A Paraphrase on the New Testament, 1 John

A Paraphrase on the New Testament · 1 John

The Firſt Epiſtle of JOHN the Apoſtle.

CHAP. I.

1. THat which was from the beginning, which we have heard which we have ſeen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life.

1. Whereas there are of late many Hereſies ſprung up about the Perſon, Doctrine and Works of Chriſt, I ſhall declare to you, that which was from the beginning (his Godhead, or ſay others, that of him which was decreed from Eternity, or as others, that which is true of him from his beginning or Incarnation) and [that ſame Chriſt whom we have heard and ſeen with our Eyes, and looked on, and our Hands have handled, even the Humane Body of Chriſt the Word of Life.] Or as others, [that Goſpel which we have heard, that Perſon, and thoſe Works which we have ſeen, and him whom we have handled, as theſe concern the Goſpel of life.]

2. (For the life was manifeſted, and we have ſeen it, and bear witneſs, and ſhew unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifeſted unto us.)

2. For Chriſt, who is Life in himſelf, and the Fountain of Life to us, was manifeſted in fleſh, and we have ſeen him, and bear witneſs, and preach to you the Eternal Divine Life and Nature of Chriſt, which was eternally one with the Father, and was manifeſt to us.

3. That which we have ſeen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye alſo may have fellowſhip with us; and truly our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt.

3. I ſay, we declare to you that of Chriſt, which we our ſelves have ſeen and heard, that ſo what we had by ſeeing and hearing, you may have from our Teſtimony, who have ſeen and heard Chriſt himſelf; and ſo you may by our communication partake of the ſame Faith and Grace, as we our ſelves do, and may continue in our Communion; and that is no other then to have the ſame Father and Saviour, from, and with whom it is that we have communication and communion, and not to turn from them.

4. And theſe things write we unto you that your joy may be full.

4. And the end of my writing this to you, is the compleating of your own Joy and Salvation.

5. This then is the meſſage which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkneſs at all.

5. The firſt and great part of Chriſt's Doctrine, and our Meſſage, is to teach us to know God himſelf; and firſt, that he is Light, and in him is no darkneſs at all.

Note 1. The Apoſtle telling us what God is, ſpeaketh in the Abſtract, to let us know that it is his Eſſence; and not a meer Accident that he meaneth. And as God's Image in Man's Soul hath three eſſentiating faculties, Vitality, Ʋnderſtanding and Will, which are eminently ſelf-motions, Light and Heat, or reſembled by theſe; ſo God is here called LIFE, v. 1. LIGHT, v. 5. and LOVE, c. 4, v. 8.

2. When God is called LIGHT, it is ſpoken but metaphorically, and ſignifieth his KNOWLEDGE or WISDOM, as it is his Eſſence, and as Communicative, giving the Light of Knowledge to all that have it, and wiſely Ruling them by his Laws: And alſo the GLORY of this, and all his perfections, as refulgent to the Creature: For Glory and Light are oft the ſame in ſenſe. 3. When it is ſaid, There is no darkneſs in him, it meaneth, No Ignorance, nor Privation, nor Ʋncomfortableneſs, as Darkneſs is.

6. If we ſay that we have fellowſhip with him, and walk in darkneſs, we lie, and do not the truth: 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowſhip one with another, and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son cleanſeth us from all ſin.

6, 7. If we ſay that we live in communion with God, and yet are in the Darkneſs of Unbelief, Ignorance, Errour and Wickedneſs, we do but lie: But if we walk in the Light of holy Knowledge, Faith and Purity, we have mutual communion with God, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe Blood doth cleanſe us from all ſin.

Note; Qu. Is it not Fanaticiſm to talk of Fellowſhip with God, or Communion either? Anſ. Fellowſhip is too harſh an …ngliſh word: But Communion is the thing meant, conſiſting in receptive participation from God, and accepted returns to God: And this is no fancy, but the only rectitude and felicity of our Souls: If you conceive not how, think how the Eye hath Communion with the Sun: Really, 1. By receiving its luminous Beams, or emitted Light, by the receptive aptitude of the viſive faculty and organs; 2. By ſuch an emiſſion, or active congreſs, by which the Light and Sun are ſeen.

8. If we ſay that we have no ſin, we deceive our ſelves, and the truth is not in us.

8. If we ſay that we need not Chriſt thus to cleanſe us from Guilt and Corruption, as having no ſin; this is but ſelf-dece…ving fa…ſhood.

9. If we confeſs our ſins, he is faithful, and juſt to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all unrighteouſneſs.

9. But if we with true Repentance, confeſs our ſins (always to God, and humbly to Man, wh…n either reparation of any ones wrong, or ſatisfaction to the Church offended, or the curing of ſcandal, and honour of Religion, or the eaſe or information of our own Conſciences require it) God that hath promiſed it, is faithful and juſt to forgive us our ſin, and to cleanſe us from its guilt and power.

10. If we ſay that we have not ſinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

10. But if we will either pretend to ſinleſs perfection, or elſe break God's Command, and ſay, that it is no ſin, but a duty, or an indifferent thing, and ſo juſtifie our ſelves or our ſins; this is to give the lie to God's Word, which therefore doth not rule ſuch men.

CHAP. II.

1. MY little children, theſe things write I unto you, that ye ſin not. And if any man ſin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. 2. And he is the propitiation for our ſins: and not for ours onelyonly, but alſo for the ſins of the whole world.

1, 2. I write to you as to Babes, who need help and confirmation, in your temptatious by Seducers, that you may not be drawn by them to take ſenſuality, or ſuch like evils, to be lawful, nor to live wilfully or impenitently in any ſin: But if any man, contrary to the bent and tenor of his heart and life, be guilty of any ſin of infirmity, let him not deſpair, but flie to our Advocate with the Father Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe perfect Righteouſneſs merited our Pardon: For he is the Propitiation for our ſins by virtue of his Sacrifice, now interceding for us in Heaven: And he is a Propitiation ſufficient for the ſins of the whole World (ſo far as that none of them ſhall be damned for want of a ſufficient Sacrifice, but only for want of accepting his Grace) and actually effecting the Pardon of all in the World, who believingly truſt and accept him and his Grace.

3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

3. And becauſe uneffectual Faith is but ſelf-deceit, and he pardoneth ſin to none but to the ſincerely penitent and obedient▪ it is by this that we muſt be known to be ſound Believers, if we ſincerely keep his Commandments.

4. He that ſaith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

4. He that profeſſeth the Knowledge and Faith of Chriſt, and ca…ls himſelf a Chriſtian, and yet doth not ſincerely keep his Commandments, is an Hypocrite and Liar, and is not what he profeſſeth to be.

5. But whoſo keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6. He that ſaith, he abideth in him, ought himſelf alſo ſo to walk, even as he walked.

5, 6. But as true Faith worketh by Love, ſo doth Love by Obedience; and it is they that keep his Word, in whom the Love of God doth ſhew its ſoundneſs and perfection. We cannot bear fruit, unleſs we are in him as the branches in the Vine. And it is by this fruit that we muſt know that we are in him. He that profeſſeth to be a Chriſtian, and in Chriſt muſt walk as Chriſt did (in Holineſs, Love, Obedience and Patience.)

7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment, which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

7. It is not novelty that I bring you, as Seducers do; but that ſame old Commandment which Chriſt and his Apoſtles preached when they firſt brought the Goſpel to the World: I call it Old, becauſe it is the Word which you heard from the beginning of Chriſtianity.

