1 John

2. And it is cleansing: it is therefore compared to fountain-water (Zechariah 13:1). The Word is a glass to show us our spots, and Christ's blood is a fountain to wash them away; it turns leprosy into purity (1 John 1:7): The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sin. There is…

It is a high calling, first, because we are called to high exercises of religion. To be crucified to the world, to live by faith, to do angels' work, to love God, to be living organs of his praise, to hold communion with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3). 2. It is a high calli…

Third, when the Spirit does refresh the heart with comfort, it comes not only with its anointing, but its seal; it sheds God's love abroad in the heart (Romans 5:5) — this is to enjoy God in an ordinance. (1 John 1:3): "Our fellowship is with the Father and his son Jesus." In th…

At that day shall all mouths be stopped, and God's justice shall be fully vindicated from all the cavils and clamors of unjust men. Use 4. Comfort to the true penitent: As God is a just God he will pardon him, Homo agnoscit, Deus ignoscit (1 John 1:9): If we confess our sins (th…

Quest. What shall we do to resemble God in holiness? Resp. Have recourse to Christ's blood by faith; it is Lavacrum animae, legal purifications, types and emblems of it (1 John 1:7). The Word is a glass to show us our spots, and Christ's blood is a fountain to wash them away.

He sees the treason of the heart, and punishes it. Use 1. Is God infinite in knowledge (1 John 1:5). He is Light, and in him is no darkness; then how unlike are they to God, who are darkness, and in them is no light, who are destitute of knowledge, such as the Indians, who never…

1. That he may grow more like God: as Moses on the mount had some of God's glory reflected on him; his face shined. 2. That he may have more communion with God; (1 John 1:6). Our [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], our fellowship is with the Father.

He was carried up in divine raptures towards heaven. This day a Christian is in the altitudes, he walks with God, and takes as it were a turn with him in heaven (1 John 1:3). On this day holy affections are quickened: the stock of grace is improved, corruptions are weakened.

Do we send forth the ship of prayer there, which fetches in returns of mercy? Is our communion with the Father and his Son Jesus (1 John 1:3; Philippians 3:20)? 5. Are our lives heavenly?

Say that God were righteous, if he should strain upon all we have; if we confess the debt, God will forgive it. (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, he is just to forgive;" do but confess the debt, and God will cross the book. (Psalm 32:5) "I said I will confess my transgressio…

It is the wise man's demand (Proverbs 20:9): Who can say I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? And the Apostle John with confidence lays down the assertion (1 John 1:8): If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 2. The command expect…

And herein, further to explain the text and ground this great point well upon it, and more particularly to discover what the condition of a child of God thus in darkness is, we will first inquire what is meant by walking in darkness here in this place. First, walking in darkness…

First, that God would be a Father to all those that did obey his voice, and come out from among the Jews, Heathens, and Gentiles, and separate from their false ways, and superstitious worship, and touch not the unclean thing, and he will receive you; and you shall be his sons an…

For it belongs to the absolute rectitude of his nature so to do. So says the Apostle, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). The forgiveness of sins is on all accounts an act of mercy which is contradistinguished to righteousness in…

He had used the same note before in the same manner (ver. 21), where we omit the emphasis of it without cause. And in other places the same Translators render this particle by, truly, as they do here (1 John 1:3). But he does not so much assert a thing by it that was dubious, as…

The Church, or the souls and consciences of men, were really cleansed, purified and sanctified with an internal spiritual purification (Ephesians 5:25, 26; Titus 2:14). It was washed in the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5), and is thereby cleansed from sin (1 John 1:7). And Heav…

Secondly, as it is sprinkled, it worketh the second part of this effect. And this sprinkling of the Blood of Christ, is the communication of its sanctifying virtue to our souls, see (Ephesians 5:26, 27; Titus 2:14); so does the Blood of Christ the Son of God cleanse us from all…

By the power and efficacy of this darkness are men kept at a distance from God, and know not where they go. This is called walking in darkness (1 John 1:6), whereunto walking in the light, that is, the knowledge of God in Christ by the Gospel, is opposed (ver. 7). On this accoun…

See Isaiah 1:18. & 55:7, 8, 9. The number and greatness of your sins, should not in the least hinder you from coming to Christ: his Blood cleaneth from all sin (1 John 1:7). All manner of sin (Matthew 3:1). You dishonor him, if you think otherwise; and submit not to the way of t…

I press toward the mark, for the price of the high calling of God. It is a high calling; 1. Because we are called to high exercises of Religion; to die to sin, to be crucified to the world, to live by faith, to have fellowship with the Father, 1 John 1:3. This is a high calling,…

And as some think, the prayer of Stephen was a means of the conversion of Saul. 5. Also we note that before prayer for pardon of sin, must go a confession of sin: for whereas we say, forgive our debts, we confess before God that we are flat bankrupts and not able to discharge th…

The third question is, what is the fruit of this sacrifice? Answer: The whole effect thereof is contained in these four things: 1. the oblation of Christ purges the believer from all his sins whether they be original or actual: so it is said, If we walk in the light, we have fel…

God the Father gives leave or issues forth an authentic act and decree in the court of heaven; as Esther by the grant of the King was supplied out of the King's wardrobe. Then there is Christ's merit; the stream wherein we are washed flows out of Christ's own heart (1 John 1:7):…

Secondly, the blood of Christ is a purgatory of our sins. 1 John 1:7: Christ's blood purges us from all our sins. Hebrews 9:14: It purges our consciences from dead works.

Reason 4. Whoever will merit, must fulfill the whole law: but none can keep the whole law: for if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves (1 John 1), and he that sins against one commandment is guilty of the whole law. And what can he merit, that is guilty of the breach of th…

Then, as it is prophesied of the Jews — Zechariah 8:23 — men would say, 'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is among you.' It is the fellowship your souls have with the Father and with the Son that draws out the desires of others after fellowship with you — 1 John 1…

Sin, as to its condemning power, has no place in this state (Romans 8:1). All the sins of them that believe are expiated or done away, as to the guilt of them in the blood of Christ (Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 1:7). This branch of the dominion of Sin, which consists in its condemning p…

This experimental and saving knowledge has trial (1 John 2:13): I write to you fathers, because you have known him that was from the beginning: expound this with the 33rd of Ezekiel 33, when this comes to pass, then shall you know that a Prophet has been among you: that is, when…

And as some think, the prayer of Stephen was a means of the conversion of Saul. 5. Also we note, that before prayer for pardon of sin, must go a confession of sin: for whereas we say, forgive our debts, we confess before God, that we are stark bankrupts, and not able to discharg…

The same figure of speech is by no means unusual in the New Testament: "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them" (Matthew 28:19); and the opposite form, "O namely [illegible] Homer — "He has a way beside the road, and the birds of heaven devoured it" (Luke 8:5); and, "I am…

