A34689:4082
A34689:4082
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.
Secondly, Light is sown for such, which in time will sprout up to manifest comfort; therefore Psalm. 79.12. he saith, Rejoice in the Lord ye righteous. Love likewise provokes us to be fruitful in goodness; and if we be so, Christ promiseth that he will manifest his favour and familiarity to such, John 14.23.
Secondly, Light is sown for such, which in time will sprout up to manifest comfort; therefore Psalm. 79.12. he saith, Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous. Love likewise provokes us to be fruitful in goodnesse; and if we be so, Christ promiseth that he will manifest his favour and familiarity to such, John 14.23.
Reas. From the object of love, which is always some good; and if the soul love good, God will be good to it, Psal. 79.1. Truly God is good to Israel. In the midst of many fears and doubts, and griefs, in the midst of all, like the Sun through a cloud, he breaks out, yet God is good to Israel: Now when a man in the midst of evil, can look at God as good, this makes way to quiet all, as he expresseth, vers. 24, 25.28, 29. When the heart conceives of God as good, it scatters all doubts und fears wherewith the soul is possest, that though his heart and flesh fail, yet God is his portion for ever.
Reas. From the object of love, which is alwayes some good; and if the soule love good, God will be good to it, Psal. 79.1. Truly God is good to Israel. In the midst of many fears and doubts, and griefs, in the midst of all, like the Sunne through a cloud, he breaks out, yet God is good to Israel: Now when a man in the midst of evill, can looke at God as good, this makes way to quiet all, as he expresseth, vers. 24, 25.28, 29. When the heart conceives of God as good, it scatters all doubts und fears wherewith the soule is possest, that though his heart and flesh faile, yet God is his portion for ever.
Use 1. Of direction to them that have to deal with troubled spirits, where they may apply comfort; a man comes and complains bitterly of the burden of his soul: Why, as yet there is no sure ground of applying of comfort, but when you can discern any fruit of love in their expressions, if you find them taking all in good part, and blessing God, that by this means he is pleased to break them off from their own sinful ways, and ⟨p. 331⟩draw them closer to himself, then you may safely apply comfort; but otherwise, if you see men murmuring against Gods hand, why truly that fear hath torment, and that soul is not sound-hearted: This is true love, to love God when he is angry, and to take it in good part, that God should deal frowardly and crabbedly with a froward and ••ooked heart.
Ʋse 1. Of direction to them that have to deale with troubled spirits, where they may apply comfort; a man comes and complains bitterly of the burthen of his soule: Why, as yet there is no sure ground of applying of comfort, but when you can discern any fruit of love in their expressions, if you finde them taking all in good part, and blessing God, that by this meanes he is pleased to break them off from their owne sinful wayes, and ⟨p. 331⟩draw them closer to himself, then you may safely apply comfort; but otherwise, if you see men murmuring against Gods hand, why truly that feare hath torment, and that soul is not sound-hearted: This is true love, to love God when he is angry, and to take it in good part, that God should deal frowardly and crabbedly with a froward and ••ooked heart.
Use 2. For them that find their hearts overwhelmed with fears & doubts, and yet are unwilling to come to his frame of spirit, that think they have not lived so badly as some have done; convince them they have deserved more then this, that so they may take all in good part […] then if they be possest of Gods love in this and apprehend ••, there is way […] comfort and peace.
Ʋse 2. For them that find their hearts overwhelmed with fears & doubts, and yet are unwilling to come to his frame of spirit, that think they have not lived so badly as some have done; convince them they have deserved more then this, that so they may take all in good part 〈…〉 then if they be possest of Gods love in this and apprehend ••, there is way 〈…〉 ••mfort and peace.
Use 3. For you that find disturbance and anguish of soul; it may be a ground of consolation and direction to you; […] heart pricked with the torment of sin, consider how thou findest thy […] to God; doth thy soul say to God in […] deepest anguishes, as […]. Thy• art just in all that is come upon us, thou hast done righteously, but we have done foolishly? Dost thou take it in good part, and bless God that in very faithfulness to thy soul he hath afflicted thee? If thou […] thy self to God, and puttest thy mouth in the dust, willing to be turned any way, so that he will set thee in a good way: Why, then there is a spirit of love in thee, which in time will cast out all fear, there are now […] of light and joy sown, which ere long will sprout forth to thy endless comfort.
