Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 3 · Verse 7
1 JOHN 3.7.
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doth righteouſneſſe is righteous, even as he is righteous
THE Apoſtle had ſhewed that all hopefull Chriſtians do cleanſe themſelves from ſin. It might be objected, We have falſe Teachers that teach otherwiſe, as Simon Magus was let looſe at that time, and taught the free uſe of women. The Apoſtle meets with this, You ſay an hopefull Chriſtian abſtains from all ſin, how comes it then to paſſe that ſo many teach otherwiſe? To this St. John anſwers, Let no man deceive you. Here is 1. A loving compellation (Little children) which comprehends babes, young men, and old men.
2. The exhortation, a warning againſt deceivers.
3. Two doctrins clean contrary unto them.
1. He that doth righteouſneſſe it righteous as God is.
2. He that commits ſin is of the Devill. Which he proves,
1. From the practice of the Devill.
2. From the contrary end of Chriſts coming.
3. From the conrary practice of thoſe that are born of God.
Doct. It is the duty of all ſorts of good people, to take heed they be not deceived in judging who be righteous men.
The queſtion was, who were righteous? The falſe Teachers ſaid A man may be righteous, and yet live in ſin. Be not deceived, ſaith St. John, Phil. 3.2 We muſt as much beware of conterfeit righteouſneſſe, as of dogs, they are not ſo apt to bite men, as theſe to do the Church hurt.
Reaſ. 1. From the eaſineſſe of being deceived by the pretences of righteous men in all ages, Gal. 2 4. Under the mask of righteous men, may walk men unrighteous.
2. From the neceſſity that lies upon our ſelves to have communion and fellowſhip with them, Pſal. 16.3. Gal. 6.10. doing good offices to them, 1 John 4. Yea, we are commanded to walk in their ſteps, Phil. 3.17.
3. From the danger of walking with unrighteous men, Prov. 17.15. & 4.14, 15. This we may eaſily do, unleſſe we know them.
Ʋſe 1. To reprove ſuch as think all they live amongſt are righteous; wherefore was this exhortation, how ſhould a man be deceived, if all were righteous? Numb. 16.2, 3.
2. To teach us all to pray to God that we may grow up in a ſpirit of diſcerning. There is an inflinct in the ſervants of God, whereby they are able to reliſh the ſpirits one of another. A dog will ſent out his way with more dexterity then all men can reaſon it out. A man can open the whole Law, but when he comes to diſcerning, he knowes not who is righteous, and who not.
2. Grow we righteous our ſelves, and to a great meaſure, ſo ſhall we the better diſcern of others. A woman that hath conceived, ſhe will the more eaſily diſcern of another. So when thou feeleſt the work of righteouſneſſe in thine owne heart, how ſhalt thou comfort thy ſelf that thou ar… righteous, becauſe thou loveſt Gods children?
How ſhall I know who is righteous?
A righteous man is known by his righteous wayes. St. John ſpeaks not here, what makes a man righteous, but what declares him to be righteous. The Jeſuites grant this, 7.18, 19.21. If a tree bring forth grapes, it is a vine; if figs, a fig-tree.
What is it to do righteouſneſſe?
The contrary to what it is to commit ſin. He doth righteouſneſſe; That walks in Gods commandements, when his judgement and heart is for it.
2. When Gods laws are his rule of righteouſneſſe.
3. Whoſe end is righteouſneſſe. Hallowed be thy name.
4. When we doe unrighteouſneſſe, it is a burthen and grief, and we recover our ſelves.
Obj. But righeteouſneſſe doth not conſiſt in the bulke of the work, but in the heart, and an hypocrite may have as fair an outſide as a true righteous man.
Anſw. True. But God hath given a ſpirit of diſcerning to a Chriſtian, that he ſhall diſcern the main ſway of a mans heart.
1. If thy affections worke as well as the outward man, Pſal. 51.6. his griefs, cares, deſires, ſee with what affection they come off, 1 Chr. 29.9.17. He ſaw ſuch joy when they came to offer, as if they would have offered more if they had had it.
2. See whether they they come off with ſome facility, forced things are not naturall, John 4.34.
3. Conſider the evenneſſe and conſtancy of a mans way; Violent things will not laſt, unleſſe there be a continuall ſupply ſent, Hoſ. 6.4. If when we have done good workes, we kiſſe our hands, and ſacrifice to our owne nets. this is unrighteouſneſſe.
Obj. In times of religion, Gods ends and ours may be levell, how then ſhall we. know a righteous man?
Anſw. Obſerve when thoſe ends part, which will be at one time or other When two men walk together, a dog follows them, you know not whoſe it is, but let them part, then the dog will follow his Maſter. So it is here.
Ʋſe 3. To avoid the Doctrin of the Papiſts, of juſtification by works. He ſaith not that good works make a man good, but we may know a man is righteous by his righteouſneſſe, leſt they ſhould run away with this, that the habit of righteouſneſſe make us righteous. We anſwer, imperfect righteouſneſſe cannot make us perfecly righteous, Iſa. 64.6. 1 Cor. 13.8. to 12. This which you ſay, will neither hold in covenant of works, nor covenant of grace. In the covenant of works, not the habits of grace, but works of righteouſneſſe do juſtifie. And in the covenant of grace, we are juſtified by faith, without the works of the Law.
Now a ſigne of tryall of our owne righteouſneſſe and others, is, when in ordinary courſe we give God and man his due, when we go about good duties in Gods name, and for his glory.
Obj. It may be I do it for the ſtopping of conſcience, and that I may be well thought of.
Anſw. So may you do, and yet be ſincere. I may pleaſe men, and my own conſcience. What if you pleaſe men, will you not ſtill ſtick to God? If you do good duties freely, conſtantly, and humbly, though you do them to ſatisfie your conſcience to pleaſe men, yet are you righteous. So may you judge of other men. It is not enough to do good duties, but to ſee with what affection they do them; if they cleave to God, though for their own ends, they are righteous.