VI. True theology is that knowledge of the divine mind and will which God Himself requires. See (Psalm 119:27; Jeremiah 22:15, 16; John 17:8; 1 John 1:3, 4, and 4:7). Now that knowledge of Himself and of His will which God requires is pleasing to God (1 Chronicles 28:9; Hosea 6:…

Furthermore: the things that are said on the one hand about all the unregenerate, and on the other about the communication of this theology, are such as to exclude them entirely from all communion with it; they cry out, indeed: "Every one of you is a stranger." They are "blind,"…

What sort of persons they gathered into Christ's fold they themselves everywhere teach. They were born again, called with a holy and effectual calling, godly, faithful, holy, washed, justified, separated from the world and from all evil, children of God, instructed and anointed…

The Scripture is full to this purpose, in asserting, that not only all men are sinners as considered in their natural condition, but that even believers are sinful in part. For the same Apostle John that says (1 John 1:3), "Truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and with his…

We think the unconverted man knows neither contrition nor confession aright. But I was more confirmed that the way of Antinomians is for the flesh, not for the Gospel, when I read that Mr. Crispe expounding confession (1 John 1), makes it no humble acknowledging that the sinner…

5. In the kingdom of perfection there shall be no in-dwelling of a body of sin, no sin, no uncleanness of heart, no turning of the love and liking of the soul off God; but the most perfect in this life sin, and carry an in-dwelling body of sin with them (Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesias…

If he bore their iniquities, he must bear their apostasy, and final infidelity: or does he intercede, for all and every one of mankind? (1 John 2:1-2) compared with (1 John 1:6-10) and (Hebrews 9): He appears for us, verse 24, for those that are sprinkled, verses 13-17, and look…

He can turn justice itself for them and handle matters so that justice shall be as forward to save them as any other attribute. So that if God is said to be righteous in forgiving us our sins if we do but confess them (as 1 John 1:9 has it), then much more when Jesus Christ the…

First, because John in this Epistle does set before you where eternal life is to be had, as the verse before the text, he in sundry places sets forth the Lord Jesus Christ, as the life which we are to receive from the Father; he shows where it is to be had, and where forgiveness…

A time may come when you may be left alone, as Christ says he was. You had need engage the Father to be with you, that you may say as the Apostle (1 John 1:3): Truly our fellowship is with the Father. It is true, communion of saints is desirable, but external communion is not al…

(Romans 8:13) If by the spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive them. Answer. The promises of the Gospel are not made to the work, but to the worker: and to the worker not for his work: but for Ch…

Coloss. 2. 10. and not complete of our selues, by him. Lastly, the Scripture shuts up all men under sin, even the most sanctified (Proverbs 20:9; 1 John 1:9). Job confesses he cannot answer one of a thousand (Job 9:3).

So that not only the Persons are called spiritual, as having the Spirit of God dwelling in them; but those Qualifications, Affections and Experiences that are wrought in them by the Spirit, are also spiritual, and therein differ vastly in their Nature and Kind from all that a na…

Third, this repentance that has been described, is indeed the special condition of remission of sin. This seems very evident by the Scripture, as particularly, Mark 1:4: John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins. So, Luke…

Yea, Providence has made the very place of sinning, the place of punishment, 1 Kings 21:19 In the place where Dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall Dogs lick, your blood: and it was exactly fulfilled, 2 Kings 9:26 Thus Tophet is made a burying place for the Jews, till there was…

If God has called you, and Christ has called you, you should show forth Christ's graces in your conversation; that is, live as Christ lived, and walk as Christ walked. If you say, you have fellowship with Christ, you ought also to walk as he walked (1 John 1:6). 3. Do nothing th…

4. The whole revelation and dispensation of the will of God in and by the Word, is (as was said) eminently appropriated to the Father. Eternal life (the counsel, the purpose, ways, means, and procurer of it) was with the Father, and was manifested to us by the word of truth (1 J…

I confess Plato in his Timaeus, makes it the end of philosophy, that we may thereby be made like to God. But that philosophy of his, having its rise and spring in inbred notions of nature, and the contemplation of the works of God's providence, could have no other end but confor…

So the Prophet (Isaiah 50:10), by him that walks in darkness and has no light, sets out the saddest condition of an afflicted soul. No light is not only darkness, but pure darkness; as when the Apostle John would advance the glory of God, he says, God is light, and in him there…

Solomon challenges the best and holiest upon this point (Proverbs 20:9): Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Many other places may be alleged to the same purpose; as (1 John 1:8): If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is n…

You shall have a kingdom, and be as rich as heaven can make you. He who has the promise of an estate, after the expiring of a few years, though at present he has nothing to help himself, yet comforts himself with this, that shortly he shall have an estate come into his hands (1…

6. What great need there is to be settled, because indeed there are so many things to unsettle us, and make us fall away gradually from the truth. Seducers are abroad whose work is to draw away people from the principles of religion (1 John 2:26). These things have I written con…

Clemens Alexandrinus writes of a fish that has its heart in its belly; an emblem of Epicureans, their heart is in their belly; they mind nothing but indulging the sensual appetite; they do sacrificare lari, their belly is their god, and to this they pour drink-offerings: thus me…

Thus when Satan accuses the saints, or the justice of God lays anything to their charge, Christ shows his own wounds, and by virtue of his bloody sufferings, he answers all the demands and challenges of the law, and counter-works Satan's accusations. 3. Christ by his intercessio…

Knam kodsheca, The people of your holiness. The called of God are anointed with the consecrating oil of the Spirit (1 John 2:20). You have an anointing from the holy One.

Epiphanius says, That the looseness of some Christians in his time, made many of the heathen shun the company of the Christians, and would not be drawn to hear their sermons. So by our exact Bible-conversation we glorify God; though the main work of religion lies in the heart, y…

The new creature is God's temple, adorned with all the graces, which he will not suffer to be demolished. Riches take wings, kings' crowns tumble in the dust: in fact, some of the graces may cease; faith and hope shall be no more, but the new creature abides for ever (1 John 2:2…

Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of Sanctification. The saints of old had it (1 John 2:3): We know that we know him. 2 Timothy 1:12: I know whom I have believed; here was Sensus Fidei, the reflex act of faith; a…

God has both asserted it and promised it. 1. God has asserted it (1 John 3:9): His Seed remains in him (1 John 2:27): The anointing you have received of him abides in you. 2. As God has asserted it, so he has promised it: The Truth of God, the most brilliant Pearl of his Crown,…

This must needs cut the sinews of a Christian's endeavor, and be as the boring a hole in the vessel, to make all the wine of his joy run out. Were the Arminian doctrine true, how could the Apostle say, The seed of God remains in him (1 John 3:9), and the anointing of God abides…

God often gives the purse to the wicked, but the Spirit only to such as he intends to make his heirs. 1. Have we had the consecration of the Spirit? If we have not had the sealing work of the Spirit, have we had the healing work (1 John 2:20). You have an unction from the Holy O…

In heaven are fresh delights, sweetness without surfeit. And that which is the crown and zenith of heaven's happiness is, it is eternal (1 John 2:25). Were there but the least suspicion that this glory must cease, it would much eclipse, indeed embitter it; but it is eternal.

