A34689:715
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.
If a man apprehend or profess perfection in himself, it is impossible a man should have any truth of Grace, believing he hath no need of Repentance, or Faith in Christ, or Mortification, or Sanctification, this is a terrible point; St. John may well be called Boanerges, a son of Thunder, for these are thundering speeches; he that saith he hath no sin is a Liar, against himself, against God, a Blasphemer, an Heretic.
If a man apprehend or professe perfection in himselfe, it is impossible a man should have any truth of Grace, believing he hath no need of Repentance, or Faith in Christ, or Mortification, or Sanctification, this is a terrible point; St. John may well be called Boanerges, a son of Thunder, for these are thundering speeches; he that saith he hath no sin is a Lyar, against himselfe, against God, a Blasphemer, an Heretick.
Use 1. To confute perfect obedience to the Law, as the Papists hold, that Justification is by Works, were there no other Errors but this, it is Blasphemous, Atheistical, and Heretical, and overturns the foundation of Religion, for what is the foundation of Religion but the Doctrine of Repentance, and Faith? and if any be justified by Works, he hath neither need of Repentance, or Faith, if righteousness be by the Law, then Christ dyed in vain, and his blood is of no effect, Gal. 5.14. therefore that opinion is vain, that Popish Religion and ours may be reconciled, let St. John put in his judgement, he tells you, that he that saith he hath no sin, that he hath fulfilled the Law, and is justified by Works, there is no truth, no saving truth in that Religion that teacheth so, therefore it is impossible he should have any saving Religion in him, that holds Justification by Works, that holds Merits, he makes God a Liar, and his Word is not in him; For,
Ʋse 1. To confute perfect obedience to the Law, as the Papists hold, that Justification is by Works, were there no other Errours but this, it is Blasphemous, Atheisticall, and Hereticall, and overturns the foundation of Religion, for what is the foundation of Religion but the Doctrine of Repentance, and Faith? and if any be justified by Works, he hath neither need of Repentance, or Faith, if righteousnesse be by the Law, then Christ dyed in vain, and his bloud is of no effect,