How a Man May Know Whether he be a Son of God, Dialogue
A CASE OF Conscience THE GREATEST TAHT EVER WAS.
How a man may know, whether he be the childe of God or no. Resolued by the vvord of God.
Whereunto is added a briefe Discourse, taken out of HIER. ZANCHIVS.
2. PET. 1.10.
GiueGive all diligence to make your election sure, for if ye doe these things, ye shal neuer fall.
EDINBVRGH, Printed by Robert Walde-graue, Printer to the K. Majestie. 1592.
To the godlie Reader.
IN Gods Church commonlie they, who are touched by the Spirit, and begin to come on in religion, are much troubled with feare, that they are not Gods children, and none so much as they. Therefore, they often thinke on this point, and are not quiet till they find some resolution.
The Spirit of God [as best knowing the estate of Gods children] hath penned two parcels of holie Scripture, for the full resoluing of this case: namelie, the 15. Psalme, and the first Epistle of S. Iohn.
And for the helping of the simple and vnlearned, who desire to be informed, concerning their estate, I hauehave propounded these two partes of Scripture, in forme of a Dialogue: and hauehave joyned thereunto, a litle discourse, concerning the same matter: penned in Latine, by H. ZANCHIVS, a learned Diuine, and now englished.
Vse this labour of mine for thy benefit and comfort: and the Lord increase the number of them which may rejoice, that their names are written in heauen.
W. PERKINS.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF Iohn, in forme of a Dialogue The Speakers,
Iohn.
Church.
CHAP. 1.
CHVR.
MAnie among vsus denie the God-head, & many the Manhood of Christ.
IOH.
1. That which was from the beginning (and therefore true God,) which wee hauehave hearde (namelie, speaking,) which wee hauehave seen with these our eies, which we hauehave looked vponupon, and these hands of ours, hauehave handled of that Word (not the sounding, but the essentiall word of the Father,) of life. (liuing of himselfe, and giuing life to all other.)
CH.
Before you goe any further, this word of life is inuisible: how then could it be seene?
IOH.
(Yes) 2. For that life was made manifest, (to wit, in the flesh,) and we (I with many others) hauehave seen it, and beare witnesse, and publish vntounto you, that eternall life, which was with the father (eternallie before this manifestation) and was made manifest vntounto vsus.
CH.
Menander, Ebion, and Cerinthus, hauing bin teachers among vsus, confidently denie these thinges which you say: and they beare vsus in hand, that they seek our good.
IOH.
3. That (which I wil repeat again, for more certainties sake) which wee hauehave seen and heard, declare we vntounto you, that ye may hauehave fellowship with vsus, and that our fellowship also may be with the father, and with his sonne Iesus Christ.
4. And these things write we vntounto you, that your ioy might be ful. (vz. might hauehave sound consolation in your consciences.)
CH.
Wel then, lay vsus down som groūd, wherby we may come to be assured, that we hauehave fellowship one with an other, and with Christ.
IO.
5. This then is the message which we hauehave heard of him, and declare vntounto you, that God is light (vz. purenes it selfe, and blessednesse; whereas men and Angels are neither, but by participation) and in him is no darknes.
CH.
Som that make profession among vsus, continue stil in their olde course and conuersation; and yet they say, they hauehave fellowship with God.
IOH.
Profession without practise, a note of an hypocrite.6. If we say that we hauehave fellowship with him, and walk (lead the course of our liues) in darknes (vz. ignorance, error, impietie,) wee lie (dissemble) and do not trulie. (deal not sincerely.)
CH.
What then is the true marke of one, which hath fellowship with God?
IO.
7. If we walk in the light (lead the cours of our liues in sinceritie of life & doctrin) wee hauehave fellowship one with another.Sincerity of life and religion, a note of communion with God.
CH.
We are so defiled with sinne, that we often doubt, least wee hauehave no fellowship with God.
IOH.
The bloud of Iesus Christ his sonne, cleanseth vsus from all sinne.
CH.
Some among vsus are come to that passe, that they say, they hauehave no sinne: & that this estate is a signe of fellowshippe with God.
IOH.
8. If vve say that vve hauehave no sinne, To professe perfect sanctification in this life, a note of an hypocrite.vve deceiue our selues, (imagining that to bee true which is otherwise) & truth is not in vsus
CH.
