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

1 JOHN Chap. IV. Vers. 1.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false Prophets are gone out into the world.

THis Chapter consists of two parts;

• 1. A preservative against false Teachers, to verse 6.
• 2. A renewed exhortation to Brotherly love.

The argument fals by the way on the tryal of spirits, for he had said, Thereby shall you know that Christ abideth in you, by the spirit that he hath given you. Now lest the people of God should be deceived by the spirits of their Ministers; he bids them therefore to try their spirits: and that by the Spirit which Christ hath given them, For he which is spiritual discerneth all things, 1 Cor. 2.15.

These words are an Exhortation to the people of God, how to order them∣selves towards the spirits of their Ministers; which exhortation is laid down,

• 1. Negatively, Believe not.
• 2. Affirmatively, But try the spirits.

The negative duty and affirmative, are both confirmed by an argument taken from the multitude of false Teachers, There are many false Prophets gone out into the world, which shews he speaks chiefly of the tryal of their Ministers, or else you may be deceived in your judgement; as if a friend should bid his friend take heed what piece of gold he takes, because there are many slips and counterfeits gone abroad. In that St. John bids his hearers not to believe every spirit, hence observe;

Doct. That every Minister is carryed away with one spirit or other; or else why doth St. John exhort them to try the spirits?

He speaks of ordinary Prophets, such are subject to the judgement of the peo∣ple, 1 Cor. 14.23. as for Paul, he was an extraordinary Prophet, 1 Cor. 4.3. What is meant by Prophesie?

Such as a man may attain to by use, hence Ministers are called Prophets: they were wont to foretel sundry things to come, look what they speak on earth is confirmed in heaven; though they cannot foretell things besides the Scripture, yet they may things out of the Scripture; so that you may see that God is in them of a truth. Every good Prophet so far as he prophesieth accor∣ding to God, is carryed by the holy Ghost: but when he doth not speak accor∣ding to God, he is carryed with an evill spirit, Numb. 11.25.26. 1 Sam. 18.10. an evil spirit came upon Saul, so that every Prophet prophesieth either by the Spirit of God, or by a wicked spirit; an evill man may sometimes prophesie well, and then it is by the spirit of God, it is a spirit that comes upon them; as

Baalam, Numb. Ch. 23. & 24 a good man is ordinarily led by the Spirit of God, but sometimes he is transported by an evill spirit, and then he speaks not by the Spirit of God, he perverts the Word, and he misseth the text and ap∣plication of it. Peter he will tell our Saviour, this thing shall not be unto thee, Mat 16 22. what saith Christ to him? vers. 23. Get thee behinde me Satan; There is not the worst debauched Minister, but when he comes to preach, one spirit or other comes upon him, therefore well doth St. John say, Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits.

What is the spirit of the Prophets?

1 Thess. 5.23. There are three things in a man, body, soul, and spirit; the soul of a man is the breath of God, by which he is made a living creature; by the spirit of a man here is meant, the inclination of the mind, which is called a spirit in divers places, as a spirit of fornication, a spirit of slumber, a spirit of jealousie, every good or evill inclination is called a spirit, Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Ephes. 4.23. that is, the disposition of your mindes. What is the reason some are more just, some are more painfull then others? the good or evill spirit comes upon them.

Why is thy inclination called a spirit?

• 1. It alwayes comes from some spirit.
• 2. It hath some vehemency in it, to bow the will one way or other, either to better or worse, as the spirit leads him; it is possible a man may preach well in the morning, and badly in the afternoone.

Try the spirits, what variety of spirits are there?

Try all things, saith the Apostle, and keep that which is good, 1 Thes. 5.21. There be three sorts of spirits, of the World, of the Devil, and of God, every Minister is led by some of these; of every one of these spirits there is a great variety.

1. Sometimes the spirit of God comes upon a man, as it did on the seventy Elders, Numb. 11.25, 26. The Spirit of God is like the spirit of new Wine, which ripens the wits; so when the spirit of God comes upon a man, he doth better understand the Word of God, and the hearts of the people, The spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2. There are two sorts of deep things of God, some lye hidden in the word of God, some in man.

2. There is a spirit of the world, which doth not shine for the uniting of the hearts of Gods people; but this is a spirit of pride, when a man would be counted a learned man; or when a man seeks his own profit or honor; the Spirit of God seeks to know the things that are given him of God, 1 Cor. 2.12.

3. There is the spirit of the Devil, which guides a man into errour in his doctrine, as Peter said to our Saviour, This shall not be unto thee; this spirit searcheth not the deep things of God, but of the Devil; this spirit seeks to make the hearts of those sad, whom he would not have made sad, 2 Cor. 11.2.13. to 15. to pervert the Scripture, and drive out the care of Gods service, and the power of godlinesse.

Ʋse 1. This should instruct Ministers, when they come into the presence of God, and enter into the Ministry, to labour to prevail with God, that they may be acquainted with the deep things of God, that they may lead the people of God by the still waters of comfort and consolation, such a man will goe out conquering and to conquer, and in prospering to pro∣sper.

