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

1 JOHN 2.27.

But the annoynting which yee have received of him, abideth in you, &c.

Doct. EVery Child of God, even the least and the meanest have received the Ʋnction of the Spirit, of this we heard, vers. 20.

But something is to be considered in the varying of the words, vers. 20. he said, they had it; here he saith, they have received it of him.

Doct. The Children of God receive this Ʋnction of the Spirit from God, from the Father, and from Christ.

John 14.16, 17. John 16.13. Gods sending, and our receiving are relata, 2 Cor. 1.21, 22. Gods giving, and our taking mutually agree one to another;

and sometimes God the Father is said to send the Spirit, and sometimes God the Son; it is God that sends it, but Christ that hath prayed that he would send it, John 14.16, 17. and by his Death and Ascension hath he purchased and procured the Spirit for us, Acts 2.32.33.

The Reasons why we must receive this Unction from God, and from Christ.

Reas. 1. Because of our selves; what we have by Nature is a spirit of er∣rour, and falshood, and corruption, and therefore because we have no Un∣ction from the first Adam, no spirit that heales us, and softens us, and chears us, we have no spirit that doth annoynt us, but rather besmear us, and daub us with base lusts; therefore if we have any Spirit of Grace, it is needfull that we should receive it from the second Adam

2 We receive it from the Father, because by Christ we are made Sons and therefore have need of the spirit of Sons, Gal. 4.4, 5, 6. all of us like Christ his eldest Son; Gods Spirit is the mark whereby he owns us, it is the earnest penny that we have, Rom. 8.14. that we might be comforted, therefore called the comforter, John 16.13. the earnest penny, and first fruits of eternal glory; an earnest penny is part of the payment, of the same nature with the whole, this Spirit is part of the payment which we shall then receive in abundance, now in a small measure; we have now little love, and faith, &c. but he will make perfect love, perfect knowledge, perfect strength.

3 That Christ should give it, is from his death whereby he purchased it, Gal. 3.13, 14. and by his Ascension he shed abroad his Spirit in our hearts; as when Elias was ascending into Heaven, he spread abroad his Mantle upon Elisha, whereby he was cloathed with a double Spirit; so when Christ ascen∣ded into Heaven, he spread abroad his Mantle as it were, his Spirit, which every Christian taking, is cloathed with the Spirit of Christ, with the Spirit of gladnesse and holinesse.

Ʋse 1. Shews the wonderfull love of God, even to the least and meanest of his Servants, that not only gives us his Son to be our Redeemer, but his Spi∣rit to be our Sanctifier, so large is God in his bounty; no wonder then if he give us health, and peace, and friends, and means, and maintenance, for he that gives us his Son, and his Spirit, will he deny us lesser things? so that this is not only an expression of his love, but an argument of our faith and consola∣tion, he that gives us his Son, and his Spirit, will give us all things, Luke 12.32. Fear not little flock, &c. and no wonder, for he hath given us the earnest here.

Ʋse 2. To teach Gods Children, not to be proud of any Spiritual gift that God gives us, 1 Cor. 4.7. if all we have we have received, what have we to boast? And let us not insult over others, for they may receive the Spirit of Unction as well as we, as Paul did, though he were a persecutor; so, much lesse should we despise weaker Christians than our selves, what if they have re∣ceived but a little measure of faith, and love, and patience, &c. why that little is so much that it seals them up to eternall happinesse, they have received so much that they are invested with the garment of Christ; therefore let there be no striving, or contention, or contempt among Brethren, seeing all have re∣ceived this Unction.

Ʋse 3. Have you received the Spirit? then so walk in him, rooted, and established in him, Col. 2.6, 7. why have you received it, but that you may pray, and preach, and buy and sell in this Spirit? therefore let every one so walk that he may expresse that he hath received the Spirit of God, Gal. 5.25. as yee have received the Spirit, so walk in him, put forth the life of the Spirit in every employment, not your own spirit, but shew forth the grace of him which hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light.

Doct. 2. The Spirit which the Children of God have received of him, dwells in them for ever.

