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

1 JOHN 2.3.

And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments.

THe Apostle St. John having shewed in the former Verses that Christ is our Advocate, and Propitiation, here might his little Children reason, But how shall I know that Christ is my Advocate, and Reconciler? though he be both, yet how shall it appear that it is so to me? Why, hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments.

Saint John here speaks of such a knowledge as we call acquaintance, and fa∣miliarity; and fellowship, I know you not, Matth. 7.23. that is, I have no ac∣quaintance and fellowship with you, hereby we know we have fellowship with Christ, if we keep his Commandments, you may know whether you have fel∣lowship with Christ or no by this. This third Verse therefore shews our fellow∣ship with Christ in his mediation.

Doct. 1. A man that knows Christ, may, and ought to come to know that he doth know him, or hath fellowship and communion with him.

Doct. 2. Such as do keep his Commandments may ceme to know that they do know Christ, that they have true fellowship with him.

1 For the First, a man that knows Christ, may, and ought to come to know that he knows him, or hath fellowship and communion with him; hereby we know that we know him, here is actio reflexa, the Senses they do not reflect themselves, the eye sees other mens faces, not its own, but by reflection in a Glasse, but in our Spiritual knowledge we may more sensibly discern our Spiri∣tual estate, than our faces in a Glasse, for we see not that, but in another Me••li∣um, but a man knows his knowledge of Spiritual things directly, he not onely knows, but knows that he knows what is meant by these.

To know Christ, is not only to know his Nature, and Person, and Offices, that he is God man, and that he is our Advocate, and Reconciler, and Pro∣pitiation, the Devil knows thus much; so that a Spiritual knowledge is not superficial, but such a knowledge as is opprative, not dead, but lively, not naked, but such a knowledge as is joyned with acquaintance, such a know∣ledge as works us to obedience, Psal. 9.10. Isa. 53.11. and that works us to Mortification, Gal. 6.14. such a knowledge as makes all the World dead to us; As a man that hath set his affections on a woman, it deads his affe∣ctions to all others, 1 Sam. 2.12. the Sons of Eli knew not the Lord; and Exod. 5.2. Who is the Lord, saith Pharaoh, I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go; they knew not the Lord, that is, they had not this lively ope∣rative knowledge joyned with obedience, so then true knowledge is opera∣tive, begets trust, and confidence, and joy in God, Jer. 10.23. and is likewise joyned with obedience, 1 Chron. 28.9. so then we see it is such a knowledge as makes us trust in him, fear him, honour him, serve him, cleave to him, and yeild obedience unto him; and no wonder, for verba sensus accipienda sunt cum effectu & affectu; I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians op∣presse my people Israel, Exod. 3.9. I have seen, that is, not only looked on it, but have compassion, and intend to deliver them; so, Remember thy Creator, &c. that is, bend thy affections to him, and honour him, so to know Christ is to affect him, to honour him, to cleave to him, to obey him, to acquaint

our selves with him, for by knowledge is here meant acquaintance, and famili∣arity.

What is this Knowledge, to know that we know him?

It is an Act of Understanding, by which, upon good ground, he doth dis∣cern that he doth know God, and hath fellowship with him, no man calls that Knowledge which is only a Conjecture, nay this Knowledge is more than a true faith, for they are two distinct things though they stand together, 1 John 4.16. We have known and believed, &c. so that this Knowledge is more than a true faith, for faith is a persuasion or trust a man takes upon the credit of Di∣vine testimony, if I take it upon mans testimony, it is credulity, but when I take things on Gods authority, that is faith; but here is something more, we know and believe, and we know that we know, which is an Actus judicii, and more than opinion, or faith; Knowledge is such an acknowledgement as ariseth Ex principiis scientificis, such as proceeds from certain Principles, as I know that Fire burns from the light and heat, so then I know it by experience, all know∣ledge ariseth either from causes or Effects, such effects as cannot delude us, if it may, it is but conjecture, but what we know, it is upon sure grounds and experience, that is Knowledge. So then we know that we know him, this im∣plies, that a man that knows Christ may not only think so, and have such an opinion, and believe so, but he may know he knows Christ, and that by two effects.

1 By feeling in his own heart, that having been oppressed with sinne, hee finds his soul comfortably pacified, if hee find Christ pacifying his soul, he knows that he knowes Christ, such a man whose spirit hath been oppressed with the consciousnesse of sin, if this mans soul be comforted and pacified, then he knows that he knows Christ, he is now acquainted with Christ, one that was never troubled with sin, knows not the worth and vertue of Christ, but a man that hath been afflicted in conscience for sin, and is now pacified, now he knows that he knows Christ, he had hold of him before, but he now plainly sees him, Job 42.5. I have heard of thee, by the hearing of the Ear, but now mine Eyes see thee, as if all his knowledge before, had been but as the hearing of him; but now he comfortably finds Christs presence, he now sees his worth and excellency, Cant. 5.10. a man knows that this is Christ, because he knows that nothing in Heaven or Earth could pacifie him but Christ.

