Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 2 · Verse 25
1 JOHN 2.25.
And this is the Promiſe he hath promiſed us, even eternall life.
THis eternall life is ſaid to be promiſed.
Doct. Eternall life is given by promiſe.
Gal. 3.18. Heirs of eternall life are called Heirs of Promiſe, Heb. 6.17. becauſe they are Heirs of that Promiſe was made to Abraham, Rom. 4.13, 14.
Reaſ. 1 From the grant of eternall life to Chriſt, and through him to us, Gal. 3.16. that therefore eternall life might be by Chriſt, it is needful it ſhould be by promiſe, 2 Cor. 1.20.
Reaſ. 2. That it might procure thoſe two great benefits, firſt, Honour to God, ſecondly peace to his Children: had we pleaded it by the Law, we had pleaded it of debt, but God provided, that what grace ſhould come, ſhould be free, and therefore by Promiſe.
2 From hence follows peace of Conſcience: had we been under the Law, every failing would make us doubt, and therefore that our hearts might be ſetled, he hath given it us of Promiſe, Rom. 6 16.
Ʋſe 1 A ſtrong refutation of Popiſh merits by the works of the Law, and that in their own perſons: why then it is not of grace nor promiſe; that is the true reaſon why they deny certainty of Salvation, becauſe they hold it from the works of the Law; therefore there is no peace of conſcience in their Relion; if it be of the works of the Law, then not of grace, if not of grace, then not of promiſe, if not of Promiſe, then not of Chriſt, for if they be bound to obey the whole Law, they are in doubt to break it; if they keep it, yet they know not whether they ſhall perſevere to the end and ſo no peace; it is as impoſſible for a man to attain Salvation by Works, as to be his own Saviour.
Ʋſe 2 Hence learn the way of attaining peace of Conſcience, and aſſurance of Salvation; why, claim it by promiſe, and it is ſure to thee; what makes thee doubt of thy Salvation? why, thou ſeeſt this Corruption, and that Rebellion, and thou ſeeſt the want of this and that Grace, and therefore thou art in doubt, why thou ſhouldeſt claim Salvation by promiſe, thou wouldeſt have thy Works more perfect; why, that which makes us doubt, is a ſecret cleaving to the Works of the Law, but we muſt not ſo much look at what we do, as what we beleeve, what we work, as what Chriſt hath wrought for us, therefore take heed of ſticking to any Works of the Law; and as you deſire to maintaine peace of Conſcience, and to dye peaceably, claim Salvation by promiſe, there is no more required of you than to lay hold on Chriſt, he doth not look for perfection of faith, but truth of faith; be thy faith never ſo weak, if true, it gives thee Chriſt, and he gives thee the Promiſe, and that gives thee eternall life.
Q. But how ſhall I know whether I have this faith?
A. If God hath given thee an heart ot diſtruſt ſelf, as gifts, and parts of Nature, and Education, and to be humbled, and look after Chriſt, if thou prizeſt Chriſt, and deſireſt him above all bleſſings, this is true faith, if thy faith hath emptyed thee of thy ſelfe, to go out to Chriſt as thy Portion, as the moſt ſweet and comfortable thing, I ſay, thou haſt that faith that conveys Chriſt to thee, and Chriſt the Promiſe, and the Promiſe eternal life; ſay not therefore as ſome do, I thank God I never doubted of Salvation, neither have I cauſe, I have alwayes lived honeſtly, &c. if thou fetcheſt thy perſwaſion from the Works of the Law, then not from Jeſus Chriſt, nor the Promiſe, therefore do as Paul, touching the Law, ſaith he, I was unblameable, and yet I count all theſe as droſs and dung to win Chriſt, Phil. 3. therefore diſtruſt all theſe, go out out of your ſelves, and lay hold on Chriſt.
Ʋſe 3 May teach us to magnifie the grace of God, that hath thus deviſed a way for our Salvation, he hath therefore given it us of grace, that it might be ſure.