A34689:4648
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.
4 The Spirit of God that sets me free from the service of men, makes me free to every duty of God, to have free access to him, the Spirit that set me at liberty from Satan, will make me run the ways of Gods Commandments with an enlarged heart, Psal. 119.32. Ps. 110.3. Gods people are a willing people and as he is free from the bondage of men, so he is Lord over them, he can make them all serve him; Gen. 25.23. God told Rebecca there were Nations in her womb, and the elder should serve the younger, how was that fulfilled, seeing Jacob calls Esau Lord, and himself his servant? Gen. 33. Why, as some say, that must be understood of the Nations, not of the persons; but it may be Esau's Lordship and roughness did Jacob more real service then ever Jacob did him, whence was it that he went out of his Fathers house, met with so glorious a vision the first night? whence was it that he made such a vow to God, that if the Lord would be with him, and bless him in that country, then the Lord should be his God? whence was it that he returned with such a blessing? whence was it that he so wrestled with God and obtained a blessing? was not this from Esau's bitterness, and for fear of him? which shows that every fury and persecution of wicked men do Christians the truest service, as it was with the Tyrants in Syria, and Egypt, all the tyranny did but purify the people of God, and make them white, Dan. 11.35.46. they are but as scullions to scour and rinse Gods people, they are but as servants or like house-wives, they lay them in soap, and dung, and sharp lee, but it is but to make them white.
4 The Spirit of God that sets me free from the service of men, makes me free to every duty of God, to have free access to him, the Spirit that set me at liberty from Satan, will make me run the wayes of Gods Commandements with an inlarged heart, Psal. 119.32. Ps. 110.3