What are the promises for, but to encourage holiness? What is the sending of the Spirit into the world for, but to anoint us with the holy unction (1 John 2:20)? What are all afflictions for, but to make us partakers of God's holiness (Hebrews 12:10)?

God is wise, and he thinks this way fittest to make his mind known to us by writing; and such as will not be convinced by the Word shall be judged by the Word. The belief of the Scripture is of high importance: it is the belief of Scripture that will enable us to resist temptati…

He who is truly sanctified cannot fall from that state. Indeed seeming holiness may be lost; colors may wash off; Sanctification may suffer an eclipse (Revelation 2:4): You have left your first love; but true Sanctification is a blossom of eternity (1 John 2:27): The anointing w…

Where there is sanctity in the soul, there Holiness to the Lord is engraved upon our life; we are adorned with patience, humility, good works, and shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). We carry Christ's picture in our conversations (1 John 2:6). O let us labor for thi…

(5.) The sinner under wrath has none to speak a good word for him. An elect person when he sins has one to intercede for him (1 John 2:1): We have an advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous. Christ will say, It is one of my friends, one whom I have shed my blood for; Father, pardon…

The essence of the Spirit is in heaven, and everywhere, but the influence of it is in the hearts of believers. This is that blessed Spirit who gives us the holy unction (1 John 2:20). Though Christ merits grace for us, it is the Holy Ghost works it in us.

Do we emulate and imitate the angels in sanctity? Do we labor to copy out Christ's life in ours (1 John 2:6)? It was a custom among the Macedonians on Alexander's birthday to wear his picture about their necks set with pearl and diamond: do we carry Christ's picture about us? an…

If a man were to climb up a steep rock, and had weights tied to his legs, it would hinder him from his ascent: Too many golden weights will hinder us from climbing that steep rock which leads to heaven; (Exodus 14:3) They are entangled in the land, the wilderness has shut them i…

(3.) God has given you grace. Grace is the rich embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Ghost; it is the sacred unction (1 John 2:27). The graces are a chain of pearl to adorn, and beds of spices which make us a sweet odor to God; grace is a distinguishing blessing.

And thus by this Covenant, the righteousness of Christ came to be, not only equivalent in virtue and worth, but the very actual price of the ransom of sinners (1 Timothy 2:6). Who gave himself a ransom: and Christ not only virtually but actually, properly, and according to Coven…

Qu. 9. How do we in our observation, profess our subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ and his Gospel? Answ. In that being all of them 1. Appointed by him as the head law-giver, King of his Church. And 2. Made by him the ensigns and tokens of his Kingdom, and subjects, in their du…

Q. What is the teaching of the holy Spirit? A. It is that inward work of the holy Ghost upon the soul, whereby the outward teaching is made efficacious and powerful for opening the understanding and humbling the heart to embrace the truth and will of God (John 16:13; John 14:26;…

To this end you may further consider that in men's hearts — though they be stony toward God — there are yet some sparks of fire which may be struck out by the word, by education, by the enlightening of conscience, and by working upon self-love in men. The sparks of this fire are…

Groan, sigh, sob, chatter as Hezekiah did (Isaiah 38:14), bewail yourself for your own unworthiness, and desire Christ to speak your requests for you and God to hear him for you. Christ is an advocate with the Father, and pleads no bad case, nor was ever cast in any suit he plea…

The assumption is in the ninth and tenth verse; the conclusion in the eleventh. Moreover, those which are the members of Christ's body, shall grow up to a perfect man (Ephesians 4:12, 13 and 1 John 2:29); but all those which have a true faith, are members of Christ's body, there…

First, that God would be a Father to all those that did obey his voice, and come out from among the Jews, Heathens, and Gentiles, and separate from their false ways, and superstitious worship, and touch not the unclean thing, and he will receive you; and you shall be his sons an…

And the light of a renewed Conscience, is a created gift of spiritual knowledge in the conscience. 1 John 2. [illegible]. Hereby we know that we know him, that we keep his Commandments. 1 John 3:14. We know we have passed from death to life, because we love the Brethren.

Knowing the Son of man shortly will come to judge the world: and then they which be ashamed of him, and his words, in this sinful and adulterous generation, of them will the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with all his holy Angels (Mark 8:38). Fou…

Verse 16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward man. But yet this I confess to you, that I am less than the least of all the Messengers of Christ; for I am not worthy to be called a Messenger, or Minister; for I persec…

Yes, and after a further enquiry, to understand aright the things that are controverted among us; by the good providence of the Almighty, I found two Texts of holy Scripture, setting forth two sorts of men, Diametrally opposing one another, as light does darkness, truth does fal…

Fifthly, Heresy: even from all them that deny that Jesus is the Christ; they are Antichrist that deny the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father (1 John 2:22, 23). Sixthly, That the Lord may be one: namely, even the Lord Jesus the Christ, whom Go…

3. The third thing wherein this [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] or perfection does consist, is spiritual light and knowledge, with respect to the mysteries of the wisdom and grace of God. God had designed for the Church a measure of spiritual light and knowledge which was not attainab…

For there is verily a disanulling of the commandment going before; [in non-Latin alphabet], that is, [in non-Latin alphabet]. The adjective in the neuter gender put for a substantive, which is emphatical; as on the contrary it is so, when the substantive is put for the adjective…

That they be so, is their only real concern in this world, and that alone which their minds are principally exercised about. And what greater security can they have hereof, than the interest and glory which this their High Priest has in Heaven (1 John 2:1, 2)?

[illegible], which we translate merciful, is propitious, gracious through a propitiation. But the Lord Christ is the only [illegible], or propitiation under the New Testament (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). And he died, [illegible], to propitiate God for sin; to render him propitious…

The partition wall is broken down, and the gates of the new Jerusalem are set open to all comers upon the Gospel invitation. This is frequently taken notice of in the Scripture; see Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 11:51, 52; John 12:32; Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30; Galatians 5:6; Eph…

It is as it were the appearance of an Advocate, a law-appearance in the behalf of others. So is it declared (1 John 2:1, 2). He will at the end of all present his whole Church to God, with the whole work of his love and grace accomplished towards them.

