A34689:4346
A34689:4346
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.
2 That he might make at onement for our souls. It was impossible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should expiate for our sins, but as they look at Christ, his blood is given to be an atonement for our sins, Heb. 9.12, 13. And it makes an atonement not only between God and us, but also between Jews and Gentiles, Eph. 2.17, 18, 19. Whereas before the Gentiles would not become Jews, by reason of their hard ordinances; now, Christ took away that wall of separation.
2 That he might make at onement for our souls. It was impossible that the blood of Buls and Goats should expiate for our sins, but as they look at Christ, his blood is given to be an atonement for our sins, Heb. 9.12, 13. And it makes an atonement not only between God and us, but also between Jews and Gentiles, Eph. 2.17, 18, 19. Whereas before the Gentiles would not become Jews, by reason of their hard ordinances; now, Christ took away that wall of separation.
3 That he might procure not only Gods favour, but this fruit of it, the remission of our sins, Mat. 26.28.
4 That by the price of his blood, he might purchase the inhabitation of his Spirit to us, that he might procure it for us, that our consciences might be purified, Heb. 9.14. This blood purifieth our consciences. The blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin, 1 John 1.9. And that is done by putting in us a a Spirit of grace, which purgeth us from all uncleanness and sin, and adorning us with the contrary graces of piety, humility, patience. Christ by his cursed death for us, hath procured a Spirit of •race for us, which purifies our consciences from the guilt and from the stain of sin, Heb. 9.14.
4 That by the price of his blood, he might purchase the inhabitation of his Spirit to us, that he might procure it for us, that our consciences might be purified, Heb. 9.14. This blood purifieth our consciences. The blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin, 1 John 1.9. And that is done by putting in us a a Spirit of grace, which purgeth us from all uncleannesse and sin, and adorning us with the contrary graces of piety, humility, patience. Christ by his cursed death for us, hath procured a Spirit of •race for us, which purifies our consciences from the guilt and from the stain of sin, Heb. 9.14.
5 That he might confirm his new covenant, the New Testament to us, ⟨p. 360⟩Mat. 26.28. This is the blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Now, without the death of the Testator no Testament is in force. Heb. 9.1•, to 21. It's accounted a sacrilegious thing to violate the Testament of the dead. So it is with Christ; for a man to call any of his promises into question, is a sacrilegious violation of his Testament.
6 That he might keep in us everlasting nourishment to feed on in our hearts, John 6.56. So that his blood may be his wine to cheer us, that by the comfort of his blood, and mediation applied to our souls, we might have wherewith to sustain our selves in the worst times. This is meat indeed, and drink indeed, no nourishment our souls can feed on, but this; our souls cannot feed on pleasures and profits, spirits must feed upon spiritual things. Those are beggarly naked souls that have nothing but lands and riches to feed on, the souls food is holy spiritual things; and if the ordinances yield you any good or comfort, whence comes this, but only from the blood of Christ that hath besprinkled all these ordinances, and made them effectual, Heb. 9.19. It's the blood of sprinkling that makes every ordinance effectual to us.
6 That he might keep in us everlasting nourishment to feed on in our hearts, John 6.56. So that his blood may be his wine to chear us, that by the comfort of his blood, and mediation applyed to our souls, we might have wherewith to sustain our selves in the worst times. This is meat indeed, and drink indeed, no nourishment our souls can feed on, but this; our souls cannot feed on pleasures and profits, spirits must feed upon spiritual things. Those are beggerly naked souls that have nothing but lands and riches to feed on, the souls food is holy spirituall things; and if the ordinances yeeld you any good or comfort, whence comes this, but only from the blood of Christ that hath besprinkled all these ordinances, and made them effectuall, Heb. 9.19. It's the blood of sprinkling that makes every ordinance effectuall to us.
7 He came by blood to us, that so he might open a way to us into the most holy place.
Use 1. Teacheth us, that a poor Christian that believes in Christ, may thereby overcome the world, because he believes on such a one as came both by water and blood, by the water of sanctification to purify and cleanse us and by the blood of his redemption, whereby he hath procured for us pardon, and happiness; therefore whosoever believes on Christ, is so sprinkled with the blood of Christ, that he is redeemed from the world, to become the servant of God, he hath all the promises of God, which make him overcome all the promises of the world, and encourageth him against all difficulties, and so assureth him of heavenly glory; so that he looks at the world as a thing little to be regarded.
Ʋse 1. Teacheth us, that a poor Christian that believes in Christ, may thereby overcome the world, because he believes on such a one as came both by water and blood, by the water of sanctification to purifie and cleanse us and by the blood of his redemption, whereby he hath procured for us pardon, and happinesse; therefore whosoever believes on Christ, is so sprinkled with the blood of Christ, that he is redeemed from the world, to become the servant of God, he hath all the promises of God, which make him overcome all the promises of the world, and encourageth him against all difficulties, and so assureth him of heavenly glory; so that he looks at the world as a thing little to be regarded.
