Now they that receive the testimony of the Spirit, that Jesus Christ is come by water and blood, they are cleansed from the world, from dissimulation and hypocrisy, and so are made of the truth.

Now they that receive the testimony of the Spirit, that Jesus Christ is come by water and bloud, they are cleansed from the world, from dissimulation and hypocrisie, and so are made of the truth.

Object. How comes it to pass then, that sometimes many speaking by the Spirit, yet speak falsely, and yet are confident they speak truth.

Object. How comes it to passe then, that sometimes many speaking by the Spirit, yet speak falsly, and yet are confident they speak truth.

Answ. True, a man having received some work of the Spirit, may speak falsehood, as Zedekiah, 1 Kings 22.24. and yet was confident he spake by the Spirit; but yet though a man speaking by a spirit of delusion, may think he hath spoken the truth; yet it hinders not, but when the Spirit of God indeed bears witness, it may be discerned to be truth.

Answ. True, a man having received some work of the Spirit, may speak falsehood, as Zedekiah, 1 Kings 22.24. and yet was confident he spake by the Spirit; but yet though a man speaking by a spirit of delusion, may think he hath spoken the truth; yet it hinders not, but when the Spirit of God indeed bears witnesse, it may be discerned to be truth.

Quest. How shall I know that this spirit doth not deceive, when it witnesseth pardon, and healing, and the like?

Answ. 1. The Spirit bears witness of it self, as well as of other things; the Sun shows it self, as well as makes other things visible.

Answ. 1. The Spirit bears witnesse of it selfe, as well as of other things; the Sun shews it selfe, as well as makes other things visible.

2. The Spirit beareth witness of it self, from the work it frames in the hearts of Gods servants, the testimony of the Spirit doth so set on its witness, doth so pacify, and purify the conscience, that he plainly sees, that this is the very Spirit of God, which is manifest by the fruits.

2. The Spirit beareth witnesse of it selfe, from the work it frames in the hearts of Gods servants, the testimony of the Spirit doth so set on its witnesse, doth so pacifie, and purifie the conscience, that he plainly sees, that this is the very Spirit of God, which is manifest by the fruits.

3. The testimony of the Spirit breathing in the Word, and in the hearts of Gods children do so agree in every thing that its evident to be the same Spirit, though it be true, the Spirit is more strong and evident in the Scripture; the witness may be weak in our hearts, yet always in the main aim and ends they agree together.

3. The testimony of the Spirit breathing in the Word, and in the hearts of Gods children doe so agree in every thing that its evident to be the same Spirit, though it be true, the Spirit is more strong and evident in the Scripture; the witnesse may be weak in our hearts, yet always in the main aim and ends they agree together.

4. By how much the more suitable it is to the Scripture, by so much the more it conforms us to the Image of Christ; the Spirit of Christs make you meek and lowly, as he was, draws us from earthly objects to a more divine frame; that Spirit which fashions to Christ is of God.

Use 2. Of just reproof to Gods servants that have found the blood of Christ pacifying and purifying their hearts; if in this case their souls doubt, and are solicitous, they refuse the testimony of the Spirit; Satan, say they, may transform himself into an Angel of light; I, but Satan cannot pacify the conscience, much less purify it, himself being an unclean spirit, loves to draw on others to impurity; if therefore the spirit within you, draw you on to walk in truth, and to frame your heart according to the Image of Christ, if you find any measure of peace and purity, its evident the Spirit is a Spirit of truth.

Ʋse 2. Of just reproof to Gods servants that have found the bloud of Christ pacifying and purifying their hearts; if in this case their souls doubt, and are solicitous, they refuse the testimony of the Spirit; Satan, say they, may transform himselfe into an Angell of light; I, but Satan cannot pacifie the conscience, much lesse purifie it, himselfe being an unclean spirit, loves to draw on others to impurity; if therefore the spirit within you, draw you on to walk in truth, and to frame your heart according to the Image of Christ, if you finde any measure of peace and purity, its evident the Spirit is a Spirit of truth.

Use 3. Of comfort to all such as have put their trust in Christ, upon the testimony of Gods Spirit witnessing to them, that Christ came to save and heal them; Why, this is strong consolation to them: that which makes out spirits doubtful, is the deceitfulness of our own hearts, Jer. 17.10. But yet this should comfort us, that though our hearts be deceitful, yet this Spirit of God breathing in us is a Spirit of truth: and if you would know whether you have a spirit of truth in you or no: Why, by this you shall know it, that Spirit which speaks peace and purity to a mans soul, that Spirit is of God; Satan may do much, but he is not able to transform himself into such a spirit; no other spirit can work this but the Spirit of God; a spirit speaking peace without purity may be a delusion; and a spirit speaking purity without any measure of peace, may be a delusion, for all the paths of Wisdom are peace; but both peace and purity together, do evidently manifest it to be the Spirit of God.

