A34689:4518
A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…
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 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