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

•• John 4.17. latter part.

Because as he is, so are we in this world.

IN these words, 〈…〉〈…〉 whom love is perfect, such ••••y have boldnesse in 〈…〉〈…〉 argument 〈…〉〈…〉 who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in this world 〈…〉〈…〉

Doct. Such 〈…〉〈…〉 this world at God himselfe.

For proof, Eph. 〈…〉〈…〉 1. Be kind one to another 〈…〉〈…〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 be usefull and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one the another, ready to doe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ood, tender∣•••••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 you any wrongs, and 〈…〉〈…〉 them it their miseries, 〈…〉〈…〉 1. Be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 follower of Go•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dear 〈◊〉〈◊〉; they that walk in 〈…〉〈…〉 Christ himselfe did, 〈…〉〈…〉 sons 〈…〉〈…〉 giving 〈…〉〈…〉 and giving liber•••• to 〈…〉〈…〉 is God in this world, all his path 〈…〉〈…〉 and truth, in his love 〈…〉〈…〉, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 love 〈…〉〈…〉 God in this world: When Adam stood 〈…〉〈…〉, be loved 〈…〉〈…〉, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he fell, he would not let him lie, but in his love he sent his Son to redeem him; so let men walk lovingly towards 〈…〉〈…〉 love to thee decay, yet stretch out 〈…〉〈…〉.

〈…〉〈…〉 righteousnesse, that is ••••••••est in the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ercy, wisdome, goodnesse, all pro∣•••••••• from love, in his love he 〈…〉〈…〉 his love he preserves us, in his love he 〈…〉〈…〉 his love he 〈…〉〈…〉 13.10. Love is the fulfilling of the 〈…〉〈…〉 if it fulfill the law, then if 〈…〉〈…〉 falls all the righteousnesse 〈…〉〈…〉 to God 〈…〉〈…〉

Ʋse. This is a notable 〈…〉〈…〉 grow up in the grace of love: If a man would know how in a 〈…〉〈…〉 of performance, he may be as God himselfe is; why, this is the 〈…〉〈…〉, he who is perpect in love, is in this world 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God himselfe is: Many 〈…〉〈…〉 the duties 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••••••gion hard and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but to a loving 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all is 〈◊〉〈◊〉; let there be but love in the 〈…〉〈…〉 to God and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will come off easily; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many loving 〈…〉〈…〉 god in resemblances Magistrates are called gods in 〈…〉〈…〉 they bear the Image of his Soveraignty; old men bear the Image 〈…〉〈…〉 Eternity, learned men of his Co••••••isciency; but a man may have all these Images of God, and yet perish: The Divells are spirits of power and wisdome, and yet bound in chains of darknesse; but a poor Christian that walks in the spirit of love, he is in this world, as God himselfe is, he goes beyond all other resemblances, and they that are such may have boldnesse in the day of judge∣ment, which is more them either wisdome, or wealth for honour can afford; a man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have all them, and yet tremble at the tho••••••ts of death: If you ob∣serve, 〈…〉〈…〉 she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men in the world busie the 〈…〉〈…〉 about some of those perfections, to be perfect in wisdome, lear•••••• or ••••nours, and these things they labour hard after; why, go 〈…〉〈…〉 as hand after love, strive to be as eminent in love, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shalt get 〈…〉〈…〉 purchase then they can get by 〈…〉〈…〉 endeavours, all their contents 〈…〉〈…〉 them bold∣nesse against the day of judgments: great men, and learned 〈…〉〈…〉 slept in the grave, and have 〈…〉〈…〉 nothing in the morning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they 〈…〉〈…〉; but a loving Christian what 〈…〉〈…〉 in the dust 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when he awakes, shall be satisfied with the Image of God. But if 〈…〉〈…〉 are blest with Magistracy wisdome, rich learning, if you likewise bound with a spirit of love, you and more like Go•• 〈…〉〈…〉 Christian, that wants those other resemblances; a rich 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and a loving Christian how much doe they set out the similitude and fulnesse of God himselfe? God is royall and loving, God is wise and loving withall, he is Almighty and loving withall; its his love onely

that doth good to us, his Majesty, Power, and Eternity, would be a terrour to us, its his love whereby he doth us good; therefore to all endowments, adde, what good doe riches, and honours, and knowledge, except thou have love withall.

Doct. They that are in this world, us God himslfe is, they may have boldnesse to the day of judgement, Mat. 18.33. to the end.

The which shews, that suppose a man should live in this world, with a con∣fidence that all his sins are forgiven him, and in the mean time he grows straight hearted and bitter to his brethren; why ••••on his sick bed or some other tryall, the Lord takes him by the throat, and exacts the whole debt of his sins at his hands; or if before he have had good assurance of the pardon of his sins, yet he shall finde such horrour and anguish, that he believe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his sins still lie on the score. If we want love, we cannot have boldnesse 〈…〉〈…〉 judgement, Christ had so furnished his Disciples with love, that thereby they abounded in much service to him and his, and these being men of love, they should not be afraid of Christs coming, but then he bids them lift up their heads with com∣fort, Luke 21.28.

What is this boldnesse?

1. Boldnesse is that which mortifies fear and shame, which two things are contrary to boldnesse; if a man be fearfull, what boldnesse is there? but this boldnesse makes a man look at death and judgement without fear.

2. Boldnesse removes shames, 1 John 2.28▪ when he shall appear we may have boldnesse, and not be ashamed; a man therefore that is like God in this world, is neither afraid nor ashamed in the day of judgement.

Reas. 1. Because that which might be matter of fear is removed, for that which makes a man afraid at that day, is, because he is not like God, God is of pure eyes, and they are altogether unclean, and then indeed Christ will com∣mand such to depart from him, the workers of love, a worker of mercy and righteousnesse, and so God accepts of him.

2. This spirit of love, cloathes us with those duties and works, which God most recompenseth at that day; God will then crown men with glory, not because they are wiser and richer then others, but because they saw me hun∣gry and gave me meat, naked and cloathed me, &c. Mercy rejoyceth against judgement, God will there be abundantly mercifull, to recompence every work and office of mercy.

3. There is no cause of shame, for where there is a resemblance of God there is cause of joy: God acknowledgeth his own Image, and will perfect it at that day, for love ceaseth not; a man may have learning and riches, and honours, and be ashamed at that day, but if we be cloathed with love, we shall never be ashamed.

Ʋse. Labour therefore above all graces, to cloath yourselves with love, a loving Christian is a couragious Christian, when other mens hearts shall quail and tremble for fear, and shake like the leafs of a tree, Isa. 7.2. then a loving Christian may lift up his head with joy, because then he knows his love shall be consummate, and when others are ashamed of their riches, learning, and honors, he is not ashamed of his love, a loving Christian, is safe and bold both in life and death: look at all the straights of a Christian, if they be upon any ground, its for want of love, he that neglects this duty of love, God and his conscience will take him by the throat, and exact the due debt, because he walked with a private spirit, in the publique world, whereas if we doe but walk in a spirit of love and helpfulnesse to our brethren, and learn to walk with a publique spirit, neglecting private respects, the Devill and thy conscience shall find nothing to accuse thee of, but thou shalt meet death and judgement in the face, without fear or shame.