How then may we know that our sinnes are washed away by Christ?
IOH.
9. If vve confesse our sinnes (namely,humble confession of sin to God▪ is a note of remission of sinne. with an humbled heart, desiring pardon) he is faithfull & iust (in keping his promise) to forgiue vsus our sinnes, and to clense vsus from al vnrighteousnes.
10. If vve say (as they before named do) vve hauehave not sinned, vve mak him a liar (whose word speaks the contrarie,) and his vvorde is not in vsus. (his doctrine hath noe place in our heartes.
CHAP. 2.
CH.
IF this be true which hath bin saide, that the bloud of Christ doth clēse from all sinne: and that if we do confesse them, they shal be pardoned; our corruption tels vsus, that we may sinne freely.
Ioh.
1. My litle children, these thinges I write vntounto you, that yee sinne not.
CH.
Alas, we fall oft by infirmitie: what shall we then do?
Ioh.
If any man sinne, vve hauehave an aduocate (who in his own name, and by his own merites, pleades our cause) to the Father, Iesus Christ the iust (and therefore fit to make intercession)
CH.
But howe may eueryevery one of vsus in particular, knowe that Christ is his aduocate?
IOH.
2. He is the propitiation (vz. a couering of sinne, or reconciliation, as the propitiatorie of the Arke couered the lawe) and not for our sinnes onelyonly, but also, for the sins of the vvhole vvorld (not onelyonly Iewes, but also Gentiles of all sortes.)
CH.
Be it that I knowe him to be my aduocate: may I not be deceaued? howe may I knowe, that this my knowledge is effectuall to saluation?
IOH.
3. Hereby are vve sure that vve know him (here, that knowledg is ment,An endeuo… to keep th… commandementes, a sign of faith▪ whereby a man applies Christ and all his benefites to his own soule) If vve keepe (to keep is not to fulfill, but to hauehave a care and desire to do it; for God of his merciemercy in his seruants, accepts the will for the deede.) his commandements.
Ch.
Many among vsus, professe that they know Christ; but their liues be not according.
Ioh.
4. He that saith, I know him, & keeps not his commandements, is a lyer, Faith without obedience, a note of an Hypocrite.and the trueth is not in him.
CH.
How may it be prooued, that the endeuour to keep gods commandements is a mark of faith, & felloship with Christ?
Ioh.
(He in whome the louelove of God is perfecte, may hereby know, that hee is in Christ.) 5. But he that keepeth his vvord, in him is the louelove of God: (vz. not that louelove wherewith God loueth him; but that, whereby he loueth God) is perfect indeede: (vz. sincere and sounde perfection, being opposed, not to imperfection, but to hypocrisie:) hereby (therefore) we know that we are in him. 6. He that saith he remaineth in him, ought to walke euen so, as hee hath walked: (and therefore he must needes endeuour himselfe in the commandementes.
CH.
Declare vntounto vsus some of the principall of these commandements?
IOH.
7. Brethren, I vvrite no nevv commandement vntounto you, but an olde commaundement vvhichwhich yee hauehave heard from the beginning: this old commandement is the vvord, vvhichwhich ye hauehave heard from the beginning. 8. Againe, a nevve commandement I vvrite vntounto you, that vvhichwhich is true (to wit, that the commandement is new which he wil now write) in him (who reneweth the cōmandement of old giuen to Moses) & also in you, for the darknes is past. (vz. the hardening of the minds of men, vnderunder the olde testament, whereby they did but in a small measure vnderstand the word) and that true light (a greater mesure of illuminatiō; as also the writing of Gods lawes, not in Tables of stone, but in the fleshie hearts, so as they be transformed into the obedience thereof) now shineth.
CH.
Well: set downe this commandement which is so ancient, and is nowe renewed.
Ioh.
profession ioyned with hatred and malice, a note of an hypocrite9. He that saith (as many among you do) that he is in the light (that is, that hee is both plentifully inlightened and borne anew) and hates his brother, is in darknes (vnderunder the estate of damnation, not yet trulie regenerate) vntill this time. 10. Hee that loueth his brother, LoueLove of our brother, a signe of regeneration.abideth in the light (is trulie enlightened and regenerate.) and there is no offence, (vz. he wil giuegive no occasion of euill) in him. 11. But (on the contrary) hee that hateth his brother, is in darknes, and walketh in darknesse, (leadeth his life in ignorance and vngodlinesse) and knoweth not whither he goeth; because that darknesse hath blinded his eies.