John 14.16, 17. it is an in-dwelling and abiding Spirit, 1 Cor. 3.6. & 6.29. Ephes. 2.20, 21, 22. the Spirit of God builds a Tabernacle in you, and dwels in you.

Reas. 1. Now the Spirit is said to abide in us, because having knit us to Je∣sus Christ, we are become of his flesh and bone, now it were both a disho∣nour and unseemly for Christ to have any livelesse dead member, therefore that God might make us serviceable unto him, he continues his Spirit to us, that may inliven us.

2 God that gives us this earnest penny, would have it continue with us till the payment be compleat.

3 The same reason that moves God to give us his Spirit, moves him to continue it to us, we have as much need to be like God in our whole course, as at first, and have as much need of assurance of Glory, Phil. 1.6. the same God that begins the work, will also continue it to us.

Ʋse 1. A ground of trial of our estates; if we have no spirit but the spirit of the old Adam, the spirit of pride and malice, and covetousnesse, truly this is not the Spirit of Christ that makes us like him, this is not that Spirit that Christ purchased for us by his Death, and Ascension; but suppose we had some of the Spirit of God, the spirit of Wisdom, as Achitophel, the spirit of joy, as Herod, the spirit of Zeal, as Jehu, the spirit of fear, as Felix had, yet we have not this Unction of the Spirit, unlesse it dwell in us. What is it to be wrapt with a spirit of a Balaam, or a Saul? it was only for a fit, and what comfort was it to them? it was a shuttle spirit by starts, and did not abide in them, therefore let us try whether we have received the Spirit, if we have re∣ceived a dwelling spirit, it is a true spirit.

Obj. But some may say, Alas, what then will become of me; it may be now I pray, but ere night wholly unabld; now inlarged, then straightned; I have now a spirit of zeal, and courage, soon after all cold, and weak, and dead; wonderfull was the zeal and courage of Elias in slaying four hundred of Baals Prophets openly, 1 Kings 18.40. he went through it with such zeal and speed, as if he had been sent from Heaven, yet Cap. 19.1, 2. when Jezabel sent to him he fled for his life, and was so weary of his life, that he wished death; now his Spirit was cold, and discon∣tent, aad weary of his life. So David, Psal. 119.24. David said, he had made the word his delight, yet ver. 25. he saith, his soul cleaves to the dust, and prays to God for quicking.

A. This Spirit that is so to abide, doth not always abide in the same measure, nor in the same measure of expression; but we must know, though there be several garments, yet the Soul is never naked; a man hath not always his Holy-day garments sweetly perfumed, but sometimes homely, mean gar∣ments; so Elias when he slew Baals Prophets was cloathed with zeal, and Holy-day garments, afterwards he remitted of it, and yet had he the Spirit of God on him, he was not naked, though he was not cloathed with the Spi∣rit in such a measure; even so sometimes we have even poor ragged homely garments, and much of our nakednesse appears, and sometimes again may be, when God hath greater businesse for us to do, cloathes us with better, richer garments, a greater measure of the Spirit; but yet consider, though we have not the same measure, yet always some garment of the Spirit rests on us, be it but the spirit of love, to our Brethren, or grief for the want of it, yet we are not left naked.

Ʋse 2 May exhort su, if we have this Spirit dwelling in us, then let us use him honourably, and courteously as an in-dweller; he is come from farre, even from Heaven, sent from our Father, and he brings joy and comfort with him, therefore let us give him honourable entertainment; he is sent to guide us in all our ways, to be a pledge of our eternall inheritance, therefore let us not entertain him like some guest that we are weary of in two or three days; you must know this guest came not for a day, but to dwell with us for ever, John 14.16. therefore take heed of grieving him, Eph. 4.13. he comes

for your good, and benefit, for your redemption. When a man keeps a Ward, and for keeping him keeps a great estate, a Kingdome, he would be very carefull; so the Spirit is such a Guest, that if you keep him, you keep Life and Salvation, you keep an eternall Kingdom by him, therefore take part with Gods Spirit, joyne with the Spirit of God quench it not; what an heavie complaint made Stephen? Acts 7.51. Isa. 63.10. the Spirit may be so grieved and vexed by men, that he will depart from them.