But this Cipporeth is rendered by our Apostle [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] a propitiatory, a mercy-seat; as it is also by the LXX sometimes, and sometimes by [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] an imposed covering. But whereas in allusion hereunto, the Lord Christ is said to be [⟨in non-Lati…

But in an ordinary way, it will be very difficult in such a time as this wherein seducers abound, false doctrines are divulged, and speciously obtruded, wherein there are so many wolves abroad in sheep's clothing, and so great an opposition is on all hands made to the truth of t…

There are and ever were different degrees of persons in the Church, as to the saving knowledge of God. Hence is that distribution of them into Fathers, Young men and Children (1 John 2:13, 14). All have not one measure, all arrive not to the same stature; but yet as to the ends…

2. With affiance in his mediation. And therein faith has respect to two things, (1.) the sacrifice he has offered, the atonement and reconciliation he has made for us, whereon our whole liberty of access to God does depend (Chap. 10:19, 20, 21, 22); (2.) to his intercession wher…

But there is no shedding of blood in the appearance of Christ in Heaven; nor, according to these men, any such thing appertaining to his nature. (2) These things are distinguished in the Scripture from their different natures and effects (1 John 2:1, 2). (3) His Sacrifice or the…

Crucified, to sin, and to the world. If persons love the world, and the things of it, as (1 John 2:15), Christ does not live in them: in this case the word is plain, let persons look to themselves as well as they can. Also see Galatians 6:14.

Now Christ offered up himself (Hebrews 7:27). His design therein was to take away our sin (1 John 3:5): and hence he is the propitiation for our sin (1 John 2:2). Christ suffered for us, in our room, and stead: and for our sin (1 Peter 2:21, 24) — that also suffered for us — his…

The Synod having said, that persons once in Covenant are not broken off from it, according to Scripture, save for notorious sins, and incorrigibleness therein, which is not the case of these parents. The Reverend Author answers, that if they break off themselves, by breaking the…

This is life eternal to know you the only God, and whom you have sent Jesus Christ (John 14:17). The world cannot receive the spirit of truth because it has neither seen him nor known him (1 John 2:23). Whoever denies the Son has not the Father.

(3.) One of the principal ends for which the communication of the Spirit is promised to the Church, is to make and render all the institutions of Christ effectual to its edification. (4.) 1 John 2:20, 27 is usually pleaded as giving countenance to this fond pretence. But (1.) th…

He that is spiritual judges all things: As the soul in the eye is the cause why it sees; so the Spirit of God in the mind is the cause why it savingly understands. The anointing of the Holy Ghost is irradiating; it clears a Christian's eyesight (1 John 2:27). The same unction te…

- 1. It implies our seeing of God. - 2. Our loving of God. - 3. God's loving of us. 1. The enjoying of God implies our seeing of God (1 John 3:2). We shall see him as he is: Here we see him as he is not; not mutable, mortal; there as he is.

Answ. Sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of the Law of God. Sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). Of sin in general.

Question 3. From where is it that true grace cannot but grow? Response 1. It is proper for grace to grow, it is semen manens, the seed of God (1 John 3:9). It is the nature of seed to grow; grace does not lie in the heart, as a stone in the earth, but as seed in the earth, which…

They have angels for their life-guard (Hebrews 1:14). They are of the blood-royal of heaven (1 John 3:9). The Scripture has set forth their spiritual heraldry; they have their escutcheon or coat-armor: Sometimes they bear the lion for their courage (Proverbs 28:1), sometimes the…

God has both asserted it and promised it. 1. God has asserted it (1 John 3:9): His Seed remains in him (1 John 2:27): The anointing you have received of him abides in you. 2. As God has asserted it, so he has promised it: The Truth of God, the most brilliant Pearl of his Crown,…

Use 1. See the excellency of grace, it perseveres: Other things are but [in non-Latin alphabet], for a season; health and riches are sweet, but they are but for a season, but grace is a blossom of eternity. The seed of God remains (1 John 3:9). Grace may suffer an eclipse, not a…

Oh be sure to keep a good conscience; this is the best way to stand with boldness at the Day of Judgment. The voice of conscience is the voice of God; if conscience does upon just grounds acquit us, God will acquit us (1 John 3:21). If our heart condemn us not, then have we conf…

Though it is true, the curse causeless shall not come — it is not in man's power to make another cursed — yet to wish a curse is a fearful sin. If to hate our brother be murder (1 John 3:15), then to curse him, which is the highest degree of hatred, must needs be murder. To use…

Oh be not venomous like the serpent. Malice is mental murder, you may kill a man and never touch him (1 John 3:15). Whoever hates his brother is a murderer.

2. God is a Father by election, having chosen a certain number to be his children, whom he will entail heaven upon; Ephesians 1:4. [in non-Latin alphabet], he has chosen us in him. 3. God is a Father by special grace; he consecrates the elect by his Spirit, and infuses a superna…

Happiness is the quintessence of holiness. 6. Sanctification is an abiding thing (1 John 3:9): His seed remains in him. He who is truly sanctified cannot fall from that state.

(2.) Murder is committed with the mind. Malice is mental murder (1 John 3:15): Whoever hates his brother is a murderer. To malign another, and wish evil against him in the heart, is a murdering him.

Covet grace. Grace is the best blessing; it is the seed of God (1 John 3:9). The angels' glory: covet heaven.

If the pavement of it be bespangled with so many bright shining lights, glorious stars, what is the Kingdom itself? 1 John 3:2. It does not yet appear what we shall be. This Kingdom exceeds our faith.

There is a party of grace in the heart, true to Christ, but sometimes it may be over-voted by corruption, and then a Christian yields; it is sad thus to yield to the tempter, but yet let not a child of God be wholly discouraged, and say there is no hope, let me pour in some balm…

And this plainly affirms his pre-existence to that assumption of our nature, and the unity of his person in it being so assumed. 1 John 3:16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.

4. It is yet farther objected, that if Christ made satisfaction for sin, then he did it either as God, or as Man, or as God and Man. Answ. (1.) As God and Man (Acts 20:28): God redeemed his Church with his own blood (1 John 3:16); herein was manifest the love of God, that he lai…

Chap. 3:18, 19. But Christ also has once suffered for sinners, being put to death in the flesh, but quickned by the Spirit; by which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison which sometimes were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the dayes of No…

1. The imperfection of man's righteousness; though he be a believer, and consequently sanctified by the Spirit of God. Evangelically indeed he is looked upon as one that cannot sin (1 John 3:9): He cannot sin because he is born of God. But yet at the same time legally, he does n…

2. Here also we may be informed, that a man may be without sin in respect of justification, and yet have a great deal of the remainders of sin in him, in respect of sanctification. It has offered matter of no little perplexity to serious souls, when they read such texts of Scrip…

They have not only liberty thus to admonish one another, but it is their express and indispensable duty so to do. The neglect whereof is interpreted by God to be hatred of our brother; such as wherewith the love of God is inconsistent (Leviticus 19:17; 1 John 4:20; 1 John 3:15).…

Q. If these things be vouchsafed to believers in this life, what shall they have in the life to come? A. Unspeakable glory and happiness in the immediate fruition of communion with God and Christ to all eternity (Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2; Hebrews 12:23; 1 Corinthians 15:28). Q…

God may give Satan leave to cast us into prison, to clap bolts upon us again, and to become a lying spirit of bondage to us, as he became a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets. And he may give up our hearts to be fettered with the cords of our own sins, and to be ensna…

