Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 2 · Verse 21
1 JOHN 2.21.
I have not written unto you, becauſe you know not the truth, but becauſe yee know it, and that no lye is of the truth.
THeſe words are an anſwer to an objection that might ariſe from the former verſe, why might they ſay, if we know all things, what need you write to us concerning ſuch and ſuch things? or thus, if we know all things, what need you write to us? if we know not, how can we be ſaid to know all things? to this he anſwers in this verſ. I write unto you, not becauſe you know not the truth, &c wherein we have the cauſe of his writing.
1 The Negative, not for their Ignorance.
2 The Poſitive cauſe, becauſe ye do know, and becauſe veruw eſt Index ſui & obliqui, therefore ye know likewiſe what is not of the truth, that no lye is of the truth.
Doct. The Apoſtles writings were rather directed to ſuch as know the truth, then ſuch as know not the truth. Or thus, It is not the ignorance of the truth, but rather the knowledge of it, that occaſioned the Apoſtles writings.
Obſerve all the Apoſtles writings, they were never written to any Country, or Town or perſon that did not know the truth before, but they were already brought on to the knowledge of the truth, Rom. 15.14. ſo the Corinths, he ſpeaks to them, as to a Church of God, 1 Cor. 1.1.2 & 8, 9. ſo Gal. 2, 3, 4. and chap. 3. ſo Epheſ. 4.21. Phil. 1.6. Col. 1.12, 13. ſo the Theſſalonians, he bleſſed God for their election, 1 Theſ. 1.9. ſo Timothy and Titus he writes to them, as to his naturall ſons in Chriſt, Heb. 6.9.10, 11. ſo the Apoſtle James chap. 1.2, 3. ſo 1 Pet. 1.2, 3, 4. ſo this Apoſtle St. John, I write unto you, becauſe you know the truth. 2 Epiſt. 1. and third Epiſtle, 2.3. ſo the Epiſtles, Chriſt wrote to the ſeven Churches of Aſia, he wrote to them as ſuch as knew the truth of Chriſt, and profeſt his name; ſo that this is an univerſall truth, that not the Ignorance of the truth, but the knowledge hath occaſioned the Apoſtles writings.
Reaſ. 1. From God, who hath not ſanctified their writings to this end, to the converſion of the Gentiles, but to their eſtabliſhment, the Apoſtle here ſpeaks of them that knew the main truth, though they were Ignorant of many particular truths; if men be converted to the truth; and brought to prize Chriſt and walk in obedience, there may be great uſe of the Apoſtles writings to eſtabliſh them in the truth, we never reade that they wrote to any Kingdomes where themſelves had not been or ſent; they wrote not to Perſia, or Spaine, or France, but to ſuch places as they had been at, and if God had ſanctified their writings to the converſion of the Gentiles, it had been more fit to write to ſuch places, where they were not likely to come, rather than ſuch places as they came at, 1 Cor. 1.2. but we ſee that God hath ſo ordered it, that men ſhould be called by the fooliſhneſſe of preaching, Rom. 10 13, …4, 15▪ and not of writing, it is not his writing to them, but he muſt be ſent to them, ſo that the work of converſion is wrought by the preaching of the Goſpel.
Reaſ. 2. From the accompanying of their preaching of the Goſpel with mighty ſignes and wonders, but we never read that God accompanied any of their writings with miracles, their writings laid upon any diſeaſe, healed none, but their preſence healed many, and did many wonders, Heb. 2.2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 5.22. tongues are not for them that beleeve, but them that believe not that is, the miracle of ſpeaking with divers tongues, is not for them that beleeve, but for them that beleeve not; therefore we never read in any Hiſtory, that their writings did work any miracle, and ſo he never intended that they ſhould convert.
Obj. What then, is their writings in vain, ſeeing they are of no uſe to convince?
A. No, there are ſingular uſes of their Writings.
1 Sometimes to put men in remembrance of what they have heard, Rom. 15.14. 2 Pet. 1.15.
2 That they may be eſtabliſhed in the truth, and confirmed in the knowledge thereof, 2 Cor. 13.1. Phil. 3.1. To write the ſame things, to me it is not grievous, but for you it is ſafe.
3 To ſtir them up to the exerciſe of ſuch truth as they knew, but were ſlack in performing thereof; ſometimes in liberality ſlack, ſometimes in diſpencing of the Ordinances, 2 Pet. 2.13. 1 John 1.4. 2 John 8. Revel. 2.4, 5. to ſtir them up to their firſt Love, to ſtir them up to take heed of falſe Doctrin.
