A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Reas. 1 That God might show his power in our weakness, 2 Cor. 12 9, 10. we should never have known Christs vetrue, the power of Grace, or the depth of our corruptions, if we had been perfected the first day of our conversion, as God made the world by degrees, and described it so, because he would have us discern his power, so God doth display the power of his grace, by perfecting us by degrees and not all at once.

Reas. 1 That God might shew his power in our weaknesse, 2 Cor. 12 9, 10. we should never have known Christs vetrue, the power of Grace, or the depth of our corruptions, if wee had been perfected the first day of our conversion, as God made the world by degrees, and described it so, because he would have us discern his power, so God doth display the power of his grace, by perfecting us by degrees and not all at once.

Reas. 2 That God might teach us to war with spiritual enemies, as God left Canaanites among those Israelites, that had not known, and were untaught in the wars of Canaan, to prove them, and to know, if they would hearken to Gods Commandments, Judg. 3.3. so God leaves his Children some inbred enemies still in their souls, to humble us, and to prove us, and try if we will cleave to him; besides Jesus Christ loves and takes delight in ruling especially at home, in the midst of his enemies (Psal. 110.2.) in the midst of our corruptions; in the midst of unbelief; Faith rules in the midst of pride; Humility rules; in the midst of anger; Meekness rules; &c. Grace gets ground in the midst of corruptions, which is to the glory of Jesus Christ.

Reas. 2 That God might teach us to war with spirituall enemies, as God left Canaanites among those Isralites, that had not known, and were untaught in the wars of Canaan, to prove them, and to know, if they would hearken to Gods Commandements, Judg. 3.3. so God leaves his Children some imbred enemies still in their soules, to humble us, and to prove us, and try if wee will cleave to him; besides Jesus Christ loves and takes delight in ruling especially at home, in the midst of his enemies (Psal. 110.2.) in the midst of our corruptions; in the midst of unbelief; Faith rules in the midst of pride; Humility rules; in the midst of anger; Meeknesse rules; &c. Grace gets ground in the midst of corruptions, which is to the glory of Jesus Christ.

Reas. 3 To prevent the multiplication of the Beasts of the Field amongst us, as God left Canaanites among the Israelites, to that end, Exod. 23.29.30. if there were not weaknesses in us, it were impossible for Gods people to live in the World, 1 The World would not bear with us, you know it would not bear with Christ who walked as meekly as might be, Joh. 14.30. i. e. Satan found no weakness in him, no corruption in Christ for him to work ⟨p. 81⟩upon; if christians had a full and clear light of grace breaking forth at once, all would cry, away with them, they are not worthy to live.

Reas. 3 To prevent the multiplication of the Beasts of the Field amongst us, as God left Canaanites among the Israelites, to that end, Exod. 23.29.30. if there were not weaknesses in us, it were impossible for Gods people to live in the World, 1 The World would not bear with us, you know it would not bear with Christ who walked as meekly as might bee, Joh. 14.30. i. e. Satan found no weaknesse in him, no corruption in Christ for him to work ⟨p. 81⟩upon; if christians had a full and cleare light of grace breaking forth at once, all would cry, away with them, they are not worthy to live.

Use 2. To teach us somewhat the more to bear with one another's infirmities and eclipses, Jam. 3.1, 2. be not of an unruly, imperious, and censorious spirit, over piercingly, and censoriously judging others; as we have streams of light, so streams of darkness, vapours, therefore bear with, and succour one another, and help one another out of this darkness, as in a Lantern there is a pane of light, and a pane of darkness; so in every good quality, we have all some darkness, Rev. 12.1. the church is compared to the Moon, which when she is at the full, is fullest of spots; and yet we do not neglect the Moon because she hath spots, but make use of the Moon because she hath light: so neglect not any christian because of his spots, but make use of his light, of that good he hath, also be something forbearing of carnal men, for ye were sometimes darkness as they are, Tit. 3.1, 2, 3.

