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

Doct. Opinion, and Profession of perfect Holinesse, is an error wilfull, perni∣cious and dangerous.

If we say, 1. In heart, Psal. 14.1. where such a thought is.

2. To speak such a thing, to say, is to professe so, to carry our selves so, as may manifest our opinion, Rom. 1.22.

That we have no sin, that is, that we are perfectly holy and righteous,

1 It is an errour; And

2 Wilfull errour, for he saith so himselfe.

3 It is a pernicious and dangerous errour, it roots out all grace.

First, It is an errour, and delusion, for it is contrary to Gods expresse Word, Prov. 20.9. Who can say he is clean? Eccl. 7.22. 1 Kings 8.46. James 3.2. In many things we sin all, both in matter and manner.

Secondly, It is a wilfull errour, a man doth not learn it from others, but he perswades himselfe so.

1. Because if any read the Scriptures, he shall find it contrary, Psal. 130.3. Psal. 143.2.

2. Though a man never read the Scriptures, he shall meet with daily crosses, now a mans own heart will tell him it is for his sin, Job 14.1.

3. None but findes he hath need of craving pardon for sin, Zech. 11.4. John 16.9. he shall convince the world of sin, not a man in the world but he is convinced to be a sinner, therefore none can say he hath no sin, but it must be wilfull Errour.

Thirdly, It is a dangerous Errour,

1. Because it evacuates all truth of Grace, where this conceit is, there can be no truth of grace, because all truth of grace expresseth it selfe in Three things;

1 In something about sin, every godly man first renounceth all his own righteousnesse, Phil. 3.7, 8.

2 He complains bitterly of sin, Rom. 7.24.

3 He fights against sin to the death, Heb. 12.4. Now if every godly man doe thus, how can any truth of grace be, where a man either thinks or pro∣fesseth he hath no sin?

2. Where there is truth of Grace, it expresseth it selfe in some things that respect the bloud of Christ.

1 He prizes it above all blessings in the World, Gal. 6.14. 1 Cor. 2.2. now what need he prize it so much, if he have no sin?

2 Every godly man desires to bath himselfe daily in that bloud, Zech. 13.1. now what need that, if he had not sin?

3 Take a Christian mans carriage towards perfection of holiness. He strives after perfection earnestly every day, Phil. 3.12, 13, 14. what need Mortifica∣tion, if there were no sin, or vivification?

Ʋse 1. It convinceth many sorts of people to be in a dangerous estate, de∣voyd of grace.

1 Such were the Pharisees, that counted themselves just and holy. Such were the Essaeans, that counted themselves strict observers of the Law of

Moses. Such a one was that young man that came to Christ, Mat. 19.20. but Christ convinces him that he was not perfect. Such were the Catharists of old, a sect in the Church that thought themselves pure from all sin.

It reproves likewise the Libertines, that counted themselves perfect keepers of the Law.

Such are the Papists, that say the Virgin Mary was without sin, she doth not say it her selfe, she acknowledgeth a Saviour, and therefore had sin.

And so all they are deceivers of themselves, that so live as if they were free from sin, that conceive well of themselves in a carnall Estate; and such is the body of the World, they will, it may be, say they are sinners, but why then doe they not repent and mourn for sin? why, they see no need of that, I have lived honestly all my life, and I hope my Estate is good, and so deceive them∣selves.

Ʋse 2. Hence we see a necessity laid on Ministers, to peeach the Law, or else how shall people see their sins? by the the Law comes sin to be revived, Rom. 7.7.

Ʋse 3. If it be so wilfull and dangerous an Errour, then it behoves contrary judgements, to carry themselves as those that are of another opinion; doe you believe you are guilty indeed of many sins, why then professe it, and carry your selves so, and that by an inward renouncing of all your sins, mourn for them, strive against them, otherwise you do not professe your selves to be sinners, un∣lesse your hearts prize the bloud of Christ, desire to be bathed in it; and if you doe think your selves to be sinners, daily get more hold of Grace, you are yet sinfull and miscrable, therefore need more Grace.

Ʋse 4. If we be all sinners, then let us learn to bear Gods hand patiently, Micah 7.9. is any froward and impatient in affliction? he professeth he is no sinner, he that practiseth Impatience, professeth Innocency; for if a man be Innocent, he will be ready to storm, if a man takes crosses impatienly, he thinks they fall on him undeservedly.

Ʋse 5. Learn not to be censorius, reject not others for sin; we ought not to do so, but for wallowing and walking in sin, but despise them not for sin, for in many things we sin all, and truly if we be over censorius, we profess our selves to be no sinners, for if we were, we would pitty them, and look most to our selves, Mat. 7.5, 6.

If we say we have no sin, we have no truth in us.

Now on the contrary, Verse 9. we have a note of a good estate, If we ac∣knowledge our sins, he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse.