A34689:500
A34689:500
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.
Use 3 It may exhort such as have a good opinion of their own estate, and make a profession of it, it may teach all such, seriously to consider whether they be well grounded, for a man may be deceived in it; if we say we have fellowship, and yet walk in darkness, we lye; a man would be loath to be cozened in a piece of gold; why, what are thousands of gold and silver, to have all his estate and body current, and strong, and to have his heart unsound and counterfeit, all current but his own soul? what greater confusion than the cutting off a mans hopes? for a man to live all his days in a good hope, and at death to have his hopes to fail him, this confounds his Spirit; therefore take not all for gold that glisters.
Ʋse 3 It may exhort such as have a good opinion of their own estate, and make a profession of it, it may teach all such, seriously to consider whether they be well grounded, for a man may be deceived in it; if we say we have fellowship, and yet walk in darnesse, we lye; a man would be loath to be cozened in a piece of gold; why, what are thousands of gold and silver, to have all his estate and body current, and strong, and to have his heart unsound and counterfeit, all current but his own soul? what greater confusion than the cutting off a mans hopes? for a man to live all his dayes in a good hope, and at death to have his hopes to fail him, this confounds his Spirit; therefore take not all for gold that glisters.
Use 4 It teacheth us not forthwith to be deluded with the opinion of others, but consider whether they be not deceived that he takes for good, or they be not sound whom he takes for Hypocrites, do not easily take them for our Brethren and Sisters that carry a show, the Church had never more wrong than by false Brethren that have spied out their liberty, and informed against them; take not every Professor for a Brother; men may say they have fellowship with God, and yet walk in darkness, therefore take heed of entertaining such into thy good opinion and fellowship.
Ʋse 4 It teacheth us not forthwith to be deluded with the opinion of others, but consider whether they be not deceived that hee takes for good, or they be not sound whom he takes for Hypocrites, do not easily take them for our Brethren and Sisters that carry a shew, the Church had never more wrong than by false Brethren that have spyed out their liberty, and informed against them; take not every Professor for a Brother; men may say they have fellowship with God, and yet walk in darknesse, therefore take heed of entertaining such into thy good opinion and fellowship.
1 It will dishonour God, when such have been embraced by such and such people of God, and now what is become of them?
1 It will dishonour God, when such have been imbraced by such and such people of God, and now what is become of them?
2 It will bring prejudice to Gods Saints many times; they are more wronged by them (than any) that carry it closely, and at length break out, 2 Cor. 11.26. so David complains Psal. 55.12, 13, 14. it was a commendable practice of the Apostles, Acts 9.26. they would not easily admit of Paul, and it is commonly said, if a man or woman carry a Bible, or come to good duties, why they begin to be esteemed, but others that make not such a show are less respected.
2 It will bring prejudice to Gods Saints many times; they are more wronged by them (than any) that carry it closely, and at length break out, 2 Cor. 11.26. so David complains Psal. 55.12, 13, 14. it was a commendable practice of the Apostles, Acts 9.26. they would not easily admit of Paul, and it is commonly said, if a man or woman carry a Bible, or come to good duties, why they begin to be esteemed, but others that make not such a shew are lesse respected.
Darkness implies both ignorance and ungodliness; darkness hath a four-fold signification, sometimes it is put for Ignorance, the people that sat• in darkness, &c. Mat. 4.16.
Darknesse implyes both ignorance and ungodlinesse; darknesse hath a four-fold signification, sometimes it is put for Ignorance, the people that sat• in darknesse, &c. Mat. 4.16.
2 It is put Profaneness and Ungodliness, every sin is called darkness, 2 Cor. 6.14. Ephes. 5 8.
2 It is put Prophanenesse and Ungodliness, every sin is called darkness, 2 Cor. 6.14. Ephes. 5 8.
3. Sometimes it is put for horror of conscience and confusion of Spirit, Isa. 50.10.
4. For obscurity and dishonour, confusion and desolation, Pro. 20.12. for as light is took four ways, so is darkness.
4. For obscurity and dishonour, confusion and desolation, Pro. 20.12. for as light is took four wayes, so is darknesse.
Light is put sometimes for Knowledge, sometimes for Grace, sometimes for Comfort, sometimes for Glory, Col. 1.12, 13. so contrary, darkness is sometimes put for darkness of ignorance of ungodliness, of discomfort, and of dishonour and obscurity.