Q. How shall we keep our selves from grieving the Spirit?

A. As God hath given him to guide you, so look that you be guided by him; if you entertain him kindly he will comfort you, if you grieve him, he will grieve your spirits.

2 Be carefull to nourish him; do not strave this Guest, neglect not the Word, and Ordinances, which are the food of the Spirit; Quench not the Spirit, despise not Prophecie, 1 Thes. 5. as if the despising of Prophecy, were the quenching of the Spirit; therefore feed the Spirit of God, with-draw not food from it, prefer not outward things before it, it is a wonder how leane our souls will grow, if we do not nourish the Spirit.

3 Take heed especially of living in any known Sin, for that damps and deads the Spirit, therefore David wofully camplains, Psal. 51.8. to 12. Re∣store, &c. as if it were quite gone, his very bones were broaken, that is, not of his body, but his soul, i. e. the strength and staff of his spirit, the Spirit is like fire, every grosse sin is like water cast on it, it quencheth it.

Ʋse 3 A ground of much consolation to Gods servants; you can never say you dwell alone and want company, you cannot want good company if the holy Spirit dwell in you; I am not alone saith Christ, but the Father is with me; so may a Christian say, I am never alone, the Spirit of God dwells in me, he is an in-dwelling and abiding Spirit.

Doct. 3 The annoynting of the Spirit, teacheth us all things, of which you heard, verse 20.

It teacheth all things needfull to salvation, needfull to life and godlinesse, 2 Pet. 1.3. and not only so, but needfull to our places, and callings, and ages.

Doct. 4. The anonytment of the Spirit is so plentifull and sufficient, that we need not be taught better things, nor in a better manner, than the Spirit teacheth.

Jerem. 31.32. not that we need not Magistracy or Ministry, but he speaks comparatively, you shall not be so helped by any Instuctions without the Spirit, as with the Spirit, the Spirit shall declare the Truth in Jesus.

For Explication.

1 The Holy Ghost teacheth fully, 1 Cor. 3.9, 10, 11. the spirit of a Chri∣stian is inquisitive concerning all things, now the Spirit helps him to search even into the deep things of God, so that the Spirit is a full teacher.

2 The instruction of the Spirit is plain and clear, 1 Tim. 4.1. Joh. 16.25. Christ spake in parables, but after his ascension, the Spirit revealed things clearly.

Three things go to clear discerning, the object must be clear, the medium clear, and the eye clear, and then we may clearly discern; now the Holy Ghost plainly reveals the Counsells of God, and then opens our judgements to discern it, and then cleares all the mediums, so that a Christian may plainly discern; so that the Tpirit is a clear Instructor, no men need be taught more clearly, 1 Cor. 2.4, 5.

3 The Instruction of the Spirit is a certain Instruction; scarce any truth, but a Christian can tell it by experience; as a woman that is breeding a Child feels such qualmes and distempers, that shee knows thereby shee, is with Child; so they that have had the breeding of the Spirit in their hearts: and have percei∣ved his motions, they know more clearly than any other, verse 20. Yee know all things, it is a scientificall Instruction about certain experimentall things; they know the danger of sin, the sweetnesse of Grace.

4 The Spirit teacheth us most profitably; for that is the dexterity of the Spirit, that it tells you what use you are to make of such a Scripture, such a Sermon, such a Providence, such an Affliction; I am the holy one of Israel, that teacheth you to profit, Isa. 48.17. let the Minister speak never so powerfully, and plainly, yet the heart of man cannot discern it, and profit by it; unlesse the Spirit strike in with it, we shall do little good.

Ʋse 1 May descover the vanity of the Popish Doctrin, that would not have men trust their own spirit, but follow the judgement of the Church; this is a poor Instruction; what if the Spirit of the Church become Apostati∣call? what is become of all the famous Churches of Asia and Grecia; have not they warped from the truth? therefore if men should follow the Spirit of the Church, they might fall from the truth, but you see how St. John magnifies the Instruction of the Spieit; you need not that any one teach you otherwise than the Spirit within you witnesses.

