A34689:4285
A34689:4285
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.
Obj. Did not Demas a great professor, forsake Paul, and embrace this present world? 2 Tim. 4.10, Have not many for the live of the world erred from the faith? 1 Tim. 6.9, 10. Was it not so with Ananias and Sapphira, and Judas? The love of this world overcame them. Hath not the love of the world overcome many of the Germane Christians to apostatize to Idolatry, and yield themselves to the temptations thereof? How is it true then, that every poor Christian overcomes the world?
Obj. Did not Demas a great professor, forsake Paul, and embrace this present world? 2 Tim. 4.10, Have not many for the live of the world erred from the faith? 1 Tim. 6.9, 10. Was it not so with Ananias and Saphira, and Judas? The love of this world overcame them. Hath not the love of the world overcome many of the Germane Christians to apostatize to Idolatry, and yeeld themselves to the temptations thereof? How is it true then, that every poor Christian overcomes the world?
Answ. 'Tis true, the world prevails with many professors, but many of them were never truly born of God, as Demas and Judas, Ananias and Sapphira.
Answ. 'Tis true, the world prevails with many professors, but many of them were never truly born of God, as Demas and Judas, Ananias and Saphira.
Obj. Do you think that every one that is led away with the world, hath no shred of true grace in him?
Answ. No, for then I might condemn the generation of the righteous; for it may easily fall out, that sometimes the servants of God are so filled with the world, that they have much ado to take pains about edifying themselves, or keeping peace with God. But yet, though a true Christian be led captive by the world, so as he hath little skill in any thing else but worldly matters; full of dexterity in the world, and but a bungler in grace; yet if a man be born of God, the Spirit of God at length will let him see his error, and then be will mourn for it, and oppose and resist to the death. As a child getting into a boat, at length the wind riseth, and carrieth the boat from the shore, and tosses him in the deep, he is not able to use the oars to bring him to the shore, but after much toiling he is drowned, and a puff of wind, or the return of the flood, casts him on the shore dead: So, many times a Christian falls a tampering with the world, and it pleaseth him well, till at length the world heaves and carries him up, until he be carried into the main, plunged so deep in the world, that he sees he hath lost his love to God, and then he strives to recover himself, and labours and goes mourning to his ⟨p. 355⟩grave but at his death, he is cast up safely on the shore, the seed of God hath kept some life of grace in him.
Answ. No, for then I might condemne the generation of the righteous; for it may easily fall out, that sometimes the servants of God are so filled with the world, that they have much ado to take pains about edifying themselves, or keeping peace with God. But yet, though a true Christian be led captive by the world, so as he hath little skill in any thing else but worldly matters; full of dexterity in the world, and but a bungler in grace; yet if a man be born of God, the Spirit of God at length will let him see his error, and then be will mourn for it, and oppose and resist to the death. As a childe getting into a boat, at length the wind riseth, and carryeth the boat from the shoar, and tosses him in the deep, he is not able to use the oares to bring him to the shoar, but after much toyling he is drowned, and a puffe of wind, or the return of the floud, casts him on the shoar dead: So, many times a Christian falls a tampering with the world, and it pleaseth him well, till at length the world heaves and carries him up, untill he be carryed into the main, plunged so deep in the world, that he sees he hath lost his love to God, and then he strives to recover himselfe, and labours and goes mourning to his
Use 1. Shows the hypocrisy of such as are carried wholly captive with the world, such were never truly born of God. Stella cadens, nunquam stella, cometa fuit. Some illumination may make them blaze a while, but they vanish away at length.
Ʋse 1. Shews the hypocrisie of such as are carryed wholly captive with the world, such were never truly born of God. Stella cadens, nunquam stella, cometa fuit. Some illumination may make them blaze a while, but they vanish away at length.