Ʋse 3. For you that finde disturbance and anguish of soule; it may be a ground of consolation and direction to you; 〈…〉 heart pricked with the torment of sin, consider how thou findest thy 〈…〉 to God; doth thy soul say to God in 〈…〉 deepest anguishes, as 〈…〉. Thy• art just in all that is come upon us, thou hast done righteously, but we have done foolishly? Dost thou take it in good part, and blesse God that in very faitfulnesse to thy soul he hath afflicted thee? If thou 〈…〉 thy self to God, and puttest thy mouth in the dust, willing to be turned any way, so that he will set thee in a good way: Why, then there is a spirit of love in thee, which in time will cast out all fear, there are now 〈…〉 of light and joy sown, which ere long will sprout forth to thy endlesse comfort.
Use 4. May teach them whose consciences are tormented, what course to take for comfort.
Ʋse 4. May teach them whose consciences are tormented, what course to take for comfort.
1 Look at Gods good providence to thee, in trying thee, and proving thee, that he may do thee good in the latter end.
2 As you have cause to take all in good part, so learn to seek him carefully: Again, take heed of sin, and be doing what good you may, strive to be more fruitful in good services to God, and offices of love to your brethren, and certainly this unfeigned love will lead to peace.
1 They cannot think that torment and fear should be the way of peace if they see a man in this case.
2 They would put off such fears with […] company; but if they see such a man seeking God earnestly praying and hearing the World carefully, they cannot think this is the way of peace; will you bless God and dye when he is ready to swallow you up? The way of peace they have not known, salvation is far from them, Psal. 118.155.
2 They would put off such fears with 〈…〉 company; but if they see such a man seeking God earnestly praying and hearing the World carefully, they cannot think this is the way of peace; will you blesse God and dye when he is ready to swallow you up? The way of peace they have not known, salvation is far from them, Psal. 118.155.
Vers. 18. There is no fear in love, &c.
We come to the fourth thing, the exemption of perfect love from all fear.
He speaks of the fear of death and judgment; so much love as is in our hearts, so much freedom and boldness against the day of judgement; a loving heart fears not wrath, nor judgment, nor hell, Psal. 23.4. When once I look at God as my Shepherd, and love him, and follow him: Why? then though I walk through the vale of the shadow of death, I will fear none evil, though I walk in near danger of death, for if the shadow follow me, the body is not far off, yet I will fear no evil, Psal. 49, 4, 5. David makes open proclamation to all men to hear and hearken, there is the solemnity of the audience: the matter is, It's a parable, and dark mystery, and yet a word of wisdom and understanding. Why, what is this parable that all the world should take notice of? Why, this is it, Wherefore should I be afraid, when the iniquity of my heels do compass me about? that is, the iniquity of my foot-steps, ⟨p. 332⟩the tripping of my steps, or the iniquity of my heels, that is, the fears and dangers that follow him at the heels; yet wherefore should I fear? An heart possest with the love of God, is disposest of fear of evil from God. Psal. 3.6. I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people, that shall compass me about. Why, what makes him so confident? Because the Lord is my shield and lifter up of my head, vers. 3. So that we see that a Christian possest of the love of God, stands not in the fear of judgement or hell, nay more, not of his sinful failings, Psal. 49.5.
He speaks of the fear of death and judgment; so much love as is in our hearts, so much freedome and boldnesse against the day of judgement; a loving heart feares not wrath, nor jugement, nor hell, Psal. 23.4. When once I look at God as my Shepheard, and love him, and follow him: Why? then though I walke through the vale of the shadow of death, I will feare none evill, though I walk in neer danger of death, for if the shadow follow me, the body is not farre off, yet I will fear no evill,
Reas. 1. From the nature of fear, and the […] oval of it, fear is a troublesome affection in the expectation o• […] evil: Now […] the removal of fear, two things must be done▪
Reas. 1. From the nature of fear, and the 〈…〉 oval of it, fear is a troblesome affection in the expectation o• 〈…〉 evill: Now 〈…〉 the removal of feare, two things must be done▪