A34689:655
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 serves to teach us, that in Scripture phrase the repentance of an ⟨p. 39⟩humble Sinner goes before Justification, and Sanctification; many a man comes to be humbled, and yet is confident his sin is neither forgiven nor his heart sanctified: if Confession be the way to Pardon, what need a man confess his Sins, if he be truly persuaded they be forgiven? we grant therefore that Repentance is the way to Pardon, to the sense of it at least. It is a question whether Repentance go before Faith, or Faith before Repentance. I answer, if you take it practically, there is no man that either believes his sin pardoned, or healed, till he brought to Humiliation, contrition, and sorrow.
Ʋse 1. It serves to teach us, that in Scripture phrase the repentance of an ⟨p. 39⟩humble Sinner goes before Justification, and Sanctification; many a man comes to be humbled, and yet is confident his sinne is neither forgiven nor his heart sanctified: if Confession be the way to Pardon, what need a man confesse his Sins, if he be truly perswaded they be forgiven? we grant therefore that Repentance is the way to Pardon, to the sence of it at least. It is a question whether Repentance go before Faith, or Faith before Repentance. I answer, if you take it practically, there is no man that either believes his sin pardonned, or healed, till he brought to Humiliation, contrition, and sorrow.
Use 2. To teach all that stand either in need of pardon of Sin, or cleansing from Sin, what course to take; the best have need to increase it; but didst thou not find pardon at all, or cleansing here is a plain Promise, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins; as if he should say, If we should confess our Sins truly, and yet find no pardon, it would violate the faithfulness and righteousness of God.
Ʋse 2. To teach all that stand either in need of pardon of Sin, or cleansing from Sin, what course to take; the best have need to increase it; but didst thou not finde pardon at all, or cleansing here is a plaine Promise, If we confesse our sins, he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins; as if he should say, If we should confesse our Sins truly, and yet finde no pardon, it would violate the faithfulnesse and righteousnesse of God.