8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him, and in you, becauſe the darkneſs is paſt, and the true light now ſhineth.

8. Yet it may be called a New Commandment which I write, as it is the Doctrine of Divine Love newly and more reſplendently ſhining forth in the work of our Redemption by Chriſt; and there is true and juſt reaſon to call it new, both in Chriſt and in you: In Chriſt, becauſe he is the newly incarnate, crucified, glorified demonſtration of God's Love to Man, and the eminent Meſſenger of it, accordingly obliging to a new and extraordinary Love to God, and one another: And in you, becauſe, as you are renewed by, and to this ſpecial Love; ſo as new men you live therein: For the darkneſs of a life of malice and ungodlineſs is paſt, and the true Light now ſhining is ever accompanied, when it is effectual, with the Heats of Love and Obedience.

9. He that ſaith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkneſs, even untill now.

9. The true Light of Knowledge and Faith is ſo inſeparable from the Heats of Love, that whoever pretendeth to that true Chriſtian Light, is deceived, and hath it not indeed, if he hate, or do not truly love his Brother.

Note; We muſt love all in the various kinds and meaſures, as God appeareth in them; that is, 1. All men as men above brutes; 2. All profeſſed Chriſtians (not nullifying that Profeſſion) as ſuch. 3. All Chriſtians of eminent wiſdom, and goodneſs, and uſefulneſs, as ſuch. 4. All Rulers and Teachers, as ſuch. 5. All kindred, friends and neighbours, as ſuch. But 1. We muſt hate all the evil that is in any of them. 2. Not equally, but as it is in various degrees in them. 3. And no hatred to the ſin, and to the man as a ſinner, muſt caſt out our Love to him, ſo far as he is lovely. 4. But Rulers may be obliged to put to death ſome ſinners; but that muſt be more for love to Juſtice and the Commonwealth, than hatred to the man, though yet, as he is bad, ſome hatred is due to him.

10. He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is none occaſion of ſtumbling in him. 11. But he that hateth his brother, is in darkneſs, and walketh in darkneſs, and knoweth not whither he goeth, becauſe that darkneſs hath blinded his eyes.

10, 11. He that truly loveth his Brother as himſelf, doth ſhew that he is indeed a knowing, and true Chriſtian: And he will be free from the ſcand…lous miſchiefs of Perſecution, Oppreſſion, and other Injuriouſneſs, which want of true Love doth cauſe in others. But he that hateth, abuſeth, perſecuteth, hurteth, or deſtroyeth his Brother, is but a dark, ſelf-deceiving Pretender to Chriſtian Faith and Wiſdom, and knoweth not what he doth himſelf, when he exerciſeth his Wit or Power againſt his Brother, for he is blind in ſin.

12. I write unto you, little children, becauſe your ſins are forgiven you for his Name's ſake. 13. I write unto you, fathers, becauſe ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, becauſe you have overcome the wicked one.

12, 13. And this Command of Love and Obedience is ſuch, as all ſorts of you muſt receive. I urge it on you that are Children in Chriſt, becauſe, being waſhed lately in Baptiſm, and the Blood of Chriſt, from your ſins, you ſhould love much becauſe much is forgiven you. I urge it on you, ancient Chriſtians, becauſe you have long been taught to know this Commandment, and to know the Love of God in Chriſt, which doth enforce it. I urge it on you that are ſtrong Chriſtians, becauſe you have conquered the Devil, who is the Wicked One, and the grand Enemy of Love.

13, 14. I write unto you, little children, becauſe ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, becauſe ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, becauſe ye are ſtrong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

13, 14. Again I ſay, that you may not neglect it; I urge this Commandment of Love and Obedience on all ſorts among you: On young Chriſtians, becauſe, to know God, as he is Love and a Father to us, is your chief Principle of Faith. On you, ancient Chriſtians, becauſe it is your old Religion. On you, ſtrong Chriſtians, becauſe you that have moſt Strength and Victory over Satan, muſt have moſt of this Grace of Love and Obedience.

15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

15. And I muſt accordingly warn you againſt the Love that is contrary to this Divine, Chriſtian Love; which is the carnal, inordinate Love of this World, and Worldly Intereſt and Things. Avoid this with all poſſible care; for in that meaſure that you thus love the World, you are ſo far deſtitute of the Love of God; elſe it would prevail againſt it.

16. For all that is in the world, the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

16. For, All that is the Bait of Senſuality in the World, whether it be the pleaſures of Appetite, Luſt, and other Senſes, or the pleaſing of a covetous, luſtful, or vain Imagination by the Eyes; or Preferment, Dominion, pompous Living, and Pride of Life, are none of them, the way to Communion with God, and Salvation; but are the Worldly Intereſt, and Temptation of the Fleſh, which turn men's hearts to the World, from God.

17. And the world paſſeth away, and the luſt thereof: but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever.

17. And the World, and all its Pomp, Plenty and Pleaſure, and the Fleſhly Luſts that are pleaſed by it, are haſtily paſſing away, while they ſeem enjoyed: But the reward and the pleaſure of thoſe that do the will of God, will have no end.

18. Little children, it is the laſt time: and as ye have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, even now are there many Antichriſts, whereby we know that it is the laſt time.

18. I yet ſpeak to you, as Children liable to Deceit. It is now the latter part of the Age of the World; And, as you have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, ſo, even now there are many falſe Teachers riſen up, who, in ſeveral ſorts and meaſures, are Adverſaries to Chriſt: which ſhews us that, indeed, it is already the beginning of the laſt Age.

Note; Of the Controverſie about Antichriſt, ſee the Notes on 2 Theſ. 2. there are four Opinions very commonly pleaded for; and others, by ſome few.

I. Moſt of the old Doctors and Chriſtians, that have left us their Thoughts, took Antichriſt to be a falſe, pretending Chriſt, that ſhould riſe up towards the end of the World; little dreaming that the Pope was he; much leſs, that all the viſible Chriſtian Church was then, in its moſt flouriſhing ſtate, Idolatrous and Antichriſtian, as ſome hold. By which it appeareth, that it is a Point that Godly Men may be ignorant of: for few now, but the Papiſts are of this Opinion.

II. Others think that Mahomet is the great Antichriſt, as being that open Enemy of Chriſtianity; who by pretending hatred to Idolatry, hath ſet up himſelf, and won more of the World, than all the Chriſtian part of the Earth, by far.

III. Moſt Proteſtants hold, that the Pope is the Antichriſt; but they greatly diſagree of the time when he began to be ſo: Some ſay, at the Churches Deliverance by Conſtantine, which was three hundred and four years after the Birth of Chriſt: Some ſay, About Anno 604. when Phocas named Pope Boniface the Third, Univerſal Biſhop in the Empire. And thence riſeth a Doubt, whether the ſame Claim made not John of Conſtantinople Antichriſt before, and ſo there …e not two Antichriſts: And whether the like Ambition made not Cyril, Theophil…s, and other Patriarchs of Alexandria, and divers other Biſhops, to be ſo many Antichriſts. Some ſay, He began about Hildebrand's time, when the Claim of Univerſal Head, and Vice-Chriſt over all the World began, with Power over Princes; which was above a thouſand Years after Chriſt. And ſome few ſay, He began about Innocent the Third; when the General Council of the Lateran owned that Power, with Tranſubſtantiation, and the Murder of Reformers, as Hereticks. The Reaſons for the Opinion that the Pope is the Antichriſt, you may find in many Volumes; and particularly, Biſhop G. Downame's.