Ch.
What moueth you to deliuer vntounto vsus, al these notes and signs of our new birth and communion with Christ.
Ioh.
12. Litle Children, I write vntounto you, because your sinnes are forgiuen you▪ for his namesake (vz. by Christ and his merites; that yee may be certified to your comforte of this.)
(And that no kind of men among you might doubt of this) 13. I write vntounto you fathers, because ye (delighting to tell & hear of olde and ancient matters) hauehave knowne him (that is, christ) that is from the beginning. I write vntounto you young men, because ye (delighting to shewe your valour and strength) hauehave ouercome the euil one. (that is, Sathan.) 14. I write vntounto you litle childrē, (who delight alwaies to bee vnderunder the Fathers wing,) because yee hauehave knowen the Father. (And againe, because wee are dull to marke and remember that which is good for vsus.) I hauehave vvritten vntounto you Fathers, because yee hauehave knowen him that is from the beginning: I hauehave vvritten vntounto you young men, because yee are strong, and the vvorde of God abideth in you: and yee hauehave ouercome that wicked one
CH.
If we be in the estate of grace vnderunder Gods fauour in Christ; howe may wee abide in it?
IOH.
15. LoueLove not this vvorld (the corrupt estate of mankinde out of Christ,) neither the thinges that are in the vvorlde (for first of all, to giuegive reasons,) if any man louelove this Worlde, the louelove of the father (wherewith hee loued the Father) is not in him. (Secondly,) 16. For all that is in this vvorlde, as the lust of the flesh (the corruption of nature, which chiefly breaketh out in euil concupiscence) the lust of the eies (the fruite of the former, stirred vp by outward prouocations, especially in the eie, as it is manifest in Adulterie & couetousnes) and the pride of life (vz. Arrogancie and Ambition, among men, in common conuersation of life,) is not of the father, but of the vvorlde. 17. And (Thirdly) this vvorld passeth away and the lust thereof: but he that fulfilleth the wil of God, abideth for euer.
Ch.
What other thinges are we to do, that we may continue?
IOH.
18. Little Children, it is the last time: and as yee hauehave hearde, that Antichrist shall come, (a speciall Antichrist, the chiefe of all other; who is nowe manifest to be the Pope of Rome) euen now, ar there many Antichristes, (Heretickes, denying, either the natures of Christ, or his offices: or the vnion and distinction of his Natures:) vvhereby vvee knowe, that it is the last time:
CH.
Those whome you cal Antichrists, were of our companie; and professed as we do.
Ioh.
19. They vvent out from vsus, but they vvere not of vsus: for if they had bene of vsus, they should hauehave continued vvith vsus. But (this commeth to passe, that it might appear, that they are not al of vsus.
CH.
How can we be assured of our continuance in grace; for wee may fall as well as they do?
IOH.
20. But yee hauehave an annointment, Gods spirite dwelling in the heart, a signe of perseuerance.(the grace of Gods holy spirit, resembled by the annoynting in the old testament) from that holy one (Christ, Luke. 1.15.) and knowe all thinges.
CH.
If wee knowe all thinges, then you need not write vntounto vsus of these matters.
Ioh.
21 I hauehave not written vntounto you, because ye know not the trueth, but because you know it, & that no lie is of the truth (vz. ye can distinguish betweene the sound doctrine of the Gospel, and errors)
Ch.
What is this lie which you speak of?
Ioh.
papists deny Iesus to bee Christ, for though in words they magnifie him, yet in their doctrin by necessary consequent, they denie him to be a king, a priest a prophet.22. Who is a lier (a deceauer, a seducer) but hee that denieth that Iesus is Christ? (the Messias or Sauiour of mankind.) The same is the Antichrist, that denieth the father and the sonne.
Ch.
These whom you meane (say they) defend the doctrine of God as well as we; and they vse to call him their father.
Io.
23. Who so denieth the son, hath not the Father.
Ch.
