A34689:517
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.
Use 1 It shows that Ignorance is no Mother of Devotion, for what is Devotion but a stricter and nearer fellowship with God? it shows therefore the dangerous Estate of wicked Ignorant men, they think their Ignorance will plead for them, but they are deceived, through want of knowledge my people perish, God takes no pleasure in Fools, you may think you have Fellowship with God, and yet live in Ignorance and Darkness, but you deceive your selves, can a man live in the Sun, and have neither light nor heat? So what Fellowship hath that man with God, that hath neither light of Knowledge, nor warmth of Grace from him?
Ʋse 1 It shewes that Ignorance is no Mother of Devotion, for what is Devotion but a stricter and nearer fellowship with God? it shewes therefore the dangerous Estate of wicked Ignorant men, they think their Ignorance will plead for them, but they are deceived, through want of knowledge my people perish, God takes no pleasure in Fools, you may think you have Fellowship with God, and yet live in Ignorance and Darknesse, but you deceive your selves, can a man live in the Sun, and have neither light nor heat? So what Fellowship hath that man with God, that hath neither light of Knowledge, nor warmth of Grace from him?
Use 2 It may be a Trial of our Estate, if we have no Knowledge of God, we have no Fellowship with him, if you delight in Ignorance, and be unwilling to be taught, as many Servants and Children are, how can these have any Fellowship with God, that have no knowledge nor desire after it? it is true, many there are that desire Knowledge, and cannot attain it, and ⟨p. 29⟩such, God will accept of their desire, or give them Knowledge, but such as please themselves in their ignorance, have no Fellowship with God, 2 Tim. 3.11. they are sealed up to damnation; if a man live in darkness of sin and ungodliness, and is convinced of it, and yet will live in it, in idleness, and wantonness, and Sabbath-breaking, &c. be not deceived, if you make a show of Religion you deceive your own soul, if a man walketh in darkness, and saith he hath Fellowship with God, he lies.