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

Doct. A fearfull conscience lies in torment.

Fear hath torment, and he speaks of the fear of death, but specially of judgement; where that fear is, there is torment, the word translated torment, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is elsewhere so translated, Mat. 25. ult. The torment here spoken of, is such a kinde of torments as hell is, not for measure, but for kind. For the handling of this, we may see what the Scripture speaks of this torment in the severall descriptions and metaphors.

First, This torment is sometimes called pricking of conscience, Acts 2.37. they were pricked at their hearts with fear and shame for sin, though but a lit∣tle before they scoft at the Apostle, v. 13. yet now they were struck with such torments, as they knew not what to doe.

Secondly, Its called a wounding of the spirit, Prov. 18.14. which woun∣ding is a larger gash then pricking, and so implyes more anguish, fear and shame.

Thirdly, It is compared to the sting of a Scorpion, Rev. 9.5. the Jesuites doe so sting men with torments of hell and horrour of conscience, and God gave them not power to heal themselves again; hence they thought every thing little enough to satisfie their conscience, and so they suck out their estates in building Hospitalls, and bestowing on their Cloysters.

Fourthly, The wrath of God in the soul is compared to venomed arrows, Job 6.4.

Fifthly, This torment is called the rending of the heart, Joel 2.13. Rend your hearts and not your garments, the heart and thoughts are so rent and distracted, that one thing will not hang by another.

David calls this, melting of spirit, Psal. 119.28. as if the heart were like wax, and Gods wrath like burning fire, therefore a man in this case is in a bitter estate, Job 13.26. Thou writest bitter things against me, Isa. 38.15 I shall goe mourning in the bitternesse of my soul, for this the soul is troubled, Psal. 77. and sorely vexed, Psal. 6.3.

Why doth a soul lying in fear, lye in torment?

Reas. 1. Consider this fear in the effects of it, this fear sometimes brings men into trembling of body, so that all the spirits flie inward.

2. If it continue, it leads oft times to inward Consumptions of body, or burning Agues, Hab. 3.16. Psal. 30.4, 5.

3. Sometimes it causeth terrible dreams, which doe amaze and affright us, Job 13.14.

4. It causeth wearinesse of life, so that a soule long exercised with this kind of fear, cryes out in bitternesse, and heartily wisheth for death, Job 7.15. My soul chooseth strangling rather then life, if he might have his choyce he would rather choose strangling then life; there are worse effects then those proceed∣ing from this fear, when Satan sets on withall against us.

1. Sometimes Satan so follows us with fears and horrours, that though a man be o•• a large measure of patience, yet he is able to bear no longer, but breaks out in impatience, Cursed be the day that ever I was born, Job 3.1, 2, 3. and this is a sinfull effect.

2. It breeds in some a flying from the presence of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they dare not read or pray, they are afraid the earth should swallow 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up, and God sud∣denly consume them; so Cain when he was pursued wit•• ••orror of conscience, he fled from the presence of God, from Adams family, from the Church.

3. This fear sometimes brings destruction, when the soule is so wearied with sence of horrours, with cares and watchings, that the brain growes frenzy, so that you can be able to doe them no good, till God puts in his help, Psal. 88.15, 16. This was Hemans case, through the terrours of God, he was distracted, yet when God healed his spirit, he grows one of the wisest men upon the earth, except Solomon.

4. Sometimes upon this fear follows despaire, the soul is perswaded it shall never see the light of Gods countenance again, but that its utterly cast off, Psal. 3.6, 7. Psal. 77. but this was but for a time; but sometimes this de∣spair is finall, as Judas his was.

5. From hence followes sometimes selfe-murther, as in Judas, Mat. 27.

Reas. 2. From the properties of this fear, its incomprehensible, when Job would expresse it, he could not tell how to set it forth, but O that my afflictions were laid in the ballance, Job 6.2, 3. Lam. 1.12, 13. Is there any sorrow like my sorrow?

2. Its insupportable, A wounded spirit who can bear? Prov. 18.14. the stoutest heart is not able to stand under it.

3. Its immoveable, nothing in the world is able to remove it; no balm can cure the conscience but the bloud of Christ.

Reas. 3. From the causes of this fear, which are two.

1. The sence of Gods wrath here, and the expectation of greater hereafter, Psal. 90.11. Who knows the power of thy wrath?