Ʋse 2. To teach us somewhat the more to bear with one anothers infirmities and eclipses, Jam. 3.1, 2. be not of an unruly, imperious, and censorious spirit, over piercingly, and censoriously judging others; as we have streams of light, so streams of darknesse, vapours, therefore bear with, and succour one another, and helpe one another out of this darknesse, as in a Lanthorn there is a pane of light, and a pane of darknesse; so in every good quality, we have all some darknesse, Rev. 12.1. the church is compared to the Moon, which when she is at the full, is fullest of spots; and yet we do not neglect the Moon because she hath spots, but make use of the Moon because she hath light: so neglect not any christian because of his spots, but make use of his light, of that good he hath, also be something forbearing of carnal men, for ye were sometimes darknesse as they are, Tit. 3.1, 2, 3.

Use 3. Let no mans life be an absolute pattern to you to follow; but so far as they are light in the Lord, 1 Cor. 11.1. see how this in the Text proves what the Apostle speaks of, follow Christ, why? because our perfection is but imperfect, we are but darkness passing, if you follow us in all things, you may take us on the blind side, and so fall.

Ʋse 3. Let no mans life be an absolute patrern to you to follow; but so far as they are light in the Lord, 1 Cor. 11.1. see how this in the Text proves what the Apostle speaks of, follow Christ, why? because our perfection is but imperfect, we are but darknesse passing, if you follow us in all things, you may take us on the blind side, and so fall.

Use 4. To teach us to be driving away darkness, and to be trudging out of it; as it is with a Candle, the least snuff in a Candle doth not only dim the light, but doth waste the Candle; so it is with our spirits, the least snuff of Corruption doth waste that oil of Grace which is in our hearts, and dim and damp the light which is in us, therefore snuff we our hearts often, take we the Thief out of the Candle, let us show forth the virtues of him that hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. Ephes. 5.8. Rom. 13.12. away with darkness, all darkness of doubtings, of unbelief, of pride, &c. this darkness is passing away from us, we must not call it back again, do not again draw the curtains of darkness about us; when the Sun is risen, and a man begins to sleep, and draw the curtains about him again, it is a sign he means to slug it out; so when new light shines in our hearts, and we draw our old corruptions about us again, it is a shame for us, Gal. 3.12. 2 Pet. 3.18. help one another out of darkness, help thy Wife, and children, and Servants, and Friends, and Neighbours out of it, 1 Cor. 13.9.12. we ⟨p. 82⟩cannot practise better than we know, but we know but in part, therefore pray, admonish, exhort, cleanse thy self, and cleanse others from the mist and shadow of darkness, as much at may be.

Ʋse 4. To teach us to be driving away darknesse, and to be trudging out of it; as it is with a Candle, the least snuffe in a Candle doth not onely dim the light, but doth waste the Candle; so it is with our spirits, the least snuffe of Corruption doth waste that oyl of Grace which is in our hearts, and dim and damp the light which is in us, therefore snuffe we our hearts often, take we the Thief out of the Candle, let us shew forth the vertues of him that hath called us out of darknesse into his marvelous light,

Use 5. Of comfort to a Christian; 1. Against troubles which many undergo in regard of darkness of Spiritual estate; it is a common thing for Christians to complain of darkness, of pride, of unbelief, of dullness; fear lies upon us, with what should we comfort our selves? we think no body is so, yes, here is some comfort for thee, all are so in some measure, it is so with the best, they have but a mixed estate, one crossing and thwarting another; the fairest day hath dark Clouds.

Ʋse 5. Of comfort to a Christian; 1. Against troubles which many undergo in regard of darknesse of Spirituall estate; it is a common thing for Christians to complain of darkness, of pride, of unbeliefe, of dulnesse; fear lies upon us, with what should we comfort our selves? we think no body is so, yes, here is some comfort for thee, all are so in some measure, it is so with the best, they have but a mixed estate, one crossing and thwarting another; the fairest day hath dark Clouds.

