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

Doct. THe faith that overcomes the world, is faith in the divinity and Sonship of Christ.

Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

When Peter had made that profession of his faith, Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God; what saith Christ to this? Blessed art thou Simon, &c. Mat. 16.16, 17, 18. This confession made Simon to be a rock, and upon this rock of Peters confession, Christ built his Church: So that, if you ask upon what foundation the Church stands, it was upon this faith, and against this faith the gates of hell, and all the judiciall power thereof shall not prevail.

What is it then to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 He that believes that that Jesus whom Judas betrayed, and the Jews crucified, is the Son of God.

2 He that believes that he is the Son of God in whom he is well pleased, Mat. 3.17. So that he is that mighty power and wisdome of God, in whom his Father is well pleased. This faith overcomes the world.

1 Because this kind of faith cannot be attained by any humane means, but by an heavenly revelation from God the Father, Mat. 16.16. And in that age when St. John wrote this, there was no humane reason to induce us to be∣lieve it.

1 All antiquity of the Gentiles was against it. They had heard of Jupiter Apollo and Hercules, but Christ seemed a new God to them, Acts 17.18.

2 All authority was against it, 2 Cor. 2.8. None of the Princes of the world knew of it.

3 The universall consent of all the habitable world was against it, save one∣ly a smal handful of people that believed him to be the Christ, the Son of God.

4 There was something in reason founded against it, for a man to look for salvation from a poor Carpenters Son, from a despised man; one that was excommunicated, and crucified, and could not save himself; for a man to look for salvation from him, was more then flesh and blood could reach; for the poor thief upon the Crosse, to see him on the Crosse, and yet to beg of him a Kingdome, and after death too, this was such a faith as overcame the world. This flesh revealed not, to take a man at the worst, and then to believe on him for salvation.

Object. But now who is there that believes not Jesus to be the Son of God?

Answ. 'Tis true. We have now all those arguments to prove him to be the Son of God, which they wanted. We have the antiquity of many hundred years, we have authority on our parts, and the universall consent of the whole Christian world hath now taken up such a principle; and for reasons, we have reason enough, seeing so many ages, so many wise and great men consent to this truth. And therefore it's now lesse wonder to believe Jesus to be the Son of God. What then? Is St. Johns argument of no force now?

Yes certainly, therefore 2 we say, It's no great matter to believe Jesus to be the Son of God, upon humane credulity of antiquity, universality, or hu∣mane reason. That's not the faith that overcomes the world; but it must be such a faith as is wrought in our hearts by God himselfe, and this faith far dif∣fers from humane credulity.

1 No man that believes Christ to be the Son of God by this divine faith, but looks up to him for salvation. Look unto me and be saved all ye ends of the earth, Isa. 45.22.

2 If we look at Christ as the Son of God, this faith hath an efficacy in

it, to work in us contrition and mourning for our sins, whereby we have crucified the Lord of life, Acts. 2.37. When they heard that was the Christ whom they had c••ucified, they were pricked in their hearts, Zach. 12.10. To such as be∣believe thus, Christ is made the author of eternall salvation, Heb. 5.8.

3 From the mighty power and virtue a faithfull soul derives from Christ to overcome the world: when you look at all the world, and all the comforts thereof, and compare them with Christ, you shall find them so vain and empty, that there is no comparison, Psalm. 73.25. Mat. 16.24. What is there in the world that would be equal with Christ? Did not Moses on this ground des∣pise all the treasures and pleasures of Aegypt, because he had seen him that was in the bush? Heb. 11.27. That was the Lord Christ. The transcendent worth a Christian findes in Christ, far outswayes all worldly dignities.

Ʋse 1. Of encouragement to a Christian soul against all temptation. For if this faith overcome the world, then it will overcome Satan and the corrupt lusts of thine owne heart, and therefore this faith cannot be overcome, but is secure against all enemies. If it were possible that our faith could be extinguished then this were not true, that Faith overcomes the world. If a man therefore lose his faith; such faith was never true.

2 It teacheth us the exceeding danger of the love of the world. How many are there that rise early and sit up late, that spend their whole care and pains to get worldly wealth? Why, do you think this a safe condition? Would you not think him an infidel, that would not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. If a man be overcome of the world, truly he believes it not, that Jesus is the Son of God and can such a man be a Christian?

Obj. What say you? Were there never any good men overcome of the world? What say you to those that recanted in Q. Mary's dayes for fear, and after repen∣ted, and were burnt for their profession? What say you to Peter?

Answ. A godly man in a combate may be overthrown, yet not overcome; as it is in wrestling, a man may get the foyl, and yet afterwards rise up and get the victory, so oft-times a foyled Souldier gets the day. So Peter though he were foyled at that day, and yet when he got up again, and afterward was charged not to preach in the Name of Jesus, he overcame all. Whether it be meet to obey God or man, judge ye, Acts 4.19. Indeed, if a man be thrown down, and there he lyes, and takes no care to get up again, look at him as no true believer; therefore look not at these as things that may stand together, to serve God and man, and the world too. So respect the world, as that you ever look at Christ to have incomparably more worth then all the world, and let your chiefest love and endeavour be towards him.

Ʋse 3. Of consolation to them that maintain this principle, that Jesus is the Son of God. Why, you may assure your selves that the world shall never overcome you. Look up to him as your Saviour, for your salvation; Look so on him as to mourn for your sins, and obey him as the eternal Son of God. Keep this faith in exercise, and you shall not be overthrowne; or if you be, it will so raise you up, and recover you, that you shall overcome at the last.