What do you inferre vponupon this; if it be the last time, as you hauehave said?
Io.
24. Let therfore abide in you, the same (doctrine concerning Christ) which ye hauehave hard from the beginning (which the Apostles preached;perseuerance in the knowledge and obedience of the Gospell, a sign of communion with Christ. and before them the Prophets, since the beginning of the world) If that which ye hauehave heard from the beginning, remain (ye beleeuing and obeying it) in you, yee also shal continue in the sonne, and in the father. 25. And this, is the promise which hee hath promised vsus, euen life eternall.
Ch.
Wee cannot perswade our selues of perseuerance, seeing men so commonly fall away from Christ among vsus.
Ioh.
26. These thinges hauehave I vvritten vntounto you, concerning them that deceaue you (not meaning them of you, as you seem to tak it) 27. But the annointing (the spirite which yee hauehave receaued of Christ, and which hath led you into all trueth) vvhichwhich ye hauehave receiued of him, dvvelleth in you, (abideth in you, and will so continewe) and yee neede not that any man teach you, (any other doctrine beside this, which ye hauehave learned already:) but as the same annointing, teacheth you all thinges, and it is true and not lying, and as it taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28. And now, litle Children, abide in him, that vvhen he shall appeare, vve (being iustified in Christ,) may hauehave boldnes, and not be ashamed: (neither Sathan, nor our consciences accusing vsus for sinne,) before him at his comming.
Ch.
Wee are still in doubt to returne back to that which you say before, howe an endeuour to keepe the commaundementes, should be a signe of fellowshippe with Christ.
Ioh.
29. If ye knovv that he (God) is righteous, knovv ye, that he vvhichwhich vvorketh righteousnes, is borne of him. (as a Child is knowen to hauehave such a man for his Father, becaus he resembleth him.
CHAP. 3.
CH.
ARe we then borne of God?
Io.
1. Behold, vvhat louelove the father hath giuen to vsus, that vvee should be called the sonnes of God.
Ch.
The World doth not report vsus, as the sonnes and daughters of God, but for the reffuse and ofscouring of the worlde.
Ioh.
For this cause the vvorld knovveth not you, because it knovveth not him.
Ch.
Can Gods Children be subiect to such infirmities and miseries as we are?
Ioh.
2. Dearely beloued, novv are vvee the sonnes of God, but yet it is not made manifest vvhat vve shall be: and vvee knovv, that vvhen he shall be made manifest, vve shall be like him; (hauing not equalitie, but likenes of holines and glorie:) for vve shall see him as he is, (for now wee see him as it were, through spectacles, in the word and Sacraments.)
Ch.
Alas poore wretches, we are not like Gods children; for we are euen sould vnderunder sinne, and daily carrie a masse of corruption about vsus.
Io.
3. EueryEvery one that hath this hope (to see him as he is,A desire, & an indeuour to vse good means to cleanse our selues of our corruptions and priuie sins, is a mark of adoption.) purifieth (vz. thogh he be subiect to sinn, yet he desireth, and vseth the meanes to clense him selfe from sinne:) euen as he is pure. (setting before him Christ as a patterne to follow.)
Ch.
Howe prooue you, that an endeuour to purifie our selues, is a note of Adoption?
Ioh.
(By the contrarie) 4. Whosoeuer committeth sinne, (practiseth sinne with full consent of wil; not endeuouring himselfe in holines of life,) transgresseth also the lavve (and for that cause, being vnderunder the curse of the Lawe, cannot be Gods children) for sinne is the transgression of the lavve. (Vnderstand, by lawe, not morall lawe, but any commaundement of God, whether it be in the law or Gospell. 5. And (againe,) yee knovv, that hee vvas made manifest, (took our nature on him) that he might take avvay our sinnes, (the guilt & punishment at once, and the corruption by litle and litle,) and in him is no sinne.
(Thirdly,) 6. Whosoeuer abideth in him, sinneth not: (he doeth not giuegive himself to sin, so as it should raigne in him:) Whosoeuer sinneth, hath not seene him, nor knovvn him: (to wit, effectuallie, so as he can apply Christ and his benefites to himselfe.)
CH.
But some teach, that faith is sufficient: and they emboulden vsus to liue as we will.