2. A terrible expectation of violent fire, to consume Gods adversaries, Heb. 10.27.

Reas. 4. Consider the subject of all this fear and torment, and that is the conscience and heart of man, the judgement and will; the will that before was most tough and obstinate, of all the faculties, these torments make, it soft, and tender, therefore its said, Josiahs heart melted at the hearing of the Law, 2 Chron. 34.17. Job 23.16. the heart is made raw and tender, that look at raw flesh would be against the fire, so the tender raw conscience is anguished with this fire of Gods wrath, according to that old saying, He that would goe to heaven must sayl by hell gates.

Ʋse 1. To stir up all such who have any of their friends thus exercised, to pity and compassionate them; Is it nothing to you that passe by, that Gods hand lies so sore on him? to him that is afflicted, pity should be shewn by his friends; but they forsake the fear of the Almighty, Job 6.14. Even as some Sea-men at their first voyage, they can pity those that are Sea sick and tost, but afterward they grow sencelesse: so when Christians first lanch out themselves into this troublesome condition, they could have pityed others in the like case; but through custome men forsake the fear of the Al∣mighty: for though commonly these fears be safe, yet they may end in de∣spair,

and therefore pity should be shewed them, Job never cryed out for help in the losse of his children or estate, but when Gods hand touched his soul, then he called upon all that feared God to pity him; and indeed God is very sensible of all such as compassionate them; why, if ever God send them com∣fort he will restore comfort likewise to their mourners, Isa. 57.78. for those torments are not alwayes safe, except you finde then mixt with some spark of faith and love, but however, God looks, that if he be angry, we should fear.

Ʋse. 2. From those that are thus afflicted, learn to be sensible of your estate, and doe not think this estate desperate, for this torment may be healed, and therefore let labour in this case to seek out for healing: is a man in torment, and wi•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 live and die? what in torment, and not seek out for help?

Quest. How shall help my selfe in this case?

Answ. 1. God would hereby have you know something, which you never considered before, know therefore, and see that is an evill thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, we have gone on obstinately and cast aside Gods yoak, therefore thy own wickednesse shall corrrect thee; therefore know, and see and learn by it, to see the danger of sin, and if thou begin to be tendable, there is hope this torment will end well; know that it is an evill to provoke God to such fierce anger, for as you have prest God, Amos 2.13. so he will presse you.

2. Confesse thy sins to God, lay open thy wayes, and set them in or∣der before him, and by this means you will finde an unmeasurablenesse of ease, Psal. 32. to 6. he that confesseth his sins shall finde mercy, Prov. 28.13. And with this confession adde prayer for pardon and healing of thy sins, and God ordinarily will heal such, Hos. 14.3, 4, 5. Job. 33.27, 28.

3. Use the Ordinances, the Word, the Sacraments, Christian Communi∣on; these are of speciall use to quiet the afflicted conscience, Isa. 57.19. I create the fruit of the lips, peace, God by the lips of his Ministers, secretly drops sweet balm: and so in the Sacrament, behold the bloud of the New Testa∣ment shed for thee, for such souls especially, is Christs bloud, and for Christian Communion, read Job 16.5. The movings of my lips should have asswaged your griefe; he would have spoke words which should have been as balm or oyl to a Christian soul.

4. Bow your hearts to wait on God patiently, as he hath waited on you; the soul is ready soon to wax weary, and to say, Wherefore should I wait on the Lord any longer? Isa. 50.10. Tarry but a while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not delay.

5. Prize the least expression of Gods mercy to thy soul, praise him for dea∣ling thus with thee, that he would take such pains with thee.

First, Blesse him that thou art yet on this side hell, crying for mercy, its a greater blessing then all the Devills or damned have.

Secondly, Its another fruit of Gods love to thee, that he hath applyed a fit medicine to the frame of thy spirit, Jer. 2.17. Thou drinkest but of the cup thou brewest thy selfe; that God should thus hedge thee in with his hands, and break thy heart, and lay it on so; sure, this is such a mercy, as we cannot be sensible of.

Thirdly, Another fruit of Gods love is, that hereby he cuts you off, not onely from the wildnesse and loosenesse of thy heart, but from taking further day with him: we are ready to put off repentance from time to time, to the cool of the day, and the evening of our age: but when God imbitters our soules with this torment of conscience, then we should stand out no longer, but the soule longs and cryes for mercy, this night before the morning; then they could wish no greater blessing then Gods favour, Psal. 4.5, 6.

