A34689:4962
A34689:4962
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. Of refutation of Bellarmine and Suarez, that say, Therefore this sin is said to be unto death, not that it is never pardoned, but not without much difficulty. Whereas its said to be impossible, Heb. 6.4. They answer, 1. Impossibile in Aristotle is the same with difficile. 2. Its impossible with men, not with God.
But were it a sin that might be pardoned, though with never so much difficulty, yet we ought to pray for it, and so much the more earnestly; therefore, seeing St John dissuades us from the usual remedy against sin, viz. prayer, therefore certainly its a sin unto death, that cannot be pardoned.
But were it a sin that might be pardoned, though with never so much difficulty, yet we ought to pray for it, and so much the more earnestly; therefore, seeing St John disswades us from the usuall remedy against sin, viz. prayer, therefore certainly its a sin unto death, that cannot be pardoned.
3. A third error hence refuted, is of those that conceive this sin is very rarely found, and more hardly to be discerned, but why doth St John write to common Christians not to pray for them? a sign they may be found and discerned.
3. A third errour hence refuted, is of those that conceive this sin is very rarely found, and more hardly to be discerned, but why doth St John write to common Christians not to pray for them? a signe they may be found and discerned.
Use 2. To teach all that would live long and see good days, to take heed of opposing and maligning the known truth. Many have conceived that this sin hath hardly been found in the world, except in Julian the Apostate, and such open enemies of Christ; I wish it were so rare, but are there not too many in the world, that have been enlightened and convinced of the truth of God, that those are the ways and servants of God, and yet rise up against them with open spite and disdain, and persecute them with malice and scorn? Is not this sin found too often in the Church? Many indeed of our Saviours persecutors did it out of ignorance, and our Saviours prayer was effectual for them, Father forgive them, they know not what they do: But there were of them that knew him to be the heir, and said, Come let us kill him, Mat. 21.38. And for such as those, there remains no more sacrifice. It was Davids prayer, Psal. 57.5. Be not merciful to any malicious offenders, that transgress without a cause, Psal. 25.5.
Ʋse 2. To teach all that would live long and see good dayes, to take heed of opposing and maligning the known truth. Many have conceived that this sin hath hardly been found in the world, except in Julian the Apostate, and such open enemies of Christ; I wish it were so rare, but are there not too many in the world, that have been enlightned and convinced of the truth of God, that those are the wayes and servants of God, and yet rise up against them with open spight and disdain, and persecute them with malice and scorn? Is not this sin found too often in the Church? Many indeed of our Saviours persecuters did it out of ignorance, and our Saviours prayer was effectuall for them, Father forgive them, they know not what they doe: But there were of them that knew him to be the heir, and said, Come let us kill him, Mat. 21.38. And for such as those, there remains no more sacrifice. It was Davids prayer, Psal. 57.5. Be not mercifull to any malicious offenders, that transgresse without a cause,
Use 3. It may teach all the servants of God to strengthen themselves against this sin, and to use all good preservatives against this sin unto death.
Ʋse 3. It may teach all the servants of God to strengthen themselves against this sin, and to use all good preservatives against this sin unto death.
1. Keep constant fellowship with Gods servants, and forsake them not, for that is the rise of the sin, Heb. 10.25. As long as God keeps in thy heart a love to Gods people, and a reverent esteem of his grace, its impossible thou should fall into this sin.
2. Be diligent to add one grace to another, for so thou shalt make thy calling and election sure, and shalt never fail, 2 Pet. 1.5, 10. Psal. 73.27, 28.
2. Be diligent to adde one grace to another, for so thou shalt make thy calling and election sure, and shalt never fail, 2 Pet. 1.5, 10. Psal. 73.27, 28.
3. Deck thy heart with an humble and awful respect towards God and his ways, Prov. 28.14. Jer. 32.40.
3. Deck thy heart with an humble and awefull respect towards God and his wayes, Prov. 28.14. Jer. 32.40.
4. Take heed of turning aside to crooked ways, Psal. 125.4, 5. One sin will draw another. Heb. 12.13. Make straight steps to your feet, lest that which ⟨p. 428⟩is same be turned out of the way. Sauls once straining his conscience, brake the back of his profession.