4 To informe them in ſome particular truth which they were ignorant of; ſome were afraid that the Day of the Lord was ſo nigh that they neglected their particular Calling, 2 Theſ. 2. ſo ſome were ignorant of the Reſurrection, ſo he tells Timothy how to behave himſelfe, 1. Tim. 3.15. ſo he informs the Corinthians how Husbands ought to carry themſelves towards their Wives, in caſe of deſertion, or preſent perſecution.
Ʋſe. 1. It ſhewes a reaſon of that little good which hath been done among the Papiſts, by any Writings that have been writ in defence of the truth, they have been means of much good to them that have known the truth, but amongſt Millions of Papiſts, it is hard to know whether any have been converted to the true Religion, after ſuch evidet demonſtration and conviction, the reaſon is, becauſe Writings do not profit them that know not the truth, but ſuch as know the truth, for elſe why did not Saint John write to Cerinthus, or other Heretiques in that time? but he tells them, I write to you, becauſe you know the truth, had he writ to Cerinthus or Menander, his labour would have been loſt; not but that it hath done much good, not only to them that have known the truth, but thoſe that have not known the truth, it hath ſtirred them up to like the truth better, and ſome to ſeek out the truth in other Writings; but never to convert them to the truth; God hath many times bleſſed ſudden ſpeeches to convert ſome that have come to hear the truth, but it hath never been ſo effectual to them that have only read it in writings, for God never ſanctified the Apoſtles Writings to the converſion of the unbeleeving Gentiles.
Obj. Why then do not our Divines ſpare their labour in writing?
A. Though they do not proſper to converſion, yet to eſtabliſhment of many in the truth, and to ſtirre them up to ſtick cloſer to the truth.
Ʋſe. 2. You may hence ſee the reaſon, why ſuch as read the Word of God diligently, it may be once or more every day, yet notwithſtanding not being accompanied with the preaching of the Goſpel, few, or none ſuch as are converted and brougt to the true knowledge of the truth, but ſuch people are fit to be led into Popery or Hereſie; no wonder, for God never bleſſed the Apoſtles Writings, while they were living, to the converſion of unbeleevers, therefore we ſee the neceſſity of preaching to every Congregation, or elſe the body of the pleace will ſit in darkneſſe and ſhadow of death; therefore it is a falſe Aſſertion of thoſe that ſay, Reading and Preaching are of like efficacy, for it is certain, had the Apoſtles Writings been as effectual to converſion as their preſence in preaching, they would have wrot moſt to ſuch Churches as were moſt remote, 2 Chron. 15.3. a long time they were without a God, and without a Teaching Prieſt; implying, they that are without a Teaching Prieſt are without God, 1 King. 13.33. the reaſon, becauſe he ſet up baſe fellows, that wanted both learning and grace, and ſo only read, but they had not a Teaching Prieſt, and therefore lived without God.
Obj. But you will ſay, what can be more ſaid of pagans?
2 And what then, will you judge that all ſuch as live under dumb Miniſters are caſt a-wayes?
A. Whether do you think it greater charity to tell them that they may be without a Teaching Miniſter, or to tell them, that without a Teaching Miniſter they live without God, and without the Law? we know, that many that live in ſuch places go abroad, and light on good Sermons, and to Chriſt is found where he was not ſought, and then they either remove themſelves, or go many miles to hear the Word abroad, and God often bleſſeth private conference and helps, to do much good, Neh. 8.12. but men that go home from bare reading, their hearts go home as dead as their Miniſter was dumb, ſo that you ſhall finde many people as ignorant as Pagans and Turks.
Ʋ 3. It may ſerve for direction to ſuch as God hath given a gift of writing unto, to know where their Writings may be of moſt uſe; if you writ to ſome, thinking to convert them, it will be labour in vain, but to writ to them that know the truth, may be of much uſe, to informe them, to reprove them, to ſtir them up, and ſo you may write with comfort to them.
Ʋſe 4. May ſerve to encourage all Chriſtians to be frequent in reading; to what purpoſe did the Apoſtles write, if others read not? it is good to be reading; put more fuel to fire and it grows hotter, ſo let people read after they have heard, and it will be very profitable; therefore we ſee the great abuſe of the Papiſts, that deny the reading of the Scriptures in a Vulgar Tongue.
Let us therefore be ſtirred up, not to forbear the reading of the Scriptures, though you do know the truth, Deut. 17.19. if Kings might not be excuſed, much leſſe private men.
