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

THE TABLE. The First Figure notes the Chapter, the second Figure notes the Verse.

A

• Abiding in Christ is joyned with avoyding of sin, 3. 6.
• Christ an Advocate for Gods Chil∣dren, yea a righteous Advocate, 2. 1.
• Anabaptisme examined, 2. 19.
• Why Christ was not an Angel, 1. 1.
• Primary Antiquity a certain note of Divine verity, 2. 24.
• True Antiquity fetches its Origi∣nall from the beginning, 2. 7. The Antiquity of the Doctrin of imitating Christ, 2.7. Ministeriall Application must be made to severall sorts and ages, 2. 13.
• Antichrist foretold, 2. 18.
• In Johns dayes there were many Antichrists, nor can the last times be long without such Antichrists, Ib. In petty Antichrists the praediction of the great Antichrist is in some measure fulfilled, Ib.
• Antichrist denyes Jesus to be the Christ, 2. 22. and how? Ib. Anti∣christian Teachers deny the Father and the Son, Ib. Every Antichristian doct∣rine is a lye, 2. 21.
• Apostates are in the Church, 2. 19. were never Members of the Church Ib. Apostacy is a note of a Seducer, and of an Antichristian spirit, 2. 19. Its the punishment of Hypocrisie, Ib.

B

• Beginning, what it signifies, 1. 1.
• Believers may be assured their pray∣ers are heard, 5.19.
• Blood of Christ, how it cleanses, 1. 7. For Christ came by Blood, 5. 6.
• Boldnesse with God, and peace of Conscience goe together, 4. 3.
• Boldnesse mortifies fear and shame, 4. 17. Perfect love assures of Bold∣nesse at the day of judgment, Ib.
• The sight of our Brother is a stron∣ger inducement to love him, then any hater of his Brother can have to love God, 4. 20.
• He that hates his Brother will find lesse cause to love God then his Bro∣ther, Ib.

C

• Cards and Dice unlawfull, 2. 16.
• Certainty is a property of the A∣postles Doctrine, 1. 3.
• The Chiefest creatures may be wicked, 2. 13.
• Gods Children must be as little Children. 2. 12.
• Its comfortable to know we are Gods Children, 5. 1.
• God hath his Children among all Ages of men, 2. 13.
• Little Children may know that God is their Father, Ib. note this against the Anabaptists.
• How little Children, must be trained up, Ib.
• Christs active and Passive obedi∣ence must not be seperated in clean∣sing, 1. 7.
• Christ pure from sin, 3. 5. this should be an effectuall means to purge us, Ib. Christ came to dissolve the work of the Devill, 3. 8. Christs death the manifestation of Gods love, 3. 16.
• Christians must be ready to dye for their Brethren, Ib.
• True Church-members never depart from the Church, 2. 19.
• ...

• Communion of Saints, what it is, 1. 3. The same Command that requires love to God requires love to our Brethren, 4. 21.
• Confession to God, not simply to the Minister the way to pardon, 1. 9. Confession that Christ is the Son of God, a sure note of Gods dwelling in us, and our dwelling in him, 4. 15.
• The office of Conscience, 3. 20. according to the testimony of Consci∣ence will God judge us, Ib.
• A fearfull Conscience is voyd of true hearted Love, 4. 18.
• Conversion why called a New-birth being but an alteration, 2. 29.
• Converters are spirituall Fathers, 2. 1.
• The Covenant of grace how with∣out condition, 2. 19.

D

• As Darknesse-passing is the Estate of Gods Children in this life, 2. 8.
• Difference between a sin unto death and deadly sins, 5. 16.
• False Teachers must be looked at as Deceivers, 2. 26. Sometimes they may be reproved and confuted but not named, Ib. The desire and indeavour to deceive is deceit, Ib.
• He that denyes the Son hath neither the Father nor the Son, and contra. 2. 23.
• The Devill sins continually, 3. 8. of him sinners are, Ib.
• Difference between the Children of God and the Children of the Devill, 3. 10.
• The Disproportion between worldly lusts and Gods Children should wean us from the love of the world, 2. 17.