Io.
7. Litle Children, let no man deceiue you; he that vvorketh righteousnes, is righteous as he is righteous. 8. He that cōmitteth sin (thogh he say, he doeth beleeue, & therefore thinks himself justified before God) is of the deuil, (resēbleth the deuil, as the child doth the father, and is gouerned by his spirite:) for the deuil sinneth from the beginning: (of the worlde:) (which appeareth, that) for this purpose vvas made manifest the son of God, that he might dissolue the works (for the beginning and continuance of all rebellion, and disobedience to God,) of the Deuil. (And further, to displaie these Seducers) 9. Whosoeuer is born of God, sinneth not, (vz. doth not keepe a course in sinne, howsoeuer hee fall by infirmitie) for his seed (vz. Gods word, cast into the hart, by the operation of the Spirite, making a man to spring vp into a new creature, (remaineth in him: neither can he sin, because he is borne of God.
CH.
Brieflie, to come to the point, how may it be known, who is Gods childe, and who is to be reputed the child of the deuil
IOH.
10. In this are the children of God knowne, Loosnes of life, or the practise of sin, a note of the child of the deuill, for the present time.and the children of the deuill: vvhosoeuer vvorketh not righteousnes, is not of God, neither (to giuegive you a plaine example) hee that loueth not his brother. 11. For, this is the message, vvhichwhich ye hauehave heard from the beginning, that vve should louelove one another. 12. Not as Cain: he vvas of that euill one (Sathan) and slew his brother: and vvherefore slew he him? because his owne vvorkes vvere euil, and his brothers good.
Ch.
Yet if we louelove those which be our brethren, according to the fleshe neuer so much; they cease not to hate and persecute vsus.
Ioh.
13. Maruaile not my brethren, thogh this vvorld hate you.
Ch.
If not to louelove, be a note of the Childe of the Deuill, what is the note of Gods child?
Ioh.
14. We know that vvee are translated from death to life, because vve louelove the brethrē, To louelove a christian, because he is a christian, or godly man, is a note of Gods chiid.(vz. such as be Christians, because they ar Christians:) (as on the contrary,) hee that loueth not his brother, abideth in death: (is vnderunder the estate of damnation.) 15. Whosoeuer hateth his brother, is a manslayer: and yee knowe that no manslayer hath eternall life abiding in him.
CH.
You hauehave shewed vsus fullie, that louelove is a mark of adoption. Nowe shew vsus how we may know whether wee louelove our brethren or not?
Ioh.
16. Hereby vvee hauehave perceiued louelove, that he layed downe his life for vsus: therefore vve ought (carried with the like affection of louelove) to lay downe our liues for the brethren.
Ch.
Manie in speech do pretend louelove, but we find not this willing affection and readines to shew louelove.
Ioh.
17. Whosoeuer hath this worldes good, (wherewith this life is sustained) and seeth his brother hauehave neede, Compassion stirring in the heart, a note of loueloveand shutteth vp his bowels (vz. hath no cōpassion, because it sheweth it selfe by the rowlling of the intrals) from him, how dwelleth the louelove of God in him?
Ch.
What other note is there of true louelove?
Ioh.
18. My litle Children, let vsus not louelove in vvord, nor in tongue onelyonly, but in deede and in trueth (sincerely.) 1.19. For thereby we knowe that vve are of the trueth (sound professors of the Gospell of Christ,Workes of mercy, signs of louelove.) 2. and shall before him appease our hearts:sincere louelove a note of sincere profession. (in regard of any accusation that our conscience shal lay vntounto vsus, before Gods iudgment seate) 20. If our heart condemne vsus (an euill conscience accuse vsus,) God is greater then our heart (namely in iudging of vsus,) & knoweth all thinges.
Ch.
How may we know that our consciences will not condemne vsus?
IOH.
21. Beloued, if our heart condemne vsus not, Boldnes in praier, a signe of a pacified conscience.then hauehave we boldnes towards God. (vz. to to come vntounto him by prayer.)
Ch.
What other fruite is there of true louelove?
Ioh.
22. Whatsoeuer vve ask vvee receiue of him: because vve keepe his commandements, & do those thinges vvhichwhich are pleasant in his sight
Ch.