Use 2. To stir up all those that desire to get victory over the world, to labour to get faith in Christ Jesus, who is so abundantly furnished with helps and means for our redemption, fit to sanctify us by the water of sanctification, fit to sprinkle us with the blood of redemption; whereas, if we do not believe on Christ, we shall be continually slaves to the world. Hence it is, that worldlings take such content and comfort in the things of this life, and are so discouraged at the loss of them; a plain sign they want faith to overcome the world.
Ʋse 2. To stir up all those that desire to get victory over the world, to labour to get faith in Christ Jesus, who is so abundantly furnished with helps and means for our redemption, fit to sanctifie us by the water of sanctification, fit to sprinkle us with the blood of redemption; whereas, if we do not believe on Christ, we shall be continually slaves to the world. Hence it is, that worldlings take such content and comfort in the things of this life, and are so discouraged at the losse of them; a plain signe they want faith to overcome the world.
Use 3. Of trial what portion we have in Christ. Why, what feedest thou on? If thou hast a part in Christ, thou hast a Spirit of God within thee to comfort thee, thou findest the ordinances sprinkled with the blood of Christ to feed on; thou canst say to the flattering world, I have better meat and better comforts to feed on, then the world can yield, Psal. 4.6. It's poor nourishment for spirits to feed on the husks of this world; but a Christian finds the blood of Christ, the only food of his soul, and the world to be his Servant, and not his Master. But if we have no higher matters to feed on, then the profits and contents of the world, the Spirit of God and grace we relish not; why then truly Christians we are not.
Ʋse 3. Of tryall what portion we have in Christ. Why, what feedest thou on? If thou hast a part in Christ, thou hast a Spirit of God within thee to comfort thee, thou findest the ordinances sprinkled with the bloud of Christ to feed on; thou canst say to the flattering world, I have better meat and better comforts to feed on, then the world can yeeld, Psal. 4.6. It's poor nourishment for spirits to feed on the husks of this world; but a Christian findes the blood of Christ, the only food of his soul, and the world to be his Servant, and not his Master. But if we have no higher matters to feed on, then the profits and contents of the world, the Spirit of God and grace we relish not; why then truly Christians we are not.
4 If thou wouldst use the privileges which come by Christ, why this is the way, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and then he is come for thee by water and blood. Distrust therefore thy own righteousness, rest upon Christ, live in such places where Christ is dispensed in his ordinances, that so being brought on to believe, thou mayst find Christ to thy salvation.
4 If thou wouldst use the priviledges which come by Christ, why this is the way, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and then he is come for thee by water and blood. Distrust therefore thy owne righteousnesse, rest upon Christ, live in such places where Christ is dispensed in his ordinances, that so being brought on to believe, thou mayst finde Christ to thy salvation.
5 Of consolation to such as renounce the world, and esteem Christ to be better worth then all the world; why, thy hope is not frustrate, thou believest on such a one as came by water and blood; so that though thou be unclean, and thy works defiled, yet he came by water to purge and cleanse thee, Exod. 28.37, 38. And what though thy heart be full of many sinful lusts, yet thou trustest on one that can by blood make atonement for thee to procure his Spirit, and when thou dyest, to give thee an open entrance into the most holy place.
5 Of consolation to such as renounce the world, and esteem Christ to be better worth then all the world; why, thy hope is not frustrate, thou believest on such a one as came by water and blood; so that though thou be unclean, and thy works defiled, yet he came by water to purge and cleanse thee, Exod. 28.37, 38. And what though thy heart be full of many sinful lusts, yet thou trustest on one that can by blood make attonement for thee to procure his Spirit, and when thou dyest, to give thee an open entrance into the most holy place.
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 bloud, even Jesus Christ, not by water onely, but by water and bloud: and it is the Spirit that beareth witnesse, because the Spirit is truth.
IN these verses, as we heard, Christ is set out,
1. By the manner of his coming, he came by water and blood.
1. By the manner of his coming, he came by water and bloud.
2. By the witness born to him, which are, First, in general, the Spirit, v. 6. Secondly, more particularly the witnesses are distinguished into two parts, three in heaven, and three on earth, v. 7, 8.
2. By the witnesse born to him, which are, First, in generall, the Spirit, v. 6. Secondly, more particularly the witnesses are distinguished into two parts, three in heaven, and three on earth, v. 7, 8.
It is the Spirit that beareth witness here, Christs coming is confirmed by the witness of the Spirit, and that Spirit amplified by the certainty, that Spirit is truth.
It is the Spirit that beareth witnesse here, Christs coming is confirmed by the witnesse of the Spirit, and that Spirit amplyfied by the certainty, that Spirit is truth.