E

• The Easinesse of Gods Commands a sure note of our Love to God, 5. 3.
• Easie is the yoake of obedience to them that overcome the world, 5. 4.
• The Epistles were written to Belie∣vers only, 5. 13.
• A permanent Estate is their portion who doe the will of God, 2. 17.
• Eternall life is the gift of God, 5. 11. Is laid up for us in Christ, Ib. Good example an effectuall motive to purge sin, 3. 6.
• A Believer must Eye the sins of his Brethren, 5. 16. and with what Eye, Ib.
• We must be wean'd from the lusts of the Eye, 2. 16. wherein this stands, Ib.

F

• How Christ was with the Father, 1. 2.
• Faith is the great Commandement 3. 23. Faith in Christs Divinity helps to overcome the World, 5. 4, 5.
• Faith in God and in the Son of God goe together, 5. 10. Diffe∣rence between the three acts of Faith, namely, learning in Christ, rouling towards Christ, and coming to Christ, 5. 10.
• Why Fathers may be suspected, 2. 7. The Feast of Christs Nativity no command, but a custom, 2. 5.
• Fellowship with God is inward and consists in love, 4. 12.

G

• The future Glory of Gods Children is hid at present, 3. 2. Till Christ appear, Ib.
• Christ is God, 1. 1.
• God is the Author of no sin, 2. 16. Gods accidental work about sin, Ib. Gods Children must be the men of our Love, 3. 2.
• God knows us better then we know our selves, 3. 20.
• Growth in Faith and Love effectuall in order to audience, 3. 23. Is one end of writing the Scripture, 5. 13.

H

• He that Hates his Brother is and ever was in Darknesse, 2. 9.
• Hatred of the Brethren in any should effectually move us to love them, 3. 12. The world is given to Hate Gods Children, 3. 13. At which

• Gods people marvaile, Ib. but should not, Ib.
• Hatred is murder, 3, 15. and such are devoyd of eternall life, Ib.
• Hatred of our Brethren argues our Love to God to be Hypocriticall, 4. 20.
• As we hear God, so he hears us, 3. 22.
• Every childe of God Hopes to be like Christ, 3. 3.
• Every Hoper is a self-purger, Ib.

I

• Idlenesse is a lust of the flesh, 2. 16.
• Its danger, Ib.
• Ignorance of Christ and reigning sin are inseperable companions, 3. 6.
• Imitation must accompany professi∣on of Christ, 2. 6.
• In judging who are righteous be not deceived, 3. 7.

K

• Gods Children Know they shall be like Christ, 3. 2.
• Saving Knowledge is able to wean old men from the love of the world, 2. 14. yea though backt with Antiquity and Authority, Ib. Not ignorance Knowledge occasioned the Apostles writings, 2. 21.
• How Knowledge and faith differ, 4. 16.

L

• The days of the New-Testament are the Last times, 2. 18.
• Life, Signs and means thereof, 5. 12. Why Christ is called Life eter∣nall, 1. 2.
• Life eternall is given by promise, 2. 25.
• Gods people have past from death to Life, 3. 14. this is evidenced by Love, Ib.
• How God is called Light, 1. 5. Light, how taken, 1. 7.
• By seeing Christ we shall be Like him, 3. 2.
• Little children must be acknow∣ledged as Brethren, 2. 7.
• He that Loves walks constantly and inoffensively in the state of grace, 2. 10.
• Our love must be wean'd from that which is not of the Father. Love must be reall and not only verball, 3. 18.
• The sincerity of our Love is the se∣curity of our Estate, 3. 19.
• Love is a great Commandement, 3. 23. The rule of brotherly Love under the Gospel, is not self-Love, but Christs Love, Ib.
• We must exhort to mutuall love, and why, 4. 7.
• As is our Love, so is our knowledge of God, 4. 8.
• God doth both Love his people, and manifests his Love to them. 4. 9.
• God Loved his people before he sent his Son to make reconciliation for them, Ib.
• Gods Love to us is free, 4. 10. 19. and a president of our Love to our Brethren, 4. 11.
• Where Love dwells, God dwells, 4. 12. By mutuall Love we see and testifie that the Father hath sent his Son, 4. 14.
• Loving Christians doe not only be∣lieve, but also know Gods Love to them, 4. 16.
• God is so Loving, that he is love it self, Ib. Constant Love is a sure evi∣dence that God dwells in us, and we in him, Ib.
• Such as Love each other are in this world as God himselfe is, 4. 17.
• Those who love perfectly may have boldnesse in the day of judge∣ment, Ib.
• True hearted Love casts out all fear of evill from the hand of God, 4. 18.
• An heart possessed of Love is dis∣possessed of fear, Ib.
• Gods preventing Love to us is the effectuall cause of our love to him, 4.19. Its behovefull for our com∣fort, that we know we Love Gods Children, 5. 1. The Love of God and keeping his Commandements is an undoubted evidence of our Love to our Brethren, Ib.
• ...

