A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first Epistle generall of John by ... John Cotton ...

TO THE READER,

CHRISTIAN READER,

THese following Notes upon the First E∣pistle of St. John, falling by providence into my hands, I was unwilling to detain them by me, and make only a private ad∣vantage of them, but delivered them into the hands of my Friend, M^r. Thomas Parkhurst, a Booksel∣ler in London, that if by the judgmenr of Reverend Di∣vines (to whom he intended to communicate the same) they might be found usefull for the Publick, they might see the light: And having communicated those accord∣dingly to such men whom the whole Nation may justly honor for piety and ability, and finding their approbati∣on, as to their worth, their usefulnesse, and consequently their publishing, I have thought good to prefix an E∣pistle; in which mistake not, I neither intend a com∣mendation of the Author or the Work; if I should un∣dertake it as to the Author, I might be answered as An∣talcidas did in the like case, to one, who having prepared a Book, he asked of him the argument of it, who answe∣red, it was Herculis Encomium; to whom Antalcidas, Quis illum vituperat? Supervacaneum existimans in eo laudando sumere operam quem uno ore praedicarent omnes:

And the like might justly be retorted upon me, should I goe about to magnifie the Author of this following Ex∣position. What needs this? Who ever dispraised, or durst under ••alue him▪ He was a burning and shining light, famously 〈◊〉〈◊〉 abroad and at home, as an in∣strument of great glory to his God, great good to many souls; and (which is an honor that all preachers reach not) with the expiration of his Ministeriall breath, he finisht not his Ministeriall work; for though he be dead, yet he speaketh, as in this, so in divers other excellent Treatises.

And as not of the Author, so neither to the Work it selfe, shall I say ought this way. I judge it sufficient to render it desirable, to tell you it was the Work of that learned man; yet more, of that gracious man, and faith∣full Servant of Christ, Mr. John Cotton, as is assured me by a reverend and godly neighbor, Mr. Tho. Oresby Mi∣nister of Hackwell in Essex, who well knew him, and heard him preach much of it: Such was the Author, that it commends the Work to attest it his; and yet such is the Work it selfe, that though the Author were unknown, it could not however but meet with reverent and ready en∣tertainment for its own sake. Had his own hand put it forth, doubtlesse it had been more polisht then now it is, more inlarged and refined: But Christians know how to be charitable, & to deale with the Works of Gods ser∣vants, brought into the world after themselves were taken out of the world, as we doe by little Orphans whose Fa∣ther is dead, if we see them any wayes misused, or sub∣jected to any wants, we reproach them not, but pity them, because their Carers for, are taken from them: And yet for the Work as it is, let me be bold to say, It may stand amongst none of the meanest helps to saving know∣ledge.

It's true, we live in a curious and carping age, an age wherein much knowledge, but (shame and griefe to speake it) little obedience. Oh England! great are thy helps, thy means high, as to grace, and the things of thy

peace, as to the knowledge of God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, whom to know is eternall life; but who is he (except he hath bowels of brasse, and an heart of iron) that mourns not at thy requitall? Are not unthankful∣nesse, disobedience, contempt, wantonnesse, together with other sins, (whose name put them together is legion, for they are many) and at the best, a brain and notionall knowledge; the fruits, that if God come to search thee with candles, he shall find thee only laden with.

Take heed yet a little while, and you shall hear a voyce, Give an account of your stewardship; all talents and prizes of this nature must be one day accounted for, with which no people stored like thy selfe. What week almost passeth thee, wherein God affords thee not some additionall supply or other to thy old store? Loe here a∣nother price put into thy hand to get wisdome, in the search and reading whereof thou shalt not be distracted with vain, unnecessary, and unedifying, controversies; but they are plain, sound, and saving truths that here pre∣sent themselves, and those stomacks that stand affected to such meat, are invited.

But I have done, it being all my Work to attest whose Work this was; and being credibly informed that it will come forth recommended to thee by a more skilfull and artificial hand, abler to judge, and judging to set forth the worth and workman; therefore commending thee to him, and him wth thy selfe to Gods blessing, I rest

From my Study in Much wakering in Essex, Octob. 15, 1655.

A Servant to both, in Christ, and to the Church of Christ, Chr. Scott.