Doct. 2. Such as have received from Chriſt the anoyntment of the Spirit, they know the truth.
You that have received the Unction of the Holy one, I write to you, not becauſe you know not the truth, but becauſe you know it, 1 Tim. 4.3. where he puts Beleevers and knowers together, now Beleevers are anoynted with the Spirit of faith, John 8.31▪ 32. ſo much ſincerity of truth, ſo much Diſcipleſhip, the ſtronger faith, the ſtronger knowledge of the truth, the weaker our faith the weaker our knowledge.
For Explication.
Q. 1. What is the truth?
A. The truth might be taken for the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and he is not to be excluded, but he is not principally meant here, Jhon 15.6. and it is true, that they know Chriſt that have received this Unction, John 6.69.
But here by the truth is meant the Doctrin. of the Goſpel, Epheſ. 4.21. which is called the truth in Jeſus, that truth which teacheth us to finde Chriſt, to prize Chriſt, and you know it in a ſpecial manner, as it is in Jeſus in a Crucified manner, you know it as it is in Jeſus which raiſeth you from death to life; it is ſometimes called the word of truth, Col. 1.5. Gal. 2.4, 5. ſo then, you that know the truth, you know the worth of Chriſt, the means to finde him, yea you know him in a Crucified manner, in his Death and Reſurrection.
Q. 2. What is the knowledge of the truth?
A. Three things make up the knowledge of the truth.
1 The underſtanding of it.
2 Approving of it, and conſenting to it.
3 Becauſe a man may conſent to it, either as probable, or as certain and evident knowledge, therefore it is not only an underſtanding of the truth, but a conſenting to it, and that not as a probable thing, but as an undoubted certain truth, Judicium contingentis axiomatis eſt opinio, neceſſarii ſcientia, if it be from the cauſes, then it is ſcientia, if by the effects, cognitio.
And thus theſe Babes know the truth, you underſtand it, you conſent to it, you yeeld to it as a certain and undoubted truth; and that all thoſe concur to knowledge, we may ſee by Scripture.
1 For underſtanding, ſee Luke 24.45.
2 They approve and conſent to it, and follow it, John 10.4, 5, 27.
3 They do not only underſtand it clearly, and approve of it, but receive it as a certain undoubted truth; ſo John 6.69. We know, and are aſſured, that thou art the Chriſt.
There is as much difference between knowledge and faith, as betwixt hearing and ſeeing; if I hear a thing from an undoubted teſtimony I beleeve it, but when I ſee it my ſelf, I know it more evidently; Stephen beleeved that Chriſt ſate at Gods right hand, but when he ſaw it, he knew it certainly; ſo that theſe Babes by ſome ſight and experience know thoſe things that they beleeve, Heb. 11.2. this knowledge is one of the chiefeſt things that perfects the mind of a man, Iſa. 11.2. what ſpirit is a ſpirit of wiſdome and underſtanding? underſtanding apprehends it, Wiſdom judgeth of it, and diſcerns of the truth hereof; Knowledge ſees that they are moſt certainly true, and then he beleeves it, John 6.69. we know, and are ſure, for none can know a thing but thoſe that are ſure of it.
Q. What is the reaſon, that by virtue of this Ʋnction babes come to know the truth?
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe this Spirit is an eye-ſalve to make them underſtand: by nature we are flow and dull of underſtanding, but as ſoon as God hath dropt in ſome of this Spiritual eye-ſalve, we ſtrongly ſee the deep things of God, yea even thoſe which were dull to underſtand before.
2 He vouchſafes to them Wiſdome, whereby they imbrace and approve the truth, as the very truth of Chriſt, and they have a ſpirit of faith to believe it, therefore have knowledge of it.
3 He gives them experience, that their hearts do as plainly feel, as their underſtandings know; nay theſe Babes, they fetch their underſtanding from the feeling of their hearts, they know the danger of ſin, and the worth of Chriſt, and this puts them to reach after Chriſt, and look at him as the moſt excellent of a thouſand, and ſo they come to finde true fellowſhip with Chriſt, by puting into them a ſpirit of peace, 1 Pet. 3.8. ſo that they know it not only by faith, but by experience, and ſo they know the truth as it is in Chriſt; you may have men by hearing and ſtudy, come to know very largely of the wayes of Grace; the Doctrins and points of Divinity; nay, they may come to approve of them, and may convince an adverſary, but yet this is not properly a knowledge of theſe things, but an underſtanding of them; a man that wants this Unction may ſay, he underſtands theſe, and beleeves them, but he cannot ſay he knowes them by any ſenſible worke of God on his own ſoul.
