A34689:3998
A34689:3998
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. 1. Because that which might be matter of fear is removed, for that which makes a man afraid at that day, is, because he is not like God, God is of pure eyes, and they are altogether unclean, and then indeed Christ will command such to depart from him, the workers of love, a worker of mercy and righteousness, and so God accepts of him.
Reas. 1. Because that which might be matter of fear is removed, for that which makes a man afraid at that day, is, because he is not like God, God is of pure eyes, and they are altogether unclean, and then indeed Christ will command such to depart from him, the workers of love, a worker of mercy and righteousnesse, and so God accepts of him.
2. This spirit of love, clothes us with those duties and works, which God most recompenseth at that day; God will then crown men with glory, not because they are wiser and richer then others, but because they saw me hungry and gave me meat, naked and clothed me, &c. Mercy rejoiceth against judgement, God will there be abundantly merciful, to recompense every work and office of mercy.
2. This spirit of love, cloathes us with those duties and works, which God most recompenseth at that day; God will then crown men with glory, not because they are wiser and richer then others, but because they saw me hungry and gave me meat, naked and cloathed me, &c. Mercy rejoyceth against judgement, God will there be abundantly mercifull, to recompence every work and office of mercy.
3. There is no cause of shame, for where there is a resemblance of God there is cause of joy: God acknowledgeth his own Image, and will perfect it at that day, for love ceaseth not; a man may have learning and riches, and honours, and be ashamed at that day, but if we be clothed with love, we shall never be ashamed.
3. There is no cause of shame, for where there is a resemblance of God there is cause of joy: God acknowledgeth his own Image, and will perfect it at that day, for love ceaseth not; a man may have learning and riches, and honours, and be ashamed at that day, but if we be cloathed with love, we shall never be ashamed.
Use. Labour therefore above all graces, to clothe yourselves with love, a loving Christian is a courageous Christian, when other mens hearts shall quail and tremble for fear, and shake like the leafs of a tree, Isa. 7.2. then a loving Christian may lift up his head with joy, because then he knows his love shall be consummate, and when others are ashamed of their riches, learning, and honours, he is not ashamed of his love, a loving Christian, is safe and bold both in life and death: look at all the straights of a Christian, if they be upon any ground, its for want of love, he that neglects this duty of love, God and his conscience will take him by the throat, and exact the due debt, because he walked with a private spirit, in the public world, whereas if we do but walk in a spirit of love and helpfulness to our brethren, and learn to walk with a public spirit, neglecting private respects, the Devil and thy conscience shall find nothing to accuse thee of, but thou shalt meet death and judgement in the face, without fear or shame.
Ʋse. Labour therefore above all graces, to cloath yourselves with love, a loving Christian is a couragious Christian, when other mens hearts shall quail and tremble for fear, and shake like the leafs of a tree, Isa. 7.2. then a loving Christian may lift up his head with joy, because then he knows his love shall be consummate, and when others are ashamed of their riches, learning, and honors, he is not ashamed of his love, a loving Christian, is safe and bold both in life and death: look at all the straights of a Christian, if they be upon any ground, its for want of love, he that neglects this duty of love, God and his conscience will take him by the throat, and exact the due debt, because he walked with a private spirit, in the publique world, whereas if we doe but walk in a spirit of love and helpfulnesse to our brethren, and learn to walk with a publique spirit, neglecting private respects, the Devill and thy conscience shall find nothing to accuse thee of, but thou shalt meet death and judgement in the face, without fear or shame.
1 JOHN 4.18. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment: he that feareth, is not made perfect in love.
Verse 17. he •roved, that such as love one another, may have boldness in the day of judgement, this he proved;
VErse 17. he •roved, that such as love one another, may have boldnesse in the day of judgement, this he proved;
1. From the likeness to God v. 17.
1. From the likenesse to God v. 17.
2. He proves it from the contrariety that is betwixt fear and love, There is no fear in love, which he proves by an effect of love, perfect love casteth out fear, and therefore perfect love and fear cannot stand together, this he proves by a double argument […] fear.
2. He proves it from the contrariety that is betwixt fear and love, There is no fear in love, which he proves by an effect of love, perfect love casteth out fear, and therefore perfect love and fear cannot stand together, this he proves by a double argument 〈…〉 fear.
1. Fear hath •••ments, therefore love, a peaceable grace, casts out fear.
2. Because he that feareth is not perfect in love, therefore he that is perfect in love fears not.
In this 18. verse, 1. Observe the estate of a soul troubled with fear, and that is a state of torment.
2. The unsound and uncomfortable condition of such a soul, he is not perfect in love.
3. The remedy of this estate, perfect love casts out fear.
4. The exemption of perfect love from all fear, or the comfortable condition of a soul so healed by love, There is no fear in love.
Fear hath torment, and he speaks of the fear of death, but specially of judgement; where that fear is, there is torment, the word translated torment, [Greek or Hebrew], is elsewhere so translated, Mat. 25. ult. The torment here spoken of, is such a kind of torments as hell is, not for measure, but for kind. For the handling of this, we may see what the Scripture speaks of this torment in the several descriptions and metaphors.
Fear hath torment, and he speaks of the fear of death, but specially of judgement; where that fear is, there is torment, the word translated torment, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, is elsewhere so translated, Mat. 25. ult. The torment here spoken of, is such a kinde of torments as hell is, not for measure, but for kind. For the handling of this, we may see what the Scripture speaks of this torment in the severall descriptions and metaphors.