A34689:4505
A34689:4505
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.
Object. How comes it to pass then, that this witness is so low sometimes, that we can hardly discern it?
Object. How comes it to passe then, that this witnesse is so low sometimes, that we can hardly discern it?
Answ. We so grieve the Spirit of God sometimes, that he delights not to reveal himself to us; but this is our own fault, that we so black this evidence, that we cannot read it; but if we maintain and cherish it, it will be a strong testimony to our souls.
Answ. We so grieve the Spirit of God sometimes, that he delights not to reveal himselfe to us; but this is our own fault, that we so black this evidence, that we cannot read it; but if we maintain and cherish it, it will be a strong testimony to our souls.
Use 2. For trial of our faith; wouldst thou know whether thy faith be true or not? If it be, it will convey a double trinity of witnesses into thy heart, witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he came by water and blood. If you should resolve most mens faith into its principle, you should find most mens faith built upon antiquity, and authority, and universal consent of all men: Why, if these be the best grounds of thy saith, the Devil hath better grounds of faith then so; but if thou find this truth confirmed to thee, by the testimony of Gods Spirit within thee, this faith will hold trial.
Ʋse 2. For tryal of our faith; wouldst thou know whether thy faith be true or not? If it be, it will convey a double trinity of witnesses into thy heart, witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he came by water and bloud. If you should resolve most mens faith into its principle, you should find most mens faith built upon antiquity, and authority, and universall consent of all men: Why, if these be the best grounds of thy saith, the Divel hath better grounds of faith then so; but if thou find this truth confirmed to thee, by the testimony of Gods Spirit within thee, this faith will hold tryall.
Use 3. Of consolation to all them that find this witness in themselves. Why, they have grounds of full assurance of their good estates, seeing they have such divine and certain witness of it, both in heaven and earth.
Ʋse 3. Of consolation to all them that find this witnesse in themselves. Why, they have grounds of full assurance of their good estates, seeing they have such divine and certain witnesse of it, both in heaven and earth.
1 JOHN 5.10, 11, 12. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son, &c.
1 JOHN 5.10, 11, 12. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witnesse in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a lyar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son, &c.
Having showed vers. 6, 7, 8. three witnesses in heaven, and three on earth, that bear witness to the Sonship of Christ, vers. 9, 10. he stirs us up to believe this witness, 1 A minori, If we believe the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. 2 From the Divinity of all those witnesses in our hearts and consciences. 3 From the nearness of this testimony. 4 From the danger that follows the not believing this testimony we thereby make God a liar, and he gives a reason of it, because he believes not the record that God hath of his Son, and he shows what that record is, this is the record that God hath given us of his Son, even eternal life.
HAving shewed vers. 6, 7, 8. three witnesses in heaven, and three on earth, that bear witnesse to the Sonship of Christ, vers. 9, 10. he stirs us up to believe this witnesse, 1 A minori, If we believe the witnesse of men, the witnesse of God is greater. 2 From the Divinity of all those witnesses in our hearts and consciences. 3 From the nearnesse of this testimony. 4 From the danger that follows the not believing this testimony we thereby make God a lyar, and he gives a reason of it, because he believes not the record that God hath of his Son, and he shews what that record is, this is the record that God hath given us of his Son, even eternal life.
From the change of the phrase in this 10 vers. believing on the Son of God, and believing God, observe
There is a double phrase used, 1 Credere Deo. 2 Credere in filium Dei.
Credere Deo, is to believe that there is a God.
2 That every testimony God gives us is true, Act. 27.25. I believe God, that it shall be so as he hath said, but to believe on God, or on the Son of God, is a phrase peculiar only to Scripture, not found in any humane Writers.
