, have found Christ dispensing himself to them, not as a Judge, but as a Saviour, or else they could never have loved him nor others; now they that are to meet with a Saviour have cause of boldness in that day; or if he come as a Judge, it's but as a Judge to plead their cause, and right their wrong, and take vengeance on their enemies.
Reas. 1. From the esteem the Lord Jesus bears to such, before whom they are to appear in judgement; for such as love Christ and his members, have found Christ dispensing himselfe to them, not as a Judge, but as a Saviour, or else they could never have loved him nor others; now they that are to meet with a Saviour have cause of boldnesse in that day; or if he come as a Judge, it's but as a Judge to plead their cause, and right their wrong, and take vengeance on their enemies.
2. A loving Christian hath a further ground of confidence in his heart, that the day of Christs appearing shall be as the day of his marriage; now a marriage day is a day of the gladness of the heart, Cant. 3.10. Now they that love one another are espoused to Christ here by their effectual vocation; but the day of judgement is as the marriage day, Christ here adorns and beautifies us, that so at the last day we may be represented as fit Spouses for himself. Such as are in marriage love, how do they desire and long after the marriage day? and so do all true Christians, that have kept their hearts chaste to Christ, how do they pray for the hastening of that day? Beloved be like a Dove or young Hart upon the Mountains of spices, Cant. 8. ult. This day is called the day of refreshing, Acts 3.19. and it's the work of the Ministers of the Gospel, to drive a match between you and Christ, that so at that day they may look them out, and present them to Christ, Lo here am I, and the children that thou hast given me, Isa. 8.18. 2 Cor. 11.1, 2, 3. It's therefore the day of the comfort of Gods Ministers and all his servants, therefore a day of boldness.
2. A loving Christian hath a further ground of confidence in his heart, that the day of Christs appearing shall be as the day of his marriage; now a marriage day is a day of the gladnesse of the heart, Cant. 3.10. Now they that love one another are espoused to Christ here by their effectuall vocation; but the day of judgement is as the marriage day, Christ here adorns and beautifies us, that so at the last day we may be represented as fit Spouses for himselfe. Such as are in marriage love, how do they desire and long after the marriage day? and so doe all true Christians, that have kept their hearts chast to Christ, how doe they pray for the hastening of that day? Beloved be like a Dove or young Hart upon the Mountains of spices,
3. It's a day of much comfort and boldness, because then they shall be freed from all discouragements, from all persecutions and malignities, from slanderous tongues, and hard speeches, from all fears and sorrows; nay more, from all temptations and corruptions; this must needs give boldness to them; it's all the cause of boldness we have in this life, because at that day all our sins and sorrows shall be put away, it's a day of universal freedom from all sin, 1 John 3.2. we shall then be like him in grace and glory, and freedom from all evils.
3. It's a day of much comfort and boldnesse, because then they shall be freed from all discouragements, from all persecutions and malignities, from slanderous tongues, and hard speeches, from all fears and sorrows; nay more, from all temptations and corruptions; this must needs give boldnesse to them; it's all the cause of boldnesse we have in this life, because at that day all our sins and sorrows shall be put away, it's a day of universal freedome from all sin, 1 John 3.2. we shall then be like him in grace and glory, and freedom from all evils.
Use 1. To reprove a gross error in Popery, which is that no man can be certain of his salvation in the day of judgement, but we see it's no other doctrine, but St. John here delivers, is it not a word of boldness and confidence that Paul hath, 2 Tim. 4 7, 8. I know from henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory? true say they, Paul was an extraordinary Christian; but he adds, not for me only, but for all them that love his appearing; were not Christians confident against that day, how is it that they so earnestly desire that day? The Spirit and the Bride say Come, and every one that is a thirst, says, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, be like a young Roe; which shows plainly, they do not look at it as a day of terror, but as a day of boldness and comfort.
Ʋse 1. To reprove a grosse errour in Popery, which is that no man can be certain of his salvation in the day of judgement, but we see it's no other doctrine, but St. John here delivers, is it not a word of boldnesse and confience that Paul hath, 2 Tim. 4 7, 8. I know from henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory? true say they, Paul was an extraordinary Christian; but he addes, not for me only, but for all them that love his appearing; were not Christians confident against that day, how is it that they so earnestly desire that day? The Spirit and the Bride say Come, and every one that is a thirst, sayes, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, be like a young Roe; which shews plainly, they doe not look at it as a day of terrour, but as a day of boldnesse and comfort.
Object. Have not many of Gods servants been afraid of the face of death, and troubled at it? What was Hilarius his speech, Egredere anima mea quid trepidas? Egredere, septuaginta annos Christum colui, & jam mortem times?
Answ. The words of Hilarius show that he checks this fear, he thought he had no cause to be afraid, therefore he bids his soul go forth.
Answ. The words of Hilarius shew that he checks this fear, he thought he had no cause to be afraid, therefore he bids his soul goe forth.