2. This should instruct the people of God to search the Scriptures daily, that so they may be the better able to try the spirits of their Ministers; labour they also to try their own hearts.

3. To exhort people to be earnest with God, that they may be endued with his Spirit.

Try the spirits.

Doct. That the people of God are first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 try the spirits of th••••r Ministers, before they trust them; they must first try the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Beloved, Try the spirits, as if he would take them by 〈…〉〈…〉 exhort them to try the spirits of their Ministers, try how they 〈…〉〈…〉, whether they do•• 〈…〉〈…〉 mighty power of God in human•••• ••••ties Def 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not prophesie, try all thing•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 la•••• ••st that which is good, 1 〈…〉〈…〉 you 〈…〉〈…〉 your hearts from 〈…〉〈…〉 Spirit.

1. By trying the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ut honour upon it; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doth not try a small piece of money, but if 〈…〉〈…〉 a great piece, he will try this.

2. In so doing you ••••ll keep your hearts from 〈…〉〈…〉 ••he Spirit. Acts 17▪ 〈…〉〈…〉 of Berea, when they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heard Pau•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, (whom they might have believed, if they had known him) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they 〈…〉〈…〉 the Scrip∣tures daily, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such things as he preached 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so or no, finding his do∣ctrine true they believe it, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of them belived; it was not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 counted a Conventicle for them to meet together, to see what they could ••••member of of what they had heard 〈…〉〈…〉 was it counted any disgrace for great men to be conversant in good dutie••▪

What is it 〈…〉〈…〉 Spirits 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••heir Ministers?

They must try the spirit of a mans Person, Calling, Doctrine, Appl••••••ions.

1. There may•••• a false spirit of a mans person▪ Matth. 7.15, 16.

2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spirit of their Callings▪ Christ saith to John and James, You know not of what spirit you are, Luke 9.55, 56. yet they were pillars of ••••e Church, Gal •••• 9. men of excellent gifts and graces, one of them was this John, which wrote this Epistle▪ you know not what spirit you are proving, of what calling you are of your calling is the same with mine; now he tels them, That he came not to destroy but to save, as for Eliah and Elisha they were Mini∣sters of veng••••••••e, Ministers of the law, they might curse, but 〈…〉〈…〉 seek to save.

••ry the spirit of their doctrine for they may be sometimes carryed away with 〈…〉〈…〉 truth, 〈…〉〈…〉 spirit of errour, Mat. 16.16. compared with 〈…〉〈…〉 receive 〈…〉〈…〉 the Kingdome of Heaven, was he therefore kept from 〈◊〉〈◊〉? No, he spake with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spirit in the morning, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spirit in the afternoon, he rebuke•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Master; and what saith Christ to him then? Get thee behinde me Satan.

4. You must try the spirit of ••••eir application. Bad Ministers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mis∣apply the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••od, they will make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hearts of 〈…〉〈…〉 God would not ha•••• made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ezek. 13.2••. 〈…〉〈…〉 mis-apply the Word of God, like Job▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 47.••, 7, 8. they spake from a spirit of truth, but not from a spirit of 〈…〉〈…〉 when you shall see a man to 〈…〉〈…〉 like courses, 〈…〉〈…〉 apply the pr••mises, but ra∣ther 〈…〉〈…〉 to him; and 〈…〉〈…〉 you may not apply ••••reatnings to ••••ounded conscience, for 〈…〉〈…〉 speak a right of God.

Belie•••• 〈…〉〈…〉

Answ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 believe, is 〈…〉〈…〉 of the truth, Heb. 11.••••▪

2. To apply 〈…〉〈…〉 1 John. 1.21.

3. W•• ••ust to it, 〈…〉〈…〉 There are two things in a promise 〈…〉〈…〉 truth, and trust upon the g••••••••••esse, Psa•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ••4.

Reas. 1. Taken from 〈…〉〈…〉 of God, by the neglect of this duty, 1 Kings 20.3•• 〈…〉〈…〉 the Prophet spake, whether he spake in the name of the Lord or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hearkned not to the word of the Prophet, therefore a Lyon slew him, 1 Kings 13.15. to 25. on the contrary.

2. From the danger in regard of the Prophets themselves, Matth. 7.15. 2 Pet. 1.2, 3. Rev. 18.13.

Reas. 2. From the easinesse of Prophets to delude Gods people.

1. Because the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great store of false Prophets, 1 Kings 22.21, 22, 23. a man is easily dece••••d by a multitude.

2. They may delude by their calling, many men may think surely their Mi∣nister is right.

3. From the hy••••crisie of their Ministers, Matth. 7.15. They come to you in sheeps cloathing, but inwardly are ravening Wolves.

Ʋse 1. To refute the Doctrine of the Church of Rome, they would keep men in ignorance thinking it to be the Mother of Devotion.

2. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ir up all the people of God, to search the Scriptures, that so they may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the spirit of their Ministers: do not take every thing as true from your Minister, because he is your Minister, no, though he be a man that fears God, but try his spirit, try every word, follow him from first to last; if you doe not try the Word, you will not trust it, so that all that is delivered to you, is •••• water spite upon the ground.