IV. Others think that Antichriſt was a falſe Chriſt, who was to appear in the days of ſome of the Apoſtles, or that Generation, to ſeduce the Jews into Rebellion againſt the Romans, to their deſtruction. And they are very confident that John here meant no other than Chriſt himſelf meant in Mat. 24. and received his Notice from none but Chriſt, and that Chriſt's own words are the ſureſt Notification, who is the Antichriſt: For, it is mentioned here, not as a thing known only by ſpecial Inſpiration to them, or the Apoſtles, but as a received former Prophecy; [As you have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come.] And which way did they hear it, but by the Apoſtles, as from Chriſt; whoſe words the Evangeliſts have not omitted? Now Chriſt's words were, [Many ſhall come in my Name, ſaying, I am Chriſt, and ſhall deceive many.] Here he doth not fix the name on any one, more than on others. And it is certain that Chriſt was not miſtaken; but what he fore-told did come to paſs: though we read not of any that was expreſly called Chriſt and commonly ſo believed, that was not, becauſe none attempted ſo to deceive men, but becauſe their ſucceſs was ſmall, and ſoon ſtifled, and not like Mahomet's. Biza, on the Text, Mat. 24. ſaith, [In my Name, is, They ſhall uſurp the Name of the Meſſiah, or Chriſt. Such was that Doſitheus, whom Theophilact ſpeaketh of, and Simon, and Theudas; and after theſe, Manes, who alſo choſe his twelve Apoſtles. And in our Memory, the Munſter-Anabaptiſts attempted the ſame; and after them, David George, the Prince of the Libertines.] (So James Nailor lately, the Quaker whoſe Tongue the Parliament bored through, whip'd him, and impriſon'd him till he dyed, for ſolemnly perſonating Chriſt, riding into B…iſtol.) But there were others that promiſed to deliver the Jews, till they drew them into Rebellion, to their deſtruction; and ſo took on them to redeem Iſrael, though they called not themſelves the Chriſt. Almoſt all Expoſitors agree, that theſe were the Antichriſts meant by Chriſt, Mat. 24. But, though theſe were then ſhortly to ariſe, it followeth not, but that more ſuch might ariſe after them: and ſuch was Mahomet. above all others, notorious by his Alcoron, Kingdom, and Succeſs. And, as Ebion, Cerint…us, and ſome other Hereticks, were againſt Chriſt in ſome degree, ſo more notably is the Pope in that degree, as he arrogateth Chriſt's Prerogative, and maketh himſelf a Vicarious Head of the whole Church on Earth. So that theſe grant, that ſuch Popes are one ſort of thoſe Antichriſts that ſhould after ariſe; but that the Pope is not he that is meant by Chriſt, in Matth. 24. nor here by John.

And whereas 2 Theſ. 2. is objected for One Man of Sin, &c. they ſay, that it is not Antichriſt properly, that is there mentioned; but the Anti-God, the Roman Idolatrous Emperor, that ſhould cauſe Jeruſalem's Deſolation, and ſet up there the Idol of Abomination.

There is the like mention of Antichriſt again, Ch. 4.3. [Every ſpirit that confeſſeth not that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh, is not of God: And this is the ſpirit of Antichriſt, whereof ye have heard that it ſhould come, and even now a ready is in the world.]

So, Ch. 2.20. [He is Antichriſt, that denyeth the Father and the Son]

And, 2. Joh. [For many deceivers are entred into the world, who confeſs not that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh. This is a deceiver, and one Antichriſt.]

And (ſay they) when no other Text in Scripture hath the name Antichriſt, and theſe four all thus expound it of ſuch as deny Chriſt's Incarnation, and directly oppoſe him; and ſuch as were then in being, and of many ſuch Hereſies, and not of one Man, or Order, alone; and when all this concurreth with Chriſt's own words, of many falſe Chriſts, that ſhould deceive the Jews to their deſtruction, whence can we expect a ſurer Expoſition of Antichriſtianity, whether we take the name for an Adverſary to Chriſt, or for a falſe Chriſt.

When Grotius ſingleth out Barchochebas, as the chief Antichriſt, who called himſelf the Meſſiah, and ſeduced thouſands, and even the Sanedrim of Rulers, in…o his Error, to their deſtruction, it is anſwered by ſome, That this was all done before this Epiſtle was written. To which ſome reply; 1. That this is utterly uncertain, becauſe that Epiphanius ſaith, John was firſt baniſhed under Claudius: and becauſe the contrary Tradition hath no good Evidence, and becauſe the Apocalyps is the beſt Expoſitor, whoſe very Style implyeth that, at leaſt, much of it was written before the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem; and ſo may this Epiſtle. 2. Were it certain, John maketh no one to be the only, or grand Antichriſt, and therefore Chriſt's words might be firſt fulfilled in Barchochebas, and ſuch others; and yet more after may ſucceed them.

The two other Opinions, (1. That it is only Simon Magus. 2. Or Veſpaſian) I think not worthy the confuting.

In theſe difficulties, I only adviſe the Reader, that he never forſake great and certain Truths, or Duties, for any thing uncertain: And that Humane Faith overthrow not Divine Faith: And no man's Opinion draw him to depoſe Chriſt, by denying all his Viſible Church, and making it all, in any Age, (much leſs in its beſt ſtate) to be Idolatrous and Antichriſtian: Or to b… frightned from Chriſtian Love, Unity and Peace, or from any lawful thing, by the meer name of Antichriſt. But to judge of Doctrines by Scripture, and of Perſons by their Doctrines, Practices, and Perſonal Qualification; and to hate ſin impartially, wherever he findeth it; and to accuſe raſhly and unjuſtly, neither Perſons, Parties, or Societies.

19. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would, no doubt, have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifeſt, that they were not all of us.

19. Theſe Deceivers (the Nicolaitans, Ebion, Cerinthus, &c.) were indeed in our Communion, and went out from us; but they were never ſincerely of the ſame Faith and Spirit with us; elſe they would have ſtayed with us: But they went out, and ſeparated, and ſet up their Hereſies, that they might ſhew that they were never ſound in the Faith.

20. But ye have an unction from the holy One, and ye know all things.

20. But the moſt holy God and Saviour hath anointed you with his holy Spirit, which will lead you from pernicious Errour, into all neceſſary Truth, if you obey him.

21. I have not written unto you, becauſe ye know not the truth: but becauſe ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

21. It is not as ſuppoſing you ignorant of the Truth, that I write to you; but becauſe you know the neceſſary Truth, and therefore may the eaſier reject all inconſiſtent Falſhoods.

22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jeſus is the Chriſt? he is antichriſt that denieth the Father and the Son. 23. Whoſoever denieth the Son, the ſame hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son, hath the Father alſo.

22, 23. And who is the dangerous Lyer, but he that denyeth that Jeſus is the Chriſt; and conſequently, denyeth the Father?

Note; The ſcantneſs of Hiſtory leaveth it uncertain, what ſort of Seducers John meaneth; whether ſome that fell to flat Infidelity, directly renouncing Chriſtianity; or only ſuch as Ebion, Cerinthus, and others, that denyed ſomewhat of Chriſt's Being, his Manhood, or his Godhead, or his real Suffering: Or thoſe that were for Moſes's Law, and held, that Chriſt may be denyed with the Tongue, in caſe of danger, ſo that the heart deny him not; pretending that God will have Mercy to our ſelves, and not Sacrifice.