4. Take heed of turning aside to crooked wayes, Psal. 125.4, 5. One sin will draw another. Heb. 12.13. Make straight steps to your feet, lest that which ⟨p. 428⟩is same be turned out of the way. Sauls once straining his conscience, brake the back of his profession.
Use 4. To such as fear they have committed this sin, which is the case of two sorts of Christians.
Ʋse 4. To such as fear they have commited this sin, which is the case of two sorts of Christians.
1. Of such who having found much enlargement, after fall into deadness, and slack-heartednesse, and all is damped, and therefore they fear they have sinned against the holy Ghost.
1. Of such who having found much inlargement, after fall into deadnesse, and slack-heartednesse, and all is dampt, and therefore they fear they have sinned against the holy Ghost.
2. It is the case of such as have sinned against their consciences.
For the first sort, its true, a man may sin against the holy Ghost, by vexing, and despising, and damping the Spirit, but yet this is not the sin against the holy Ghost, unless it be done with spite and scorn against Gods Spirit.
For the first sort, its true, a man may sin against the holy Ghost, by vexing, and despising, and damping the Spirit, but yet this is not the sin against the holy Ghost, unlesse it be done with spight and scorn against Gods Spirit.
For the second sort, such indeed as have sinned against their consciences, they have wronged their own souls, and brought much mischief upon themselves; but yet a man may sin against his conscience, and not sin against the holy Ghost; for it may either be done out of infirmity, or boldness, as Peters and Davids sins were, they sinned not out of spite and malice; if therefore thou fear thou hast committed this sin, this fear argues thou hast not committed it, because thou art afraid and sorry for it.
For the second sort, such indeed as have sinned against their consciences, they have wronged their own souls, and brought much mischiefe upon themselves; but yet a man may sin against his conscience, and not sin against the holy Ghost; for it may either be done out of infirmity, or boldnesse, as Peters and Davids sins were, they sinned not out of spight and malice; if therefore thou fear thou hast committed this sin, this fear argues thou hast not committed it, because thou art afraid and sorry for it.
Again, some answer thus, and say its not a sin against the holy Ghost unless it be joined with an universal apostasy from the whole Gospel of Christ. Indeed that was a good mark in the primitive Church, when the Church censures were so hot, that such were cast out, and so being cast out, turned open Pagans and enemies to Christ, being admitted into the Common-wealth; but now this is not so sure a mark in our times, wherein such a man should not only be excluded from the Church, but from the Common-wealth too; and therefore now they keep themselves from open blaspheming Christ, and so would those former Apostates, had they lived in our days, and others would do as they did, fly out as openly, had they lived in their days; and therefore judge not so much by that, as how thy heart stands affected to Christ. This is certain, they that are born of God sin not this sin, for they that sin this sin cannot avoid everlasting death, whereas they that are born of God shall live for ever.
Again, some answer thus, and say its not a sin against the holy Ghost unlesse it be joyned with an universall apostasie from the whole Gospel of Christ. Indeed that was a good mark in the primitive Church, when the Church censures were so hot, that such were cast out, and so being cast out, turned open Pagans and enemies to Christ, being admitted into the Common-wealth; but now this is not so sure a mark in our times, wherein such a man should not onely be excluded from the Church, but from the Common-wealth too; and therefore now they keep themselves from open blaspheming Christ, and so would those former Apostates, had they lived in our dayes, and others would doe as they did, fly out as openly, had they lived in their dayes; and therefore judge not so much by that, as how thy heart stands affected to Christ. This is certain, they that are born of God sin not this sin, for they that sin this sin cannot avoid everlasting death, whereas they that are born of God shall live for ever.
Verse 16. last part. I do not say you shall pray for it.
Verse 16. last part. I doe not say you shall pray for it.