Commentary on 1 John, Commentary · Chapter 4 · Verse 17
1 JOHN 4.17.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldneſſe in the day of judgement, &c.
THeſe words depend on verſ. 12. where he promiſeth a double benefit to them that love one another, God dwels in ſuch, which he proved by four arguments before: the ſecond benefit now, that if we love one another, Gods love is perfected in us, this he inlargeth in theſe following verſes, and ſhews wherein it's perfect, and how that it is perfect, he proves from the boldneſſe they have in the day of judgement; and the argument ſtands thus, They that may have boldneſſe in the day of judgement, in them is love perfected; but loving Chriſtians may have boldneſſe in the day of judgement; Therefore, The aſſumption he proves thus, They who are in the world, as God himſelfe is, they may have boldneſſe in the day of judgement; but they who love one another are in the world as God himſelfe is.
Doct. Thoſe in whom is found perfect love to God and their brethren, they may have boldneſſe in the day of judgement.
This Paul confirms, 2 Tim. 4, 7, 8. he is confident that God would give him a crown of righteouſneſſe, who had fought the good fight of faith, and had finiſhed his courſe, had abounded in love to God and man, which is our righteouſneſſe, to … God and man his due; and this crown of glory God will give not only to him, but to all that love his appearing, James. 2.13. Mercy rejoyceth againſt judgement, which is a fruit of love, for mercy is nothing elſe but love compaſſionating our brothers diſtreſſe: the judgement day is terrible to all bitter, cruel and harſh ſpirits, but mercy riſeth againſt judgement, Matth. 25.34. to 41. We ſee what encouragement he gives to his ſheep on this ground, becauſe they ſhewed him kindneſſe in being kind to his brethren.
Reaſ. 1. From the eſteem the Lord Jeſus bears to ſuch, before whom they are to appear in judgement; for ſuch as love Chriſt and his members, have found Chriſt diſpenſing himſelfe to them, not as a Judge, but as a Saviour, or elſe they could never have loved him nor others; now they that are to meet with a Saviour have cauſe of boldneſſe in that day; or if he come as a Judge, it's but as a Judge to plead their cauſe, and right their wrong, and take vengeance on their enemies.
2. A loving Chriſtian hath a further ground of confidence in his heart, that the day of Chriſts appearing ſhall be as the day of his marriage; now a marriage day is a day of the gladneſſe of the heart, Cant. 3.10. Now they that love one another are eſpouſed to Chriſt here by their effectuall vocation; but the day of judgement is as the marriage day, Chriſt here adorns and beautifies us, that ſo at the laſt day we may be repreſented as fit Spouſes for himſelfe. Such as are in marriage love, how do they deſire and long after the marriage day? and ſo doe all true Chriſtians, that have kept their hearts chaſt to Chriſt, how doe they pray for the haſtening of that day? Beloved be like a Dove or young Hart upon the Mountains of ſpices, Cant. 8. ult. This day is called the day of refreſhing, Acts 3.19. and it's the work of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, to drive a match between you and Chriſt, that ſo at that day they may look them out, and preſent them to Chriſt, Loe here am I, and the children that thou haſt given me, Iſa. 8.18. 2 Cor. 11.1, 2, 3. It's therefore the day of the comfort of Gods Miniſters and all his ſervants, therefore a day of boldneſſe.
3. It's a day of much comfort and boldneſſe, becauſe then they ſhall be freed from all diſcouragements, from all perſecutions and malignities, from ſlanderous tongues, and hard ſpeeches, from all fears and ſorrows; nay more, from all temptations and corruptions; this muſt needs give boldneſſe to them; it's all the cauſe of boldneſſe we have in this life, becauſe at that day all our ſins and ſorrows ſhall be put away, it's a day of univerſal freedome from all ſin, 1 John 3.2. we ſhall then be like him in grace and glory, and freedom from all evils.