〈…〉〈…〉 such 〈…〉〈…〉 in 〈…〉〈…〉 is not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to brook the 〈…〉〈…〉 and 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ro∣ken th•• 〈…〉〈…〉

〈…〉〈…〉 out; take

〈…〉〈…〉 us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what an 〈…〉〈…〉 back 〈…〉〈…〉 with 〈…〉〈…〉 fell 〈…〉〈…〉 part of 〈…〉〈…〉 found 〈…〉〈…〉 from 〈…〉〈…〉 and ••udg•• 〈…〉〈…〉 is not 〈…〉〈…〉 full 〈…〉〈…〉 not••rious 〈…〉〈…〉 there 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ound hearted. 〈…〉〈…〉

〈…〉〈…〉 is a double 〈…〉〈…〉 ••he day of judgement, of 〈…〉〈…〉.

〈…〉〈…〉 When a man i•• afraid of 〈…〉〈…〉 men; 〈…〉〈…〉 ever so right and 〈…〉〈…〉 men, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••9. 〈…〉〈…〉 of ••en bringeth a f••••r 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ese are ••••sound; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈…〉〈…〉 no••, though 〈…〉〈…〉 in the midst of the shadow of death, 〈…〉〈…〉

〈…〉〈…〉, which is unbeliefe for faith 〈…〉〈…〉 Eph. 〈…〉〈…〉. We have accesse with confidence 〈…〉〈…〉 therefore which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fear in unbeliefe, Rev. 2••.8. ••elievers together: that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that believe•• not Gods 〈…〉〈…〉 or goo•• 〈…〉〈…〉 fearfull heart.

〈…〉〈…〉 this fear, it drives us from God; men ••••ossest with 〈…〉〈…〉, ••hall cry to the Mountains to cover them from the 〈…〉〈…〉, Rev ••. ult. So when 〈…〉〈…〉 sinned, he hid ••••elfe from the presen••e of the Lord.

3. From the ••••bject of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is an expectation of some evill terri∣ble to him: If therefore the creature look at God as terrible, and to be feared, its a signe they are not sound in love; for they that love Christ, love his ap∣pearing, the Spirit and the Bride say, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, be like a 〈…〉〈…〉 heart, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 look on Christ as comfortable, and his ••••esence •••• joyfull and good for th••••.

4. From the adjunct of fear, ••••r brings torment 〈…〉〈…〉 with it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a kind of torment in the soule, but love brings 〈…〉〈…〉 and joy; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉; therefore this properly argues, that where fear 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heart is not found.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 How 〈…〉〈…〉 passe then, that some that are of loving spirits, are full of fears and terrours, as Jo•• ••.4. So Heman and Paul compla••••, 2 Cor. 7.5. that 〈…〉〈…〉 without and terrours within: if such glorious Saints may be fea••••st, will you say they were unfound.

Answ. There may be found such fears even in Gods Saints that have ••••∣perience of his love 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the world experience of their love: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consider what kind 〈…〉〈…〉 it is, the fears differ much from 〈…〉〈…〉 of un∣found hearts.

First, The fears of the godly spring not so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the expectation of death and hell, as from some inwa•••• trouble for want of Gods favour, Psal. 80.3, 4. Turn us again 〈…〉〈…〉 thy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to shine, and we shall be saved, its for want of the 〈…〉〈…〉, that they so grieve, otherwise we read not of the fears 〈…〉〈…〉 judgement: now here is a

great difference, 〈…〉〈…〉 of love mixt with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fears, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 its the love of God, they 〈…〉〈…〉 the contrary, 〈…〉〈…〉 is not so much affected for the way 〈…〉〈…〉 for the sence 〈…〉〈…〉 and judge∣ment, and expectation 〈…〉〈…〉

Secondly, to the 〈…〉〈…〉 there is 〈…〉〈…〉 ma•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 support 〈…〉〈…〉 thought within ••e 〈…〉〈…〉 heart, he hath no 〈…〉〈…〉 wrath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mixt with 〈…〉〈…〉 but sus•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 for 〈…〉〈…〉