Ʋſe 1 May exhort all (in the name of the Lord) that intend to receive the Sacrament, to a conſcionable care and endeavour to get knowledge, it is not a priviledge of Scholars, but even of very Babes, if they have received this Unction, therefore let none excuſe themſelves, for if the Apoſtle acknowledge it in Babes, it may ſhame elder people, if they be ignorant of the rudiments of Religion, therefore labour to grow up to a knowledge of the truth, there is no hope that you ſhould either finde comfort in Gods Ordinances here, or in the life to come, if you be ignorant of the truth, Iſa. 27.11. it is a fearfull judgement, Theſe people have no underſtanding, therefore their Maker will ſhew them no favour, that is, no gnace in Chriſt, they ſhall neither finde mercy, nor favour; and mark how he prevents an Objection: He that made us will ſurely ſave us; no, if you be ignorant he that made you will not ſave you, therefote if you would ever get any good to your ſouls, above all gettings get underſtanding, for without it look for no mercy, and above all underſtanding get this wiſdome, which is infuſed by the Unction of the Spirit.
And ſo Parents and Maſters, as you deſire to get favour of God for your Children, and Servants, be careful to inſtruct them in the ways of truth, and for ſuch as have got knowledge, labour to grow up in this Spiritual knowledge, Col. 2.2, 3. Three things did Paul conflict for;
1 That their hearts might be comforted, nothing more uſeful for a Chriſtian than comfort, but when Chriſtians have got comfort, it is eaſie for Chriſtians to fit looſe one from another, and not to regard one another; therefore,
2 His conflict was, that they might be knit together in the bond of love.
3 That they might grow up to fulneſs of knowledge, &c. ſo that we ſee it is matter of great Conflict to the Apoſtles, with God, that they might be brought to the riches of full aſſurance, and ſhall Miniſters thus Conflict for their people, and ſhall not people themſelves labour to grow up to fulneſſe of knowledge, and not be remiſs, and know ſome pieces and parts of the truth, but to come to the riches and fulneſſe of underſtanding? It would be a great conflict to a faithful Miniſter to ſee people poor in knowledge, to have only a few remnants and ſhreds of knowledge, ſome ſuperficial kinde of knowledge, therefore let people labour for the riches of the full aſſurance of underſtanding, which is properly true knowledge; we ſee therefore how much Parents and Maſters are to blame, that are ſo far from having conflicts for the knowledge of their Children▪ and Servants, that they have no care at all to help them on; you are mercileſſe Parents, and Maſters, that do not labour to bring them on to the riches of knowledge, for without this they ſhall finde no mercy, nor favour from God.
Ʋſe 2 It may ſerve for a ſigne of trial of our knowledge, whether we have received the Unction of the Holy one, if you know the truth in a right manner, then you have partaken of the Unction of the Holy one; this differs from all other knowledge: For the cauſe of it, it is from God, Iſa. 54.4. the means of getting it, is to attend diligently to the Word▪ private conference may bring on men to underſtanding of the truth; nay, where other means fail, it may bring them to the knowledge of faith, Joh. 4.42. when we come to publique Ordinances, we ariſe to higher and full underſtanding, and riches of full aſſurance, they perceived Chriſt ſo ſpeaking to their Souls, that they believed on him now by experience.
Firſt, Therefore liſten to private Chriſtians, but frequent the Ordinances, whereby you ſhall grow up to fulneſſe of knowledge.
The Second Means, is, frequency in prayer, Prov. 2.13, 14.
Thirdly, Obedience is the way to get knowledge, If any man do my Fathers, Will he ſhall know the truth; if you pray to God, and come to the Word, with a deſire to do what you hear, and reſolve that what the Lord ſpeaks, you will hear and do it, and not only ſuch reſolution as is extorted by ſome Thunder-ſhakings, as the Jews, Exod. 20. but when you have a ſetled reſolution, to obey what you know to be Gods Will, God will increaſe your knowledge.
2 This knowledge differs from other knowledge in the effects, for this knowledge humbles men, Prov. 30.2, 3. and this knowledge works faith, Pſal. 10.9. They that know thy name will truſt in thee; and obedience, Col. 1.5, 6. that knowledge which brings not forth obedience▪ is no true knowledge; none but this kinde of knowledge brings forth ſincere obedience.