2. I grant that a mans nature may shrink at death, though he knows that he hath been a faithful servant, and is not afraid of judgement, for death is an enemy to nature, though a friend to grace, 2 Cor. 5.12. Paul ⟨p. 321⟩himself desires to be clothed with glory, […] unclothed of his body, so Christ told Peter, John 21.18. […] thee whither thou wouldst not, he means to martyrdom implying if he could have shunned martyrdom with a good conscience he would have •orded it because its an enemy to nature; but yet this […] ••ture is after aggravated by tempt•• […], so that as […], so to […] will […] times taking away all matt•• […] he w•• con•••dent o• […] all […] of com•••• […] him […] that day shall […] examination, and possess him, […] youth, that his […] Psal. 30.7; […] his face, […] is the […] and Joh• •0 […] yet this […] love may […] in that day, though […], wh• […] with temptati•• and […] it may be […] and so other Christians) in his […] temper, […] Christ […] to him, Psal. 3.6. I will not be af••• […] about; […] St. Ambrose, I have not […] am ashamed to […] any longer neither doth it irk me to die […] a good Lo•• so Paul professeth, Phil. 1.21. […] •••ved, so
Use 2. Shows the dangerous estate of such whose love to Go• […] brethren is not perfect; for if they wh••• love is perfect may have […] then such as never sought […] his favour, never loved the •ell […] of his servants, in tha• […] where […]
Ʋse 2. Shews the dangerous estate of such whose love to Go• 〈…〉 brethren is not perfect; for if they wh••• love is perfect may have 〈…〉 then such as never sought 〈…〉 his favour, never loved the •ell 〈…〉 of his servants, in tha• 〈…〉 where 〈…〉
Obj. I have know••• […] ••ve never troubled themselves with matters of Relig••• […] yea scornful, […] boisterous men, yet as little afraid of death and hell, […], Isa. 22.••.
Obj. I have know••• 〈…〉 ••ve never troubled themselves with matters of Relig••• 〈…〉 yea scornfull, 〈…〉 boysterous men, yet as little afraid of death and hell, 〈…〉, Isa. 22.••.
Answ. That which the Papists condemn as heretical […] Gods servants, that may be called […] presumption in such men […] who never shrink at death or judgement: and indeed it proceeds from […] profound ignorance and deadness of their hearts who never […] of God nor the terrors of hell, D•••e bellum in ex pertis, but if one […] •ome to see that d•y, then shall they call to the mountains and hills to cove•• ••em from the wrath […] the Lamb.
Answ. That which the Papists condemn as hereticall 〈…〉 Gods servants, that may be called 〈…〉 presumption in such men 〈…〉 who never shrink at death or judgement: and indeed it proceeds from 〈…〉 profound ignorance and deadnesse of their hearts who nenver 〈…〉 of God nor the terrours of hell, D•••e bellum in ex pertis, but if one 〈…〉 •ome to see that d•y, then shall they call to the moutainns and hills to cove•• ••em from the wrath 〈…〉 the Lamb.
Use 3. For those that would live comfortably and die peaceably, take this ready way, be perfect and sincere in your love to God and his Saints, and that will breed […] marvellous boldness against that day, when the Lo•• […] shall come to be admi•• […] you, and glorified in all his […] so […] perfect love, so much […]; if your hearts be […] and your love unsound, all […] at […] from the halting of your love: W••• made Dav•• afraid […] pit, but that his […] was com• on he […] Urian […] Bathsheba.
Ʋse 3. For those that would live comfortably and die peaceably, take this ready way, be perfect and sincere in your love to God and his Saints, and that will breed 〈…〉 marvellous boldnesse against that day, when the Lo•• 〈…〉 shall come to be admi•• 〈…〉 you, and glorified in all his 〈…〉 so 〈…〉 perfect love, so much 〈…〉; if your hearts be 〈…〉 and your love unsound, all 〈…〉 at 〈…〉 from the halting of your love: W••• made Dav•• afraid 〈…〉 pit, but that his 〈…〉 was com• on he 〈…〉 Ʋrian 〈…〉 Bathshebah.
Use 4 […] loving hearted Christians, that […] sincerely towards […] brethren, who, thou walkest up and […] with a spirit of […] as other call Death [Greek or Hebrew], the most […] all […] thou shalt […] at it with confi••••, when others […] be lifted up.
Ʋse 4 〈…〉 loving hearted Christians, that 〈…〉 sincerely towards 〈…〉 brethren, who, thou walkest up and 〈…〉 with a spirit of 〈…〉 as other call Death 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the most 〈…〉 all 〈…〉 thou shalt 〈…〉 at it with confi••••, when others 〈…〉 be lifted up.
2. I grant that a mans nature may shrink at death, though he knowes that he hath been a faithfull servant, and is not afraid of judgement, for death is an enemy to nature, though a friend to grace, 2 Cor. 5.12. Paul ⟨p. 321⟩himselfe desires to be cloathed with glory, 〈…〉 unclothed of his body, so Christ told Peter, John 21.18. 〈…〉 thee whither thou wouldst not, he means to martyrdome implying if he could have shunned martyrdome with a good conscience he would have •orded it because its an enemy to nature; but yet this 〈…〉 ••ture is after aggravated by tempt•• 〈…〉, so that as 〈…〉, so to 〈…〉 will 〈…〉 times taking away all matt•• 〈…〉 he w•• con•••dent o• 〈…〉 all 〈…〉 of com•••• 〈…〉 him 〈…〉 that day shall 〈…〉 examination, and possese him, 〈…〉 youth, that his 〈…〉 Psal. 30.7; 〈…〉 his face, 〈…〉 is the 〈…〉 and Joh• •0 〈…〉 yet this 〈…〉 love may 〈…〉 in that day, though 〈…〉, wh• 〈…〉 with temptati•• and 〈…〉 it may be 〈…〉 and so other Christians) in his 〈…〉 •emper, 〈…〉 Christ 〈…〉 to him, Psal. 3.6. I will not be af••• 〈…〉 about; 〈…〉 St. Ambrose, I have not 〈…〉 am ashamed to 〈…〉 any longer neither doth it irk me to die 〈…〉 a good Lo•• so Paul professeth, Phil. 1.21. 〈…〉 •••ved, so Job. 19.••, 26. 〈…〉, but even of every one whose lo•• 〈…〉 that th•• 〈…〉 in that day.