A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

These words are the conclusion of this Epistle, which containeth two parts. First, a promise, in the twelfth vers. Secondly, a commandment in the 13. for the promise: In it we are to observe two points; The party to whom it is made; and the thing promised. The party is, he that overcometh, of whom we have spoken before: for this promise hath been propounded six times, for substance the same, though in other terms. Yet here the very word Overcometh doth give us to understand, that he that would have his service pleasing to God, must dispose himself to a battle or combat, (for overcoming presupposeth a fight.) The enemies which he is to fight against are spiritual: to wit, his own corrupt nature, the wicked world, and the devil: and in this spiritual combat a man must be a good soldier, before he can be a good Christian: for all these enemies will seek to draw him back and hinder him, so soon as he shall any way endeavour to please God. Indeed, God could have freed his servants from all temptations, but he will not; it is Gods pleasure by temptations to have his servants tried. Whereby it is manifest that they are deceived, that imagine the state of a Christian to be a freedom from all miseries and ⟨p. 194⟩temptations, or a state of ease wherein is no strife or trouble to disquiet the mind; nay, it is a soldiers condition in which he that would overcome, must wage a-perpetual battle against all his enemies; both within him and without him, and that unto death.

These wordes are the conclusion of this Epistle, which containeth two parts. First, a promise, in the twelfth vers. Secondly, a commandement in the 13. for the promise: In it wee are to obserue two points; The partie to whom it is made; and the thing promised. The partie is, he that ouercommeth, of whom we haue spoken before: for this promise hath beene propounded sixe times, for substance the same, though in other tearmes. Yet here the very word Ouercommeth doth giue vs to vnderstand, that he that would haue his seruice pleasing to God, must dispose himselfe to a battell or combate, (for ouercomming presupposeth a fight.) The enemies which he is to fight against are spirituall: to wit, his owne corrupt nature, the wicked world, and the deuill: and in this spirituall combate a man must be a good souldier, before hee can bee a good Christian: for all these enemies will seeke to draw him backe and hinder him, so soone as he shall any way endeuour to please God. Indeed, God could haue freed his seruants from all temptations, but hee will not; it is Gods pleasure by temptations to haue his seruants tryed. Whereby it is manifest that they are deceiued, that imagine the state of a Christian to be a freedome from all miseries and