A34689:940
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 For trial of the truth of our profession, would you know the truth of your Grace, of your Repentance; of your Faith, of your Humility? You shall know it by your fruitfulness; what use do you make of your Graces? would you know whether your Repentance be sound? or your Love, &c. sound? would you know this? Why consider, do they make you obedient and careful to keep Gods Commandments? as your Way, your Treasure, your Ornaments, your Eye, your Life; if any grace be fruitful, make you conscionable in the keeping of Gods Commandments, that is a witness of the truth of that Grace: a painted Tree, be it never so fair, yet it bears no fruit, but a living Tree brings forth fruit, you have cause to suspect your Grace, if it make you not fruitful and careful to please God; if Grace make you obedient, it is sincere, but if a man hath never so many Gifts and Graces; if they lead him not to obedience, truly they are but counterfeit, and there is no true Grace in him, Isa. 47.10. if they caused them to rebel, there is no truth in them, if any Grace leave you more corrupt, or less fruitful, there is no truth in you.
Ʋse 1 For tryal of the truth of our profession, would you know the truth of your Grace, of your Repentance; of your Faith, of your Humility? You shall know it by your fruitfullnesse; what use do you make of your Graces? would you know whether your Repentance bee sound? or your Love, &c. sound? would you know this? Why consider, do they make you obedient and carefull to keep Gods Commandments? as your Way, your Treasure, your Ornaments, your Eye, your Life; if any grace bee fruitfull, make you conscionable in the keeping of Gods Commandments, that is a witnesse of the truth of that Grace: a painted Tree, bee it never so fair, yet it bears no fruit, but a living Tree brings forth fruit, you have cause to suspect your Grace, if it make you not fruitfull and carefull to please God; if Grace make you obedient, it is sincere, but if a man hath never so many Gifts and Graces; if they lead him not to obedience, truly they are but counterfeit, and there is no true Grace in him, Isa. 47.10. if they caused them to rebell, there is no truth in them, if any Grace leave you more corrupt, or lesse fruitfull, there is no truth in you.