But those that do utterly or wholly fall away from faith and grace, are the second time to be ingrafted into Christ: and consequently, they are not once regenerated but again: and therefore they are oftener than once to be baptized. Fourth reason: (1 John 3:9) Whoever is born of…

Secondly, in that Cain offered as well as Abel; Hence we learn diverse instructions. 1. It is a common opinion, that if a man walk duly and truly in his calling, doing no man harm, but giving every man his own, and so do all his life long, God will receive him, and save his soul…

First, because they be taken out of the world, in regard of state and condition in grace, John 15:19, therefore the world hates them, John 15:19. Secondly, the world knows them not, 1 John 3:1 and therefore speaks evil of them, Jude, 10. Thirdly, the wicked measure others by the…

And since those times, in the History of the Church under the Gospel, we may find, that when the Christians were urged by persecutors to reveal their brethren, they rather chose to lay down their own lives, than to betray their brethren into their enemies' hands. And this is tru…

1 John 2. [illegible]. Hereby we know that we know him, that we keep his Commandments. 1 John 3:14. We know we have passed from death to life, because we love the Brethren. Verse 19. Hereby we know we are of the [illegible].

Now offences must come, but woe to the men by whom they come: it were better for me, that a millstone were hanged about my neck, and that I were cast into the sea, than that I should offend one of these little ones (Luke 17:1, 2). If we frequent devised forms of worship in praye…

And he who first acted in that frame and spirit which came upon them was a murderer, and slew his brother. And this the Apostle proposes as the instance and example of that hatred and enmity which is among men under the curse (1 John 3:11, 12). And there is no greater evidence o…

Fourthly, there belongs to this perfection that [in non-Latin alphabet], that liberty and boldness which believers have in their approaches to God. This is frequently mentioned as an especial privilege and advantage of the Gospel-state (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 3:6; Chap. 4:16; C…

And [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is a voluntary unconformity to the Law. Herein the formal nature of sin consists, as the Apostle tells us (1 John 3:4). And this is that which in the first place passeth on the conscience of a sinner.

1. The unspeakable love of Christ in offering himself and his own blood for us. See (Galatians 2:20; Revelation 1:5; 1 John 3:16; Ephesians 5:26, 27). There being no other way whereby our sins might be purged and expiated (chap. 10:5, 6, 7), out of his infinite love and grace he…

(2.) By the destruction of its subjective power, purging our consciences from dead works, in the way that has been declared. This was the principal end of the appearance of Christ in the world (1 John 3:8). The way whereby he did this was by the sacrifice of himself; [in non-Lat…

But (1) it is required that this property of repentance be prevalent against the common sins of the world, men's old sins which they lived in before their conversion. Those sins which are expressly declared in the Gospel to be inconsistent with the profession, ends and glory of…

And yet indeed this which seemed to overthrow and disannul the Promise, was only a means of its farther confirmation. For the death of Abel upon his offering his acceptable sacrifice, was a type of Christ and his suffering in his mystical body (1 John 3:12). When the wickedness…

He willingly, and voluntarily, out of his own abundant goodness and love took upon him to make atonement for us, wherein he was our surety. And accordingly this undertaking is ascribed to that love which he exercised herein (Galatians 2:12; 1 John 3:16; Revelation 1:5). And ther…

And as this was the greatest effect of divine wisdom and grace, so it is the first cause, the root and spring of all spiritual blessings to us. This the whole Scripture bears testimony to (Hebrews 10:7; 1 John 3:16). This is the fundamental article of faith evangelical.

They by whom this is denied, do overthrow the faith of the Gospel. This is the Spirit of Antichrist (1 John 3:1, 2, 3). And this may be done two ways.

He knows how to discover, and to deal with such well enough; and will do it in due time; he will discover the guile and treachery of their own hearts to themselves, and to all the world. Ponder that place, 1 John 3:3. He that has this hope (which springs from a lively faith) pur…

Here then consider whether you have seen Christ or not: for till a person see him, he cannot come to, or close with him, as John 6:40. As we have already intimated, persons do not use to match with a person, whom they have never seen; or if they [illegible] it seldom proves well…

First, for the place of scripture which he alleges, namely, that God is greater than our hearts: it is so far from comforting an afflicted conscience, that it will rather drive him to despair. Neither does John (1 John 3:20) make mention of it, to ease such as are in despair, sh…

The means then to make ourselves fit is, to seek to be reconciled to God in Christ for our sins past, and withal to endeavor to have an assurance of the free remission and pardon of them all in the blood of Christ. And as touching that part of life which is to come, we must reme…

While he is fighting with temptation, hope is a helmet; while he is upon the waters of affliction, hope is an anchor; the anchor of a ship is cast downwards, the anchor of the soul is cast upwards in heaven. A saint's hope is a purifying hope (1 John 3:3), a deathbed hope (Prove…

You see then every faculty must be seasoned with the new nature; this leaven must get into the whole lump; the mind, memory, conscience, will, desires, delights, all must be brought into conformity to the image of God. And as every faculty must be sanctified, so there must be ev…

Answer: In this text, love is not made an impulsive cause to move God to pardon her sins, but only a sign to show and manifest that God had already pardoned them. Like to this is the place of John, who says (1 John 3:14): We are translated from death to life, because we love the…

And in Psalm 119:11, it is put for the memory: 'Your word have I hid in my heart.' And in 1 John 3:20, it is put for the conscience, which has in it both the light of the understanding and the recognitions of the memory: 'If our heart condemn us' — that is, if our conscience, wh…

'Tis said of Noah, that by that eminent act of faith, the building of the Ark, he condemned the unbelieving world (Hebrews 11:7). This was the matter of Cain's contest with his brother, and the reason why he slew him, because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous (…

And without repentance, everlasting vengeance will follow that sin. It is said, No murderer has eternal life (1 John 3:15), that is, without true repentance: and if he has not eternal life, then I am sure he has eternal death and damnation. If the murderer were only to have the…

There is a full account given by the Apostle, of the conflict between indwelling sin and grace (Romans 7). And the things which he ascribes to sin, are not the first rising or involuntary motions of it, nor merely its inclinations and disposition: for the things ascribed to it,…

Love is a pleasing affection. Fear has torment in it (1 John 4:18). Love has joy in it.

Death is the cure of care. 2. Fear: fear is the ague of the soul, which sets it a shaking (1 John 4:14). There is torment in fear: fear is like Prometheus his vulture, it gnaws upon the heart.

Sin breeds a trembling at the heart (Isaiah 57:21). It creates fears, and there is torment in fear (1 John 4:18). Sin makes sad convulsions in the conscience.

Trouble is the vermin bred out of the putrid matter of sin. From where are all our fears, but from sin? (1 John 4:18). There is torment in fear.