Now to believe that there is a God, and that his Word is true, are acts of the understanding; but to believe on God, is not only an act of my understanding, but of my will; whereby I trust on him, and roll my self upon him, it's expressed by laying a stone upon a foundation, 1 Pet. 2.5, 6. Christ lies as the corner stone of his Church, every living stone lies upon him, depends upon him, and that is to believe on God, to lift up our souls, and lye on the foundation, John 14.1. Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe on God, believe also on me; so much belief so much less fear; and so much fear, so much less faith, Jam. 2.19. The Devils believe and tremble; but he that believes on the Son of God fear not, this believing on him, is a resting on him, for many may have faith, and not rest on Christ, Isa. 30.15. In quietness and confidence shall be your rest, there is no such rolling our selves upon Christ; so that as living stones we lye still and quiet upon Christ the corner stone, so that you cannot lift off a Christian from his foundation, except you overthrow the building, and this is, when a Christian is so established in faith, that all mists of doubtings are removed, and Gods favour clearly seen, and then the soul sits down in calmness, and quiet, Psal. 3.5, 6. and this hand of faith the children of God are wont to put forth in dangerous times, Psal. 91.12. He that abideth in the secret place of the most High, &c. Two things are in God, which are the secret place of the Almighty, and both expressed in the Name of the Lord.
Now to believe that there is a God, and that his Word is true, are acts of the understanding; but to believe on God, is not only an act of my understanding, but of my will; whereby I trust on him, and rowl my selfe upon him, it's exprest by laying a stone upon a foundation, 1 Pet. 2.5, 6. Christ lyes as the corner stone of his Church, every living stone lyes upon him, depends upon him, and that is to believe on God, to lift up our souls, and lye on the foundation,
Which implies, 1 his attributes of mercy, goodness, and patience, and the like.
Which implyes, 1 his attributes of mercy, goodnesse, and patience, and the like.
2 His truth, Psal. 138.4. Thou hast exalted thy word about thy Name, the Word of God doth more comfort, and command, then any attribute without the Word; so that the Name of God, is the secret place of God in danger; A Christian runs to the attributes and promises of God.
2. But if this were all, it would exclude from faith, all those whose faith is not grown to this quietness and rest, for many a day is it before we come to such quietness and rest, but full of doubts and agitations are we: as if you commit such a sum of money to be paid at London, into a faithful able mans hand; I never doubt of his care or faithfulness, if I doubt of either, my heart is never at rest, till I hear how matters go? no Christian ord• narily doubts of Gods power and ability; but he doubts whether God be willing to put forth his power for my salvation or no; hence a poor soul hath many thoughts and cares what will become of his soul, yet there is some kind of saving faith in him that believes his ability, and this faith makes him in some measure to lean on Christ, as Mark 1.40. the poor Leper came to Jesus, and said, If thou wilt thou canst make me clean, he believed his power, yet something doubts of his will; yet he comes to him that he might be willing.
2. But if this were all, it would exclude from faith, all those whose faith is not grown to this quietnesse and rest, for many a day is it before we come to such quietnesse and rest, but full of doubts and agitations are we: as if you commit such a sum of money to be paid at London, into a faithfull able mans hand; I never doubt of his care or faithfulnesse, if I doubt of either, my heart is never at rest, till I hear how matters goe? no Christian ord• narily doubts of Gods power and ability; but he doubts whether God be willing to put forth his power for my salvation or no; hence a poor soule hath many thoughts and cares what will become of his soul, yet there is some kinde of saving faith in him that believes his ability, and this faith makes him in some measure to lean on Christ, as Mark 1.40. the poor Leper came to Jesus, and said, If thou wilt thou canst make me clean, he believed his power, yet something doubts of his will; yet he comes to him that he might be willing.
3. There is a weaker faith then this, that is, a Christian comes sometimes to doubt even of the power of God, that he is not able to show him mercy, and so doubts of it, as thus, because God hath said, That they that have sinned against the holy Ghost shall never be forgiven, and they are afraid they have committed this sin, and they know God is not able to break his word, Mark 9.22. There comes a poor man to Christ for help for his son, and said, If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us; What saith Christ, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth? viz, that I am able; why, saith he, Lord I believe, help my unbelief, he believed God was able to help him, and yet was not certain of it neither, and yet this faith procured this blessing from God.
3. There is a weaker faith then this, that is, a Christian comes sometimes to doubt even of the power of God, that he is not able to shew him mercy, and so doubts of it, as thus, because God hath said, That they that have sinned against the holy Ghost shall never be forgiven, and they are afraid they have committed this sin, and they know God is not able to break his word, Mark 9.22. There comes a poor man to Christ for help for his son, and said, If thou canst doe any thing, have compassion on us; What saith Christ, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth? viz, that I am able; why, saith he, Lord I believe, help my unbeliefe, he believed God was able to help him, and yet was not certain of it neither, and yet this faith procured this blessing from God.