• What makes a Lye, 2. 21.

M

• Christ true Man, 1. 1. 1. 2.
• How Christ was manifested, Causes of Marvaile, 3. 13.
• What requisite to Merit, 5. 11.
• The Gospel is a Message, 1. 5.
• The doctrine of mutuall love is an ancient Message, 3. 11.
• ••ry Minister is carried away with one Spirit or other, 4. 1.
• Ministers are discovered by their confession about Christ, 4. 2. As also by their holding forth Christ veyled, under humane infirmities, 4. 3.
• According to the descent or extra∣ction of Ministers, such are their se∣verall doctrines and severall hearers, 4. 5, 6.
• In what cases people may leave their Ministers, 4. 4.
• Playing for Money, how far forth lawfull, 2. 16.

N

• Two Natures in Christ, 1. 1.
• Neglect of a Christian course a ma∣nifest sign of a Childe of the Devill, 3. 10.
• Newnesse of doctrine in what case commendable, 2. 7.
• In what sense the Commandement is New, 7. 8.
• Novelty in faith and manners must be avoyded, 2. 7.

O

• Obedience keeps a good conscience and Gods favour together, 3. 22. Pre∣serves fellowship with Christ, Ib.
• Sincere Obedience a clear evidence of our fellowship with Christ, 2. 3. and of our perfect love to God, 2. 5. and of our being in Christ, 2. 6. Old men must be honoured as Fathers, by all, yea, even by Ministers, 2. 13.
• Its the honour of Old men to know him that was from the beginning, Ib.
• Opinion of perfect holinesse is per∣nicious, 1. 8. yea a blasphemous er∣rour, v. 10.
• Opinion no sure signe of Piety, 1. 6.
• Opinion of knowledge without obe¦dience a sure sign of a Lyar, and Hypocrite, 2. 4.

P

• God Pardons for his Names sake, 2. 12. Pardon is the portion of all Gods Children, Ib.
• Pardon and cleansing goe together, 1. 9.
• Perfection what, 2. 5. and 4. 12. The love of God is Perfect in such as act Brotherly love, 4. 12.
• There are three Persons, yet but one God, that witnesse the Divinity of Christ, 5. 7.
• Perseverance in the Apostles doct∣rine, a sure pledge of Perseverance in grace, and of attaining glory, 2. 24. The promise of Perseverance opens no door to carnal liberty, 2. 28.
• Perseverance is the duty of all Christians, Ib. Such expect Christ with boldnesse, and receive him with∣out shame at his coming, Ib.
• Prayer made well never speeds ill 5. 14.
• What it is to Pray according to Gods will, and in the Spirit, 5. 15.
• Prayer obtains life for a fallen Bro∣ther, 5. 16.
• No warrant to Pray for those who have committed the sin against the Holy Ghost, 5. 16.
• Prevention of sin is the end of con∣viction and illumination, 2. 1.
• We must be wean'd from Pride of life, 2. 16. Motives and means there∣unto, Ib.
• Profession, See Opinion.
• A sincere Professour yeilds obedi∣ence to one Command as well as an other, 4. 21.
• Christ a Propitiation for the whole world, 2. 2.
• Christ was sent to be a Propitiati∣on, 4. 10.
• There were false Prophets in Johns dayes, 4. 1.
• We may receive any thing by way of Ordinance, not so by way of Pro∣vidence,

• 2. 16.
• Christs Purity is our Paterne, 3. 3.

