A34689:4084
A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…
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.
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.