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

Doct. These three witnesses, the Spirit, the Water, and the bloud are in one.

Not only in this witnesse, but they are all one for one work; in the Original, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, they all consent to one truth.

And 2. they all goe an end and conspire in one work of our Redemption, so that one would be of small use without the other.

Ʋse 1. To establish our hearts in this testimony, that Jesus is the Son of God, and so to believe it, that we may overcome the world; In the mouth of two or three witnesses every truth shall stand, how much more when three in hea∣ven and three on earth testifie the truth? and it's not enough to believe this up∣on the authority of the State, or thy Parents, or upon the universal con∣sent of all men, for this is no part of divine testimony, and this beliefe will never help thee to overcome the world; and yet this is the testimony of the Church of Rome, but these humane testimonies will beget but humane cre∣dulity.

Ʋse 2. For tryall, whether you believe this truth aright or no; if your faith be built upon the testimony of the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, upon the testimony of the Spirit breathing in the Scripture, and in your own con∣science upon the water of Sanctification and bloud of Redemption, if your faith be built on these principles it will stand.

Ʋse 3. Reproves that Popish doctrine that maintains a Christian can ne∣ver attain to any certain assurance; Why, if a Christian have six such strong witnesses, and divine, as these, will they not breed more then probable con∣jecture? Six be ••est mens testimonies would breed more then probability; And doe not God the Father, Son and holy Ghost breed assurance in their testimonies? It's a dishonourable thing to think otherwise.

Ʋse 4. Of consolation to every one that hath found this witnesse in

him, it is a ground of singular comfort to them, that that Jesus on whom they have believed, will help them to overcome the world.

Ʋse 5. Since these three, the Spirit, the water, and bloud, doe bear witnesse to the Sonship of Christ, it should teach us to keep our hearts and ears always open to these testimonies. Two things hinder this testimony, the noyse and tumults of worldly businesses so fill our hearts and hands, that we cannot hear what the Spirit speaks. Secondly, the noyse of our lusts doth so fill our souls, that we cannot listen to the peace Christs bloud speaks, which speaks better things then our lusts: therefore we should alwayes keep our hearts and ears o∣pen, and free from tumults of the world, or the noyse of our own lusts, that so we might hear what Gods Spirit testifies to our own hearts.