A34689:4322
A34689:4322
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.
Answ. 'Tis true. We have now all those arguments to prove him to be the Son of God, which they wanted. We have the antiquity of many hundred years, we have authority on our parts, and the universal consent of the whole Christian world hath now taken up such a principle; and for reasons, we have reason enough, seeing so many ages, so many wise and great men consent to this truth. And therefore it's now less wonder to believe Jesus to be the Son of God. What then? Is St. Johns argument of no force now?
Answ. 'Tis true. We have now all those arguments to prove him to be the Son of God, which they wanted. We have the antiquity of many hundred years, we have authority on our parts, and the universall consent of the whole Christian world hath now taken up such a principle; and for reasons, we have reason enough, seeing so many ages, so many wise and great men consent to this truth. And therefore it's now lesse wonder to believe Jesus to be the Son of God. What then? Is St. Johns argument of no force now?
Yes certainly, therefore 2 we say, It's no great matter to believe Jesus to be the Son of God, upon humane credulity of antiquity, universality, or humane reason. That's not the faith that overcomes the world; but it must be such a faith as is wrought in our hearts by God himself, and this faith far differs from humane credulity.
Yes certainly, therefore 2 we say, It's no great matter to believe Jesus to be the Son of God, upon humane credulity of antiquity, universality, or humane reason. That's not the faith that overcomes the world; but it must be such a faith as is wrought in our hearts by God himselfe, and this faith far differs from humane credulity.
1 No man that believes Christ to be the Son of God by this divine faith, but looks up to him for salvation. Look unto me and be saved all ye ends of the earth, Isa. 45.22.
2 If we look at Christ as the Son of God, this faith hath an efficacy in ⟨p. 358⟩it, to work in us contrition and mourning for our sins, whereby we have crucified the Lord of life, Acts. 2.37. When they heard that was the Christ whom they had crucified, they were pricked in their hearts, Zach. 12.10. To such as believe thus, Christ is made the author of eternal salvation, Heb. 5.8.
2 If we look at Christ as the Son of God, this faith hath an efficacy in ⟨p. 358⟩it, to work in us contrition and mourning for our sins, whereby we have crucified the Lord of life, Acts. 2.37. When they heard that was the Christ whom they had c•ucified, they were pricked in their hearts, Zach. 12.10. To such as bebelieve thus, Christ is made the author of eternall salvation, Heb. 5.8.
3 From the mighty power and virtue a faithful soul derives from Christ to overcome the world: when you look at all the world, and all the comforts thereof, and compare them with Christ, you shall find them so vain and empty, that there is no comparison, Psalm. 73.25. Mat. 16.24. What is there in the world that would be equal with Christ? Did not Moses on this ground despise all the treasures and pleasures of Egypt, because he had seen him that was in the bush? Heb. 11.27. That was the Lord Christ. The transcendent worth a Christian finds in Christ, far outswayes all worldly dignities.
3 From the mighty power and virtue a faithfull soul derives from Christ to overcome the world: when you look at all the world, and all the comforts thereof, and compare them with Christ, you shall find them so vain and empty, that there is no comparison, Psalm. 73.25. Mat. 16.24. What is there in the world that would be equal with Christ? Did not Moses on this ground despise all the treasures and pleasures of Aegypt, because he had seen him that was in the bush? Heb. 11.27. That was the Lord Christ. The transcendent worth a Christian findes in Christ, far outswayes all worldly dignities.
Use 1. Of encouragement to a Christian soul against all temptation. For if this faith overcome the world, then it will overcome Satan and the corrupt lusts of thine own heart, and therefore this faith cannot be overcome, but is secure against all enemies. If it were possible that our faith could be extinguished then this were not true, that Faith overcomes the world. If a man therefore lose his faith; such faith was never true.
Ʋse 1. Of encouragement to a Christian soul against all temptation. For if this faith overcome the world, then it will overcome Satan and the corrupt lusts of thine owne heart, and therefore this faith cannot be overcome, but is secure against all enemies. If it were possible that our faith could be extinguished then this were not true, that Faith overcomes the world. If a man therefore lose his faith; such faith was never true.
2 It teacheth us the exceeding danger of the love of the world. How many are there that rise early and sit up late, that spend their whole care and pains to get worldly wealth? Why, do you think this a safe condition? Would you not think him an infidel, that would not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. If a man be overcome of the world, truly he believes it not, that Jesus is the Son of God and can such a man be a Christian?