Ʋse 3. Of comfort to all such as have put their trust in Christ, upon the testimony of Gods Spirit witnessing to them, that Christ came to save and heal them; Why, this is strong consolation to them: that which makes out spirits doubtfull, is the deceitfulnesse of our own hearts, Jer. 17.10. But yet this should comfort us, that though our hearts be deceitfull, yet this Spirit of God breathing in us is a Spirit of truth: and if you would know whether you have a spirit of truth in you or no: Why, by this you shall know it, that Spirit which speaks peace and purity to a mans soul, that Spirit is of God; Satan may doe much, but he is not able to transform himselfe into such a spirit; no other spirit can work this but the Spirit of God; a spirit speaking peace without purity may be a delusion; and a spirit speaking purity without any measure of peace, may be a delusion, for all the paths of Wisdome are peace; but both peace and purity together, doe evidently manifest it to be the Spirit of God.

Use 4. For them that have found any measure of peace and purity, they ought to teach them, to be very careful to discern whether this spirit be of ⟨p. 365⟩God or no, if thou hast found much peace, and withal thou walkest in simplicity and godly sincerity, this Spirit is of God, 2 Cor. 1.12. But if our peace make us careless of our ways, and more licentious, we shall never approve such a spirit to be of God; where Gods Spirit breaths, the more peace, the more care of purity, and therefore let us always put them together. Herod's spirit of joy was a spirit of delusion, because it was not a spirit of purity, Mark 6.20. Herod and David both, fell into the same lusts: how shall we know whether of them had the Spirit of God? David for a while seemed to do worst, but Herod he so favoured his lust, that he destroyed John that reproved him; David he heard the Prophet, and humbled himself, and renewed his repentance before God, and therefore doubtless his Spirit was of God, because he was studious of purity; such a soul as favours his lust, and takes part with it, hath not Gods Spirit in him: that sickness is mortal, that refuseth utterly all means of health; if therefore either our peace or purity be wanting, we shall not have this testimony of Gods Spirit; that spirit that speaks both, is a Spirit of truth.

Ʋse 4. For them that have found any measure of peace and purity, they ought to teach them, to be very carefull to discern whether this spirit be of ⟨p. 365⟩God or no, if thou hast found much peace, and withall thou walkest in simplicity and godly sincerity, this Spirit is of God, 2 Cor. 1.12. But if our peace make us carelesse of our wayes, and more licentious, we shall never approve such a spirit to be of God; where Gods Spirit breaths, the more peace, the more care of purity, and therefore let us always put them together. Herods spirit of joy was a spirit of delusion, because it was not a spirit of purity, Mark 6.20. Herod and David both, fell into the same lusts: how shall we know whether of them had the Spirit of God? David for a while seemed to do worst, but Herod he so favoured his lust, that he destroyed John that reproved him; David he heard the Prophet, and humbled himself, and renewed his repentance before God, and therefore doubtlesse his Spirit was of God, because he was studious of purity; such a soul as favours his lust, and takes part with it, hath not Gods Spirit in him: that sicknesse is mortall, that refuseth utterly all means of health; if therefore either our peace or purity be wanting, we shall not have this testimony of Gods Spirit; that spirit that speaks both, is a Spirit of truth.

1 JOHN 5.7. For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Christ the Object of our Faith is set out, First, By the manner of his coming, v. 6. He came by water and blood. Secondly, By the testimony given him of his coming, which is double, three in Heaven, and three on Earth. In this Verse the heavenly witnesses are set forth, 1. By the number, three. 2. By their place, in Heaven. 3. By their work, they bear witness. 4. By their names, the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit. 5. By the unity, these three are one.

CHrist the Object of our Faith is set out, First, By the manner of his coming, v. 6. He came by water and bloud. Secondly, By the testimony given him of his coming, which is double, three in Heaven, and three on Earth. In this Verse the heavenly witnesses are set forth, 1. By the number, three. 2. By their place, in Heaven. 3. By their work, they bear witnesse. 4. By their names, the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit. 5. By the unity, these three are one.

Doct. That there are three Persons, yet but one God, that do bear witness to the divinity of Christ, and of the plenteous salvation wrought by him.

Doct. That there are three Persons, yet but one God, that doe bear witnesse to the divinity of Christ, and of the plenteous salvation wrought by him.

For Explication.