24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning: if that which ye have heard from the beginning, ſhall remain in you, ye alſo ſhall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

24. Hold faſt the Doctrine which at the firſt ye received from us, and turn not after Novelties: and this will preſerve you againſt Seduction, and continue you in the Faith, Relation and Love, of the Son and Father.

25. And this is the promiſe that he hath promiſed us, even eternal life.

25. And if you live by …aith upon his Promiſes, he will give you Eternal Life, which he hath promiſed, whatever you ſuffer or forſake here in the way.

26. Theſe things have I written unto you, concerning them that ſeduce you.

26. It is the ſeducing Hereticks, who occaſion my writing theſe Warnings to you.

27. But the anointing which ye have received of him, abideth in you: and ye need not that any man teach you: but, as the ſame anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie: and even as it hath taught you, ye ſhall abide in him.

27. But I hope I need no other Argument, to confirm you in the Chriſtian Faith, againſt Seducers, than that the Spirit of Chriſt, which is his Witneſs, Agent, and Advocate, hath through his Apoſtles Preaching and Impoſition of Hands, been given to you, and among you. His Miracles have ſealed his Truth before your eyes; and his illuminating and ſanctifying Grace hath been given you, if you be true Believers. And I hope you will not deny the Holy Ghoſt: As he is thus the Infallible Objective Evidence of Chriſt's Truth, ſo is he in you, an Efficient, Illuminating Teacher, and ready, within you, to plead Chriſt's Cauſe, and teach you all neceſſary Truth. Therefore you need not any man's Teſtimony and Teaching, as thoſe do that have no other, but muſt take the Word of Man alone. Uſe Chriſt's Miniſters but in due Subordination to the Spirit, and quench it not and he will keep you.

28. And now, little children, abide in him, that when he ſhall appear, we may have confidence, and not be aſhamed before him at his coming.

28. Therefore, Children, waver not, but fixedly abide in Chriſt, and true Chriſtianity; that when he ſhal appear in Judgment, we may ſee and meet him with joyful confidence, and not with ſhame unto Condemnation, as Apoſtates will.

Note; 'Tis wonder that he that expounds all this, of Chriſt's coming to deſtroy Jeruſalem by the Romans (his Enemies) ſhould think that all the Chriſtians, to whom the Apoſtles wrote, ſhould then meet Chriſt, or be ſo much comforted therein, when moſt were like to die firſt, and few living to be much the better for it: And Chriſtian Compaſſion would fill them with Grief, as Paul had, Rom. 9. and 11. and not make them like men of utter malice, to take it for ſo great joy, to have the Jews ſo murdered, when Chriſt wept over them, that foretold it; and when the Romans were far more to perſecute the Church, near three hundred Years. And this Expoſition leaveth all the Chriſtian World ſince, to this day, little more uſe of the abundance of Motives and Comforts of the New Teſtament, than of the fulfilled Prophecies of the Old. Do not Chriſt's and the Apoſtles words nearly concern us? Or ſhould the Church be moved to Conſtancy, Patience and Comfort, chiefly, ſixteen hundred Years after, becauſe a Million of Jews were killed then?

29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doth righteouſneſs, is born of him.

29. And as ye believe that Chriſts is juſt, and a Lover of Righteouſneſs, ſo all that ſincerely live a righteous Life towards God and Man, are new born, by his Sanctifying Spirit, to his Image, and ſhall ſurely be received and owned by him.

CHAP. III.

1. BEhold, what manner of love the Father hath beſtowed upon us, that we ſhould be called the ſons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, becauſe it knew him not.

1. Let us therefore, inſtead of forſaking Chriſt, admire the wondrous Love of God to us, that hath, in Chriſt, adopted us to be his Sons. Indeed our Dignity is unknown to the unbelieving World; for they knew not Chriſt to be the Son of God, and how then ſhould they know us?

2. Beloved, now are we the ſons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we ſhall be: but we know, that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him; for we ſhall ſee him as he is.

2. And it is no wonder if our Condition be unknown to the unbelieving World; for though we are already the Sons of God, and have Right, by Promiſe, to future Glory, our future Glory is yet unſeen, and what we ſhall be, doth not appear to the World, or to our own ſight: But we know by faith, that when Chriſt appeareth, we that are his Members, ſhall, in our ſeveral meaſures, be made like our glorified Head, in the Perfection both of Soul and Body, and place and ſtate of Bleſſedneſs. For he hath promiſed that we ſhall be with him, and therefore ſhall ſee him as he is, and therefore be made capable of ſuch a ſight, and glorious Communion.

3. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himſelf, even as he is pure.

3. And knowing that, without Holineſs, none can ſee God; and that, it is the Pure in heart that have the Promiſe of ſeeing him, therefore all that have a true effectual Hope of ſeeing him, will make it their chief care to purifie themſelves, that ſuch Likeneſs to Chriſt may render them capable of ſuch a bleſſed ſight.

4. Whoſoever committeth ſin, tranſgreſseth alſo the law: for ſin is the tranſgreſſion of the law. 5. And ye know that he was manifeſted to take away our ſins, and in him is no ſin.

4, 5. For, to ſin, is to tranſgreſs, and break God's Law: for that is the definition of Sin. And ye know that Chriſt came in the Fleſh, to be a Sacrifice for Sin, and to take it away, and deſtroy it, and never ſinned himſelf; and all this, that he might vindicate God's Law and Holineſs.

6. Whoſoever abideth in him, ſinneth not: whoſoever ſinneth, hath not ſeen him, neither known him.

6. So far as any man is in him, and is taught and ruled by him; ſo far is he freed from all ſin: and all his true Members are delivered from the predominant love and practice of all known ſin; and are willing to know all, that they may avoid it. And he that would not know it, and when he doth know it, doth not hate it more than love it; and ſo far forſake it, as to conquer the Dominion of it, and live in ſincere and willing holy Obedience in the courſe of his Life, may boaſt falſly that he is a Chriſtian; but indeed, hath no true ſaving knowledge of Chriſt.

7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doth righteouſneſs, is righteous, even as he is righteous.

7. Be not ſo childiſh, as to be deceived by the vain words of any that pretend to be righteous before God, on any account whatſoever, while they live in Unrighteouſneſs and predominant ſin; as if God would juſtifie the Wicked for their Opinions or Preſumptions. It is he that, being called, juſtified and ſanctified by the Merits and Spirit of Chriſt, doth live in a ſincere Obedience to him, and labours to be like him, in Holineſs and Love to God and Man, whom God will call a righteous man, and ſave him as ſuch, when he is Judge.

8. He that committeth ſin, is of the devil; for the devil ſinneth from the beginning. For this purpoſe the Son of God was manifeſted, that he might deſtroy the works of the devil.

8. So far as any man ſinneth, ſo far he is of the Devil, and like him: and he is the Servant of the Devil, in whom ſin is predominant: or that liveth in the love and practice of any ſin, not conſiſtent with true hatred of it, and Repentance, and the predominant love and practice of holy Obedience. And Chriſt will be no juſtifying Advocate, or Judge, of the Servants of the Devil (though he may, by making them juſt and holy, turn them from the power of Satan, to God; and judge them juſt, when he hath made them juſt, both by Converſion and Pardon, but not before.) For the Son of God came purpoſely into the World, to deſtroy the Works of the Devil, in all that he will ſave; and not to call the Wicked, Righteous.

9. Whoſoever is born of God, doth not commit ſin: for his ſeed remaineth in him, and he cannot ſin, becauſe he is born of God.

