A34689:881
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.
To know Christ, is not only to know his Nature, and Person, and Offices, that he is God man, and that he is our Advocate, and Reconciler, and Propitiation, the Devil knows thus much; so that a Spiritual knowledge is not superficial, but such a knowledge as is operative, not dead, but lively, not naked, but such a knowledge as is joined with acquaintance, such a knowledge as works us to obedience, Psal. 9.10. Isa. 53.11. and that works us to Mortification, Gal. 6.14. such a knowledge as makes all the World dead to us; As a man that hath set his affections on a woman, it deeds his affections to all others, 1 Sam. 2.12. the Sons of Eli knew not the Lord; and Exod. 5.2. Who is the Lord, saith Pharaoh, I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go; they knew not the Lord, that is, they had not this lively operative knowledge joined with obedience, so then true knowledge is operative, begets trust, and confidence, and joy in God, Jer. 10.23. and is likewise joined with obedience, 1 Chron. 28.9. so then we see it is such a knowledge as makes us trust in him, fear him, honour him, serve him, cleave to him, and yield obedience unto him; and no wonder, for verba sensus accipienda sunt cum effectu & affectu; I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress my people Israel, Exod. 3.9. I have seen, that is, not only looked on it, but have compassion, and intend to deliver them; so, Remember thy Creator, &c. that is, bend thy affections to him, and honour him, so to know Christ is to affect him, to honour him, to cleave to him, to obey him, to acquaint ⟨p. 59⟩our selves with him, for by knowledge is here meant acquaintance, and familiarity.