2 Is our darkness deeper than others? but do you not yet find it passing away? do you not find more faith, more obedience? do you not make more conscience of your thoughts, words, and actions? this is a comfort, your darkness is going away, it wastes apace.

2 Is our darknesse deeper than others? but doe you not yet find it passing away? doe you not finde more faith, more obedience? doe you not make more conscience of your thoughts, words, and actions? this is a comfort, your darknesse is going away, it wasts apace.

3 Here is a comfort against death; the time will come when all darkness shall vanish away, Death will be but the breaking of our earthen Pitchers, and our light shall break forth. Epictetus came forth one day, and saw a Woman mourning for breaking her pitcher, the next day he came forth, and saw another weeping for her Son, and he said, Yesterday an earthen pitcher broken, and to day a mortal body dead; as if it were the same to have a Pitcher broken, and to dye.

3 Here is a comfort against death; the time will come when all darknesse shall vanish away, Death will be but the breaking of our earthen Pitchers, and our light shall breake forth. Epictetus came forth one day, and saw a Woman mourning for breaking her pitcher, the next day he came forth, and saw another weeping for her Son, and he said, Yesterday an earthen pitcher broken, and to day a mortall body dead; as if it were the same to have a Pitcher broken, and to dye.

Use 6. Of trial of our estates; would you know whether your grace be true or no? whether do you find your darkness passing away, and light shining? a man may walk in a condition of darkness, and see no light, viz. of peace and comfort, Isa. 50.10 I, but do you not then walk in a greater light of innocency, and watchfulness and obedience? When a man is in the dark, he goes slowly, and warily, and lifts up his feet high every step, Prov. 14.16. a godly man is afraid of something in the way, but a wicked man goes on boisterously; and confidently, he knows his way as well as you can tell him, but he is but a fool for his labour.

Ʋse 6. Of tryall of our estates; would you know whether your grace be true or no? whether doe you finde your darknesse passing away, and light shining? a man may walke in a condition of darknesse, and see no light, viz. of peace and comfort, Isa. 50.10 I, but doe you not then walke in a greater light of innocency, and watchfulnesse and obedience? When a man is in the dark, he goes slowly, and warily, and lifts up his feet high every step, Prov. 14.16. a godly man is afraid of something in the way, but a wicked man goes on boysterously; and confidently, he knows his way as well as you can tell him, but he is but a foole for his labour.

1 JOHN 2.9, 10, 11. He that saith that he is in light and hateth his brother is in darkness until this time. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of evil in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knows not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 JOHN 2.9, 10, 11. He that saith that he is in light and hateth his brother is in darknesse untill this time. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of evill in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darknesse, and walketh in darknesse, and knows not whither he goeth, because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes.

The custom of this Apostle St. John, is, after he hath delivered any Doctrine to make some application of it, for the joy of Gods children, for the end of his writing to them was, that their joy might be full, cap. 1.4. and so he doth here, for having in the former verse said, that in the Children of God darkness is passing, and true light now shining, here he gathers a sign whereby he may know whether our darkness be passing, and our light springing, and that is from brotherly love, in this ninth verse, and tenth, where you have a description of him that hates his Brother, and of him that loves his Brother: the first he describes by four things.

THe custom of this Apostle St. John, is, after he hath delivered any Doctrin to make some application of it, for the joy of Gods children, for the end of his writing to them was, that their joy might be full, cap. 1.4. and so he doth here, for having in the former verse said, that in the Children of God darknesse is passing, and true light now shining, here he gathers a sign whereby he may know whether our darknesse be passing, and our light springing, and that is from brotherly love, in this ninth verse, and tenth, where you have a description of him that hates his Brother, and of him that loves his Brother: the first he describes by four things.

1 He is in darkness; He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is us darkness.

1 He is in darknesse; He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is us darknesse.

2 He ever was in darkness; he is in darkness even until now; that is, as yet he never was out of darkness.

2 He ever was in darknesse; he is in darknesse even untill now; that is, as yet he never was out of darknesse.

3 He walketh in darkness, vers. 11.

3 He walketh in darknesse, vers. 11.