How shall I try the spirit of our Minister?

1. Try them by the Word of God, Esa. 8.20▪ acquaint your heart with the Word of God, Heb. 5. alt.

2. Labour for the oyntment of the Spirit of God.

3. Consider whether it make you more conformable to the Word of God or no, whether it make you obey the Word of God more carefully then be∣fore, whether it make you more like to Christ; if it work these effects, it is the Word of God that is preached.

Doct. That many false Prophets even in the dayes of St. John the Apostle, were gone out into the world.

There 〈◊〉〈◊〉 severall false Prophets as Ecclesiastical stori•• relate.

What is a false Prophet?

He is not every one that teacheth false doctrine, for we know but in part, and prophesie but in part, 1 Cor. 13.9. to 12. 〈…〉〈…〉 ••art we may prophesie falsly. A false Prophet then is such a one that preac••••h some doctrin that o∣verthroweth the doctrine of the Christian faith; when he doth seduce others to believe false doctrine, who•••• words fret as a Canker, 2 Tim. 2.17, 18.

1. When men preach such doctrine as cannot be delivered without peril, without damnation: except they afterwards repen•••• 2 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2.1, 2, 3. Such are called ravening Wolves, ••atth. 7.15. they destroy both the souls and bodies of those that believe them, they root up the Church of God like wild Boars.

2. They seduce others to believe the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Pet. 1.1, 2, 3. they sell such mens souls for nought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it's said, They should deceive if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were possi∣ble the very elect. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 24.24▪

3. Such as 〈…〉〈…〉 of their errours, and yet will not yeeld, Tit. 3, 10, 11. such are to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being perverted, and sin being damned of their own souls, a man i•• ••hen convinced when he will ••light the poi••••••n which he is convinced, and if you hold him to it, that he cannot start 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he will fall out with you, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apostle ••sheth that such men were even cut off, Gal. 5.17.

〈…〉〈…〉 only have divisions among Christi∣ans, that so the spirits of his fait•• ••es may ••e discerned, but also he will have heresies, that so they may be ••e••••ed in judgement as well as in affections. 2. That so 〈…〉〈…〉 made manifest; as by the wind you may ••ee the difference betwe•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and ••haffe.

2. From the envious man who sowed tares, while the husbandman that sowed good seed in the field slept, Matth. 13.24, 25.

3. From the ignorance and darknesse of the minds of professors, Rev. 9.2. those Locusts were false teachers, which came out of the smoake of the bot∣tomlesse pit.

Ʋse 1. If in St. Johns time there were so many mists 〈…〉〈…〉 re∣proves such men, as when they see such variety of opinio•• in Religion•• do s••t down till, all men be agreed but do•••• St. John make this 〈…〉〈…〉 Prophets are gone out into the world, therefore sit down 〈…〉〈…〉 true Teachers? No, but rather makes this use of i•• to 〈…〉〈…〉 of their Ministers, because many false Prophets are gone out 〈…〉〈…〉.

2, This may teach us not to wonder, although many also Prophets be gone out in these dayes in the light of the Gospel, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they durst look such ••lorious sight in the face as were St. J•••••• and Paul 〈…〉〈…〉 dayes, there is not such power of godlinesse in the hearts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Profe•••• but Chri∣stians now are given to much worldlinesse, and many rest in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, there∣fore wonder not though the ••••ce of the earth be 〈…〉〈…〉 with here∣sies.

3. This should teacheth of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to take heed of opening a door to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prophets. Take heed of ignorance in your judgement, of ambition and sensu∣ality this is the smoak of the bottomelesse pit.

4. Try the spirits of false Prophets in these dayes, and take not up every instruction at the first blush, but try them; there are sundry spirits o•• false Prophets, you shall find in Popery a spirit of presumption, doubt, despaire, hypocrisie, not one point in Popery but is carryed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some of those wings.

1. They teach a man cannot be assured of salvation, this is doubting, yet a man may merit salvation, this is presumption, they worship stocks and stones.

2. The sp••••••ts of Arminians are a spirit of bitternesse 〈…〉〈…〉 the bre∣thren, a spirit of emulation, of disloyalty to ••••••ir Prince, of liberty and secu∣rity.

3. Among the 〈…〉〈…〉 shall find a spirit of unconformity and whoredome.

4. There is a doctrine of faith and 〈…〉〈…〉, which doth and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the doctrine of Jesus Christ, Rom. 8.2, 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doctrin•• of free grace is maintained to free a man from prayer, preaching, and an•• Christian duty that God ••ath ordained to maintain grace 〈…〉〈…〉 not David pray God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cre∣ate in him a 〈…〉〈…〉, and to renew a ri•••• ••••irit, within 〈…〉〈…〉 there∣fore a man ought to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he 〈…〉〈…〉 of God q••uickened in him; this doctrine of faith and 〈…〉〈…〉 secretly withdraw a man from the Ordinances of God.

Lastly, There is a spirit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••om•• on Prot••••••nt which fashion their Re∣ligion according to the 〈…〉〈…〉 their profit and case they follow •• course of the Court and 〈…〉〈…〉.