A34689:4365
A34689:4365
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.
The Spirit breathing in the Scripture, John 5.39. Its not the saying of the Prophets nor Apostles, that bears such authentic testimony, we look at the testimony of them, as of Isaiah and Paul, Christ speaks of them, I receive not the testimony of men, John 1.33. Therefore some that have read them have looked at them as fables, 1 Cor. 2.6, 7. What is it then that captivates the world to the belief of this testimony, but the testimony of the Spirit breathing in them?
The Spirit breathing in the Scripture, John 5.39. Its not the saying of the Prophets nor Apostles, that bears such authentick testimony, we look at the testimony of them, as of Isaiah and Paul, Christ speaks of them, I receive not the testimony of men, John 1.33. Therefore some that have read them have lookd at them as fables, 1 Cor. 2.6, 7. What is it then that captivates the world to the beliefe of this testimony, but the testimony of the Spirit breathing in them?
What is that Spirit that breaths in the Scripture that bears such strong witness to Christ? Zech. 4.6. Its not by might or power, but by my Spirit, that any building of grace is built.
What is that Spirit that breaths in the Scripture that bears such strong witnesse to Christ? Zech. 4.6. Its not by might or power, but by my Spirit, that any building of grace is built.
Answ. There is in the Scripture, 1. A Spirit of power. 2. Of Perfection.
First, Of power, Luke 24.49. and its that power that fell on them on the day of Pentecost; which our Saviour intimated to them expressly, John 20.21, 22. so that their words remit sins and ease the conscience, and bind it, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. 2 Cor. 13.3, 4, 5. Now then the Spirit breathing in the Apostles, though their outward man was base and weak, yet their words were mighty and powerful, and even as Christ was most full of power, when he was most debased. There is a threefold power in the Scripture.
First, Of power, Luke 24.49. and its that power that fell on them on the day of Pentecost; which our Saviour intimated to them expresly, John 20.21, 22. so that their words remit sins and ease the conscience, and bind it, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. 2 Cor. 13.3, 4, 5. Now then the Spirit breathing in the Apostles, though their outward man was base and weak, yet their words were mighty and powerfull, and even as Christ was most full of power, when he was most debased. There is a threefold power in the Scripture.
1. There is a mighty power therein to convince men of their sinful estate, and of their need of Christ, John 16, 8, 9.
1. There is a mighty power therein to convince men of their sinfull estate, and of their need of Christ, John 16, 8, 9.
2. A power to comfort the hearts of Gods servants in sense of his favour, Rom. 8.15. hence the Spirit is called the Comforter, John 14.15. and when the soul finds this success, it witnesseth that no writings are like them, to cast down to hell, and lift up to heaven again.
2. A power to comfort the hearts of Gods servants in sence of his favour, Rom. 8.15. hence the Spirit is called the Comforter, John 14.15. and when the soule findes this successe, it witnesseth that no writings are like them, to cast down to hell, and lift up to heaven again.
3. There is a Spirit of power in the Scripture to cleanse us from all defilements, to purify our hearts, to overcome the world, to strengthen us against all temptations and discouragements. This Spirit breathing in us, let• us see that Christ came fully furnished for our redemption, I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me, Phil. 4.13. by the power of Christ I can learn to stand even in every condition of life, and to walk in his fear, Ezek. 36.25, 26.
3. There is a Spirit of power in the Scripture to cleanse us from all defilements, to purifie our hearts, to overcome the world, to strengthen us against all temptations and discouragements. This Spirit breathing in us, let• us see that Christ came fully furnished for our redemption, I can doe all things through Christ that strengthneth me, Phil. 4.13. by the power of Christ I can learn to stand even in every condition of life, and to walk in his fear, Ezek. 36.25, 26.
Secondly, In the Scripture there is a Spirit of perfection, whereby the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to every good work, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. There is no calling but a man may find abundant directions for it in the Scripture: the Heathen Moralists have written concerning our carriages towards men, but little towards God; so the laws of men, a man may fulfil them all, and yet live an hypocrite, and die a reprobate, which shows their imperfection, and therefore mens laws are often changed and altered: if therefore a man find such a word, as that when he understands it, he finds sufficient directions to lead him in all his ways, and bring him to Heaven: this shows the divine perfection of the Scripture, that what once it delivers that is absolutely perfect, and this Spirit bears witness to it.
Secondly, In the Scripture there is a Spirit of perfection, whereby the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to every good work, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. There is no calling but a man may finde abundant directions for it in the Scripture: the Heathen Moralists have written concerning our carriages towards men, but little towards God; so the laws of men, a man may fulfill them all, and yet live an hypocrite, and die a reprobate, which shews their imperfection, and therefore mens laws are often changed and altered: if therefore a man find such a word, as that when he understands it, he finds sufficient directions to lead him in all his wayes, and bring him to Heaven: this shews the divine perfection of the Scripture, that what once it delivers that is absolutely perfect, and this Spirit bears witnesse to it.
1. The Spirit bears witness to Christ, as it breaths in our hearts, for though the Spirit should breath never so strongly, yet if we have not the evidence of it in our hearts, we shall not know the truth of such a thing: Now the Spirit breathing in our consciences is a Spirit of peace and purity, both springing from Christ; the Spirit of peace persuades our consciences of the virtue and power of Christs blood, had it not been for Christs blood, we should never have had peace, but have been like Cain living in Nod, in continual agitation; but Christs blood speaks peace.
1. The Spirit bears witnesse to Christ, as it breaths in our hearts, for though the Spirit should breath never so strongly, yet if we have not the evidence of it in our hearts, we shall not know the truth of such a thing: Now the Spirit breathing in our consciences is a Spirit of peace and purity, both springing from Christ; the Spirit of peace perswades our consciences of the vertue and power of Christs bloud, had it not been for Christs bloud, we should never have had peace, but have been like Cain living in Nod, in continuall agitation; but Christs bloud speaks peace.
2. As he came by blood, so he came by water, and this is witnessed by the Spirit of Sanctification, and there is in this Spirit a threefold work suitable to this water.
2. As he came by bloud, so he came by water, and this is witnessed by the Spirit of Sanctification, and there is in this Spirit a threefold work sutable to this water.
1. A Spirit of refreshing: as water refresheth the dry and thirsty soul, Isa. 44.3. so doth the water of the Spirit allay the heat and scorch of Gods wrath.
1. A Spirit of refreshing: as water refresheth the dry and thirsty soule, Isa. 44.3. so doth the water of the Spirit allay the heat and scorch of Gods wrath.
2. As springing water washes and cleanses along as it goes, so doth the Spirit of God wash us with clean water, Ezek. 36.25. unless it be troubled with some obstructions, which yet it will overgrow and run clear.
2. As springing water washes and cleanses along as it goes, so doth the Spirit of God wash us with clean water, Ezek. 36.25. unlesse it be troubled with some obstructions, which yet it will overgrow and run clear.