A34689:4819
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 Faith had need to be increased in regard of the acts of it, which are persuasion and trust on Christ, those had need to be increased. Peter when he walked on the water, he was persuaded Christ would save him, but when the winds began to be boisterous, he was afraid and began to sink, but Christ reacheth forth his hand to help him, and reproves him, O thou of little faith, Matth. 14.30, 31. The two Disciples that went to Emmaus, and were talking of Christs death, they said one to another, We trusted it had been he that should have delivered Israel, we so trusted, but now are afraid we are deceived, for they looked that the Messiah should abide for ever, but what saith Christ to them? O fools and slow of heart to believe, so that faith had need to increase in the acts of it.
4 Faith had need to be increased in regard of the acts of it, which are perswasion and trust on Christ, those had need to be increased. Peter when he walked on the water, he was perswaded Christ would save him, but when the winds began to be boysterous, he was afraid and began to sink, but Christ reacheth forth his hand to help him, and reproves him, O thou of little faith, Matth. 14.30, 31. The two Disciples that went to Emaus, and were talking of Christs death, they said one to another, We trusted it had been he that should have delivered Israel, we so trusted, but now are afraid we are deceived, for they looked that the Messias should abide for ever, but what saith Christ to them? O fools and slow of heart to believe, so that faith had need to increase in the acts of it.
5 Faith had need to grow in the fruits of it, though faith may be of some strength and comfort, yet it may be much wanting in the fruits of it; one fruit of faith is love, Gal. 5.6. Now a Christian may leave his first love, and so far, that withal he may lose his first works,