Obj. May not a mans Spirit be a delusion, must we trust every private spirit?

A Though it be in a private man, yet it is not a private Spirit, but the same Spirt common to the whole body of Christ; his Spirit is not limit∣ted to publick persons or Ministers, but to all generally that are the Members of Christ; so that we do not maintain it to be a private spirit, though in a pri∣vate man, for it is a publick spirit; the Spirit breaths where it lists, and where∣ever it breaths, none need teach more or better.

Ʋse 2 If Gods Spirit be so sufficient, then let us make use of the Spirit, to discern falshood, and to know the truth; not to rest in what Ministers, or Parents, or Masters teach, but what the Spirit teacheth, that follow; one dayes Instruction of the Spirit, will lead you into more knowledge than a hundred Sermons.

Ʋse 3 Look that you keep the Spirit in good order; if you grieve the Spi∣rit, he hath no comfort to teach you, as Parents or Masters take no delight to teach their Childreen or Servants, when they take no heed to what they teach them; but if the Spirit see you be willing to hear and listen, and reach after what he reveals, the Spirit teacheth us with delight, but if you grieve Gods Spirit by sensuall lusts, the Spirit is so discouraged, that you shall find his In∣struction very thinne and weak; if Gods Spirit see you doe not intend to make use of what he teacheth, he will have little delight to teach you.

Ʋse 4 Reproves such as content themselves in Ignorance, by saying they are not book-learned, and therefore there is not much expected from them; why, if you give up your spirits to Gods, his Spirit will teach you all things, he will teach you without book, as much as shall be needfull for you.

Ʋse 5. Of consolation to Gods Servants, that have alwayes a Teacher within them, they carry a Prophet about them, a Minister about them: every man desires to have the best Teacher for his Child, you cannot put your Child to a better Teacher than the holy Spirit, Isa. 54.14. John 6.45. your children shall be taught of me, therefore pray to God to teach you, and to counsell you, he will give you that counsell and direction, none can give. Vide plura verse 20.

Doct. 5. The Spirit of God in the hearts of his servants is not a spirit of de∣lusion, but of truth.

They might say, every man will boast of his own spirit, we know there are many lying spirits abroad; how shall I know that I have the true Spirit? why, he saith it is not a lying, but true Spirit, so our Saviour calls it a Spirt of Truth, John 16.13. John 14.16, 17. and it is a sure Spirit.

1 Because it makes us true men, whereas by nature we are full of falshood and lyes, Ron. 3.4.

2 It reveales the Truth of God in a true manner, it teacheth such things as agree with the Scripture, the word of truth.

3 It is given by the God of Truth, therefore must needs be true.

4 Because it teacheth nothing but what it receives from Christ, and Christ

teacheth nothing but what comes from the Father, the God of Truth, Joh 12.49, 50. therefore must needs be true.

Q. But how shall I know that my spirit is not a spirit of Error and delusion, but of truth? 1 Kings 22.22, 23, 24. when went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak to thee? yet there was a lying spirit amongst them, we see here was a lying spi∣rit in four hundred Prophets, and he cunningly conveyes himselfe like an Angel of Light, how shall a Child of God discern the true Spirit from a Spirit of delusion?

A. They that have received a Spirit of Error, may be deluded by a Spirit of Error, but they that have received the Spirit of Truth, cannot be deluded by a Spirit of Error. But how shall I know that I am not deluded, and that my Spirit is a Spirit of Truth?

1. By the Testimony of this Spirit; there is such a clear light in the Spirit, that he will reveal himselfe plainly enough, 1 John 5.3. The Spirit bears wit∣nesse that the Spirit is Truth.

2. You shall finde the Spirit of God is ever suitable to the Word of God; that Spirit that teacheth you other things than the Word, or withdraws you from the Word, that Spirit is a delusion; the Word begat us, and a Christian loves to be sucking at it.