What are these commandements?
Ioh.
23. This then is his commandement, that vve beleue in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ and louelove one another as hee gaue commaundement.
Ch.
HaueHave they, which keep these commaundementes, their prayers graunted? prooue this.
Ioh.
(Yes) 24. For he that keepeeh his commandements dvvelleth in him, and he in him.
Ch.
Howe may wee know that God dwelleth in vsus, and we in him?
Ioh.
Hereby vvee knowe, that hee abideth in vsus by that spirit (of sanctification,The operation of gods spirit in sanctifying vsus, a sign of communion with God. whereby wee are renewed) vvhichwhich hee hath giuen vsus.
CHAP. 4.
CH.
TO return again to that which was before mentioned: shall we beleeue all that say they hauehave the spirite?
Ioh.
1. Dearely beloued, beleeue not eueryevery spirit (vz. doctrines, which men bragging of the spirit do teach;) but try the spirits vvhether they be of God, for many false prophets are gone out into the vvorld.
Ch.
Howe may we discerne of spirits?
Ioh.
2. Hereby shall vve knowe the spirite of God, eueryevery spirit (doctrin) vvhichwhich confesseth that Iesus Christ (the Messias) is come in the flesh (is made true man; this being the substance of the Gospell,) is of God. 3. And eueryevery spirit that confesseth not, that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God: but this is the spirit of Antichrist, of vvhom ye hauehave hard, how that he shal come, & now alredy is in the world.
Ch.
We fear, because these fals spirits ar of gret power, to perswade & seduce many
Ioh.
4. Little Children, ye are of God, and hauehave ouercome them: for greater is he that is in you (Gods spirit) then he that is in the vvorld. (the spirit of Sathan.)
Ch.
But the doctrine of these men is of great account, and hath many followers in the world; ours hath but few which imbrace it.
Ioh.
5. They are of this vvorld, therefore speak they of this vvorld, and this vvorlde (vz. Ignorant and vngodly men) heareth them. 6. We are of God; hee vvhichwhich knoweth God, heareth vsus: he vvhichwhich is not of God, heareth vsus not. Hereby knovve vve the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error (namely, by the liking, and applause of the world.)
Ch.
Howe may we preserue our selues against these seducers?
Ioh.
7. Beloued, let vsus louelove one another▪ for louelove commeth of God: & eueryevery one that loueth, is born of God, and knoweth God: (by a special knowledg, whereby they are assured that God, the father of Christ, is their father, Christ, their redemer, the holy ghost their sanctifier.) 8. He that loueth not, knoweth not God, for God is louelove (vz. whollie bent to shew his louelove and compassion to his people.) (For a proofe of this,) 9. Herein was that louelove of God made manifest among vsus, because God sent that his only begottē son into the world, that we might liue through him. 10. Herein is that louelove, not that we loued God; but that he loued vsus: & sent his sonne to be a reconciliation for our sinnes.
Ch.
What of all this?
Ioh.
11. Beloued, if God so loued vsus, we ought also one to louelove another.
Ch.
How can God manifest his louelove to vsus, he being a spirite and inuisible?
Io.
12. No man hath seene God at any time: (neuerthelesse,) if vve louelove one another (this is a signe) that God dwelleth in vsus, and his louelove is perfect in vsus: (vz. that louelove wherewith he loueth, is throughlie made manifest towards vsus by our louelove: as the light of the Moone shining on vsus, argueth the light of the sun shining vpō the moon, of whom (as frō a fountain) the moone takes her light.
Ch.
How may we know, that God dwelleth in vsus?
Ioh.
13. Hereby do we know, that wee dwell in him, and he in vsus▪ because hee hath giuen vsus of his spirite.
Ch.
What other signe hauehave you, of Gods dwelling in vsus?
Ioh.
14. Wee hauehave seene and do testifie, that the father sent that sonne to be the Sauiour of the vvorld. A sincere confession of the Gospel, a note of communion with Christ.15. Whosoeuer confesseth (in faith and louelove) that Iesus is the sonne of God, in him dwelleth God, and he in God.
Ch.
The Diuell will confesse Christ.
Ioh.
16. And wee (which is more) hauehave known & beleued the louelove which God hath in vsus
Ch.
