A34689:4147
A34689:4147
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 2. Would a man know whether God love him or no? a needful point to be known. Why, no man can know it by these outward things, these fall alike to all, Eccles. 9.1. Why, enquire you how thy heart stands affected to God? if thou canst find in thy heart that thou lovest God, the Text will tell thee, that God loveth thee.
Ʋse 2. Would a man know whether God love him or no? a needful point to be known. Why, no man can know it by these outward things, these fall alike to all, Ecles. 9.1. Why, enquire you how thy heart stands affected to God? if thou canst find in thy heart that thou lovest God, the Text will tell thee, that God loveth thee.
Object. Love God? who doth not? God forbid that any should not love God.
Answ. That thou mayest know this indeed, dost thou find thy heart choosing God above all things in the world? Why, thou couldst not thus choose God, unless he had first chosen thee; if thou findest thou canst be content to purchase Christ at the loss of thy dearest comforts, then make account that God hath loved thee, and been willing to part with Christ for thee: What made Abraham willing to offer up his Son, but that he knew that God had given his Son to dye for him? Canst thou look up to God as thy Father? then he hath adopted thee for his Son; dost thou find thy heart cleaving close to God, as David did, Psal. 73. ult. It's good for me to draw near to God? why, it's evident that Gods love is constant to thee, because thine is so constant to him.
Answ. That thou mayest know this indeed, dost thou find thy heart choosing God above all things in the world? Why, thou couldst not thus choose God, unlesse he had first chosen thee; if thou findest thou canst be content to purchase Christ at the losse of thy dearest comforts, then make account that God hath loved thee, and been willing to part with Christ for thee: What made Abraham willing to offer up his Son, but that he knew that God had given his Son to dye for him? Canst thou look up to God as thy Father? then he hath adopted thee for his Son; dost thou find thy heart cleaving close to God, as David did, Psal. 73. ult. It's good for me to draw near to God? why, it's evident that Gods love is constant to thee, because thine is so constant to him.
Use 3 Of consolation to such as do find in their hearts that they do love God; if thou findest thou couldst be willing to part with all for his sake; why, then surely, God so loved thee first, that he will rather part with any thing then thee, Isa. 43.4. O how this should stir us up to love God more then ever we did; if thou lovest God dearly, and prizest him above all things; why, this will seal up to thee, that he loveth thee as dearly; if you would know whether God love you with a love unto life, why, labour you to love him with a lively love.
Ʋse 3 Of consolation to such as doe find in their hearts that they doe love God; if thou findest thou couldst be willing to part with all for his sake; why, then surely, God so loved thee first, that he will rather part with any thing then thee, Isa. 43.4. O how this should stir us up to love God more then ever we did; if thou lovest God dearly, and prizest him above all things; why, this will seal up to thee, that he loveth thee as dearly; if you would know whether God love you with a love unto life, why, labour you to love him with a lively love.
1 JOHN 4.20, 21, If any man say, I love God, and hateth his Brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen, &c.
1 JOHN 4.20, 21, If any man say, I love God, and hateth his Brother, he is a lyar: for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen, &c.
These words continue the discourse hegun, verse 12: wherein he useth two motives to stir us up to love our Brethren.
THese words continue the discourse hegun, verse 12: wherein he useth two motives to stir us up to love our Brethren.
1 From the fellowship such have with God, amplified from the 13. verse to 16.
2 From the soundness of Gods love to such; from verse 17. to the end.
2 From the soundnesse of Gods love to such; from verse 17. to the end.
In these two verses, he argues this truth by the contrary, viz. that such as hate their Brethren, their love is not perfect but unsound: If any man say, he loves God, and hates his brother, he is a liar, then he loves not God, this he proves by a double argument.
In these two verses, he argues this truth by the contrary, viz. that such as hate their Brethren, their love is not perfect but unsound: If any man say, he loves God, and hates his brother, he is a lyar, then he loves not God, this he proves by a double argument.
1 From the greater occasion he hath to love his Brother then God, therefore if he love not his brother, he loves not God, and the occasion is, the daily sight of his brother.
1 From the greater occasion he hath to love his Brothrr then God, therefore if he love not his brother, he loves not God, and the occasion is, the dayly sight of his brother.
2 From the like and the same cause he hath to love his brother, as well as God, and that is from the equal commandment of God, and therefore if we love God out of obedience to his law, we should love our brother, out of obedience to the same law.
2 From the like and the same cause he hath to love his brother, as well as God, and that is from the equal commandement of God, and therefore if we love God out of obedience to his law, we should love our brother, out of obedience to the same law.
If any man say in heart, tongue or practice that he loves God, and yet hates his brother, such a man is a liar, that is, he expresseth not the truth, 1 Joh. 3.9. to 11. this is part of the message of God, that we love one another: now the profession of a Christian, is a profession of his subjection to the Gospel of Christ; Now the Gospel holds out five principal Ordinances.
If any man say in heart, tongue or practice that he loves God, and yet hates his brother, such a man is a lyar, that is, he expresseth not the truth, 1 Joh. 3.9. to 11. this is part of the message of God, that we love one another: now the profession of a Christian, is a profession of his subjection to the Gospel of Christ; Now the Gospel holds out five principal Ordinances.
1 Prayer. 2 The Apostles Doctrines. 3 Sacraments. 4 Mutual Communion. 5 Discipline.
Now if a man profess subjection to the Gospel, he professeth subjection to these five Ordinances. The Apostle delights in this word profession, Heb. 3.1. and commends it in Timothy, that he had made a good profession before many witnesses, 1 Tim. 6.12. Now do but consider, what every one of these Ordinances express about brotherly love.
Now if a man professe subjection to the Gospel, he professeth subjection to these five Ordinances. The Apostle delights in this word profession, Heb. 3.1. and commends it in Timothy, that he had made a good profession before many witnesses, 1 Tim. 6.12. Now doe but consider, what every one of these Ordinances expresse about brotherly love.
1 In prayer we call God Our Father, and if he be our Father, then all his children are our brethren, and if we do not respect them as our brethren, we renounce God for our Father.
1 In prayer we call God Our Father, and if he be our Father, then all his children are our brethren, and if we doe not respect them as our brethren, we renounce God for our Father.