9. He that is truly regenerate by the Spirit, is made a hater and forſaker of ſin, and therefore doth not live in the ruling love or practice of it; nor indeed, commit any ſin, in that degree that he is ſanctified; much leſs, live in wilful, groſs ſin: for God's Word and Spirit, by which he was regenerate, ſtill abide in him. And it is a Contradiction to ſay that, at once, he is a holy perſon, born of God, and yet liveth in reigning ſin.

Note; [Cannot] Here ſignifieth a Hypothetical Impoſſibility, becauſe 'tis a Contradiction, and not a natural Impoſſibility; much leſs, Impotency: for it is ſinning, and not forbearing ſin, that ſignifieth Impotency. And the Contradiction is only on Suppoſition that he continue ſanctified.

10. In this the children of God are manifeſt, and the children of the devil: whoſoever doth not righteouſneſs, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

10. It is not by proud Boaſting, nor barren Opinions, that God's Children are known from the Children of the Devil; but by the Image of God, which Faith in Chriſt doth cauſe in his true Diſciples. He that doth not live in the true love and practice of Righteouſneſs towards God and Man; abhorring and avoiding Ungodlineſs, Injuſtice, and fleſhly Luſts, is no Child of God, but of the Devil: nor he that doth not unfeignedly love all Chriſtians, as Chriſtians; and men, as men; and live in Charity to them accordingly.

Note; That wicked men are called, The Children of the Devil, becauſe they are like him, and do his Will. And the World ſwarmeth with men ſo like to Devils, in Lying, Malignity and Miſchiefs, as maketh it eaſie to believe, that there are Devils, and a Hell.

11. For this is the meſſage that ye heard from the beginning, that we ſhould love one another.

11. For this is the Meſſage which Chriſt, the Lord of Love, did commit to us, and, from the firſt, we have preached to you, that Love is the very …m and End of Law and Goſpel.

12. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and ſlew his brother: and wherefore ſlew he him? becauſe his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

12. That we be not like wicked Cain, who was of the Diabolical Diſpoſition and Practice, and killed his own Brother. And, Why did he kill him? Not for any ill deſert, nor for any harm that he had done him: but becauſe he was bad himſelf, and his Works bad; and his Brother's Righteous, and, by difference, condemned him.

Note; Doubtleſs, God permitted Adam's firſt Son to be wicked, and murder his righteous Brother, to ſhew the World, what a ſtate we are firſt in, ſince the Fall, by natural Pravity; and that we are, as ſuch, the Children of the Devil, till Grace recover us: and to expound the Enmity put between the Seed of the Woman, and of the Serpent; and to tell us, what a War will be continued upon Earth, from the days Cain and Ab…l, till the End; and that Superiority and Cruelty will uſually be againſt the Righteous, whoſe Victory is moſtly by patient Suffering and Death.

13. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

13. If the ungodly Succeſſors of Cain, whoſe own Works are evil, do hate Godlineſs and Conſcience, and hate you for them, take it for no ſtrange or unexpected thing: It hath been ſo ſince Cain's days, and will be ſo, as Chriſt foretold.

14. We know that we have paſſed from death unto life, becauſe we love the brethren: he that loveth not his brother, abideth in death.

14. Love being the great Work of God's Renewing Spirit on the Soul, it is by Love, eſpecially to all true Chriſtians, that we know that we are changed from the Cainiſh, corrupt ſtate of Death, into the ſtate of holy Life. Whatever elſe men have, if they have not true love to others, eſpecially to godly Chriſtians, they are yet dead in ſin.

Note, 1. By [The Brethren,] here is meant, [Chriſtians, as ſuch:] Not only thoſe of ſome Party in Opinion which we like, nor only thoſe that are friendly to us, nor yet all men, or all called Chriſtians alike; though all men muſt be loved as men. It is, to love God in man, and man for his ſake, ſo far as God's Amiableneſs ſhineth in them; ſpecially, to love God's Holineſs in holy perſons.

2. It is not all Love to godly Chriſtians, as ſuch, that will prove us tranſlated from Death to Life; but to love them, and God in them, better than the Pleaſures and Wealth of the World. The cheap Love of ſuch as wiſh men well, but will be at no great coſt or danger for any, becauſe they love their Money better, is the Hypocrites Love.

15. Whoſoever hateth his brother, is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

15. Note, 1. How dreadful a Sentence this is againſt malignant, or factious Haters of Brethren.

2. But the Self-deceit of murderous Hypocrites is, by taking Brethren for no Brethren; but, as the Papiſts, firſt call them Hereticks, Schiſmaticks, Fanaticks, Puritans, Rebels againſt the Pope or Church; that they may juſtifie their hating, murdering, impriſoning, ſilencing, and ruining them. As the Scribes were loth to know who was their Neighbour, ſo are theſe loth to know who is a Brother: But God will know his Children, though men call them by reproachful names. Alas for the murderous Generation, that preach, write, and ſtrive to deſtroy the Upright, and ſay, they killed them, or ruined them in Love; (that is, they hated them in Love.) Woe to them, when God ſhall judge them.

3. Every degree of unjuſt Hurt or Hatred is a Breach of the Sixth Commandment: But the meaning is not every degree, or miſtaking wrong, is as bad as actual Murder, or as ſure a ſign of Death. Alas! how few elſe would live.

16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, becauſe he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

16. As God hath manifeſted his Love to us, by laying down for us the Life of our Redeemer; ſo if we be God's Children, we muſt learn of him (as to love our Enemies, ſo) if God ſhould call us to it, as needful to better ends than our lives, to lay down our lives for Chriſtian Brethren.

17. But whoſo hath this worlds good, and ſeeth his brother have need, and ſhutteth up his bowels of compaſſion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

17. And if Love muſt make us die for others, ſurely thoſe have no true Love to God, and to the Brethren, as God requireth, who cannot lay down part of their abundance (perhaps ſuperfluity) for them; but while they are well able, yet cannot find in their hearts to relieve them, but ſhut up the bowels of their compaſſion from them.

Note; O the dreadful account that many of the Rich muſt give, that feaſt all the year, while their poor Neighbours hunger! and ſpend forty times more in (needleſs) houſe-keeping, as they call their Luxury, than on the Poor.

18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed, and in truth.

18. Let not your Love be hypocritical, which will bring forth no better fruit than good wiſhes, and fair words, but ſhew the truth of it by your coſt and real helps.

19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and ſhall aſſure our hearts before him.

19. It is by ſuch efficacy and real fruit that we muſt know that we are true Chriſtians, and not Hypocrites, and muſt have aſſurance that our hearts are true to God.

20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God.

20, 21. For if our Conſciences tell us that our Love is barren and fruitleſs, and ſo condemn us of Hypocriſie, God is greater, and more acquainted with our Hypocriſie than our Conſciences: But if our Conſcience truly witneſs the ſincerity of our Love by the fruits of it, then this aſſurance of our Sincerity giveth us boldneſs towards God.

22. And whatſoever we ask, we receive of him becauſe we keep his commandments, and do thoſe things that are pleaſing in his ſight.

22. And if we do God's Will ſincerely, in obeying his Commands, and the things that pleaſe him, he will hear our Prayers, and grant our juſt deſires, and give us that which is good for us; whereas, if we love iniquity, and live therein, God will not hear our Prayers.

Note; They that deny that holy, ſincere Obedience, is any condition of God's hearing our Prayers (becauſe Faith hath the promiſe) contradict the ſcope of Scripture.

