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

1 JOHN 1.4.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

FOr the meaning of these word, we must shew you

1 What is here meant by Joy: 2 How this joy is said to be full.

1 Some by Joy understand that glorious Estate full of delight and pleasure which the Saints in Heaven enjoy, and we our selves hope for after this life, according to that Psalm 16. ult. but here I suppose (though that be not exclu∣ded, but followeth upon the other) to be meant that joy in the Holy Ghost, which such as have fellowship with Christ enjoy in this life,

The Reasons why I think so are two.

1 Because though in Heaven be fullnesse of joy, yet in Scripture phrase, Heaven (to my remembrance) is no where called full of joy, nay in St. Johns course of speech there is another on this side Heaven which is called full joy, 2 Joh. 11. Joh. 16.24. & 15.11.

2 What St. John meaneth by this end of his writing, fullnesse of joy, we may easily conjecture by the means he useth to procure it to us, now if you mark it, the whole course of his writing is in a manner nothing else but a laying down of certain marks, whereby we may examin our selves; and discern whether we have fellowship with God or no, whether we be in the Estate of Grace or no, See one, verse 6, 7. another, 8, 9. another, Chap. 2. verse 3. now these marks do not so directly tend to procure us fullnesse of joy in Heaven, as to settle our hearts in the assurance of this point, that we are in the Estate of Grace, and so may reap and receive, true and sound Peace of con∣science, and full joy in the Holy Ghost.

So that by full joy, I here understand joy in the Holy Ghost.

For the better and more profitable handling whereof there is to be shewn.

1 What this Joy is. 2 How it is said to be full. 3 Some Corolaries from thence. For the first, What this Joy is.

Joy in the Holy Ghost, is a spiritual affection arising from peace of consci∣ence, whereby we rejoyce in our union with Christ, with joy unspeakable and glorious. Or joy in the Holy Ghost is a spiritual affection, whereby the heart is unspeakably and gloriously enlarged and ravished upon the solid apprehensi∣on of union and communion with Christ.

1 It is a spiritual joy] not only because the objects of it are spiritual good things, union with Christ, and the benefits which we reap from it. (Adoption, Righteousnesse, Holinesse, protection of Angels, dominion over the Creatures, right to a glorious inheritance) but also and that more principally, because it is wrought in us by the holy Spirit, hence it is called Joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14.17. hence he is called the Comforter John 15. penult. when God and Christ are said to dwell in the hearts of faithfull men, nothing else is meant; but the Holy Ghost dwelling in them, and working this joy (John 14.23. Rev. 3.20.) John 14.18. compared with John 16.7. & 22.

2 Arising from Peace of Conscience] Rom. 14.17. Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. now peace of conscience is a work of the Holy Ghost, which ariseth from feeling of our righteousnesse, or our justification before God, for to be justified before God, is not enough to pacifie the the conscience, unlesse it be felt. See Davids exam∣ple, Psalm 51.8, 12. Hence ariseth that distinction of four sorts of consciences,

• 1 Quiet, but not good, Luke 11.21.
• 2 Good, but not quiet, Psal. 51.17.
• 3 Neither good nor quiet, Gen. 4.13, 14.
• 4 Both quiet and good, Luke 1.47.

Hence is that also, Prov. 15.15. it is a cause of continual joy in the Holy Ghost, as a continual feast is of continual mirth.

3 Whereby we rejoyce in our union with Christ] 1 Pet. 1.8. in whom we do believe and rejoyce, yea rejoyce in him whose by faith you are; Gal. 6.4. this is shewn also, in that it ariseth from peace, and peace from righteousnesse, but by union with Christ.

4 With joy unspeakable and glorious] these words may seem to expresse some accidental things to this joy, but because the nature of it cannot be well declared in it self, these words shadow out the nature of it, 1 Pet. 1.8. This Joy is.

• 1 Unspeakable, because it is better felt than expressed, Prov. 14.10. like to bodily health.
• 2 Glorious, both because it is a glimps of the Glory, and the Joys of Heaven; hence the Spirit that works it, is called The earnest of our inheritance, Ephes. 1.14. and because it triumphs gloriously against all causes of grief and sorrow, Rom. 5.3. Acts 20.23, 24.

2 How is this joy said to be full?

1 In opposition to that joy which ariseth from the things of this life, this is more full than that Psal. 4.6, 7. those are empty joys to this, wit∣nesse,

1 The variety of them, if there were full joy to be had by them, what need we to seek for variety? Wherefore doth the Bee suck so many Flowers, if she could finde Hony enough in one?

2 The mixture in them of sorrow, Prov. 12.13.

3 The shortnesse of them, that which must be full joy to an eternal Soul must be eternal, whereas these are not, Job 2.5.

2 In opposition to that joy which Christians have in Christ Jesus too, but yet is often eclipsed, and in the wain, as I may so say, through manifold doubtings of our estate, 1 Pet. 1.6.

Ʋse 1. If by the Apostles Doctrin full joy may be had, then there is no need of Traditions, if joy may be full by the Word written, what then can they adde?

Ʋse 2. Then they embrace an empty shadow of joy, that seek joy in earth∣ly things, which are like empty Pits, Jer. 2.13. though the stars should shine always to us, yet if we should have no greater light, we should have a continu∣al night.

Ʋse 3. Then the hearts embracings of the Apostles Writings, and finding the fruits of them, bringeth not melancholy, and dumpishnesse, as the World thinks, but fulnesse of joy.

Ʋse 4. Then let us search the Apostles Writings, and enquire for full joy out of them; but of that in the next,