3. It is a Spirit of Truth, if it make you conformable to Christ; meek and lowly as Christ was patient, and going about doing good as he did, where ever we come; that is the proper work of the Spirit, to make us holy as he is holy, meek as he is meek, pure as he is pure.

4. We may discern the Spirit by his fruits, a tree is known by the fruit, good fruit comes not from a corrupt spirit, take any corrupt spirit, it so con∣founds and troubles the spirits of men, that they cannot bring forth good fruits, but the holy Spirit is so meek and plain, that it doth not disturb nature, but perfect it, but a bad spirit doth not perfect, but corrupt nature, Gal. 5.22. But the fruits of the Spirit are, Faith, and love, and meeknesse, it is a sign an evill Spirit was upon Zedekiah, 1 Kings 22. because he was so boysterous, and rude, and impatient, he struck Micaiah on the face, but Gods Spirit is meek, and humble, and lowly.

Ʋse. 1. May teach us to see the excellency of a Christian, above other wicked men, Prov. 12.10. the way of a Christian is the way of Truth and goodnesse, but the wayes of the wicked are deceitfull, and will certainly seduce us, but a Christian hath fellowship with the Spirit of Truth.

Ʋse. 2. It must therefore stir up men to labour to be partakers of this excel∣lent Spirit, this Spirit of truth, the way of righteousnesse will not deceive us

It may be many times by following the Spirit, we run into dangerous wayes. the way of truth is a straight narrow way, but it is a safe way; keep your way, and it will keep you; the Spirit of Christ will carry you on strongly, Jer. 20, 10. men thinke that Christians walk in dangerous wayes, set like Christ on the top of a pinacle, but we shall find that these wayes of truth will not fail us, but lead us on to eternall happinesse, therefore get this Spirit of Truth.

Ʋse. 3. A ground of comfort to all them that have received this Spirit, this Spirit will not deceive you; if Gods Spirit were not in you, you were of all men most miserable; but we have a Spirit that will not fail us, as Poli∣carpus said, These eighty six years have I served Christ, and he never deceived me, therefore now I will not leave him.

Doct. 6. The anoyntment of Gods Spirit teacheth us our perseverance in Christ, i. e. doth assure us that we shall abide in him.

Rom. 8.16, 17. The same Spirit beareth witnesse with our Spirits; two Spirits bear witnesse, Gods, and ours, and both co-witnesse our adoption; our spirit, that is, our renewed, regenerate Spirit, for Gods Spirit would not joyn with our corrupt Spirit, but with our renewed Spirit, and this makes us become the Sons of God; for there is a manifold difference between the fruits of the Spirit and the flesh; but besides this renewed Spirit of ours, Gods Spi∣rit witnesseth, the other indeed was the fruit and effect of Gods Spirit, but

Gods Spirit it selfe is some lively and comfortable witnesse, which speaks more clearly and fully, than the created graces of God in us; if you would speak of an immediate work of the Spirit, it doth it by such peace of Conscience, and joy, as passeth understanding, Phil. 4.7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 it shall so guid your hearts; this peace that Gods Spirit immediately poures into the heart, is without un∣derstanding, and the witnesse Gods Spirit gives to our spirits, makes us that we never doubt more as formerly.

2 It works in us joy unspeakable, and full of glory, 1 Pet. 1.8. there is such a witnesse as fills our hearts with glorious Consolation, Rom. 14.17. and this fills our souls, so that a man tasts of the first fruits of Heaven, in his light we shall see light, Psal. 36.8, 9. there are certain times when God sends this into our spirits, and that is usually in the end of many Conflicts, God abundantly recompenseth our work.

