A34689:4220
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.
Reas. 1. From the mighty power of lively faith; for St. John here •oth not speak of a cold dead faith, but of a lively powerful faith; now where such faith is, it makes us live by our faith, Heb. 2.4. The just shall by his faith live a life of justification and sanctification; faith looks not at his own works for satisfaction, but to him that justifies the ungodly, Rom. 4.4, 5, 6. And so by faith we live a life of sanctification; whether Gods will be to be done or suffered, he lives by faith, that is, he will have a commandment for his rule, no duty he takes in hand but he will have his warrant for it.
Reas. 1. From the mighty power of lively faith; for St. John here •oth not speak of a cold dead faith, but of a lively powerfull faith; now where such faith is, it makes us live by our faith, Heb. 2.4. The just shall by his faith live a life of justification and sanctification; faith looks not at his own works for satisfaction, but to him that justifies the ungodly, Rom. 4.4, 5, 6. And so by faith we live a life of sanctification; w•ether Gods will be to be done or suffered, he lives by faith, that is, he will have a commandement for his rule, no duty he takes in hand but he will have his warrent for it.
2. Faith looks to the promise for strength, when he goes about any Christian duty, he goes not about it in his own strength, but he derives strength from Christ, Without me ye can do nothing, from him is thy fruit found, Hos. 14.8, 9. he relies on the promise for help, for comfort, for acceptance, he doth all in the name of Christ, that is, in his life and power, and looks for acceptance in the name of Christ only.