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

Doct. Such is the condition of these last times, that they cannot be long with∣out an Antichrist.

For the Apostle argues reciprocally from the last times to Antichrist, and from Antichrist to the last times, Antichrist is come, therefore it is the last time, and it is the last time, therefore there must be Antichrists, 1 Joh. 4.3. 2 Joh. 7. for his relation to the last times, 1 Tim. 4.1. in these latter times, the Spirit speaks expresly.

Q. What is the condition of the last times, that is so prepared for an Anti∣christ?

A. This mutual reference proceeds;

1 From the state of the times in the Apostles times, there was an itching ear after new Doctrine, inwardly loathing the truth, and affecting any new Doctrin they can hear, 2 Thes. 2.10. 11, 12. 2 Tim. 4.3, 4. so that the ra∣dical cause of the arising of Antichrist, is the itching humour of men after new Doctrin, therefore God would send such as should deceive, and if you survey the whole Body of Popery, it consists either of curious speculations of the School-men, whereby they deceive Scholars, and the Secular Priests fill the common people with idle Fables, and so deceive the whole people.

2 From the abundance of knowledge that shall be revealed in the last times, as Isa. 11.1. to 9. now where there is much knowledge, and emptinesse of Grace, and Faith, there is a world of pride in such, 1 Cor. 8.11. 2 Tim. 3.1. to 8. for want of faith with their knowledge, the time was fit to receive new Doctrins, 1 Tim 4.1, 2. men of knowledge, but no conscience, and then no marvel if men entertain Errors, 1 Tim. 1.19. Hold faith and a good Conscience, which some having put away, have erred from the faith; whilst some have neg∣lected to keep their Conscience clean, their judgment is unsound; a corrupt Conscience, a corrupt Judgement.

3 From the disposition of men; and aptnesse then to catch the greatest cold, when their spirits have been most warmed and heated; no man so apt to take

cold, as they who are very warm and hot; so in the days of the Apostles, they did not only fill them with Knowledge, but warmed the Church with Zeal, and Heat: zeal towards their Ministers, zeal in their liberality, they loved not their own lives in respect of Christ, now their spirits being so warm, they are more subjesh to get cold and distemper; every Christian in particular finds it so; when he hath been most enlarged at the Word, or Prayer, ere long he will be more straitned, there being a secret pride in the experience of Gods favour, and to rest in our selves, thinking that we have sufficient grace in our selves, when we see our need of Christ, we depend only on him, but when we are full, we depend on our selves, and so by sitting loose from Christ we get a great cold; we are cold in Prayer, Word, Sacrament; thus it is with the Church, when God sheds his Spirit abundantly in the Church, they grow secure, and depend upon themselves, thus we see, Josh. 1.9, 10, 11. so that one would have thought that that generation would have been more zealous, yet none so Ido∣latrous till God quickned them by their enemies: so in the Apostles times, the Church was very forward and zealous, a few Generations after, their spirits were carried away with errors.

4 From the disposition of Satan, he hath great rage because the time is short, Rev. 12.8. and we shall always finde that the Devil hath imitated God, if God have Sacrifices from his people, so the Devil from the Pagans; so if God set up a Christ, Sathan will have an Antichrist set up, that may be, not only a substitute, but an enemy to Christ, that as God had won the world by Christ, so he would delude the world by Antichrist.

5 From the wise and just dealing of God, if God reveal more means of knowledge, he will use many means of trial, he will have them winnowed, that so the good may remain as Wheat, the Chaffe may be blown away, if God give more Tallents, he will put them upon more employment and ex∣exercise.

Ʋse 1 To teach Christians not to be offended, if they finde variety of se∣ducing spirits in these days, a man would wonder in such peaceable days, when Religion is maintained, there should be so many opinions and agitations, how comes this about? you must know that God never dispenced generally more knowledge since the revelation of Antichrist than now; now where there is most knowledge, Sathan will be seducing and corrupting their wisdom; where there is more wisdome there is more curiosity and pride; so much knowledge, so much want of truth many times, and so putting off the truth, men run into several errors, and it is just with God, seeing they put away a good Consci∣ence, and would not give heed to sound Doctrine, therefore God gave them up to follow lyes, 2 Thes. 2. and their longing desire and zeal in former times, will end in such a cold, that there will be a defect of all warmth and heat, and where∣soever you see the truth not held in a good Conscience; they run their faith on Rocks, some split on a rock of Arminianism, some on a rock of Popery; so that it must needs be that in these last times many Antichrists must be.

Ʋse 2 Since many Antichrists are, and will be in these last times, let us la∣bour to be so established in the truth, that however the times be, we may keep our faith and religion.

Q. How shall we be thus established?

A. 1. Get contrary spirits to the former, give not up your selves to curio∣sity, and vain speculations, if the Lord find you humble, he will teach you in his ways; if when you are warm and hot, you have a care that you get not cold, 1 Chron. 29.18. Pray to God to keep your hearts always in that frame, or at least in such a frame as may befit every days businesse, and then whatsoever the times be, our hearts and judgements shall be established in the truth, but unless God give you a good Conscience with your knowledge, you will be soon per∣verted, and therefore I say, as Paul to the Ephesians, Ephes. 2.12. continue in a firm love of the truth, as well as in the knowledge of it.