Declare how our louelove should be a signe of God his dwelling in vsus.
Ioh.
God is louelove, & (therfore) he that dwelleth in louelove, dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Ch.
God is louelove we graunt, but howe may we knowe, that God is louelove to vsus.
Io.
To be like God in holines of life, a signe of his louelove to vsus particularlie.17. Hereby is that louelove perfect, (vz. fully made manifest in vsus,) that vvee may hauehave boldnes (to stand before him without fear) in the day of iudgement, for euen as he is, so are vve in the vvorld. (not in equalitie, but in conformitie of holines.) (As may appeare by the contrary) 18. there is no feare in louelove (vz. when a man is assured of Gods louelove to him, hee doeth not distrust, nor seruile feare him, in respect of his sinnes,) but perfect louelove casteth out feare: for feare hath painfulnesse (checkings and torments of conscience:) and hee that feareth is not perfecte in louelove.
Ch.
What other sign is there that God is louelove to vsus?
Io.
19. We louelove him, because he loued vsus first, Our louelove of God, a signe that he loueth vsus particularlie.(As when a man warmes him, the heate of his body is because the fire is first hote.)
Ch▪
If this be so, then they which louelove not their brethrē, loued of God in Christ: seeing al generally say they louelove God.
Ioh.
20, If any man say, I louelove God, and hate his brother, he is a lyer: for hovv can he that loueth not his brother vvhome he hath seene, louelove God, vvhom he hath not seene. 21. And this commandement hauehave we of him, that hee that loueth, God should louelove his brother also.
CHAP. 5.
1. WHosoeuer beleeueth that Iesus is that Christ (true Messias) is born of god, & eueryevery one that loueth him which did beget (vz. God the Father,) loueth him also, vvhichwhich is begotten of him. (the Child of God, a true Christian.)
Ch.
This being manifest, that they ar hypocrits which say they louelove God, yet shew no louelove to their brethren, teach vsus howe wee may knowe that wee louelove our brethren?
Ioh.
2. In this we know that we louelove the children of God, An indeuor to keep the commandements, a sign of louelove of our brother.when wee louelove God and keepe his commandements (that is, indeuour to keep; the beginning of the action, being put for the whole.) 3. For this is the louelove of God (the duty of louelove to God) that we keepe his commandements.
Ch.
But no man can keepe the lawe?
Ioh.
His commandements are not burdenous (to them that are in Christ; and are freed from the curse of the lawe, which makes the law grieuous, and are also guided by his holy spirit.) (And this is apparant) 4. for al that is borne of God, ouercommeth the vvorld (Sathan with all corruptions and workes of darknes.)
Ch.
By what meanes?
Ioh.
And this is the victorie vvhichwhich hath ouercome the vvorld, euen our faith (which is the instrument and hand, whereby we lay hold on him, that he in vsus, and so wee by him, might ouercome the world.) 5. Who is this that ouercommeth this vvorlde, but hee vvhichwhich beleeueth that Iesus is that Son of God?
Ch.
How may we be resolued that Iesus of Nazaret, the sonne of Marie, was the sonne of God, and the Messias: hee came but basely into the world?
Ioh.
Proofes invinsible, that Iesus of Nazaret, the son of Mary was the son of God, against the Iewes.6. This is that Iesus Christ, vvhichwhich came by vvater (sanctification signified by the legall washings) and blood (imputation of Christs righteousnes or the sprinkling of his blood:) not by water only, but by water and blood: (becaus Christ worketh both iustification, & sanctification together) & it is that spirit (a mans owne conscience inwardly purified) that beareth witnes, for that spirit is trueth: (that is, that the testimonie of the spirit of adoption, certifying vsus, that we ar the sons of God is true.) 7. For, (that I may speak it more plainly,) there ar three vvhichwhich beare record in heauen, the father, the vvord, (the Son) and the holy Ghost; and these three are one, (namly in testimonie.) 8. And there are three which beare record in earth, the Spirit, and the vvater, and blood: and these three agree in one.
Ch.
How shew you that these witnesses be autenticall, and to be beleeued?
Ioh.