Obj. What say you? Were there never any good men overcome of the world? What say you to those that recanted in Q. Mary's days for fear, and after repented, and were burnt for their profession? What say you to Peter?
Obj. What say you? Were there never any good men overcome of the world? What say you to those that recanted in Q. Mary's dayes for fear, and after repented, and were burnt for their profession? What say you to Peter?
Answ. A godly man in a combat may be overthrown, yet not overcome; as it is in wrestling, a man may get the foil, and yet afterwards rise up and get the victory, so oft-times a foiled Soldier gets the day. So Peter though he were foiled at that day, and yet when he got up again, and afterward was charged not to preach in the Name of Jesus, he overcame all. Whether it be meet to obey God or man, judge ye, Acts 4.19. Indeed, if a man be thrown down, and there he lies, and takes no care to get up again, look at him as no true believer; therefore look not at these as things that may stand together, to serve God and man, and the world too. So respect the world, as that you ever look at Christ to have incomparably more worth then all the world, and let your chiefest love and endeavour be towards him.
Answ. A godly man in a combate may be overthrown, yet not overcome; as it is in wrestling, a man may get the foyl, and yet afterwards rise up and get the victory, so oft-times a foyled Souldier gets the day. So Peter though he were foyled at that day, and yet when he got up again, and afterward was charged not to preach in the Name of Jesus, he overcame all. Whether it be meet to obey God or man, judge ye, Acts 4.19. Indeed, if a man be thrown down, and there he lyes, and takes no care to get up again, look at him as no true believer; therefore look not at these as things that may stand together, to serve God and man, and the world too. So respect the world, as that you ever look at Christ to have incomparably more worth then all the world, and let your chiefest love and endeavour be towards him.
Use 3. Of consolation to them that maintain this principle, that Jesus is the Son of God. Why, you may assure your selves that the world shall never overcome you. Look up to him as your Saviour, for your salvation; Look so on him as to mourn for your sins, and obey him as the eternal Son of God. Keep this faith in exercise, and you shall not be overthrown; or if you be, it will so raise you up, and recover you, that you shall overcome at the last.
Ʋse 3. Of consolation to them that maintain this principle, that Jesus is the Son of God. Why, you may assure your selves that the world shall never overcome you. Look up to him as your Saviour, for your salvation; Look so on him as to mourn for your sins, and obey him as the eternal Son of God. Keep this faith in exercise, and you shall not be overthrowne; or if you be, it will so raise you up, and recover you, that you shall overcome at the last.
1 JOHN 5.6. This is he that came by water and blood: even Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1 JOHN 5.6. This is he that came by water and blood: even Jesus Christ, not by water onely, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse, because the Spirit is truth.
IN the former vers. he had showed, that faith overcoming the world, is faith in the divinity and Sonship of Christ. Now in these words he describes Christ the object of our faith: 1 By his manner of coming: This is he that came by water and blood. 2 By the witness that is born of him.
IN the former vers. he had shewed, that faith overcoming the world, is faith in the divinity and Sonship of Christ. Now in these words he describes Christ the object of our faith: 1 By his manner of coming: This is he that came by water and blood. 2 By the witnesse that is born of him.
1 In general, the Spirit, v. 6. Then, 2 In heaven, and 3 On earth, v. 7, 8.
1 In generall, the Spirit, v. 6. Then, 2 In heaven, and 3 On earth, v. 7, 8.
1 For the furniture of his coming. He came fully addressed for the works of our redemption; he came by water and blood. By water is not meant their legal oblations, for he speaks of such a water as bears witness that Christ is the Son of God to this day, which they do not. By this water therefore is meant the clear water of sanctification, spoken of Ezek. 36.25, 26. wherewith our Saviour Christ came abundantly furnished, fit to be our redeemer. By blood is meant the blood of his sufferings.
1 For the furniture of his coming. He came fully addressed for the works of our redemption; he came by water and blood. By water is not meant their legal oblations, for he speaks of such a water as bears witnesse that Christ is the Son of God to this day, which they do not. By this water therefore is meant the clear water of sanctification, spoken of Ezek. 36.25, 26. wherewith our Saviour Christ came abundantly furnished, fit to be our redeemer. By blood is meant the blood of his sufferings.
It is he that came to overcome the world, to redeem us. How, By water and blood. Why by water and blood both?