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

Doct. That the exemplary walking of the children of God, ought to be an effe∣ctuall motive to every Christian not to walke in the wayes of sin, but to purge themselves, 1 Cor. 11.16.

When the Apostle dehorts men from wearing long hair, and women from shearing their hair, the argument he useth is, We have no such custom; which argu∣ment were of no force, except the examples of Gods servants were an effe∣ctuall motive to stir us up to the same wayes, 1 Cor. 14.33. There is a de∣cency in all churches of God, therefore he pleads against their confusion. Let all things be done with decency, comely, and without confusion, Psal. 52.9. This is a reason why we should wait upon God, because it is good in the eyes of his Saints.

Reas. 1. God commands it, God hath set this as the royall way; Phil. 3.17. This is the high-way to heaven, God would have all to walke in the trod∣den path of his people.

2. It is a matter of comfort to our souls, it will excuse us from many doubts of our own hearts, and many slanders which might be cast upon us: If a member have a motion not guided by the body, you look at it as a Palsie di∣stemper that we have.

3. From a discomfort we put upon our Brethren, when we Walke in such wayes as are contrary to them; they walke in a blamelesse course, if we shall walke in sinfull wayes, we put upon them breaking of heart, Philip. 3.17, 18. When the Apostle saw men walke in wayes contrary to Gods, it was the griefe of his heart.

Ʋse 1. This is a notable comfort to every soule that stands in a mammering what way to take. Walke in holy wayes like Gods people; think not they are solitary wayes, and singular ones; no, if you walke in good wayes you shall not goe alone, all good company have gone this way, some will goe out of their way for good company. Walke in a way free from sin, so shalt thou have good company, and in this only.

2. It disswades from sin, gird up thy loyns from it. When we walke in the wayes of sin, none goe that way but had company, and it will be a shrewd ar∣gument against you, Mar. 7.23.

3. To guide us to a wise observation of the wayes of godly men. Though there be no godly man but hath his failings, for which he blusheth before God; yet none of them, but have something in their wayes, whereby you may purge your selves. None of them, but come nearer Christ in something then you, there is something wherein they purge themselves more then you. Have respect to the generality of their wayes, God hath been alwayes wont to guide his servants into wayes of innocency. If God guide them into good wayes, then follow them.

Obj. May I not be deceived?

Answ. True, sometimes generally Gods people goe wrong, Exod. 32.19. Aaron and most of the people dance about the Calf. The people of God took up a custome of carrying the Ark in a cart from the Heathen, the shoulders of the Levites should have carried it, 1 Chron. 13.5, 6, 7. When David saw his error (for he was troubled for Ʋzzah his death) he said (2 Chr. 15.2.) none should carry the Ark of the Lord, but the Levites. So true it is, the generality of Gods people might goe wrong if they were all met together in a counsell; but though they may goe astray, yet take them not at the••r starts, their ordi∣nary courses are good. David and his people, though they went wrong, yet presently after they saw their errour.

2. Look at the pattern of Gods people, so as that thou weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary. Have your wits excercised in the Scripture, that so you may discern of their wayes, and that you may so far follow them, as they goe right.