A34689:4920
A34689:4920
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.
Obj. 2. If a man be thus willing to observe other mens sins, we shall be counted busy bodies, and meddlers in other mens dioceses.
Obj. 2. If a man be thus willing to observe other mens sins, we shall be counted busie bodies, and medlers in other mens di•cesses.
Answ. True, we shall be busy, but yet not where we have nothing to do, God lays the charge upon us to have regard of our Brethren's carriages; if we keep the true bounds of observing them, named before, we do not go beyond our commission.
Answ. True, we shall be buisie, but yet not where we have nothing to doe, God layes the charge upon us to have regard of our Brethrens carriages; if we keep the true bounds of observing them, named before, we doe not goe beyond our commission.
Obj. 3. But I shall be more busy then I shall have thank for, I shall be worse, and he never the better.
Obj. 3. But I shall be more busie then I shall have thank for, I shall be worse, and he never the better.
Answ. True, for a while it may be so, but yet remember what Solomon saith, Prov. 28.28. He that rebuketh a man, afterward shall find more favour then he that flattereth with the tongue; but suppose thou shouldst loose his favour; yet thou shalt have favour with God.
So Moses did pray for the people when they had sinned, Exod, 32.30, 31. Either pardon them, or let me have no mercy. Thus God would have Job pray for his friends, Job 42.7, 8. So did Jeremiah, ch. 13.17, & 14.17.18. Our Saviours example is a full pattern, Luk. 23.24. Father forgive them, they know not what they do. So Stephen the first Martyr, with a loud voice prayed for his adversaries, Act. 7.60. Lord lay not this sin to their charge.
So Moses did pray for the people when they had sinned, Exod, 32.30, 31. Either pardon them, or let me have no mercy. Thus God would have Job pray for his friends, Job 42.7, 8. So did Jeremiah, ch. 13.17, & 14.17.18. Our Saviours example is a full pattern, Luk. 23.24. Father forgive them, they know not what they doe. So Stephen the first Martyr, with a loud voyce prayed for his adversaries, Act. 7.60. Lord lay not this sin to their charge.
Reas. 1. From the compassion we owe to our Brethren, we are bound to pray for them in sickness, Psal. 35.13. or in any other calamity, Ps. 141.5. How much more in the calamity of sin, which is the greatest calamity that can be.
Reas. 1. From the compassion we owe to our Brethren, we are bound to pray for them in sicknesse, Psal. 35.13. or in any other calamity, Ps. 141.5. How much more in the calamity of sin, which is the greatest calamity that can be.
2. We are bound to exhort and reprove them, now neither will do good without prayer, 1 Tim. 4.4, 5.
2. We are bound to exhort and reprove them, now neither will doe good without prayer, 1 Tim. 4.4, 5.
3. From the desperate condition of sin, which is such that none alone is able to help them, except God do it. It's the work of an Almighty power to redeem us from any sin, Psal. 130. ult. Sin is of a poison some nature, some poisons take away our eyes, and some benumb us, so sin takes away our eyes that we cannot see our condition, and so hardens us, that not any thing can help us but God, and therefore God must be prayed to for help.
3. From the desperate condition of sin, which is such that none alone is able to help them, except God doe it. It's the work of an Almighty power to redeem us from any sin, Psal. 130. ult. Sin is of a poysen some nature, some poysons take away our eyes, and some benumme us, so sin takes away our eyes that we cannot see our condition, and so hardens us, that not any thing can help us but God, and therefore God must be prayed to for help.
4. From the displeasure of God against men, if he see none to stand up and intercede for their Brethren, Isa. 56.16, 17.
5. From the benefit that befalls Gods servants, if he see them praying for their Brethren. Job's prayer for his friends was the rise of his deliverance, Job 42, 8, 9. Isa. 57.18. If ever God restore comfort to those we pray for we shall be sharers in their comforts, God will restore comfort to them and their mourners.
If any man, […] his Brother sin a sin not unto death, he shall pray for him, and shall give him life. He that prays for him shall be an instrument to convey life unto him; or God himself moved by his prayer, shall give him life; it's all one: he shall give him life of justification, sanctification, and consolation: This is evident by other examples, when the Israelites had committed a great sin, so that God in his displeasure had threatened to destroy them, yet at Moses earnest request, he spared them, and Aaron, Deut. 9.15. to 21. Job prayed for his friends, and the Lord accepted him. Our Saviours prayer for his enemies is thought to be the cause why Peters Sermon was effectual to the conversion ⟨p. 425⟩of three thousand at once, Stephens prayer made way for the conversion of Paul.
If any man, 〈…〉 his Brother sin a sin not unto death, he shall pray for him, and shall give him life. He that prayes for him shall be an instrument to convey life unto him; or God himselfe moved by his prayer, shall give him life; it's all one: he shall give him life of justification, sanctification, and consolation: This is evident by other examples, when the Israelites had committed a great sin, so that God in his displeasure had threatned to destroy them, yet at Moses earnest request, he spared them, and Aaron, Deut. 9.15. to 21. Job prayed for his friends, and the Lord accepted him. Our Saviours prayer for his enemies is thought to be the cause why Peters Sermon was effectuall to the conversion ⟨p. 425⟩of three thousand at once, Stephens prayer made way for the conversion of Paul.
Reas. 1. From the pleasure God takes to knit the members of his body together, now no better means to knit them then to make them useful one to another, 1 Cor. 12.21, 22. So Jobs friends should not prevail by their own prayers, but they should all be beholding to Job whom they had wronged.
2. From the ointment of Christ that is poured on the head of every believer. This honour have all his Saints▪ that they shall become intercessors for others. What is said of Christ, Rom. 8.34. the same word is used of our prayers, 2 Tim. 4.1. James 5.15.
2. From the oyntment of Christ that is poured on the head of every believer. This honour have all his Saints▪ that they shall become intercessors for others. What is said of Christ, Rom. 8.34. the same word is used of our prayers, 2 Tim. 4.1. James 5.15.
Use. Its a ground of much encouragement to all that see their Brethren sin a sin not unto death, to pray for them; be it a sin of covetousness; nay, be it a sin of frowardness, which is of a deep nature; yet the Lord promiseth to hear us for them, Isa. 57.17, 18.
Ʋse. Its a ground of much encouragement to all that see their Brethren sin a sin not unto death, to pray for them; be it a sin of covetousnesse; nay, be it a sin of frowardnesse, which is of a deep nature; yet the Lord promiseth to hear us for them, Isa. 57.17, 18.