Light is put sometimes for Knowledge, sometimes for Grace, sometimes for Comfort, sometimes for Glory, Col. 1.12, 13. so contrary, darknesse is sometimes put for darknesse of ignorance of ungodlinesse, of discomfort, and of dishonour and obscurity.
The two last are not here meant; a man may walk in much discomfort, and yet have fellowship with God, Isa. 50.10. Matth. 12.20. the bruised reed will he not break, &c. a man in such a condition walks in darkness, and yet God will not break and quench such.
The two last are not here meant; a man may walk in much discomfort, and yet have fellowship with God, Isa. 50.10. Matth. 12.20. the bruised reed will he not break, &c. a man in such a condition walks in darknesse, and yet God will not break and quench fuch.
2 Many a Child of God walks in much dishonour and baseness, and yet have fellowship with God, 1 Cor. 4.13, Psal. 22.6. David complains he was a worm and no man, a reproach and scorn of men, and yet was a good man, and had fellowship with God, therefore it cannot be meant of these two, for those that are in such a condition, are ordinarily most sound and sincere, whereas others having more comfort, walk more loosely and carelessly, but if we live in Uncleanness or Ignorance, we have no Fellowship with God, Prov. 19.2. God is a God of Light, omniscient, and how can he have fellowship with God, that hath no light in him? Hos. 4.6. my people perish for want of Knowledge; Ignorance is a certain note of destruction, Prov. 29.18. where no vision is, the people perish, that is, where there is no means of seeing, Matth. 15.14.
2 Many a Child of God walks in much dishonour and basenesse, and yet have fellowship with God, 1 Cor. 4.13, Psal. 22.6. David complains he was a worm and no man, a reproach and scorn of men, and yet was a good man, and had fellowship with God, therefore it cannot be meant of these two, for those that are in such a condition, are ordinarily most sound and sincere, whereas others having more comfort, walk more loosely and carelessely, but if we live in Uncleannesse or Ignorance, we have no Fellowship with God, Prov. 19.2. God is a God of Light, omniscient, and how can he have fellowship with God, that hath no light in him? Hos. 4.6. my people perish for want of Knowledge; Ignorance is a certain note of destruction,
Reas. Why Ignorance cannot stand with the fellowship of God, because where there is no knowledge, the light of the Word is wanting, the Word is a light and a lantern, now as one in an house cannot do work without light, especially a stranger, he knows not what to do, so a man is a stranger within himself that hath no light, and how can he order himself, tell what to do, if he hath no light in him? He that knows neither himself, nor Christ, nor the way to him, how shall he be saved by him? many do think their estate good, but if they had light, they would not think so; others think their estate bad, but cannot get out of this, they have no light to get out of it, and therefore cannot have fellowship with God.
Reas. Why Ignorance cannot stand with the fellowship of God, because where there is no knowledge, the light of the Word is wanting, the Word is a light and a lanthorn, now as one in an house cannot do work without light, especially a stranger, he knowes not what to do, so a man is a stranger within himself that hath no light, and how can he order himself, tell what to do, if he hath no light in him? He that knowes neither himself, nor Christ, nor the way to him, how shall he be saved by him? many do think their estate good, but if they had light, they would not think so; others think their estate bad, but cannot get out of this, they have no light to get out of it, and therefore cannot have fellowship with God.
2 For Uncleanness and Ungodliness, that cannot stand with Fellowship with God, 2 Cor. 6.14. implying an impossibility, Psal. 94. ult. Psal. 5.4. Heb. 1.13.
2 For Uncleannesse and Ungodlinesse, that cannot stand with Fellowship with God, 2 Cor. 6.14. implying an impossibility, Psal. 94. ult. Psal. 5.4. Heb. 1.13.
Reas. 1 God is of pure eyes and cannot endure to behold any iniquity.
2 From the power of all saving Graces, they do purify and cleanse the heart, so Faith purifies the heart, Acts 15.9. so hope, 1 Joh. 3.3. so love, ye that love God depart from iniquity.
2 From the power of all saving Graces, they do purifie and cleanse the heart, so Faith purifies the heart, Acts 15.9. so hope, 1 Joh. 3.3. so love, ye that love God depart from iniquity.