A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Hence it follows: neither the things that are in the World. (1). Here we are again to take notice of another peculiar Idiom frequent with John, both in his Gospel and Epistles, namely, to reiterate the same thing under different expressions, partly by way of Exegesis, and partly to give an Emphatic plenitude. It might have sufficed, that he had said, love not the world: But the more fully to explicate his mind, as also to give an Emphase, and Accent to what he had said, he adds, neither the things that are in the world. He contents ⟨p. 66⟩not himself with Generals, but descends to Particulars; which he more fully specifies, v. 16. (2). By things that are in the world, we may, in a more strict and confined notion, understand those things, which worldly men do most magnify and Idolize: Mundane Grandeur, Pomp, Glory, Riches, Pleasures, Honours, Friends, whatever else may Captivate the hearts of degenerate men. In sum, by the world, and the things that are in the world, must be understood, all sensible, natural, civil, yea mental Goods, or whatever is inferior to God, so far as it may stand in Opposition to, or Competition with him; and so prove matter of abuse, and fuel for Lust, as ver. 16.

Hence it follows: neither the things that are in the World. (1). Here we are again to take notice of another peculiar Idiom frequent with John, both in his Gospel and Epistles, namely, to reiterate the same thing under different expressions, partly by way of Exegesis, and partly to give an Emphatick plenitude. It might have sufficed, that he had said, love not the world: But the more fully to explicate his mind, as also to give an Emphase, and Accent to what he had said, he adds, neither the things that are in the world. He contents ⟨p. 66⟩not himself with Generals, but descends to Particulars; which he more fully specifies, v. 16. (2). By things that are in the world, we may, in a more strict and confined notion, understand those things, which worldly men do most magnifie and Idolize: Mundane Grandeur, Pomp, Glory, Riches, Pleasures, Honours, Friends, whatever else may Captivate the hearts of degenerate men. In sum, by the world, and the things that are in the world, must be understood, all sensible, natural, civil, yea mental Goods, or whatever is inferior to God, so far as it may stand in Opposition to, or Competition with him; and so prove matter of abuse, and fuel for Lust, as ver. 16.