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

1 JOHN 3.17,

But whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his Brother hath need, and shutteth up his bowels of pitty and compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Doct.

THere dwells no love of God in such a mans heart, as having this worlds goods, stretcheth not out his hand to help the necessity of his Brother.

What is it to have the worlds good? In the Originall it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the life of this world, this worlds living, whereof to live, whereof to maintain his life.

Bowels of compassion. Because compassion is an affection of griefe and love stirred up in us, by the sight and sence of one anothers misery, as if we suf∣fered with them; our compassion is stirred up as well as theirs, Heb. 13 3.

To shut up bowels, is to withdraw the affections, and the stirring of the en∣trails. A man many times hath little means to help, but if he have not bowels to worke for him, how dwells the love of God in such a man? This is a pe∣remptory question, utterly denying all.

Reas. 1 From the nature of love. Such is love that God dwells in it, 1 Joh. 4.26. There is no affection wherein God reveales himselfe more then in love, 1 Cor. 13.4. Love is bountifull, ready to be doing good, succouring others in their need.

2 Consider the nature of Brethren,

1 They are more worthy then our estate, one of their souls cost more then all our estates, yea more then all the world. How dwels the love of God in us, if we love the world more then our Brother?

2 Look at our Brother as a member of Christ, hungry, thirsty, naked har∣bourlesse. We could not but love Christ wheresoever we did see him, Mat. 25.40. and they are members of our own body, 1 Cor. 12.25, 26.

Ʋse 1. Of instruction, and rules to order our lives aright, or any work of mercy.

1 Who shall relieve his Brother?

Answ. He that hath this worlds goods, that can live, he must open his heart and hand. This therefore will reach not onely to mens superfluities, but if we can but live, if we have but what we labour and sweat for, Ephes. 4.28. We must not only labour for our selves, but give to him that hath need, 2 Cor. 8.3, 4, 5. Luke 21.34. & 8.3. Joh. 13.28, 29, & 12.6.

2. To whom must we be helpfull?

Answ. He must, 1 Be a Brother, 2 Have need, 3 Every Brother. Gal. 6.10.

Beggars that are unable to labour, and would gladly labour, they must be

relieved, Luke 16.20, 21. or such as though they doe labour, yet cannot get a living, 2 Thess. 3.10.

2 A brother that hath need, Eph. 8.18. 1 Tim. 5.4, 5, Such are poor indeed, as have neither hands, friends, nor maintenance. A man is said to be in need, not onely when he is utterly cast downe, but when he is fal∣ling.

3 Every Brother, one as well as another, Eccl. 10.2. Job 31.19.

4 Consider the matter out of which we must give▪ out of this worlds good, Eccl. 10.1. When we have unjustly gotten, we must restore, Prov. 5.16, 17

5 The time when we must give; when we see our Brother hath need, that we may see it our s;elves bestowed. It is a vanity to leave almes after our death, to be bestowed by others, 1 Sam. 20.15. 2 Sam. 16.4, 19. If we give almes while we are alive, we shall have the benefit of them, the loynes of the poor shall blesse us; and though they have no heart to pray for us, yet the warmth of their loyns will blesse us. When we are dead, their prayers will do us no good, Luke 16.8, 9.

6 Give alms with compassion, give from within as well as from without, Isa. 58.10. 2 Cor. 9.7. Give heartily, let your bowels work.

7 Give almes out of love to God, fetch your love deep, even from the love of God, who hath given thee a hand to give and him to receive.

Ʋse 2. To reprove those that are close-handed, and close-hearted. Though a man should doe something for company sake, and out of vain glory, yet if he give not out of love and compassion, how dwells the love of God in such a man?

3 Comfort to poor men that are in need. God so far takes their parts, as that he thinks there is no love to God in him that loves not, and helps not his Brother; not that people should be idle, and sturdy; worke a slack, and beg with a sturdy hand.