23. And this is his commandment, that we ſhould believe on the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

23. And the ſum of all this acceptable duty is but this, To believe truly in Jeſus Chriſt, our Redeemer, our Teacher, King and Interceſſor, and to obey his great Command of Loving one another; with all ſuch God is pleaſed, and heareth them.

24. And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

24. And if we keep Chriſt's Commands (of fruitful Love in Faith) there is a near Communion between Chriſt and us; we dwell in Chriſt as his Members, and he dwelleth in us; and his dwelling in us is by the Spirit of Love and Holineſs (the Seal of his Promiſe) which he hath given us: (He that keepeth Chriſt's Commandments (ſpecially of Love) hath his Spirit:) And Chriſt dwells where his Spirit dwells.

CHAP. IV.

1. BEloved, believe not every ſpirit, but try the ſpirits, whether they are of God: becauſe many falſe prophets are gone out into the world.

1. There be many falſe Teachers, who pretend to Revelation as Prophets, who teach you the Doctrines of Senſuality, Worldlineſs and Malice, contrary to the Doctrine of Holineſs and Love, which I have taught you: Therefore believe not that every man ſpeaketh by God's Spirit who pretendeth to it; nor that every ſtrong ſuggeſtion in your ſelves is from God's Spirit, which ſeemeth ſuch before you try it: But try all pretences of the Spirit, whether they come indeed from the Spirit of God, or rather from Satan, or mens own imagination corrupted by pride.

Qu. How ſhall we juſtly try Spirits, or ſpiritual pretences? Anſ. By ſomewhat that is more eaſily known, and no otherwiſe: And that is two things; 1. The common certain notices of the Light and Law of Nature. 2. By the Infallible words of the Spirit in Chriſt and his Apoſtles, and Prophets: For both theſe are the ſure Word of God, who doth not contradict himſelf: Our gifts of the Spirit are lower than the Apoſtles, and muſt be tryed by theirs, which were given them to record a Rule for us.

2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every ſpirit that confeſſeth that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh, is of God. 3. And every ſpirit that confeſſeth not that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh, is not of God: and this is that ſpirit of Antichriſt, whereof you have heard, that it ſhould come, and even now already is it in the world.

2, 3. By this you ſhall know whether theſe Pretenders ſpeak from the Spirit of God: For the Spirit of God is the Spirit of Chriſt, ſent by him to be his Advocate, and plead his Cauſe, and do his Work in the World, and therefore beareth witneſs of him: If therefore theſe Teachers, truly and openly in the face of danger, do own, profeſs and preach Chriſt Jeſus, as the Incarnate Word and Son of God, ſent from Heaven to redeem, teach, rule and ſave us; this Doctrine is of the Spirit of God. But if they deny the Godhead, or Manhood of Chriſt, or that he is indeed the true Incarnate Saviour, Prophet, Prieſt and King, or will not own him in hazards or ſufferings, but deny him to ſave the fleſh, and teach men ſo to do; this Doctrine and Spirit is not of God: But this is the Spirit of Antichriſt, which you have been foretold ſhould come, and is already in the World.

Note; By the Spirit of Antichriſt is not here meant, the Spirit ſent by Antichriſt, but the ſame Doctrine that Antichriſt will vend, and therefore from the ſ…me Spirit that acteth Antichriſt, which is a Spirit of oppoſition to Chriſt. And in thoſe times Ebion, Cerinthus, and many other Hereticks did, ſome deny Chriſt's Manhood, ſome his Godhead, ſome his Death, and ſome his Reſurrection, and each part of his Office was denyed: That among all there Simon Magus only ſhould be the Antichriſt, I ſee no reaſon to believe, of which more before and after.

4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: becauſe greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

4. But your Faith in Chriſt is of the Spirit of God, who dwelleth and worketh in you, and you have overcome the worldly ſeducing Spirit, its Doctrines, Baits and Temptations; for God's Spirit which is in you, is more powerful than the Spirit which deludeth the World.

5. They are of the world: therefore ſpeak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

5. Theſe Seducers are men of a worldly intereſt and mind, and therefore they preach a wordly Doctrine, fitted to a worldly Intereſt and Ear; and therefore worldly men believe them.

6. We are of God: he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. Hereby know we the ſpirit of truth, and the ſpirit of errour.

6. We are of God, and can prove our Miſſion by his atteſtation to our Doctrine, as being from God: And therefore all that truly know God, will receive and own our Doctrine as God's, and us as his Apoſtles: but he that is not of God, having not the ſame Spirit, receiveth not the ſame holy Doctrine, nor us. Thus differ the Spirit of God, and of Errour.

7. Beloved, let us love one another▪ for love is of God; and every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

7, 8. And as true Faith in Chriſt, and open confeſſing him, is one ſign; ſo true Chriſtian LOVE is another, to know that our Doctrine and Spirit is of God: Therefore be ſure that you unfeignedly love one another: Moſt certainly LOVE is of God; (common Love is his common gift, and holy Love is his ſpecial grace;) and every one that Loveth Saints as Saints, as well as Men as Men, ſincerely for the Love of God, and goodneſs in them, is ſo far like God (who as the God of Nature, loveth Nature, and as the God of Grace, loveth Holineſs,) and therefore is a regenerate Child of God, and hath true Faith and Knowledge of God, or elſe he could not love him in his Saints. And whatever they pretend, they have no true effectual Love of the moſt Holy God, or of his Will, who love not his Holineſs in his Children, and are not dear to one another. For LOVE is not a meer quality in God, but his very Eſſence: GOD IS LOVE.

Note; I know no ſentence more worthy to be written in Letters of Gold, or rather written on all our hearts: But the other two prime Attributes written in this Epiſtle muſt be conjoyned, GOD is LIFE, LIGHT and LOVE: And LOVE is complacency, and includeth Infinite JOY or PLEASURE.

9. In this was manifeſted the love of God towards us, becauſe that God lent his onelyonly begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

9. And God's Eſſential LOVE doth tend to communication; he is good, and doth good: He loveth us, not with a barren Love, as Hypocrites do; but he choſe this moſt woderful glorifying way of publick manifeſting his Love to us, even by ſending his Son into the World, that we might live through him.

10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and ſent his Son to be the Propitiation for our ſins.

10. And the Glory of God's Love to us, is not only that he conſequently loved us for loving him; but that he antecedently loved us (that we might love him) and (while we were in ſin and enmity) freely ſ…n… his Son to be the Propitiation for our ſins.

11. Beloved, if God ſo loved us, we ought alſo to love one another.

11. And Gods great works, and glorious manifeſtations of himſelf to us are purpoſely to be (as the Seal to the Wax) to make us like him in our degree: And he therefore choſe this aſtoniſhing way of revealing his LOVE to us, that by it we might be brought to love him, and one another for him.

12. No man hath ſeen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

12. It is God himſelf that his Love …blig…th us to LOVE. But as we ſee him but in the Glaſs or Image of his Nature and Holineſs in Man; ſo we muſt Love him … we ſee him here, even in the Natu…e and Holineſs of Man: And if …e thus holily love one another as God… Image, God by his Spirit dwelleth in us, for it is his Spirit of Love that maketh us thus Love: And his Love to us attaineth its end, which was to make us like him in Love. (O that Chriſtians would ſtudy this well!)

13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, becauſe he hath given us of his Spirit.

13. By this ſure evidence we know that God and we do, as it were, dwell in each other, and have bleſſed communion, becauſe he hath given us this Spirit of holy Love.