Thirdly, ••••here 〈…〉〈…〉 the effect 〈…〉〈…〉 from God, as 〈…〉〈…〉 from 〈…〉〈…〉 other means 〈…〉〈…〉 ••tresse sometimes 〈…〉〈…〉 sometimes he 〈…〉〈…〉, as run to an 〈…〉〈…〉 science falls to 〈…〉〈…〉 But the fear of 〈…〉〈…〉 use 〈◊〉〈◊〉 right me 〈…〉〈…〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 came 〈…〉〈…〉 exceedingly; What 〈…〉〈…〉 he to Wiches, •••• ••••laters? No, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himselfe to seek the Lord, 〈…〉〈…〉 him for help, 2 Chron. 20.3. So 〈…〉〈…〉 seem very 〈…〉〈…〉 will throw themselves into his armes they run to the horns of 〈…〉〈…〉 these if they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••erish, will the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and indeed the heart 〈…〉〈…〉 found in love then when it 〈…〉〈…〉 and it argues the 〈…〉〈…〉 cleave to him, when we see 〈…〉〈…〉

Obj. May we not find many 〈…〉〈…〉 defie death and judge•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 no more afraid of hell, then if it were a ••••le.

Answ. True, there are such ••••terous spirits the•• ••either 〈…〉〈…〉 man, are not afraid of hell, and ye•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from any 〈…〉〈…〉 differs from the boldnesse of Christians. For, 〈…〉〈…〉

First, Its without root.

Secondly, Without fruit; whereas the true 〈…〉〈…〉 Christians proceeds from faith in Christ, Eph. 3.12. Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. 〈…〉〈…〉 from searednesse and benummednesse of conscience 〈…〉〈…〉 such neither fear God nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereas the boldnesse 〈…〉〈…〉 them reverence God, and fear sin the more.

Thirdly, Their fearle••nesse is fruitlesse, th••y are not more fruitfull by it, but more licentious, and such men ordinarily at death are desperately licen∣tious, then halter or dagger, or any thing to rid them out of the horrour of conscience.

Ʋse ••. May teach all them that will be possest with a spirit of boldnesse and confidence, let them maintain sound hearted live to their brethren, and indeed there is no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that befalls Gods servants, ••ut it proceeds either from bemudding themselves with the world, or else for want of love to their bre∣thren: As a wi•••• when her husband hath been long abroad, and her heart hath gone after her lovers, his coming is the lesse welcome, she could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his comming defer'd: so when we have let our hearts run loose from God, and our brethren, why, then our hearts grow full of doubts and fears, gladly could we desire that God would defer his coming, and respite us a little, that we might recover our selves before we go hence, and be no more seen; therefore as you will finde your hearts comfortable and unmovea∣ble at death, and judgement, when the Mountain quake, and the Seas roar; would you then be chearfull? grow up in love to God, acquaint your selves with him, let your desires be toward •• him, and withall joyn the love of your brethren, or else his coming will be uncomfortable: Even as children, when their Parents have been abroad, and they have fallen out, and fought, and hurt one another, 〈…〉〈…〉 their Fathers coming, which otherwise would have been 〈…〉〈…〉 if you fall out with your bre∣thren, and stain their good names and wrong them, you still finde your

hearts afraid of Gods coming, and would gladly have God to defer it a while. It's a direction therefore to all the sons of men, how to be prepared for death and judgement; it is not building Hospitals, that will fit you for it, but this is the best way, love God, and love your brethren, and you cannot dye uncom∣fortably: No man dies more fearfully then a contentious or covetous man; a wrangling contentious man never dies with peace and comfort; if therefore thou findest an heart afraid of death and judgement; if thou wouldst help this, labour to cleanse out all enmity, and want of love.

Ʋse 2. Of consolation to such as finde their hearts fearful and uncomforta∣ble, and yet find their hearts sound in love to God and their brethren; why, consider if there be not an evill root of bitternesse in you; and if thou findest thy heart free from envy; and wrath, and hatred, then consider what good of∣fices thou dost; labour not only to be sincere, but to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up to fruitfulness: and if God give you to see that your fear is rather for want of his favour, then for hell and wrath, this is not the fear of hypocrites, Isa. 33.14. but proceds from want of experience.

Ʋse 3. It is a ground of much comfort to those that are either fearlesse of death and judgement, or sound in love; if thou findest thy fearlesnesse arise from longing after God, and making thee more fruitful. Why, its an evidence, that thou art sound-hearted in love: And again, if thou findest a loving heart, why, thou hast a just ground of fearlesse boldnesse; soundnesse of love and boldnesse goe hand in hand: And how should we labour for that grace that will help us against all fears and doubts?

Wee have formerly heard of the torment of feare, and the hypocrisie of fear.

Now the third thing is the remedy of this feare, But perfect love casteth out feare.