A34689:4353
A34689:4353
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. 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.
By the Spirit is meant, the Spirit of God breathing in the Word, and in the conscience of Gods people, both are here included.
For 1. the Spirit breathing in the Scripture, is one of the chiefest testimonies, that is born to Christ, John 5.39. and therefore this witness may not be omitted.
For 1. the Spirit breathing in the Scripture, is one of the chiefest testimonies, that is born to Christ, John 5.39. and therefore this witnesse may not be omitted.
2. By the Spirit, is meant the Spirit as it breaths in the consciences of Gods people: for though the Spirit be strong in the Scripture, yet how shall I be ascertained of that truth of the Scripture, but by the consent of the same Spirit in my heart? Its the Spirit in our hearts, that witnesseth to the truth in the Scripture, John 3.33. and therefore its called a Seal, 2 Cor. 1.20. All the promises in Christ are yea and amen; how appears that? by the Spirit breathing in our hearts.
Quest. What is that the Spirit witnesseth?
Some understand it thus, The Spirit bears witness, that the Spirit is truth: if there were no other testimony of the Spirit, but the Spirit it self, it would show it self, as the Sun shows its self.
Some understand it thus, The Spirit bears witnesse, that the Spirit is truth: if there were no other testimony of the Spirit, but the Spirit it selfe, it would shew it selfe, as the Sun shews its selfe.
But first, the Apostle hath not occasion to speak of the witness it bears to its own truth; but the scope of his speech is, to speak of the witness that is born to this truth, that Jesus Christ came by water and blood, and therefore the witness here spoken of, is of the Sonship of Christ, and of his powerful coming, and to this the Spirit bears witness, and that Spirit is truth.
But first, the Apostle hath not occasion to speak of the witnesse it bears to its own truth; but the scope of his speech is, to speak of the witnesse that is born to this truth, that Jesus Christ came by water and bloud, and therefore the witnesse here spoken of, is of the Sonship of Christ, and of his powerfull coming, and to this the Spirit bears witnesse, and that Spirit is truth.