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

1 JOHN 1.5.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, &c.

IN the four former Verses we had the Apostles Doctrin, or the Doctrin of the Gospel described.

1 By the subjects of it, Christ Jesus in his Divine and Human nature, verse 1, 2.

2 By the ends of it; 1 Subordinate, Communion with God, verse 3.

2 Supream, Fulnesse of joy, verse 4. Here the same Doctrin is described,

1 By a treble adjunct of it.

• 1 It is a Message,
• 2 Heard of Christ,
• 3 Declared to the Church.

2 By part of the matter of it, God is light, and in him is no darknesse.

The second and third points before mentioned, have been spoken of at large, vers. 1, 2.

The parts then of these words are two, the condition,

1 Of the Doctrin of the Gospel, it is a Message, &c.

2 Or Nature of God, he is light, &c.

That the Doctrin of the Gospel is a Message appears,

1 By the title of it, Evangelium, a good Message, Rom. 10.16.

2 By the stile of the Penmen of it, Evangelists, Bearers of good tidings.

3 By the stile of the first Preachers of it, they were Apostles, Messengers, Rom. 10.15. Tiding-bearers of good things.

4 By the stile of the after Ministers of it to this day, they are Angels, Rev. 2.1. that is, Messengers, so Job 33.23. Observations hence concerning Mini∣sters are these.

1 If the Gospel, or the Apostles Doctrin be a Message, then it hath not its Authority from such as deliver it, for it is not the Messengers part to judge, or ratifie his Message, but to bear witnesse to it, to declare it.

Ʋse. Against the Papists, who make their Judge and Clergy, Judges of the Scriptures: the Pope himself here is most faulty, who hath left off his Office of declaring his Message, and keepeth himself to that which was never committed to him, to judge of the Scriptures.

Obser. 2 The Ministers are not to run with the Gospel in their mouthes, before they be sent, Rom. 10.15. Heb. 5.4. Exod. 4.10. to 13. Jer. 1.6.

Ʋse. This is not spoken to quench the timely zeal of such as being furnished and sanctified with gifts, underta••e the Function when they are called, for the Prophet Isaiah offered himself when his lips were touched, Isa, 6.8. Paul im∣mediatly, Gal. 1.16. but to stay the too soon ripe forwardnesse of such who run on the Lords errand before he sends them.

Obser. 3. Then Ministers are to be well instructed in the knowledge of the Gospel, Malach. 2.7. else we run without our errand, as Ahimaaz did, 2 Sam. 18.22, 23, 29. so we shall bring nothing but confused tumultuous Notions.

Ʋse. Against ignorant Ministers, Hos. 4.6. they are not after Gods own heart, Jer. 3.15.

Obser. 4. Then Ministers are to be faithful in the delivery of it, Prov. 13.17. & 25.13. which stands in two things,

1 In delivering their whole Message, so did Paul, Acts 20.26, 27. and no more, Jer. 23.28. Prov. 30.6.

2 In applying it as the sender intended it; he is no faithful Messenger, that having commission to denounce Warre against Spain, and to make peace with France, should proclaime Warre against France, and peace with Spain.

Ʋse 1. Of refutation of Papists, who adde to their Message Traditions, such as deliver no Message at all, such as preach not at all, such as make the hearts of the righteous sad; see Ezek. 13.22. & 16.

Obser. 5. Then Ministers are to be diligent in carrying of it, Prov. 10.26. the Lords Errand is his Work, which being negligently done, brings a Curse, Jer. 48.10. though that be to kill, yet this to save. Sloath, maketh waste, as in every work, Prov. 18.9. so here especially it makes waste of souls, Prov. 29.18.

Ʋse. Pauls Exhortation, 2 Tim. 4.1, 2.

Obser. 6. If the Apostles Doctrin be the Lords Message, then purity is need∣full in the Messengers, the Lord expostulateth with an ungodly man for the want of it, Psal. 50.16, 17. that mouth should not be used to rotten and un∣savoury speeches, which is the Lords Interpreter to the people; all the Ves∣sels of the ministration to the Lord were holy in the old Tabernacle, how much more ought the Minister who is a chosen vessel unto him? Earthen vessels we are indeed, 2 Cor. 4 3. yet when they are clean and sweet, we loathe not to eat and drink out of them.

Ʋse. Against prophane and uncircumcised Ministers.

Obser. 7. Then the Apostles Doctrin, the Doctrin of the Gospel, must not be received as the Doctrin of men, but as a Message from God, and that is

1 With attentive hearts, Psal. 85.8. not then to be reading other Books, though they be good, nor sleeping, for both these are a taking Gods name in vain, but as those, Acts 10.33.

2 With reverence, Judg. 3.20 Psal. 66.2.

3 With believing and faithful hearts, Acts 27.25. Heb. 4.2. Luk. 1.45.