A34689:801
A34689:801
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.
He is the Reconciliation as some translations render it, but that expresseth not the full meaning, we must know therefore that Propitiation [Greek or Hebrew] includes Three things.
He is the Reconciliation as some translations render it, but that expresseth not the full meaning, we must know therefore that Propitiation 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 includes Three things.
1 That he should expiate our sins, that is, make satisfaction for our Sins, a man may be a means of Reconciliation without satisfaction, but he cannot be Propitiation without offering satisfaction for the wrong done; now Christ did make satisfaction for our sins, Heb. 2.17. and to make satisfaction, he did offer a satisfactory sacrifice for our sins, 1 Pet. 2.24. he bearing the sin and punishment due thereunto, it is as much as if we had done it.
2 To be a Propitiation it is required, that he make peace and reconciliation, for though a man sometimes recompense and satisfy a wrong, yet the ⟨p. 53⟩Party wronged will not be at peace with him, and reconciled to him, but Christ hath taken upon him to reconcile God to us, so as that his wrath is turned from us, and favour restored to us, Col. 1.21. now this reconciling implies Three things.
2 To be a Propitiation it is required, that he make peace and reconciliation, for though a man sometimes recompence and satisfie a wrong, yet the ⟨p. 53⟩Party wronged will not be at peace with him, and reconciled to him, but Christ hath taken upon him to reconcile God to us, so as that his wrath is turned from us, and favour restored to us, Col. 1.21. now this reconciling implies Three things.
1 That sometimes we were friends with God.
2 That we fell out with God.
3 Being fallen out, we are reconciled again, and made at peace with him; Now this is procured by Christ, whereas we were once friends with God in Paradise and fell from him and his favour, Christ hath come and made up that breach, and reconciled us again.
Thirdly, When Christ is said to be a Propitiation for our sins, it implies, that he hath procured the manifestation of Gods favour to us, for suppose a Friend make satisfaction for another, and reconcilement with another with whom he is fallen out, yet if he know it not, his heart is as loose as ever, but Christ hath not only procured us Gods favour, but he tells us, his Father is reconciled with us, and at peace with us, Job. 33.23. and 26. there is the effect of Christs propitiation, that we shall see Gods face with joy, we shall pray to him with comfort, Joh. 14.21. He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, &c. which shows, that he will bring rhem together, and there shall be a mutual expression of love to one another, and refreshment in one another, God shall take comfort in us, and we in him, Rev. 3.20. for that Christ goes further in this case than any man can.
Thirdly, When Christ is said to be a Propitiation for our sins, it implies, that he hath procured the manifestation of Gods favour to us, for suppose a Friend make satisfaction for another, and reconcilement with another with whom he is fallen out, yet if he know it not, his heart is as loose as ever, but Christ hath not only procured us Gods favour, but he tells us, his Father is reconciled with us, and at peace with us, Job. 33.23. and 26. there is the effect of Christs propitiation, that we shall see Gods face with joy, we shall pray to him with comfort, Joh. 14.21. He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, &c. which shews, that he will bring rhem together, and there shall be a mutuall expression of love to one another, and ref••shment in one another, God shall take comfort in us, and we in him, Rev. 3.20. for that Christ goes further in this case than any man can.
Absalom had offended his Father, in slaying his brother Ammon, well, he flies away from his Fathers Court, Joab procures a Reconcilement, but yet he could not satisfy for the blood he had shed; he procured indeed so much that he was sent for home by the King but yet saith the King, Let him return to his own house, he shall not see my face, 2 Sam. 14.24. Joab could not satisfy for his blood, and the King would not see his face, so there wanted satisfaction and manifestation of the Kings favour; well, afterwards manifestation was procured, but yet there wanted Propitiation, because satisfaction could not be made; but Christ hath not only procured favour, but satisfaction, and hath declared his favour towards us. Now further, Christ hath done this, not only for the believing Jews, but all Christians all the World over, for to whom doth he speak here? why to little Children, and what were they? why they were Jews, as appears, vers. 7. who from the first giving of the Law were commanded to love one another; now besides these weak Jews, the Apostle saith, He is our propitiation, including the Ministers of the Gospel, and not only so, but for the sins of the whole World. Now the World is diversly taken in Scripture;
Absolom had offended his Father, in slaying his brother Ammon, well, he flyes away from his Fathers Court, Joab procures a Reconcilement, but yet he could not satisfie for the blood he had shed; he procured indeed so much that he was sent for home by the King but yet saith the King, Let him returne to his own house, he shall not see my face, 2 Sam. 14.24. Joab could not satisfie for his blood, and the King would not see his face, so there wanted satisfaction and manifestation of the Kings favour; well, afterwards manifestation was procured, but yet there wanted Propitiation, because satisfaction could not be made; but Christ hath not only procured favour, but satisfaction, and hath declared his favour towards us. Now further, Christ hath done this, not only for the believing Jewes, but all Christians all the World over, for to whom doth he speake here? why to little Children, and what were they? why they were Jewes, as appears, vers. 7. who from the first giving of the Law were commanded to love one another; now besides these weak Jewes, the Apostle saith, He is our propitiation, including the Ministers of the Gospel, and not only so, but for the sins of the whole World. Now the World is diversly taken in Scripture;
1 World is sometimes put for the frame of Nature, as Act. 17.24.
2 It is sometimes taken for the pleasure and profits of the World, as 1 Joh. 2.16.
3 It is sometimes put for the wicked of the World, Joh. 15.19.
4 It is sometimes taken for the Gentiles in opposition to the Jews, Rom. 11.12.
4 It is sometimes taken for the Gentiles in opposition to the Jewes, Rom. 11.12.
5 It is sometimes taken for the Believers of the World, 2 Cor. 5.19. though it may have further extent, but here it is taken in opposition to Christian Jews, he is not only a propitiation for the Jews, but also for the believing Gentiles.
5 It is sometimes taken for the Believers of the World, 2 Cor. 5.19. though it may have further extent, but here it is taken in opposition to Christian Jewes, he is not only a propitiation for the Jewes, but also for the believing Gentiles.