R

• Reading converts not, 5. 13. It promotes evidence, Ib.
• A Regenerate Christian is a victori∣ous Christian, 5. 4.
• Its a sinfull conceit to hold a man may be saved in any Religion, 2. 23.
• Riches without an heart to help our Brethrens necessities, argue there dwells no love of God in us, 3. 17.
• Jesus Christ is Righteous, 2. 29.
• Such as worke Righteousnesse are born of Christ, Ib. They who know Christ to be Righteous, know Righteous ones are born of God, Ib.
• None, can know Christ to be Righ∣teous, but he that is sensible of his own unrighteousnesse, Ib.

S

• The Seed within preserves from sin, 3. 9. A double use of Scripture, 2. 26. The properties of Scripture, 1. 3. All sorts and Ages must be con∣versant in it, 2. 13.
• The Sending of Gods Son is a mani∣fest token of his love to us, 4. 9. God Sent his Son that we might live by him, Ib.
• This Sending of Christ was a token of Gods free love, 4. 10.
• Seperation from our Churches ex∣amined, 2. 19. Reading of prayers no just ground of Seperation, Ib.
• Upon Sight of Sin in a Brother we must pray for him, 5. 16.
• Sin is the transgression of the Law, 3. 4. and this should be motive e∣nough against Sin, Ib.
• Sin unpardoned is filthy, 1. 9. is unrighteousnesse, Ib. Sin pardoned is cleansed, Ib.
• Sins removall the end of Christs coming, 3. 5.
• Sinners, have enemies pleading against them, 2. 1.
• Why the Sin against the Holy Ghost is unpardonable, 5. 16.
• Sonship a note of wonderfull love, 3. 1.
• The Spirit received dwells in Gods Children for ever, 2. 27. Its no Spirit of delusion, but of truth, Ib.
• The Spirit bestowed on us is an evi∣dent sign of Christ dwelling in us, 3. 24. & 4. 13.
• The Spirit is given to them who love each other, 4. 13.
• The Spirit breathing in the Con∣science bears witnesse that Christ came by water and blood, 5. 6. This wit∣ness-bearing Spirit is a Spirit of truth, Ib.
• The Spirit, water and blood are three principall witnesses, 5. 8.
• How the Spirit certifies the hearing of our prayers, 5. 15.
• Spirits must be tried before trusted, 4. 1.

T

• There is no better Teaching for matter or manner then the Teaching of the Spirit, 2. 27.
• Teachers of two sorts, 4. 4. world∣ly Teachers, and godly hearers have a conflict, Ib.
• What is required to a Testimony, 5. 9. A fearfull Conscience lyes in Torment, 4. 8.
• The World and its lusts are Transi∣tory, 2. 17.

U

• The least of Gods Saints have an Ʋnction. 2. 20. By it they know all things, Ib. and the truth, 2. 21. and true Religion, Ib.
• This Ʋnction is received from the Father, 2. 27. It teaches or assures of perseverance, Ib.

W

• Walking what, 1. 7.
• Want of love a manifest sign of the Devils Childe, 3. 10.
• Christ came to execute his Office by water and blood, 5. 6.
• ...

• Why Christians are so troubled with Withdrawings of the Spirit, 2. 27.
• Unlearned men why Witnesses of the truth, 1. 2.
• The six Witnesses are divine and in∣ward Witnesses, 5. 9.
• Why Christ is called the Word, 1. 1.
• The Word abiding in us and pardon goe together, 2. 14. The Word abi∣ding makes us strong and victorious, Ib.
• The Word read and heard is a mes∣sage from God, 3. 11.
• World, what it means, 2. 15. & 2. 2. Its not to be loved, Ib. Love to our own lusts, and to Worldly lusts is in us, Ib. Love of the World is enmity with God, Ib.
• The three capital lusts of the World, 2. 16. All the lusts of the World are of the World, Ib.
• We must be wean'd from what comes from the World, Ib. Means to mortifie Worldly lusts, Ib.
• The World knows not Gods Chil∣dren, 3. 1. Thence they suffer the more in and from the World, 3. 2.
• The Apostles when absent taught Gods people by Writing, 2. 12.
• None were converted by the Wri∣tings of the Apostles, 2. 21.

Y

• Sathan is an especiall enemy to young men, 2. 13. Is often overcome by them, Ib.
• Spirituall strength in Young men is a grace highly acknowledged, 2. 14.

FINIS.