14. And we have ſeen, and do teſtifie, that the Father ſent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

14. And we are the Preachers of Faith and Love; as we have ſeen, ſo we teſtifie, that God the Father glorified his Love, by ſending his Son to be the Saviour of the ſinful World.

15. Whoſoever ſhall confeſs that Jeſus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

15. It cannot be that any man can ſoundly believe ſuch aſtoniſhing Love, that God was manifeſted in fleſh, or that the Father ſent his Son into fleſh, by his Doctrine, Example, Suffering, Merits, Reſurrection and Interceſſion to ſave us, and ſhall confeſs this, whatever ſuffering it coſt him, but that man muſt needs be poſſeſſed by God's Spirit of holy Love, and ſo God dwelleth in that man by his Spirit, and that man in God as the great Object of his Faith and Love. (For with the heart man believeth to righteouſneſs, and with the mouth confeſſion is made to ſalvation, Rom. 10.

16. And we have known, and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.

16. And knowing, and by Faith believing the Love that God hath to us, and hath declared in Chriſt, we again conclude, that GOD IS LOVE, and he that dwelleth in Love (as his ruling habit of Soul, and practice of Life) dwelleth by communion in God (as the Eye in the Light; and a Friend by Love dwells in his Friend,) and God by his Spirit of Love in him.

Note; I pref…r this Verſe before all the Humane Learning in the World.

17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldneſs in the day of judgement: becauſe as he is, ſo are we in this world.

17. And our Love is for this bleſſed effect, that we may joyfully now foreſee, and ſtand at laſt before him in Judgment, as the Lord, to whom by Love we are endeared and united: For as his Intereſt is deareſt to us in this World, and we obey and follow him in ſuffering; ſo it is that we may come to him in Glory, with whom our Life is now hid.

18. There is no fear in love, but perfect love caſteth out fear: becauſe fear hath torment: he that feareth, is not made perfect in love.

18. For though our darkneſs and guilt would keep us under terror, leſt God ſhould deſtroy us, or our weakneſs make us fear the power of man, and bodily calamities and death, yet the Love that I ſpeak of, hath none of this terrour in it; but were it perfect, it would fully quiet the Soul, and caſt out all diſtruſtful, painful fear: For though cautelous preventing fear of all danger is neceſſary in this life to our ſafe avoiding evil, and the awe and reverence of God is the duty of every creature; yet tormenting, or painful troubling fear cometh from diſtruſt, and ſheweth that our Love is yet imperfect.

Note; This is ſpoken both of tormenting fear of God and Man, of Hell and of Death, Sickneſſes and Croſſes here. For he that by Faith is fully perſuaded of God's great and ſpecial Love to him, ſuch as he hath manifeſted by Chriſt, and thereupon doth love God entirely above all, in that meaſure, cannot fear that ſuch a God will damn him, or leave him to the malice of Men or Devils, and by death it ſelf do him any hurt inconſiſtent with deareſt Love. If Wives and Children fear not being murdered by loving Husbands or Fathers: perfect Love would make us fully quiet in our truſt in God. Painful fear of Hell, Death, Sickneſs, Poverty or Perſecutors, doth ſhew a diſtruſt and doubting of God's Love (who could ſure quickly ſave us by ſuch a word as made the World) and an imperfection of our Love to him as cauſed by this diſtruſt. Fear may ſtand with true Faith and Love, but not with perfect. Only I confeſs ſenſitive paſſion, through bodily diſeaſe or diſpoſition, quite differing from rational Fear, is a Tyrant, which Faith and Reaſon will not overcome. As a man bound with Chains to the top of a Spire Steeple is rationally ſure that he cannot fall, and yet is terrified with looking down. O how ſhould fearful Chriſtians ſtudy Truſt and Love, as their only cure and quieting help.

19. We love him, becauſe he firſt loved us.

19. And it is the knowledge of God's antecedent Love to us, giving us a Chriſt and Grace, and making us love him, which thus delivereth the Soul from fear, and turneth us to him with love and boldneſs: If his Love had been a meer dependent conſequent of ours, how uncertain ſhould we be of its continuance!

20. If a man ſay, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath ſeen, how can he love God whom he hath not ſeen?

20. But ſtill, I ſay, our Love to God muſt be ſhewed in our hearty Love to our Brethren: To hate and perſecute them, yea not effectually to love them, proveth him a Lyar, who ſaith, he loveth God: It is God in his Image that you muſt love and help: He needeth you not, but he will make you need one another, to try your Love and Obedience to him. If you love not his viſible Image, how can you love the inviſible God? This doth but detect your ſelf-deceiving Hypocriſie.

21. And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God, love his brother alſo.

21. And he …hat will be the Judge who love him truly, hath made this his ſummary great Commandment, that you muſt love God firſt, and above all, and your Brother or Neighbour for his ſake as your ſelves: And you love him not if you keep not his great Commandment.

CHAP. V.

1. WHoſoever believeth that Jeſus is the Chriſt, is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him alſo that is begotten of him.

1. Note; That it is believing God and not Man only, a Divine Faith, and not a Humane, a ſincere Faith, and not a doubting Opinion, that is here called [Believing,] Believing this on the word of our Rulers or Teachers is good, but it is but preparatory to Religion, and the Belief of God: And it is a matter of ſuch great importance to believe it ſincerely as God's Word, that God was manifeſt in fleſh, and appointed Chriſt to the Office and Work of Man's Sanctification and Salvation, that it is not poſſible but ſuch a ſound Belief muſt fill the Soul with love to God, and carry it up to a holy and heavenly ſtate, as the Regenerate are: Nor is it poſſible but ſuch ſhould love that Saviour, who is the Image of God's Love.

2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.

2, 3. And you muſt know, that it is not all Love to one another, or to good People that will prove us regenerate (for men may love them as their Friends, for loving them, or for being of their Opinion, Sect or party, or for their Intereſt, &c.) But your love to men as God's Children is ſincere and ſaving, when it is God himſelf that you love moſt, and them for his ſake: And when his Love maketh you keep his Commandments. And his Commandments are not heavy, nor have any thing in them which men ſhould be unwilling to keep, but ſhould be both our work and pleaſure.

4. For whatſoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

4. God's Spirit is ſtronger than the evil Spirit that ruleth the ungodly World; and therefore all that are truly regenerate, do overcome the Love and Temptations of the World, though not perfectly, yet in prevalency. And how do we overcome the World, but by firm believing in Jeſus Chriſt, and the Love of God, that will bring us to a far better World: The things believed prevail againſt the things ſeen, in all that are true Believers indeed.

5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jeſus is the Son of God?

5. Where do you ſee any truly overcome the Love of this World, but they that believe that Jeſus Chriſt hath purchaſed, and promiſed, and will give them a better? And how elſe ſhould we overcame the World, but by believing in him that overcome it, and is preparing a place for us in Heaven, and hath made us the Heirs of Glory.

6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jeſus Chriſt, not by water only, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witneſs, becauſe the Spirit is truth.

6. This is he that, as he was baptized, ſo he inſtituted Baptiſm, for the cleanſing of Souls: And as he was crucified, to be a Sacrifice for ſin, ſo doth he, by his Sacrament and Grace, communicate this Sacrifice in its Benefits to us; which his Crucifixion ſignified, when both Water and Blood run out of his pierced Side. He cleanſeth us, nor by Water and Baptiſm alone, but as a Sacrifice, by Water and Blood, and at a dearer rate. And the Witneſs, by which God atteſteth all this to be his Truth, is, the Gift of his Spirit.