How should we nourish this grace which shall outlive all the graces, and run parallel with eternity! 4. Our love to God is a sign of his love to us (1 John 4:19): We love him, because he first loved us. By nature we are 〈in non-Latin alphabet〉, we have no love to God, we have he…

And it is a never-fading crown (1 Peter 5:4). 4. By our loving God we may know that he loves us (1 John 4:19). We love him, because he first loved us.

He is the only wise God; he knows how to make evil things work for good to his children (Romans 8:28), he can make a sovereign treacle of poison: Thus he is the best Father for wisdom. 4. He is the best Father because most loving; (1 John 4:16) God is love. He who causes bowels…

It was said of Cataline, He was afraid of every noise. If a briar does but take hold of a thief's garment, he is afraid it is the officer to apprehend him — and fear has torment in it (1 John 4:18). (4.) The judgments which follow this sin.

There is nothing more contrary to God than a lie. The Holy Ghost is called the Spirit of Truth (1 John 4:5-6). Lying is a sin that does not go alone, it ushers in other sins.

Love is the soul of obedience, the touchstone of sincerity. By our loving God we may know he loves us (1 John 4:19), and those whom God loves he will lay in his bosom. Ambrose in his funeral oration for Theodosius, brings in the angels hovering about his departing soul, and bein…

Such as are unpardoned must needs lead uncomfortable lives (Deuteronomy 28:66): your life shall hang in doubt before you, and you shall be in continual fears. Thus the unpardoned sinner must needs have a palpitation and trembling at heart; he fears every bush he sees (1 John 4:1…

He who was God laid down for a season, and parted with that life, which was his own in that nature of ours which he had assumed. And that taking of our nature is called his coming in the flesh, which whoever denies, is not of God, but is the Spirit of Antichrist (1 John 4:3). Th…

In this state and condition all mankind, had they been left without divine aid and help, must have perished eternally. Sixthly, that God out of his infinite goodness, grace and love to mankind, sent his only Son to save and deliver them out of this condition (Matthew 1:21): "You…

They have not only liberty thus to admonish one another, but it is their express and indispensable duty so to do. The neglect whereof is interpreted by God to be hatred of our brother; such as wherewith the love of God is inconsistent (Leviticus 19:17; 1 John 4:20; 1 John 3:15).…

I take this to be implied in that phrase in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, where the apostle warns they should not be troubled 'neither by spirit nor by word' to think the day of judgment was at hand. By 'spirit' he means a pretense of revelation joined with a man's own private conceit an…

Yet though you are to lay it to heart so as to mourn under it, you are not to be discouraged — not to call all into question. For though you change, yet God does not, nor his love — for his love is himself (1 John 4:8-10). We may change in our apprehensions and opinions, and God…

And so he which justifies God, as others that do not receive the testimony, condemn God of lying (1 John 5:10). But we cannot justify God before he justifies us; no more than we can love him before he first loved us (1 John 4:19). If our faith be first active to lay hold on Chri…

And therefore by the rule of relation, they knew their son-ship and adoption: and if it should be asked, how they knew it; John tells, by the unction they had received from Christ (1 John 2:27), that is, by the Spirit itself, which taught them to know all things; which no create…

First, the cause of remission, the sacrificed body of Christ on the cross, or accursed tree; (Hebrews 10:4) by one offering, he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Secondly, the ground is a free promise tendered to us from God; as to Adam, The seed of the woman shal…

Are you he who is to come? And after his actual exhibition, the denying of him to be so come, is to overthrow the Gospel (1 John 4:3). And these things are called [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], these good things; (1.) Because they are absolutely so without any allay or mixture.

No new spring or life can be given to Love, but by a new discovery, that God was Love, and had a Love for us. For so the Apostle tells us, Herein is Love, not that we loved God but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation of our sins (1 John 4:10). But if God so…

And upon this coming itself depended the demonstration of the faithfulness of God in his promises. And this is the great fundamental article of Christian religion in opposition to Judaism; as it is declared (1 John 4:2, 3). Therefore by his being come in this place, no one singl…

And thereunto in the Scripture are they constantly assigned, whether absolutely, that grace is bestowed on any, or comparatively, on one and not another, it is all from the will of God. For herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us first, and sent his Son to be…

After his incarnation and ministry, he was now with respect to them, he that was come. Yes, to deny him to be come in answer to that promise, is antichristian (1 John 4:3). Yet after this, he was to come again, on a double account.

But if we are always anxious and solicitous about what we do, whether it be accepted with God or no; how do we serve him without fear? This is the worst kind of fear we are obnoxious to, most dishonorable to God, and discouraging to our own souls (1 John 4:18). For how can we di…

And if you have seen him, you have seen your spiritual ignorance of him; and that ignorance that yet remains, is among your chief complaints. 2. If you love him, you will love those that are his (1 John 3:14), and on this account, for that of him, that is in them: and he that do…

To come to his titles, the first is Jesus, to which if we add the clause, I believe, on this manner, I believe in Jesus, etc., the article which we now have in hand will appear to be most excellent, because it has most notable promises annexed to it. When Peter confessed Christ…

1. It arises from the sense and apprehensions of God's love in Christ. Love is like a diamond, that is not wrought upon but by its own dust (1 John 4:19). We love him, because he loved us first.

4. I see not how, if the faith of the saints be tried as gold in the fire, they may not through the prevalence of temptation be shaken in their faith, as Peter was, when he denied his Savior; and Paul; who (2 Corinthians 1:8) was pressed out of measure, above strength, despaired…

James commands not such a confession. Daniel's, Ezra's, Peter's confession were some other thing (John 1:20; Acts 19:18; Hebrews 11:13; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 4:2; Mark 3:6; Joshua 7:19; Daniel 9:4; Romans 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:13; Psalm 32:5; James 5:16; Leviticus 5:5; Leviticus 1…

Argument 6. Christ's Lordship and Princedome through his resurrection, is in turning of hearts (Acts 5:31; Romans 11:23). Grace is stronger than devils, sin, hell and death (Romans 14:4; Ephesians 3:20; Jude 24; 1 John 2:14; 1 John 4:4). Arg. 7. If it must lie at our door more t…

(1 John 2:27) You need not that any teach you, but the anointing that you have received teaches you all things. Why should then fewer have the Spirit of holy unction in them, than the world for whom Christ is a propitiation, and all the visible saints that John writes to? (1 Joh…

5 Another end was, that so by this means they might be strengthened in the faith, according to what you read in the words of the text, to them that did believe, he wrote that they might believe, meaning that they might be confirmed and established in believing. 6 Also, to the in…

Both doubting and presumption is contrary to the life of faith, and therefore must be cast out, cast out all fears, and all self-confidence. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Faith strives against fear, and love strives against malice, and patience strives against frowa…

(Revelation 1:5) To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood. He thought no price too dear for our salvation; let us love him again who loved us first (1 John 4:19): We love him because he first loved us. And be contented to suffer with him and for him, that w…

