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

Doct. 3. To them that have overcome the world, the yoke of Gods commandments is easy.

Doct. 3. To them that have overcome the world, the yoke of Gods commandements is easie.

By the world we heard is not to be understood the creatures, but there be ⟨p. 356⟩somethings in the world that have a snare in them. 2 There be many comforts in the world that are apt to draw our minds from God. Again, there are many discomforts and dangers, which are enemies to grace. Now, to him that hath overcome these, the yoke of Gods commandments is easy. Paul to whom the world was crucified, Gal. 6.14. when he hears that bonds and afflictions attend him. he cares for none of these things, he can fulfil his course with joy for all these, then surely his task is not a grievous yoke, but joyful.

By the world we heard is not to be understood the creatures, but there be ⟨p. 356⟩somethings in the world that have a snare in them. 2 There be many comforts in the world that are apt to draw our mindes from God. Again, there are many discomforts and dangers, which are enemies to grace. Now, to him that hath overcome these, the yoke of Gods commandements is easie. Paul to whom the world was crucified, Gal. 6.14. when he hears that bonds and afflictions attend him. he cares for none of these things, he can fulfill his course with joy for all these, then surely his task is not a grievous yoke, but joyfull.

Reas. 1. From the weapons that the world lends Satan in every temptation. Whatsoever temptation comes from Satan, or from our own corruptions, they find no argument to persuade us, but only taken from the world; so that if once you have overcome the world, no temptation will lay hold on you. There have been many that have been willing to partake of Christ, but when Christ hath bid them part with all, they went away sorrowful. Mat. 10.22. Here was a loss of profit kept him off. Some are kept off by profits, some by pleasures, Luke 14.18, 19, 20. The profits of the world made Ananias dissemble, the love of the world made Demas forsake Paul. What made Ahithophel hang himself, but disgrace of the world? For ease sake Judas hanged himself: So some mens credit and honours keep them off, John 5.44. How can ye believe that receive honour one of another? The seeking of worldly honour and glory, hinders them from seeking Gods glory, John 12.42, 43. All the discouragements that hinder in our Christian course, are either from the profits, pleasures, or honours of the world. If therefore we have got victory over the world, then no temptation shall make us think Gods yoke grievous. What made Herod and Demas, and others think Gods commandments heavy but their profits and pleasures?

Reas. 1. From the weapons that the world lends Satan in every temptation. Whatsoever temptation comes from Sotan, or from our own corruptions, they finde no argument to perswade us, but only taken from the world; so that if once you have overcome the world, no temptation will lay hold on you. There have been many that have been willing to partake of Christ, but when Christ hath bid them part with all, they went away sorrowful. Mat. 10.22. Here was a losse of profit kept him off. Some are kept off by profits, some by pleasures, Luke 14.18, 19, 20. The profits of the world made Ananias dissemble, the love of the world made Demas forsake Paul. What made Achitophel hang himself, but disgrace of the world? For ease sake Judas hanged himselfe: So some mens credit and honors keep them off, John 5.44. How can ye believe that receive honour one of another? The seeking of worldly honour and glory, hinders them from seeking Gods glory,

1 Though the commandments be great and heavy, yet as a man is, so is his strength. When a man hath got victory over the world, he hath got Christ in his soul, and so through the strength of Christ he is able to prevail, 1 John 4.4. And withal, there abides with him the mighty power of Gods Spirit, and Gods Word, which affords him mighty strength.

1 Though the commandements be great and heavy, yet as a man is, so is his strength. When a man hath got victory over the world, hee hath got Christ in his soul, and so through the strength of Christ he is able to prevail, 1 John 4.4. And withall, there abides with him the mighty power of Gods Spirit, and Gods Word, which affords him mighty strength.

2. There is a weakening of the enemy. All the weapons that Satan useth are took away when a man hath once overcome the world: were a man advanced to the stars, he would see the stars to be huge immense things, far above that they seem now, and he would look at the earth as a small point. But if we stand here below, we look at the earth as a great thing. We think worldly honours and preferments great dignities, and the stars we think them small things, because we stand below, and are renewed from them; but in case God lift us above the world, and we might have our eyes enlightened to see the greatness of Gods favour, and Christs blood, and heavenly things; why, then those earthly things would seem small. If we would therefore walk in an enlarged frame, let us esteem earthly things as small matters, worth little regard, and account heavenly things as worthy your highest esteem, and chiefly to be looked at.

2. There is a weakning of the enemy. All the weapons that Satan useth are took away when a man hath once overcome the world: were a man advanced to the stars, he would see the stars to be huge immense things, far above that they seem now, and he would look at the earth as a small point. But if we stand here below, we look at the earth as a great thing. We think worldly honors and preferments great dignities, and the stars we think them small things, because we stand below, and are renewed from them; but in case God lift us above the world, and we might have our eyes enlightened to see the greatnesse of Gods favour, and Christs blood, and heavenly things; why, then those earthly things would seem small. If we would therefore walk in an enlarged frame, let us esteem earthly things as small matters, worth little regard, and account heavenly things as worthy your highest esteem, and chiefly to be looked at.

1 JOHN 5.5. Wh• is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Doct. The faith that overcomes the world, is faith in the divinity and Sonship of Christ.

Doct. THe faith that overcomes the world, is faith in the divinity and Sonship of Christ.

Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

When Peter had made that profession of his faith, Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God; what saith Christ to this? Blessed art thou Simon, &c. Mat. 16.16, 17, 18. This confession made Simon to be a rock, and upon this rock of Peters confession, Christ built his Church: So that, if you ask upon what foundation the Church stands, it was upon this faith, and against this faith the gates of hell, and all the judicial power thereof shall not prevail.

When Peter had made that profession of his faith, Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God; what saith Christ to this? Blessed art thou Simon, &c. Mat. 16.16, 17, 18. This confession made Simon to be a rock, and upon this rock of Peters confession, Christ built his Church: So that, if you ask upon what foundation the Church stands, it was upon this faith, and against this faith the gates of hell, and all the judiciall power thereof shall not prevail.

What is it then to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 He that believes that that Jesus whom Judas betrayed, and the Jews crucified, is the Son of God.

2 He that believes that he is the Son of God in whom he is well pleased, Mat. 3.17. So that he is that mighty power and wisdom of God, in whom his Father is well pleased. This faith overcomes the world.

2 He that believes that he is the Son of God in whom he is well pleased, Mat. 3.17. So that he is that mighty power and wisdome of God, in whom his Father is well pleased. This faith overcomes the world.

1 Because this kind of faith cannot be attained by any humane means, but by an heavenly revelation from God the Father, Mat. 16.16. And in that age when St. John wrote this, there was no humane reason to induce us to believe it.

1 All antiquity of the Gentiles was against it. They had heard of Jupiter Apollo and Hercules, but Christ seemed a new God to them, Acts 17.18.

2 All authority was against it, 2 Cor. 2.8. None of the Princes of the world knew of it.