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

1 JOHN 3.7.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doth righteousnesse is righteous, even as he is righteous

THE Apostle had shewed that all hopefull Christians do cleanse them∣selves from sin. It might be objected, We have false Teachers that teach otherwise, as Simon Magus was let loose at that time, and taught the free use of women. The Apostle meets with this, You say an hopefull Christian ab∣stains from all sin, how comes it then to passe that so many teach otherwise? To this St. John answers, Let no man deceive you. Here is 1. A loving compel∣lation (Little children) which comprehends babes, young men, and old men.

2. The exhortation, a warning against deceivers.

3. Two doctrins clean contrary unto them.

1. He that doth righteousnesse it righteous as God is.

2. He that commits sin is of the Devill. Which he proves,

1. From the practice of the Devill.

2. From the contrary end of Christs coming.

3. From the conrary practice of those that are born of God.

Doct. It is the duty of all sorts of good people, to take heed they be not decei∣ved in judging who be righteous men.

The question was, who were righteous? The false Teachers said A man may be righteous, and yet live in sin. Be not deceived, saith St. John, Phil. 3.2 We must as much beware of conterfeit righteousnesse, as of dogs, they are not so apt to bite men, as these to do the Church hurt.

Reas. 1. From the easinesse of being deceived by the pretences of righteous men in all ages, Gal. 2 4. Under the mask of righteous men, may walk men unrighteous.

2. From the necessity that lies upon our selves to have communion and fel∣lowship with them, Psal. 16.3. Gal. 6.10. doing good offices to them, 1 John 4. Yea, we are commanded to walk in their steps, Phil. 3.17.

3. From the danger of walking with unrighteous men, Prov. 17.15. & 4.14, 15. This we may easily do, unlesse we know them.

Ʋse 1. To reprove such as think all they live amongst are righteous; wherefore was this exhortation, how should a man be deceived, if all were righteous? Numb. 16.2, 3.

2. To teach us all to pray to God that we may grow up in a spirit of discerning. There is an inflinct in the servants of God, whereby they are able to relish the spirits one of another. A dog will sent out his way with more dexterity then all men can reason it out. A man can open the whole Law, but when he comes to discerning, he knowes not who is righteous, and who not.

2. Grow we righteous our selves, and to a great measure, so shall we the better discern of others. A woman that hath conceived, she will the more easily discern of another. So when thou feelest the work of righteousnesse in thine owne heart, how shalt thou comfort thy self that thou ar•• righteous, because thou lovest Gods children?

How shall I know who is righteous?

A righteous man is known by his righteous wayes. St. John speaks not here, what makes a man righteous, but what declares him to be righteous. The

Jesuites grant this, 7.18, 19.21. If a tree bring forth grapes, it is a vine; if figs, a fig-tree.

What is it to do righteousnesse?

The contrary to what it is to commit sin. He doth righteousnesse; That walks in Gods commandements, when his judgement and heart is for it.

2. When Gods laws are his rule of righteousnesse.

3. Whose end is righteousnesse. Hallowed be thy name.

4. When we doe unrighteousnesse, it is a burthen and grief, and we recover our selves.

Obj. But righeteousnesse doth not consist in the bulke of the work, but in the heart, and an hypocrite may have as fair an outside as a true righteous man.

Answ. True. But God hath given a spirit of discerning to a Christian, that he shall discern the main sway of a mans heart.

1. If thy affections worke as well as the outward man, Psal. 51.6. his griefs, cares, desires, see with what affection they come off, 1 Chr. 29.9.17. He saw such joy when they came to offer, as if they would have offered more if they had had it.

2. See whether they they come off with some facility, forced things are not naturall, John 4.34.

3. Consider the evennesse and constancy of a mans way; Violent things will not last, unlesse there be a continuall supply sent, Hos. 6.4. If when we have done good workes, we kisse our hands, and sacrifice to our owne nets. this is unrighteousnesse.

Obj. In times of religion, Gods ends and ours may be levell, how then shall we. know a righteous man?

Answ. Observe when those ends part, which will be at one time or other When two men walk together, a dog follows them, you know not whose it is, but let them part, then the dog will follow his Master. So it is here.

Ʋse 3. To avoid the Doctrin of the Papists, of justification by works. He saith not that good works make a man good, but we may know a man is righteous by his righteousnesse, lest they should run away with this, that the habit of righteousnesse make us righteous. We answer, imperfect righ∣teousnesse cannot make us perfecly righteous, Isa. 64.6. 1 Cor. 13.8. to 12. This which you say, will neither hold in covenant of works, nor covenant of grace. In the covenant of works, not the habits of grace, but works of righteousnesse do justifie. And in the covenant of grace, we are justified by faith, without the works of the Law.

Now a signe of tryall of our owne righteousnesse and others, is, when in ordinary course we give God and man his due, when we go about good duties in Gods name, and for his glory.

Obj. It may be I do it for the stopping of conscience, and that I may be well thought of.

Answ. So may you do, and yet be sincere. I may please men, and my own conscience. What if you please men, will you not still stick to God? If you do good duties freely, constantly, and humbly, though you do them to satisfie your conscience to please men, yet are you righteous. So may you judge of other men. It is not enough to do good duties, but to see with what affection they do them; if they cleave to God, though for their own ends, they are righteous.