Ʋſe 1. To reprove a groſſe errour in Popery, which is that no man can be certain of his ſalvation in the day of judgement, but we ſee it's no other doctrine, but St. John here delivers, is it not a word of boldneſſe and confience that Paul hath, 2 Tim. 4 7, 8. I know from henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory? true ſay they, Paul was an extraordinary Chriſtian; but he addes, not for me only, but for all them that love his appearing; were not Chriſtians confident againſt that day, how is it that they ſo earneſtly deſire that day? The Spirit and the Bride ſay Come, and every one that is a thirſt, ſayes, Come Lord Jeſus, come quickly, be like a young Roe; which ſhews plainly, they doe not look at it as a day of terrour, but as a day of boldneſſe and comfort.
Object. Have not many of Gods ſervants been afraid of the face of death, and troubled at it? What was Hilarius his ſpeech, Egredere anima mea quid trepidas? Egredere, ſeptuaginta annos Chriſtum colui, & jam mortem times?
Anſw. The words of Hilarius ſhew that he checks this fear, he thought he had no cauſe to be afraid, therefore he bids his ſoul goe forth.
2. I grant that a mans nature may ſhrink at death, though he knowes that he hath been a faithfull ſervant, and is not afraid of judgement, for death is an enemy to nature, though a friend to grace, 2 Cor. 5.12. Paul himſelfe deſires to be cloathed with glory, … unclothed of his body, ſo Chriſt told Peter, John 21.18. … thee whither thou wouldſt not, he means to martyrdome implying if he could have ſhunned martyrdome with a good conſcience he would have …orded it becauſe its an enemy to nature; but yet this … …ture is after aggravated by tempt… …, ſo that as …, ſo to … will … times taking away all matt… … he w… con…dent o… … all … of com… … him … that day ſhall … examination, and poſſeſe him, … youth, that his … Pſal. 30.7; … his face, … is the … and Joh… …0 … yet this … love may … in that day, though …, wh… … with temptati… and … it may be … and ſo other Chriſtians) in his … …emper, … Chriſt … to him, Pſal. 3.6. I will not be af… … about; … St. Ambroſe, I have not … am aſhamed to … any longer neither doth it irk me to die … a good Lo… ſo Paul profeſſeth, Phil. 1.21. … …ved, ſo Job. 19.…, 26. …, but even of every one whoſe lo… … that th… … in that day.
Ʋſe 2. Shews the dangerous eſtate of ſuch whoſe love to Go… … brethren is not perfect; for if they wh… love is perfect may have … then ſuch as never ſought … his favour, never loved the …ell … of his ſervants, in tha… … where …
Obj. I have know… … …ve never troubled themſelves with matters of Relig… … yea ſcornfull, … boyſterous men, yet as little afraid of death and hell, …, Iſa. 22.….
Anſw. That which the Papiſts condemn as hereticall … Gods ſervants, that may be called … preſumption in ſuch men … who never ſhrink at death or judgement: and indeed it proceeds from … profound ignorance and deadneſſe of their hearts who nenver … of God nor the terrours of hell, D…e bellum in ex pertis, but if one … …ome to ſee that d…y, then ſhall they call to the moutainns and hills to cove… …em from the wrath … the Lamb.
Ʋſe 3. For thoſe that would live comfortably and die peaceably, take this ready way, be perfect and ſincere in your love to God and his Saints, and that will breed … marvellous boldneſſe againſt that day, when the Lo… … ſhall come to be admi… … you, and glorified in all his … ſo … perfect love, ſo much …; if your hearts be … and your love unſound, all … at … from the halting of your love: W… made Dav… afraid … pit, but that his … was com… on he … Ʋrian … Bathſhebah.
Ʋſe 4 … loving hearted Chriſtians, that … ſincerely towards … brethren, who, thou walkeſt up and … with a ſpirit of … as other call Death foreign, the moſt … all … thou ſhalt … at it with confi…, when others … be lifted up.