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

Doct. That Christ 〈…〉〈…〉 to be a 〈…〉〈…〉 for•••••• s••••••.

What is meant by P••••pip••••••?

This word signi•••••• four thi••••••

1 It signifies a pledge, satisfaction, or ••••••emption, 〈…〉〈…〉 some, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 35.31, 32. Heb. 12.24. the blood of Christ being spilt for our sins, spe•••••• better things then the blood of Abel, his blood cryed for vengeance, Christs that I might receive a ransome.

2 It signifies a gift to appease wrath, Gen. 32.20.

3 It signifies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 surety to undergoe wrath for another 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pr••••••. 21.18. Rev. 12.11.

4 It signifies a covering not such a covering a•• the g•••••• to the 〈…〉〈…〉 a covering is a playster, for the word signifies of the 〈…〉〈…〉, pitch, G••••••. ••4. this keeps the Ar•• from the in jury of the water, and to signifies s••••••nes to pitch as a man doth a wound: this blood of Christ will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are and purge a∣way all our sins, as a playster doth a sore; God sent Christ in to playster us, as to keep us from the wayes of his wrath, and to purge away the filth of our souls.

Reas. 1. Taken from the insufficiency of other thi•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make away sin, Heb. 10.1. to 10. Psal. 40.11. the bl••••d of ••••ls and Beasts could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••¦tisfie Gods wrath.

1 Because they are but finite creatures, and these things it cannot b••o•• rea∣son, that such base creatures, worse then men should be a propitiation for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sins.

2 Buls and Goats never dye willingly, but by force; and 〈…〉〈…〉 most patient, yet did they but know, what evill 〈…〉〈…〉 would 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they would be readyer to run away, then come to the place of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Reas. 2. Because of the disproportion of all other things, and the pi•••••• of atonement; we by our sins have provoked God to infinite displeasures. Now that gift which must appeale Gods wrath, most be infinite, and that is only Christ Jesus.

Ʋse 1. This holds forth unto us the wonderfull wisdome, justice, land grace of God that are met together; it was Gods wisdome that he took suc•• a course, as would reconcile us to himselfe, neither men nor Angels could have done it; wherefore when no creature would serve the ••u••n, God sends his Son to suffer for us. Then see the grace of God, that he would send his Son to be a Propitiation for us, and to be a surety for us, to drink up all the dreggs of his Fathers wrath for us.

2 This shewes the exact justice of God, though he be infinitely compassio∣nate and gracious, yet he will be satisfied; and yet rather then the creature should perish in suffering, God in his infinite wisdome devised a mean, how all our sins should be done away.

2 This sets forth the wonderfull miserable estate that we had plunged our selves into, so great, as that all the men in world, and all the Angels in heaven, because finite creatures, could not have delivered us.

3 This shewes us what course to take to have our sins pardoned; If God have sent his Son to be a Propitiation for our sins, we must take the same course that they did of old, Levit. 4.4. we must confesse all our sins, and offer up Christ, and intreat God that Christs blood may speake better things then the blood of Abel.

4 This may be a ground of tryall, whether we have found Christ Jesus to be a Propitiation for our sins: see whether his blood hath been sprinkled on thy soul; so that now thou findest peace in thy soul.

But how shall I know whether I have found true peace, for there is a peace when the strong man armed keeps the house? Luk. 11.

Answ. Satans peace is not a peace which passeth understanding, Phil. 4.7. Gods peace doth; when a man hath peace which passeth understanding, it is

such a peace, as is carefull to preserve it selfe, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then a man will loos it, he will loos all the world.

5 This is a comfort to all such souls, for whose sins Christ is a propitiation; he makes now the Father to be reconciled to them, and well pleased with them.