A34689:807
A34689:807
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.
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.
But further, Christ is not only a Propitiation for his children, but for the whole World, that is, the whole body of the Creation, for as by Adams fall the whole World was cursed, Christ by his death renewed the blessing to the World again. the whole body of the Creation, Rom. 8.20. therefore it is said, the whole body of the Creation waits for the liberty which the Sons of God have. A type of this we have in Noah, Gen. 8.20, 21. Noah being a Type of Christ, and making atonement for the World by Sacrifice, God smelt a sweet favour, and doth promise that he would no more curse the ⟨p. 54⟩earth for mans sake, and that which was done by Type in him, is perfectly procured by Christ, all the creatures are encouraged to rejoice in his Redemption, because they are Redeemed in him, Isa. 44.23. All the creatures are become the servants of Christ, subject to the dominion of Christ, he hath bought them all, Rom. 14.9. Christ is now Lord of all, he hath bought not only us, but our Ground, and Cattle, and Houses, and our Children, and he hath so purchased it, that the world shall be a blessing to the Church, the Tumults, and Agitations, and Disorders, shall be for the good of his people.
But further, Christ is not only a Propitiation for his children, but for the whole World, that is, the whole body of the Creation, for as by Adams fall the whole World was cursed, Christ by his death renewed the blessing to the World again. the whole body of the Creation, Rom. 8.20. therefore it is said, the whole body of the Creation waites for the liberty which the Sons of God have. A type of this we have in Noah, Gen. 8.20, 21. Noah being a Type of Christ, and making attonement for the World by Sacrifice, God smelt a sweet favour, and doth promise that he would no more curse the ⟨p. 54⟩
Quest. Whether hath Christ made any propitiation for the wicked? for Reprobates? how else for all the World?
Ans. You must distinguish between such and the rest of the World, in this they all agree, that Christ is Lord over all, wicked and good, he hath bought all, 2 Pet. 2.5. so that they are vassals to be ruled by Christs Dominion, he hath bought them for the Churches service to do them good.
Ans. You must distinguish between such and the rest of the World, in this they all agree, that Christ is Lord over all, wicked and good, he hath bought all, 2 Pet. 2.5. so that they are vassalls to be ruled by Christs Dominion, he hath bought them for the Churches service to doe them good.
2 I say that Christ hath laid down a sufficient price for all, and thus much he hath procured Gods patience to forbear them, and his bounty to lead them to Repentance, Rom. 2.45. yea he hath procured for them, not only gifts fitting them for Magistracy and Ministry, and the common Gifts and Graces of his Spirit, but many sanctifying Gifts, see Heb. 10.29.
2 I say that Christ hath laid down a sufficient price for all, and thus much he hath procured Gods patience to forbeare them, and his bounty to lead them to Repentance, Rom. 2.45. yea he hath procured for them, not only gifts fitting them for Magistracy and Ministry, and the common Gifts and Graces of his Spirit, but many sanctifying Gifts, see Heb. 10.29.
Quest. Is Chri•• then a propitiation for them?
Ans. To make• propitiation is required, not only that such a satisfaction and reconciliation be propounded, but that they lay hold on it, as the sacrifices in the old Law, who are they that had an atonement made by the sacrifice they offered? only those that laid their hands on the head of the sacrifice, Lev. 1.4. so then this is nothing for the propitiation of the Wicked, they do not lay hold on the head of Christ, they do not take hold on him as an Advocate and propitiation; therefore they are left inexcusable. This point is likewise handled by Paul, Rom. 3.25. 2 Cor. 5.19. the whole world was out with God, he purchased something for all.
Ans. To make• propitiation is required, not only that such a satisfaction and reconciliation be propounded, but that they lay hold on it, as the sacrifices in the old Law, who are they that had an attonement made by the sacrifice they offered? only those that laid their hands on the head of the sacrifice, Lev. 1.4. so then this is nothing for the propitiation of the Wicked, they do not lay hold on the head of Christ, they doe not take hold on him as an Advocate and propitiation; therefore they are left inexcusable. This point is likewise handled by Paul, Rom. 3.25. 2 Cor. 5.19. the whole world was out with God, he purchased something for all.