3 Sometimes when we are preparing for some great triall, then God sends some more special help of his Spirit; as it was with our Saviour, when he was to be tempted forty dayes, immediately before he had a testimony from Heaven, Thou art my beloved Son, &c. presently after he was led into the Wil∣dernenesse to be tempted of the Devill, Matth. 4. and as the Angels rejoyce at our conversion, Luke 15.10. so when God hath any great Temptation for us, he poures down more enlargement and comfort of the Spirit; so when Christ was to be Crucified, he was a little before gloriously Transfigured, and when he came riding to Jerusalem, exulting and rejoycing, presently after he went to be Crucified, Rom. 5.8. and often in the midst of tribulation, so oft after Afflitions and Conflicts, God comes to comfort us with happy en∣largements, 1 Pet. 4.14. not onely a spirit of grace, but a spirit of glory▪ as it did on Steven, Acts 6. ult. 1 John 3. ult. hereby we know that we abide in Christ, even by the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.9, 10, 11, 12.

Reas. 1. From the names and titles given to the Spirit in Scripture; three names, all which witnesse this truth.

1 It is called the Comforter, Joh. 14.16, 17. not so much comforting us in outward Crosses, but specialy because he comforteth our hearts, by assu∣ring us we are Sons, and Daughters of God, and Heirs of life, for else it were not above the world, for the world can comfort us in temporall things, but here is a comforter that far transcends the world.

2 The Spirit is called the seal and earnest of our inheritance, Ephes. 1.13, 14. Ephs. 4.30. 2. Cor. 1.21. now a seal hath a three-fold use.

1 It hath an use to keepe secret, or distinguish.

2 Not only so, but to confirme us in all Leases, Bonds, Covenants; so the Spirit not only keeps us sure, and distinguisheth us from all Hypocrites, but seales us by confirming the happinesse of our estate present, and fu∣ture.

3 It is a seal alluding to the seals of Princes▪ wherein their person is pour∣trayed; so this Spirit is the very Character of Gods Image, and fashions us after the Image of God, and hereby he confirms and establisheth all the Promises to us, 2 Cor. 1.20. and Ephes. 6. the Article: shews, that not only the gift of the Spirit, but the person of the Spirit witnesseth.

3 He is called the earnest, whereof three Uses.

1 It bindes and asures a man.

2 An earnest is part of the payment, though small in regard of the whole; so the Spirit of grace is part of the payment, and shall remain with us till the full payment.

3 Because it abides with us after the whole payment.

Ʋse. May serve to comfort the hearts of all that have received the Unction of the Spirit, they have an assurance of their state of Grace here, and Glory hereafter.

Obj. How comes it to passe then, that so many Christians are so troubled?

1 There is a double Reason;

First, Sometimes by imaginary causes, when there is no such cause; as,

1 In case of desertion; we think we have quenched and grieved the Spirit, and therefore it hath left us, but God doth not assure us that the Spi∣rit in a full and glorious measure shall abide in us, but some fruites of it shall alwayes remain.

2 Sometimes outward Crosses and Afflictions make us doubt, as David, Psal. 73. surely, I have cleansed my heart in vain.

3 Sometimes Melancholy may so distemer us, that we will hardly be per∣swaded of that whereof we have no cause to doubt.

Secondly, There are some real Causes; as,

1 If we live in any known sin, that breaks the very bones, Psal. 51.8. deprives us of the vigour of the Spirit.

2 The high prizing of earthly contentments; when we exceedingly de∣light our selves in Husbands, or Wives, or Children, which much benumbs and dims the light of the Spirit, Matth. 13.44, 45. when a man so prizes this Pearl, he keeps it with him in comfort.

3 The proud frame of our spirit hinders our peace; we are all naturally of proud ••ofty spirits, and if God see not in us an humble meek spirit, Gods Spirit will not so freely converse with us, Isa. 57.15.

4 Impediment of our peace, is suspending of our peace upon our own performances, because we cannot pray so enlargedly, nor hear so profitably as sometimes we have done, but then we deceive our selves, Rom. 5.1. be∣cause then we do not look for peace and justification from grace, but from the works of the Law, whereas we should depend wholly on the Merits of Christ; and thus by these means we grieve the Spirit, and blur the seal, and so dim and dull our peace and comfort.

Ʋse 2 It may confute a Popish errour, who say, it is presumption, and dan∣gerous to think we may have assurance of Gods favour; but we se we may know it by the witnesse of the Spirit