2 He knows that he knows Christ, not only by the pacifying of his consci∣ence, but by the purifying of his conscience, Act. 15.9. purifying it from the lusts of sin, whereas before we were covetous; we are now heavenly minded; whereas before vain, now serious in serio, and look at Trifles as Trifles; before unclean, now holy and chaste; before intemperate, now temperate; before dis∣ordered, now our hearts are cast into another mould and frame, both the in∣ward man is purified, and the outward, the words and actions are purified; thus we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments, so that they that know Christ, may say, I know that I know him.

Ʋse 1. To refute that Popish Doctrin that teacheth, that none can be cer∣tain of his Salvation, nay they say it is Heretical presumption, and many world∣ly men think it is impossible, and others think it is needlesse to be attained, but such may be convinced from this Doctrin, and what saith the Apostle Peter, Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1.10. how shall we make it sure, if we know that we know it? 1. Cor. 2.12. God gives us his Spirit, that we may see the grace he hath given us, Joh. 3. ult. St. John speaks it here of little Children, that they may know it, so that this Knowledge is both possible, necessary, and may be certain.

They say, we may have a conjectural Knowledge, but no certainty of faith; it is a speech which implies a contradiction, if it be conjectural it is no Know∣ledge, that which I only conjecture, I know not; we do not know that we onely conjecture, if I ask you if you know such a one? If you say you think

you know him, you do not know him; so that when they say, we cannot have knowledge of faith, we do not say they may only believe it, but they may have certainty of feeling, Faith may admit much doubting, but Knowledge excludes much doubting.

Ʋse 2 To consider whether we can say thus, we know that we know him; do you know that you have acquaintance and fellowship with Christ? do you believe it? How do you believe it, on what ground?

1 Have you found Christ purifying your Consciences by his blood? If you have found that, then you know that you know him, Phil. 4.7.

2 Do you finde your Consciences purified? Do you finde your Corrupti∣ons mortified? Do your Lusts grow abominable? Do you finde your hearts cleansed from wrath and impatience? &c. certainly then you know that you know Christ, for none else could have pacified and and purified your hearts? If it be so that you dare not sin, you seek peace and ensue it, then you may know that you have Christ, but if these signs be wanting, especially purifying, then you know him not.

Ʋse 3 To exhort us never to rest till you know that you have acquaintance with Christ, if a man had all the knowledge in the World, what comfort would it afford him, if he knew not that he had fellowship with Christ, never count you know any thing if you know not Christ, Si Christum discis, satis est, &c. and yet rest not there till you know that you know him; Beasts see, and hear, but they know not that they do so, because they are irrational, and want the faculty of reflection, and in sprituals a carnal heart is blinde; but it is for a Christian to know Christ, and not only so, but to know that he knows him, we must not rest either in mens good perswasions, that they hope and are perswa∣ded well of us, or that they speak well of us, but we must never rest till we know that Christ dwels in us, and we in him, which we may know by his pacifying and purifying of our consciences.

Ʋse 4 Of Consolation to such as do sin, and fall daily, and find their own emptinesse, their knowledge is but small, their experience little, their outward comforts shallow, yet this is a mans comfort, that he knows Christ, and not on∣ly so, but knows that he knows Christ; God never gives us a blessing but he is willing that we should know it, if he set up a light in our minds he would have us discern that light, and walk in the light thereof; therefore let us thankfully acknowledge it, and comfort our selves therein.

We come now to the Evidence whereby we come to know that we know Christ, hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments; for the understanding of this, we must know that there is a perfect keeping the Commandments without sin, and that St. John disclaimed before, Cap. 1. Vers. 8.10.

2 There is another keeping the Commandments, that is, not perfect without sin, yet perfect without dissimulation or hypocrisie, and that is here meant.

Doct. Sincere obedience, or keeping the Commandments of Christ, is a sci∣entifical argument, and sign of our undoubted and known fellowship with Christ.

Q. What is it to keep his Commandments?

A. The keeping of his Commandments is usually in Scripture exprest by di∣vers comparisons.

1 Sometimes it is exprest by keeping his Commandments, as a man would keep his way, turning neither to the right hand, nor to the left, Josh. 1.7. and then we must look at the Commandments as our way, as a Travellor doth not go out of his way, if he doth, it is besides his intention.