9. If vve receiue the vvitnes of men, the witnes of God is greater: for this is the witnes of God. (vz. that was said to come from heuen,) vvhichwhich he testified of his son. (Again) 10. he that beleeueth in that sonne of God, hath the vvitnes in himselfe (the peace of conscience, which he may feel in himself:) (And further,) he that beleueth not God, maketh him a lyer: because he beleeued not the recorde, that God vvitnessed of his sonne.
Ch.
What is the effecte of that, which these witnesses testifie?
Ioh.
11. And this is that record, to wit, that God hath giuen vntounto vsus eternall life, & this life is in his son. 12. He which hath the son, hath life & he which hath not the son of god, hath not life. (And to conclude,) 13. These things hauehave I written vntounto you that beleeue in the name of the son of God, that ye may know, that yee hauehave life eternal, & that ye may beleeue (vz. increase in faith,) in the name of that sonne of God.
Ch.
How can we hauehave life eternal now, that are so miserable, and so ful of wants?
Ioh.
14. And this is that assurance that wee hauehave in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth vsus.
Ch.
How may we know that God granteth our praiers made acording to his wil?
Ioh.
A signe of our praiers granted vsus, if God do but heare them.15. If vve know that he heareth (that is, (as it were) to giuegive an eare to our praiers,) vvhatsoeuer vve ask, we knowe that vvee hauehave the petitions, vvhichwhich vvee hauehave desired of him, (though the things that we asked be not giuen vsus in that measure, maner, and time, in which we asked them.)
Ch.
Let vsus heare an example of those things which God wil grant, whē we pray
Io.
16. If a man see his brother sin a sin, that is not vntounto death; (that is, which may be pardoned,) let him ask (pardon in his behalfe) and he shal giuegive him life for them that sinne not vntounto death: there is a sinne vntounto death, (after which, necessarilie damnation followeth, as the sinne against the holy Ghost: I say not that thou shouldest pray for it.
Ch.
But is not eueryevery sinne, a sinne to death?
Ioh.
17. All vnrighteousnes is sinne, (and therefore deserueth death:) but there is a sinne not vntounto death; (namely that which is pardoned in Christ.)
Ch.
We feare least wee hauehave committed this sinne, which is vntounto death.
Ioh.
18. Wee know that vvhosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of god, kepeth himselfe, and that vvicked one (Sathan) toucheth him not. (vz. doth him no violēce, or he cannot giuegive him a deadly wound.) 19. We know that vve are of God, and this whol vvorld lyeth in euill: (that is in seruitude vnderunder Sathan and sinne.)
Ch.
How shew you, that we ar of God?
Ioh.
20. Wee know that the Sonne of God is come, and hath giuen vsus a minde to knowe him that is true: & vve are in him that is true, that is, in his sonne Iesus Christ, this same is that very God and that eternall life.
Ch.
Howe may wee keepe our selfe in God, and neuer commit the sin to death?
Ioh.
21. Litle Children keepe your selues from images (whether they be of false Gods or of the true God.)
PSALME. 15.
Iehoua. Dauid.
DAVID.
1. O Iehoua, vvho shal dwell (as Pilgrims dwel in tents) in thy tabernacle, (the Church millitant?) vvho shall rest in thy holy mountaine, (the kingdome of heauen?)
IEHO.
Sincerity of life, in righteousnes & holines, a note of Gods child.2. He that walketh perfectly (that is, he which leadeth the course of his life vprightly.)
DAV.
Who is the vpright man?
IEHO.
He that worketh righteousnes (according to the commandements of the secōd Table,) and speaketh the truth in his heart (as he thinketh, his hart & tongue agreeing.)
DAV.
By what notes may this vpright man be knowen, and who is he?
IEHO.
Seuen notes of an vpright man.3. I. Hee that slandreth not with his tongue: II. nor doth hurt to his neighbour: III. nor receiueth a fals report against his neighbor. IV. 4. In whose eies a vile person, (an vngodly and vnrighteous man;) is contemned, but hee honoureth them that feare God: V. He that hauing sworne to his owne hinderance, changeth not. VI. 5. He that giueth not his money to Vsury. VII. neither taketh reward of the innocēt.
DAV.
Are these notes vnfallible?
IEHO.
6. He that doth these things, shal neuer be moued, (shall abide in Gods fauour for euer▪)