A34689:4699
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.
For application.
Wouldst thou know whether thou hast life or no? Why, hast thou found thy heart affected with joy for Gods goodness to thee, and yet withal grieved and sorrowful for thy unkind dealing with him? These are certain evidences of the life of grace in thee. You may find many affected and comforted with the Word, as Herod was; but if this joy were of God, it would not vanish away like smoke, but would administer so much the more sorrow and mourning for sin; though a Christians joy may suddenly vanish, yet it always leaves behind an inward grieving for sin, to keep possession for it.
Wouldst thou know whether thou hast life or no? Why, hast thou found thy heart affected with joy for Gods goodnesse to thee, and yet withall grieved and sorrowfull for thy unkinde dealing with him? These are certain evidences of the life of grace in thee. You may find many affected and comforted with the Word, as Herod was; but if this joy were of God, it would not vanish away like smoak, but would administer so much the more sorrow and mourning for sin; though a Christians joy may suddenly vanish, yet it alwayes leaves behinde an inward grieving for sin, to keep possession for it.
2 How do you find your hearts affected to Gods worship? Do you find your hearts generally unwilling to pray or hear? This is an ill sign. But if you find your hearts willing, and the more willing, the more careful withal. In this case there is life. But if a man have fear without joy, or joy without fear, the heart is not in a good temper.
2 How do you finde your hearts affected to Gods worship? Do you finde your hearts generally unwilling to pray or hear? This is an ill signe. But if you finde your hearts willing, and the more willing, the more carefull withall. In this case there is life. But if a man have fear without joy, or joy without fear, the heart is not in a good temper.