2 Sometimes it is exprest by keeping Jewels, we should keep them as our Treasure, set our hearts on them, Prov. 6.20, 21. binde them about thy heart. Which implies, they are to be lookt at as our greatest treasure, and worne about our neck, he would have us look at them as our Ornaments; ma∣ny

men would be rich, but they would not always have it known, but a Chri∣stian is not only to look at Christs Commandments as his Treasure, but as his ornaments and credit; a man is then said to keep the Commandments; when he looks at them as his Treasure and Ornaments, he fears not to shew himself, and let it appear that he keeps Christs Commandments, he is not ashamed to wear them about him openly.

3 It is compared to the keeping of the apple of a mans eye, Prov. 7.1, 2. keep them as the apple of thine eye; a man keeps the apple of his eye very tenderly, every moat is ready to trouble him, therefore he would not have the least moat come into his eye; so, that is true keeping of Gods Command∣ments when the least offence or scruple against Gods Commandments is b••tter and noysome to him, as moats to the apple of his eye, he cares not what the World thinks of it, if it be against the the Law of God it is noysome unto him.

4 It is exprest by keeping the Commandments as a man would keep his Soul, Prov. 19.16. as if it come to this pinch, either keep the Command∣ments or lose your life; a Christian will lose his life, and keep the Command∣ments, nay of the two, he would rather lose his Soul, Luke 14.26. a man must be willing to sit loose from his life for Christ; now if we thus keep his Commandments, it is an evident signe that we know that we know him.

Obj. But such a keeping is very strict, and hardly to be attained, who can do this? in many things we offend all, and who is it that goes not astray?

Ans. A Christian may keep the Commandments as his way, when he in∣tends to go on, and if he be out it is besides his intention, he may keep them as his treasure, though sometimes upon some temptation he may part with something thereof, yet after he knows it he mourns for it, and it is the grief of his heart; and though a Christian may sometimes be ashamed of his Profes∣sion, yet afterwards he is ashamed of his Fact, as Peter, and though a Christi∣an may sometimes offend the Commandment, yet he is never well till he hath got out this moat; sometimes a man may rather chuse his life as Peter, but af∣terwards he grieves, and weeps bitterly, and would rather part with his life than the Commandment; and if it be thus with thee, it is a signe thy keeping is sincere.

Quest. How is such obedience a certain signe of our acquaintance with Christ?

Ans. 1 This sincere keeping of the Commandments our Saviour looks at it, as an act of friendship in him, Joh. 15.14. then are ye my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you, as we take it for a point of special friendship when a man is ready at our command, and willing to do what we would have him; nay, Joh. 15.10. our Saviour takes it not only as love, but as abiding constant love, and if it spring from our love to Christ, it must needs spring from Christs love to us, for we could not have loved him except he loved us first, 1 Joh. 4.19. 1 Joh. 5.3. no man keeps any thing that is grievous, a man may have fire about his house, or a moat in his eye, but he keeps it not, it is grievous; a man may be out of the way, but it is grievous, but when he keeps the Com∣mandments as his way, his treasure, his eye, his life, this is not grievous to him; every Office, be it never so bad, it seems easie, because he loves Christ dearly; as Jacobs seven years service for Rachel seemed but a little space, because he loved her, Gen. 29.20. if there be such mutual love, it is a certain sign of ac∣quaintance.

2 This keeping of his Commandments is a sign of our abiding in Christ, and so of our acquaintance with him, Joh. 15.1. Hos. 14.8. upon me is thy fruit found, otherwise we are barren, it is Christ that puts forth any fruit in us, Ezek. 36.27. how comes it to passe; a man keeps Gods Laws and Judgements, but because he hath his Spirit within him; he keeps us, and then we keep his Com∣mandments?

Ʋse 1 To refute that Popish Error, that a man may keep the Command∣ments perfectly without sin.

2 That though he can thus keep them, yet he cannot be sure of his Salvation. But this is contradictory, hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments; so that it is either certain they keep not his Commandments, or if they do, they may be certain of their fellowship with Christ, and so of Sal∣vation by him.

2 It refutes them in this, in that they say we are wont to discourage men from good works; we say indeed, none can be justified by the works of the Law, but we do not discourage them from good works; for we say thus, if men keep Gods Commandments, which is to perform good works, hereby we say we may come to know that we know Christ; we say more, not only a perfect keeping, but a sincere keeping of them, though imperfectly, with respect and care, though this doth not justifie us, yet we say, it doth justifie the truth of our Estate, and that is no small matter; we challenge them for discouraging of men from good works, for they will not grant that hereby we know that we know him, but still leave a man in doubt, but we grant much comfort from good works, for though they do not justifie us, yet hereby we know that we are justi∣fied.

Ʋse 2 To confute the Arrians, this shews a certain ground of the divinity of Christ, because by keeping his Commandments we may come to know him; now this would not hold, if he had not the same authority to command with God himself, Iam. 4.12. there is but one Law-giver: therefore if Christ be our Law-giver, he is one God with the Father, his Commandments are of like be∣nefit and use with the Fathers Commandments.