3. Why is it put here. 1. To show the end for which Christ came to represent the amiableness of God, that he is love (1 John 4:8), and has love for his children. Christ is the pattern of all, for he is first beloved, and the great instance and demonstration of God's love to the…

Secondly, here we may observe what is true religion and godliness, namely, to love and serve God in serving of man. He that says he loves God, and yet hates his brother, is a liar (1 John 4:20). And here it follows that to live out of all society of men, though it be in prayer a…

It is further said, we must restore in the spirit of meekness. The word spirit is added, because it proceeds from the spirit of God, who is both the worker and continuer thereof: as on the contrary, the spirit of jealousy (Numbers 5:14), the spirit of error (1 John 4:6), the spi…

Love is the Spirit of Adoption, or the Childlike Principle; if that Slumbers, Men fall under Fear, which is the Spirit of [Bondage], of the [legal] Principle: And [on] the contrary. And if [it be] so, [that] the Spirit of Adoption, be carried to a great Height, it quite drives a…

So that not only the Persons are called spiritual, as having the Spirit of God dwelling in them; but those Qualifications, Affections and Experiences that are wrought in them by the Spirit, are also spiritual, and therein differ vastly in their Nature and Kind from all that a na…

Reasons hereof. (10.) Promise of the Spirit to supply the Absence of Christ, as to his Humane Nature. Concernment thereof. (11.) Work of the Spirit in the Ministration of the Gospel. (12, 13.) All saving Good communicated to us; and wrought in us by Him. (14.) Sin against the Ho…

To be of God, that is, to belong to God by election. Now, he that is of God, God will in time make him hear his word with delight and love; but he that takes no delight therein, is not elected of God (1 John 4:5-6). Fifthly, the Lord will sooner or later work in the heart of an…

There the Scripture tells us, that they who are of God, effectually called by him, they hear his word with abundance of delight, and abundance of joy and love. So in 1 John 4:5-6: "He that is of God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us." And therefore David, when he woul…

Now a seal, and earnest, is to give more assurance to a promise; and here the Spirit of God is given to believers as a seal, and earnest-penny, that as they have the first fruits in grace, they shall have their harvest in glory. (1 John 4:13) Hereby we know we dwell in him, and…

(1 Peter 1:22) Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit, to unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another, with a pure heart fervently. (1 John 4:21) And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God, do love his brot…

2. There is also love. In the economy of the blessed Trinity about the work of our salvation, that which is eminently and in an especial manner ascribed to the Father, is love, as has been at large elsewhere showed (1 John 4:9, 10, 16). God, that is, the Father says he, is love.

Fear contains faith, and fear contains love too. Though perfect love cast out tormenting fear (1 John 4:18), yet perfect love calls in obeying fear. Hear the conclusion of all, says the Preacher (Ecclesiastes 12:13), Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty…

The sum of it is, Your love is exceeding excellent, and I have more need, and greater esteem of it, than of any thing in the world, therefore I seek after it, and hope to attain it. There are four words here to be cleared, 1. Your loves (so it is in the original in the plural nu…

Christ's love and thoughts to his people, are still the same, whatever changes be upon their frame and way, which may occasion sad changes in his dispensations towards them. 2. That she might the more be persuaded of his love to her and esteem of her; Christ would have his own t…

Now if we would conceive aright of God, when we come to worship him, let us not frame any idea of him in our imaginations, (for all such representations are false and foolish,) but labor to possess our hearts with an awful esteem of his attributes; and when we have with all poss…

3. We glorify God by believing (Romans 4:20): Abraham was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Unbelief affronts God, it gives him the lie; he that believes not, makes God a liar (1 John 5:10). So faith brings glory to God, it sets to its seal that God is true (John 3:33).

Clement of Alexandria calls the other graces the daughters of faith. Indeed in heaven love will be the chief grace, but while we are here militant love must give place to faith; love takes possession of glory, but faith gives a title to it; love is the crowning grace in heaven,…

Question: What means shall we use that we may obey? Response. 1. Serious consideration: Consider God's commands are not grievous: He commands nothing unreasonable (1 John 5:3). It is easier to obey the commands of God than sin: The commands of sin are burdensome: Let a man be un…

6. The sixth argument is, A Victoria supra mundum, from a believer's victory over the world. The argument stands thus: he who overcomes the world does persevere in grace; but a believer does overcome the world, therefore he perseveres in grace (1 John 5:4): This is the victory o…

Broad is the way which leads to destruction, and many there be that go in there. The greatest part of the world lies in wickedness (1 John 5:19). Divide the world, says Brerewood, into 31 parts, nineteen parts of it are possessed by Jews and Turks, seven parts by Heathens; so th…

Love to God carries the soul above the love of life; and the fear of death. 7. He who loves God loves his favorites, namely the saints (1 John 5:1). Idem est motus animi in imaginem & rem.

God will shoot all his murdering pieces among idolaters: all the plagues and curses in the book of God shall befall the idolater: the Lord repays him that hates him to his face. Use 2. Let it exhort us all to fly from Romish idolatry; let us not be among God-haters (1 John 5:21)…

If we believe not, yet he abides faithful; he cannot deny himself. Not to believe God's veracity, is to affront God (1 John 5:10). He that believes not has made God a liar.

1. Hereby error in prayer is prevented: it is not easy to write wrong copy; we cannot easily err having our pattern before us. 2. Hereby mercies requested are obtained; for the Apostle assures us God will hear us when we pray according to his will (1 John 5:14), and surely we pr…

Micah 7:18. Pardoning iniquity, there is Justification; verse 19. He will subdue our iniquities, there is Sanctification. Out of Christ's sides came water and blood (1 John 5:6). Blood, namely Justification, water, namely Sanctification.

Response. For answer to this, I shall prescribe some remedies and antidotes against this sin. 1. Faith (1 John 5:4). This is the victory over the world, even your faith. The root of covetousness is the distrust of God's providence.

Question 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead? Response: Three persons, yet but one God (1 John 5:7). There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.

What is the shedding of a tear to a crown? So that God's commands are not grievous (1 John 5:3), our service cannot be so hard as a kingdom is sweet. 2. Branch. See hence the royal bounty of God to his children, that he has prepared a kingdom for them.

God never pardons and justifies a sinner, but he does sanctify him (1 Corinthians 6:11): "but you are justified, but you are sanctified." (1 John 5:6): "This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ." Christ comes to the soul by blood, that denotes remission, and by…

But now thus it is with the Holy Ghost according to the revelation made concerning him in the Scripture. First, He is placed in the same rank and order without any note of difference or distinction as to a distinct interest in the divine nature, that is, as we shall see, persona…

Now the condition is believing: that which the Gospel says, is, that if we ever hope to get pardon of all our sins, and have our person to find acceptance with a holy God, [illegible] and through Jesus Christ, we must believe [illegible] him; and this is so positive and unaltera…

Seventhly, the church is therefore still to perform the duties of love, and care, towards such persons. (1.) In praying for them, that they may be converted from the error of their way (James 5:19, 20; 1 John 5:16). If any man see his brother sin a sin, which is not to death, he…

Q. What is the true way and means of deliverance? A. Only the Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15; Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:12).

