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

Doct The Children of God, of what growth or strength soever they be in Christ, they must be as little Children, whither 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

As this benefit reacheth to all, your sins are forgiven you, so this title also.

Why as little Children?

1 You must be like them in modesty; Children are free from ambition, therefore our Saviour to wean his Disciples from ambition, tells them, they must be as little Children, or else they should never inherit the Kingdome of God.

2 We must be like them in innocency, free from malice and revenge, 1 Cor. 14.9. vex a childe never so, and he tell you, I will tell my Father, and will not do so without great cause, but if he doe, that is all; so should it be with christians, they should not easily complain, if they doe, let this be all, make known your wrongs; we see children, though they be angry, yet they will not seek to revenge themselves.

3 Like them in simplicity, affecting simple plain meat, Milk, 1 Pet. 2.1. so a Christian should not affect varnishing, but the sincere Milk of the Word.

4 Like them in weanednesse from the World, Psal. 131.1, 2. he could be content to be without his Kingdome which before he had affected; so should we be.

5 They are content with promises and hopes; tell a childe of some thing; let but his Father say, he will buy him such a thing at London, or he hath it laid up for him, he rests well pleased; so would God have us contented with promises and hopes; when we cry to God for this and that blessing, or grace, he tells us, we shall have it when he sees fit, it is laid up for us in heaven, and in the mean time we should sit down content, Psal. 131.2.3.

Ʋse 1. Of examination of our own estates, whether we be children of God or no, if we be, we are as little children, for outward honour, not ambitious of it, more carefull how to use it, than how to get it, and if we have not ho∣nour we will not contend for it; and for innocency, we will be like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 children; for revenge, we will lay it down; and be without malice; till you be thus framed you cannot enter into Gods Kingdome; if you be covetous, or ambitious, or malicious, if you rise up either with ambition, or malice, you shall never enter into Gods Kingdome; and for simplicity, doe you not affect curiosity? so for weanednesse, is your heart murm••ring and repining? if you

cannot get such a thing? why then truly you are not as little Children; Can you be content with promises, and hopes, and that is laid up in Heaven for us, or in Christ, our life is hid in him, Col. 3.3. if we can be thus content, it is a good sign we are Gods children.

Ʋse 2. If Saints be as little children, then take heed how you offend them. Parents will be more offended if you hurt their little children, than if you hurt their bigger, because a little hurt doth them more harm, Mat. 18.6. to 11. the Angels are ready to come from Heaven presently to help them.

I write unto you, &c. it was the greatest desire of the Apostles to be present if they could, but if absent, they helped them by writing, Gal. 4.20.