Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 1 · Verse 5
1 JOHN 1.5.
This then is the meſſage which we have heard of him, &c.
IN the four former Verſes we had the Apoſtles Doctrin, or the Doctrin of the Goſpel deſcribed.
1 By the ſubjects of it, Chriſt Jeſus in his Divine and Human nature, verſe 1, 2.
2 By the ends of it; 1 Subordinate, Communion with God, verſe 3.
2 Supream, Fulneſſe of joy, verſe 4. Here the ſame Doctrin is deſcribed,
1 By a treble adjunct of it.
1 It is a Meſſage,
2 Heard of Chriſt,
3 Declared to the Church.
2 By part of the matter of it, God is light, and in him is no darkneſſe.
The ſecond and third points before mentioned, have been ſpoken of at large, verſ. 1, 2.
The parts then of theſe words are two, the condition,
1 Of the Doctrin of the Goſpel, it is a Meſſage, &c.
2 Or Nature of God, he is light, &c.
That the Doctrin of the Goſpel is a Meſſage appears,
1 By the title of it, Evangelium, a good Meſſage, Rom. 10.16.
2 By the ſtile of the Penmen of it, Evangeliſts, Bearers of good tidings.
3 By the ſtile of the firſt Preachers of it, they were Apoſtles, Meſſengers, Rom. 10.15. Tiding-bearers of good things.
4 By the ſtile of the after Miniſters of it to this day, they are Angels, Rev. 2.1. that is, Meſſengers, ſo Job 33.23. Obſervations hence concerning Miniſters are theſe.
1 If the Goſpel, or the Apoſtles Doctrin be a Meſſage, then it hath not its Authority from ſuch as deliver it, for it is not the Meſſengers part to judge, or ratifie his Meſſage, but to bear witneſſe to it, to declare it.
Ʋſe. Againſt the Papiſts, who make their Judge and Clergy, Judges of the Scriptures: the Pope himſelf here is moſt faulty, who hath left off his Office of declaring his Meſſage, and keepeth himſelf to that which was never committed to him, to judge of the Scriptures.
Obſer. 2 The Miniſters are not to run with the Goſpel in their mouthes, before they be ſent, Rom. 10.15. Heb. 5.4. Exod. 4.10. to 13. Jer. 1.6.
Ʋſe. This is not ſpoken to quench the timely zeal of ſuch as being furniſhed and ſanctified with gifts, underta…e the Function when they are called, for the Prophet Iſaiah offered himſelf when his lips were touched, Iſa, 6.8. Paul immediatly, Gal. 1.16. but to ſtay the too ſoon ripe forwardneſſe of ſuch who run on the Lords errand before he ſends them.
Obſer. 3. Then Miniſters are to be well inſtructed in the knowledge of the Goſpel, Malach. 2.7. elſe we run without our errand, as Ahimaaz did, 2 Sam. 18.22, 23, 29. ſo we ſhall bring nothing but confuſed tumultuous Notions.
Ʋſe. Againſt ignorant Miniſters, Hoſ. 4.6. they are not after Gods own heart, Jer. 3.15.
Obſer. 4. Then Miniſters are to be faithful in the delivery of it, Prov. 13.17. & 25.13. which ſtands in two things,
1 In delivering their whole Meſſage, ſo did Paul, Acts 20.26, 27. and no more, Jer. 23.28. Prov. 30.6.
2 In applying it as the ſender intended it; he is no faithful Meſſenger, that having commiſſion to denounce Warre againſt Spain, and to make peace with France, ſhould proclaime Warre againſt France, and peace with Spain.
Ʋſe 1. Of refutation of Papiſts, who adde to their Meſſage Traditions, ſuch as deliver no Meſſage at all, ſuch as preach not at all, ſuch as make the hearts of the righteous ſad; ſee Ezek. 13.22. & 16.
Obſer. 5. Then Miniſters are to be diligent in carrying of it, Prov. 10.26. the Lords Errand is his Work, which being negligently done, brings a Curſe, Jer. 48.10. though that be to kill, yet this to ſave. Sloath, maketh waſte, as in every work, Prov. 18.9. ſo here eſpecially it makes waſte of ſouls, Prov. 29.18.
Ʋſe. Pauls Exhortation, 2 Tim. 4.1, 2.
Obſer. 6. If the Apoſtles Doctrin be the Lords Meſſage, then purity is needfull in the Meſſengers, the Lord expoſtulateth with an ungodly man for the want of it, Pſal. 50.16, 17. that mouth ſhould not be uſed to rotten and unſavoury ſpeeches, which is the Lords Interpreter to the people; all the Veſſels of the miniſtration to the Lord were holy in the old Tabernacle, how much more ought the Miniſter who is a choſen veſſel unto him? Earthen veſſels we are indeed, 2 Cor. 4 3. yet when they are clean and ſweet, we loathe not to eat and drink out of them.
Ʋſe. Againſt prophane and uncircumciſed Miniſters.
Obſer. 7. Then the Apoſtles Doctrin, the Doctrin of the Goſpel, muſt not be received as the Doctrin of men, but as a Meſſage from God, and that is
1 With attentive hearts, Pſal. 85.8. not then to be reading other Books, though they be good, nor ſleeping, for both theſe are a taking Gods name in vain, but as thoſe, Acts 10.33.
2 With reverence, Judg. 3.20 Pſal. 66.2.
3 With believing and faithful hearts, Acts 27.25. Heb. 4.2. Luk. 1.45.