7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghoſt: and theſe three are one. 8. And there are three that bear witneſs in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and theſe three agree in one.

7, 8. For there are three in Heaven, who have given us their Witneſs to the Goſpel on Earth; even, the Father, who hath from Heaven declared Chriſt to be his Son: and the Word▪ or Godhead of Chriſt, which he ſhewed in his Miracles, Reſurrection, &c. And the Holy Ghoſt, ſent down for Infallibility, Miracles and Renovation of the Faithful. And theſe are ſo Three, as yet to be One. And on Earth, we have ſeen theſe three Witneſſes atteſting one thing by Agreement, even the Spirit in the Souls of Believers, in their Miracles and Holineſs ſealing the Truth; the Water of Baptiſm, and the waſhing of their Souls from Sin; and Chriſt's B…ood and Sacrifice, which is our Expiation, ſignified in the Lord's Supper; even as Chriſt, on the Croſs, firſt recommended his Spirit into his Father's Hands, and then out of his pierced Side came Water and Blood.

Note; Though much of theſe words, Verſ. 7, 8. be not in many ancient Copies of the Bible, we have more reaſon to think that the Arrians left them out, than that the Orthodox put them in; (other Texts that aſſert Chriſt's Godhead being ſo uſed.) But however, it need not offend the Faithful, there being ſo many other Texts which aſſert the Trinity.

9. If we receive the witneſs of men, the witneſs of God is greater: for this is the witneſs of God, which he hath teſtified of his Son.

9. If the Witneſs of credible Men and Controverſies among us, much more muſt the Witneſs of God be believed: And this mentioned, is God's own Teſtimony of Chriſt.

10. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witneſs in himſelf: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, becauſe he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

10. He that is a true Believer in Chriſt, hath the Spirit of Chriſt, which hath regenerated him: (for, if any man have not his Spirit, he is none of his.) And this Spirit of Power, Wiſdom and Holineſs, is moſt certainly from God, and an infallible Evidence, that God owneth the Goſpel: therefore all theſe have the witneſſing Evidence of Chriſt in themſelves. And he that believeth not ſo ſure a Teſtimony of God, doth make him a Lyer; as if he gave the Holy Spirit as a falſe Witneſs of Chriſt, to deceive the World.

11. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life: and this life is in his Son. 12. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life.

11, 12. And the ſum of the Goſpel, atteſted by God and his Spirit, is this; that God hath made a free Deed of Gift, of Pardon and Salvation to the World, even the Life of Grace and Glory; but ſo as that this Life is given us in and with Chriſt, who, with all theſe Benefits, is offered to Men, on condition of believing Acceptance: (As a Woman in Marriage, hath the Man with his Eſtate; and as we chuſe our Phyſician for Phyſick, our Teacher for Learning, our Ruler for Government, &c.) He that hath Chriſt upon believing Acceptance, as his Saviour, hath Life initially, and Title to Salvation: And he that hath not Chriſt, through his Unbelief and Refuſal, hath not Life.

13. Theſe things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

13. Theſe things I have written to you that are true Chriſtians, that you may know what a Treaſure you have in and with Chriſt; even, Right to Eternal Life, and its Beginning here: and that you may go on confirmed, and conſtant in the Faith.

14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his wiil, he heareth us.

14. And through our Intereſt in Chriſt, his Merits and Interceſſion, we have ſufficient ground of Confidence that, by and through him, our Prayers are heard, and that he will give us whatever we ask, which he hath promiſed to give, and we are fit to receive.

15. And if we know that he hear us, whatſoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we deſired of him.

15. And if he thus hear your Prayers, we may reckon that, in his time and way, he will give us whatever Particular we ask, if we and our Prayers be qualified for his Promiſe.

16. If any man ſee his brother ſin a ſin, which is not unto death, he ſhall ask, and he ſhall give him life for them that ſin not unto death. There is a ſin unto death: I do not ſay that he ſhall pray for it. 17. All unrighteouſneſs is ſin, and there is a ſin not unto death.

16, 17. And this comfort you have, in your Prayers for others, as well as for your ſelves: God will hear you for thoſe, who are qualified for the Mercy which you beg for them, according to his Promiſe. Death, temporal and eternal, is the Wages of ſin; but with great difference. There are many ſins of Infirmity, which we hate and ſtrive againſt; (as vain Thoughts, Words, Paſſions, Coldneſs in Duty, Imperfection in all Good;) and all ſins that ſtand with true Repentance, and the predominant Love of God and Holineſs. Theſe the Law of Grace doth pardon, through Chriſt, and not damn any for: But Pardon muſt be asked, and ſhall be obtained, for the faithful, penitent, qualified perſon. But God hath told us, that he doth not pardon the Impenitent and Unſanctified, that had rather keep their ſin, than leave it; and are unqualified for Pardon. Your Prayer to God, to pardon ſuch, ſhall not prevail, while they are impenitent; much leſs for them that are Infidels, and blaſpheme the Holy Ghoſt. And God's own Children may fall into ſome ſins that are to be puniſhed with Bodily Death, or …hame: Magiſtrates muſt put to death Murderers, and other capital Offenders; and when Magiſtrates do it not, God will oft times do it without them, himſelf; (as he did on Ananias and Sapphira, and others.) In this caſe, if one be to be executed by Juſtice, or be under God's Juſtice, that will put him to death, you may pray for his Soul, but you muſt not pray for his Life, though he repent; becauſe it is againſt God's Law, and the common Good: And if you ſhould pray for the Recovery of ſuch a man in Sickneſs, God hath not promiſed you to recover him: No, nor any of his own Children, when their dying time is come.

18. We know that whoſoever is born of God, ſinneth not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himſelf, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

18. We know that all that are born of God, hate ſin, and overcome it in the courſe of their lives; and live in no reigning ſin which is predominant, but only hated infirmities, which conſiſt with ſincere, predominant Faith, Obedience and Repentance, (nor have any ſin at all, ſo far as they have the Divine Nature;) but they watchfully keep themſelves from the prevalence of Satan's ſnares.

19. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedneſs.

19. And, though Chriſt's Flocks here be leſs than the World, we ſee by experience, that we are of God; guided by his Spirit, obeying his Laws, pleaſing his Will, living to him, and hoping for his Glory, and that the unconverted World is wholly ſet on wickedneſs and miſchief; ſo notorious is the difference between the faithful, and the ungodly World (which foretells the future difference.)

20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an underſtanding, that we may know him that is true: and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jeſus Chriſt. This is the true God, and eternal life.

20. In a word, by all aforeſaid, we are certain of the truth of our Religion: We are ſure that the Son of God is come, and Chriſt is he; and by his Doctrine and Spirit, hath enlightned us to know the true and only God, and his Will: and we are, by faith and the Spirit, planted into him who is the Truth; even into Jeſus Chriſt. So that we are ſure, it is the true God that we believe and ſerve, and the Gift and Title to Eternal Life, that by Chriſt we do receive.

21. Little children, keep your ſelves from idols. Amen.

21. I ſpeak to you in love, as if you were my own Children; but with care of you, as to your weakneſs, and what temptations the Idolatrous World aſſaults you with: As Chriſt hath called you out of the World, from Idolatry, which you have renounced; as you love God, and your Saviour, and your Souls, hold cloſe to Chriſt and return not to Idols, nor partake of their Sacrifices, nor ſeem to own them by Idolatrous Communion. Amen.