Q. How may it be proved that Christ is God? A. By sundry places of Scripture, wherein he is expresly so called (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6; 1 John 5:20). Q. How else?

Q. How many are the persons in the Godhead? A. They are three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16-17 & 28:19; John 14:16-17 & 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 5:7). Q. Whether are these three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost several, a…

And the like he endeavored between Christ's human nature and the divine, though hypostatically united. And likewise 4. 'That God has given us eternal life, and that life is in his Son' — this being the great truth of the gospel, so that a Christian who believes it not makes God…

How? namely, beside the applying of Christ's blood, it brings to memory God's merciful promises in Christ: which stay a man from committing such things as would pollute and defile the heart. And therefore is faith said to be our victory over the world: 1 John 5:4. Because by app…

Who are they which are born of the Spirit? Such men and women as through a Gospel ministry are brought to believe, and manifest by their confession, that Jesus who was crucified, dead, and risen, is the Christ, is born of God (1 John 5:1). For no man can say (that is, confess) t…

For he receives the testimony which God has given of his Son: that God has given us life in his Son, he has set to his seal that God is true (John 3:33). And so he which justifies God, as others that do not receive the testimony, condemn God of lying (1 John 5:10). But we cannot…

May it not rather be, that with Apollos, they were more fully instructed what it was to be baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus? No; because there was as vast a difference, according to the distinction I formerly laid down, between the faith and baptism of John and his Disci…

Verse 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth; supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw yourself. Yes, and after a further enquiry, to understand aright the things that are controverted among us; by the good providence of the Almigh…

But with this spiritual love he that loves himself most, that is, does most prize and value the image of God in himself, does most love others in whom it is. And we may know whether we cherish and improve grace in our own hearts, by that love which we have to them in whom it doe…

Take my yoke upon you, says he, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:29, 30). So the Apostle tells us, that his commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3). But yet concer…

Therefore by his being come in this place, no one single act is intended, as his advent or coming does usually signify his incarnation only; but the sense of the word is comprehensive of the whole accomplishment of the promise of God in sending him, and his performance of the wo…

It is to signify both these, that such emphatical vehement expressions are used even among men, and both these unbelief is apt to question in God. He that believes not makes God a liar (1 John 5:10). He is a liar who in his promises intends not what his words signify, but has ot…

And they are so expressly the declaration of his purposes, that when God had only purposed to give us eternal life in Christ, he is said to have promised it; namely, before the world began. And this declares the nature of unbelief: he that believes not God, has made him a liar (…

For the mystery thereof was very great. Hence that Apostle which saw it and bare record of it in particular (John 19:34, 35) affirms likewise that he came by water and blood; and not by blood only (1 John 5:6). He came not only to make atonement for us with his blood, that we mi…

And the state which men are thereby brought into, is so called in opposition to the darkness that is in the world without it (1 Peter 2:9). The world without the Gospel is the kingdom of Satan; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] (1 John 5:19). The whole of the world, and all that belon…

Have you [illegible]osed with him? He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son, has not life; for life is in the Son (1 John 5:11, 12). But it comes to none, but to such as receive him.

Some take evil in this place only for the devil, but we may take it more largely for all spiritual enemies. (1 John 5:19) The whole world lies in evil, namely, under the power of sin and Satan. These words (as I have said) are a proof and explanation of the former: for when a ma…

The means then to make ourselves fit is, to seek to be reconciled to God in Christ for our sins past, and withal to endeavor to have an assurance of the free remission and pardon of them all in the blood of Christ. And as touching that part of life which is to come, we must reme…

A man in humbling his soul before God, is not to pray as his affections carry him, and for what he pleases: but all is to be done according to the express word. So as those things which God has commanded us to ask, we are to ask, and those things which he has not commanded us to…

Alexander might give a coward his armor, but he could not give him his courage; but God infuses a spirit of magnanimity into his people, with his armor he conveys strength (2 Corinthians 12:9): My strength is made perfect in weakness. A Christian having on God's armor, and going…

Love to God will be interposing and crossing every carnal motion. 2. By a delight in obedience: (1 John 5:3) This is love, that we keep his Commandments, and his Commandments are not grievous. Nothing is difficult and tedious to him that has any affection to his work.

Now hence I gather that he who is the child of God, truly justified and sanctified, shall never fall wholly and finally from the grace of God. And I conclude on this manner: that which we ask according to the will of God shall be granted — 1 John 5. But this the child of God ask…

This use is threefold: in respect of God, of man, and of ourselves. Works are to be done in respect of God: that his commandments may be obeyed — 1 John 5:12; that his will may be done — 1 Thessalonians 4:3; that we may show ourselves to be obedient children to God our Father —…

So Christ says (Mark 11:24): Whatever you desire when you pray, believe that you shall have it, and it shall be given to you. And Saint John further notes out this particular faith, calling it our assurance that God will give to us whatever we ask according to his will (1 John 5…

Or his who has diligently travelled through it, and made an exact survey of it? My yoke (says our Savior) is easie and my burthen is light (Matthew 11:30), and Saint John attests to the truth of it (1 John 5:3). His commandments are not grievous.

There be but few that seek it, and yet fewer that find it, but fewest of all that enter in at it. But how does all this agree with Matthew 11:30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light," and 1 John 5:3, "His commandments are not grievous"? I answer.

Though this being rightly grounded is a precious, sweet and comfortable thing; and true faith ought to grow up to this. It is fearful security for any to be at rest without assurance; but yet this assurance is not the proper act of saving, justifying faith; but follows it, as pr…

Oh! The Lord of Heaven and Earth tells you in his Word, that no faith, no salvation: you die for ever, if you get not faith before you die. But believe, and you shall live: you shall have life eternal, and all that pertains to it (1 John 5:12-13). And this is that, that will be…

Pray that God would give them reforming spirits; and for the King, that God would make him another Hezekiah to remove the high places, and to cut off the remnants of Baal, that he may trust in the Lord, and keep close to his Word; and that the Lord would be with him, and prosper…

So in spiritual actions, if we are persuaded that such a sin committed will not make our bodies sick but our souls, we will not do it; if we are persuaded our souls shall fare the better if we do such a thing, this makes us to do it: being persuaded we shall have a recompense of…

So as those things which God has commanded us to ask, we are to ask, and those things which he has not commanded us to ask, we are in no wise to pray for. (1 John 5:14) This is the assurance which we have of him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he hears us. This t…

Some take evil in this place, only for the devil, but we may take it more largely, for all spiritual enemies. 1 John 5:19: The whole world lies in evil, namely, under the power of sin and Satan. These words (as I have said) are a proof and explanation of the former; for when a m…