Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

The great Design of St. John in this Epistle, is to excite and inflame in Christians the Love of God, and of their Brethren, the two comprehensive Duties, and bright Sum of the Law, our principal Perfections in Heaven and Earth. These he recommends by the most affectionate and obliging, the most warming, melting Persuasives; the superlative Love of God to us, and our Communion with the Saints in Nature and Grace.

The great Design of St. John in this Epistle, is to excite and enflame in Christians the Love of God, and of their Brethren, the two comprehensive Duties, and bright Sum of the Law, our principal Perfections in Heaven and Earth. These he recommends by the most affectionate and obliging, the most warming, melting Perswasives; the superlative Love of God to us, and our Communion with the Saints in Nature and Grace.

In the former Verse the Apostle argues from the reality of the Effect, as an Evidence of the Cause. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Saviour of the World, foretold by the Prophets, and expresses the Truth of that Faith in a suitable Conversation, is born of God; and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. Grace is not less powerful in producing tender reciprocal Affections between the Off-spring of the same Heavenly Father, than the subordinate Endearments of Nature. The Pretence is vain of Love to God, without loving his regenerate Children. And in the Text he argues from the knowledge of the Cause, to the discovering of the sincerity of the Effect: By this we know that we love the Children of God, with a holy Affection, if we love God, and keep his Commandments.

In the former Verse the Apostle argues from the reality of the Effect, as an Evidence of the Cause. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Saviour of the World, foretold by the Prophets, and expresses the Truth of that Faith in a sutable Conversation, is born of God; and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. Grace is not less powerful in producing tender reciprocal Affections between the Off-spring of the same Heavenly Father, than the subordinate Endearments of Nature. The Pretence is vain of Love to God, without loving his regenerate Children. And in the Text he argues from the knowledg of the Cause, to the discovering of the sincerity of the Effect: By this we know that we love the Children of God, with a holy Affection, if we love God, and keep his Commandments.