Use 2. Shows us the marvellous danger of the world. We think it an happy thing to lade our selves with thick clay, to have our treasuries full, and our houses well furnished. Why, would a man think himself rich, if his house were full of enemies? Why, truly such is the world, it carries us into the deep, and drowns us with many sinful lusts. Therefore the more we have of the world, the more wary grow we of keeping the world shackled, that it may not hinder us, but help us to more freedom; as a man, the more Sea-room, the better he sails: So let Christians that have much of the world, learn to be more free for God.
Ʋse 2. Shews us the marvellous danger of the world. We think it an happy thing to lade our selves with thick clay, to have our treasuries full, and our houses well furnished. Why, would a man think himselfe rich, if his house were full of enemies? Why, truly such is the world, it carries us into the deep, and drowns us with many sinfull lusts. Therefore the more we have of the world, the more wary grow we of keeping the world shackled, that it may not hinder us, but help us to more freedome; as a man, the more Sea-room, the better he sails: So let Christians that have much of the world, learn to be more free for God.
Moses his example is full, Heb. 11.24, to 28. We see here.
1 Honour might have tempted him. He might have been called the Son of Pharaohs daughter, this he refused by faith.
1 Honor might have tempted him. He might have been called the Son of Pharoahs daughter, this he refused by faith.
2 There was much treasure to be got in the Court, but by faith he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt.
2 There was much treasure to be got in the Court, but by faith he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Aegypt.
3 He might have had many pleasures in the Court, but by faith he esteemed the affliction of Gods people before the pleasures of sin.
4 He might have incurred the Kings wrath, but by faith he feared not the Kings wrath. So that, let the world flatter or threaten, faith overcomes it.
Reas. 1. Because faith enlightens the mind, to see things in another manner then the world seeth them. Faith lets us see things as they are. Faith lets Moses see, that to be called Gods Son, is far greater honour then to be called the Son of Pharaoh's daughter. Faith lets him see, that the afflictions of Gods servants are better then worldly pleasure. Faith lets him see, that Gods wrath is more to be feared then the Kings. Faith is of a discerning nature, Heb. 11.1. Faith makes that evident to a Christian, which others see not.
Reas. 1. Because faith inlightens the minde, to see things in another manner then the world seeth them. Faith lets us see things as they are. Faith lets Moses see, that to be called Gods Son, is far greater honour then to be called the Son of Pharoah's daughter. Faith lets him see, that the afflictions of Gods servants are better then worldly pleasure. Faith lets him see, that Gods wrath is more to be feared then the Kings. Faith is of a discerning nature, Heb. 11.1. Faith makes that evident to a Christian, which others see not.
2 Faith estates us into Christ. Now Christ dwelling in us by faith enables us to overcome the world.
2 Faith estates us into Christ. Now Christ dwelling in us by faith inables us to overcome the world.
3 Faith hath a power to purify our hearts, Acts 15.9. 2 Pet. 1.14. from the lusts of the world. Faith looks at God as our portion, and therefore regards not the profits of the world. 2 Faith cleanseth us from voluptuousness. Faith lets us see more joy and pleasure in Gods favour, then in all the contents of the world. 3 Faith establisheth our hearts in Gods fear, Prov. 29.25. and therefore makes us not to be afraid of the wrath of men; so that faith fenceth us on every side against the world
3 Faith hath a power to purifie our hearts, Acts 15.9. 2 Pet. 1.14. from the lusts of the world. Faith looks at God as our portion, and therefore regards not the profits of the world. 2 Faith cleanseth us from voluptuousnesse. Faith lets us see more joy and pleasure in Gods favour, then in all the contents of the world. 3 Faith establisheth our hearts in Gods fear, Prov. 29.25. and therefore makes us not to be afraid of the wrath of men; so that faith fenceth us on every side against the world
4. Faith lays hold on the promises, 2 Pet. 1.5. Now, Gods promises have a power to take off our minds from the world. Faith believes the promises of Gods protection and provision and goodness, and therefore makes us not to regard the world.
4. Faith layes hold on the promises, 2 Pet. 1.5. Now, Gods promises have a power to take off our minds from the world. Faith beleeves the promises of Gods protection and provision and goodnesse, and therefore makes us not to regard the world.