Ʋse 3 Shews the cause why many men do not know that they know Christ, none can know Christ but such as keep his Commandments.

1 Therefore such cannot know Christ that do not know his Commandments, for if they do not know them, how can they keep them? Gods ways are too hard to be found in the night, in Ignorance or Darknesse.

2 Though a man do know them, yet if he divide them, some he will keep; and some he will not keep: if he do thus, he cannot come to know that he knows Christ, because he doth not keep his Commandments: there are some Com∣mandments he doth not keep, if you take liberty to break the Sabbath, and will not keep it, though you know it is Gods Commandment, it is impossible you should come to a saving Knowledge of your Estate in Christ: if you be con∣tent to live in the least known sin, if you do not as gladly root out any sin as you would pull a moat out of your eye, you cannot know Christ, or come to know that you know him.

3 There are others that know Christ, and yet do not know that they know him why? because thy do not keep his Commandments as their way, do not look at them as their Treasure, as their Ornaments, do not keep them as the Apple of their Eye, but swallow many moats, this doth very much hinder their souls: many would do much for Religion, but would not have it come to life, then no wonder if we see not our Estates, if moats be in our Eyes, we cannot see as otherwise we might, so if sin lye on our souls, no wonder if we be so blinded, that we cannot see our Estate in Christ, nor know that we know him.

Ʋse 4 It shews a ready way to peace of conscience, would we have our consciences pacified? Why, labour to know that we know Christ, and that will pacifie the conscience when we come to know that wee are acquainted with Christ, this being peace of conscience: but how shall we know that? Why, keep the Commandments of Christ, as our Way, as our Treasure, as the Apple of our Eye, as our Life, then we may know that we know him, that we have Fellowship with him, and then our consciences will be at quiet both in life and death, if we keep the Commandments as our way, and if wee bee out of the way it troubles us: if wee keep it as our Treasure, and if

we loose any it grieves us, when we grieve for the losse of it, as for the losse of our Ornaments; if we cannot suffer any sin to be in our souls, but it afflicts us, then our consciences will be at peace; if we keep the Comman∣dements carelesly, we keep the peace of our consciences loosely, as we keep the Commandements, so we keep the comforts of our souls; it may be we walke in Gods wayes, but not so closely and charily as we should, this hin∣ders our own peace; it was a speech of Jonah when he was now in a good tem∣per and dissembled not, Jonah 2.8. they that follow lying vanities, forsake their own mercies; they that follow lying vanities, any comfort of the World, if there be any way, any Treasure, any Ornament, any life that we prize above the Commandements of God, these are lying vanities, deluding things, and then we forsake our own mercies, that is, the portion of mercy which God hath appointed us, and he spake it by wofull experience, he clave to his credit, a lying vanity, and thought he would prevent his discredit, but God found him out, and he found it by experience that they that stick to any pleasure more than God they forsake their own mercies, he might have had mercy if he had been obedient, but now he saw no hope of mercy, in this world at least; therefore it may teach us to take heed of trusting to any delu∣ding vanity.

Ʋse 5. Of consolation to constant keepers of Gods Commandements, some∣times a man may keep them, and yet be in feare and doubts of his Estate, why, goe on in that way still, keep them as your Way, your Tresaure, and Apple of your Eye, your life, that is the way to comfort: be it known unto you if you doe thus that you doe know Christ, for did you not love God, you would never go on in a constant course of keeping his Commandments, and you could not love him except he loved you first, and you could not keep his Commandments but by his Spirit dwelling in you, and that argues acquaintance with him, Psal. 19 11. in keeping of them there is great reward, greater than any gold or silver; a man may keep that and yet want a quiet Conscience; but a man that keeps Gods Commandments shall not want peace of Consci∣ence, Psal, 119.72. thousands of gold and silver will not keep a mans heart warm and comfortable, but the keeping of Gods Commandments will; and be it that you be about your calling, no businesse of your calling will hinder your peace, no Commandment of God hinders your Peace; indeed if you go about things without warrant from a Commandment, be it in the World, in your callings; if you look at your profit and pleasure &c. and not at Gods Commandment to set you a work, you lose your Peace, and you will want your Peace in that dayes conversation, but if you go about things in vertue of a Com∣mandment, never fear, your calling will never hinder your Peace; keep the Commandment and keep your Peace: we hinder our Peace often, because we go about businesses without an eye to the Commandment, and so it is not ac∣ceptable to God, he finds no savour of rest in it, and therefore no wonder if we lose our Peace; but if any work, though never so mean, be done in obedience to Gods Commandments, we shall keep and maintain our Peace.