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

3 This divine testimony is far more powerful then any humane testimony, Heb. 4.12, 13. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. The Ordinances of God are mighty and effectual through God, so to change and renew our hearts, that no humane power is able to reach them.

3 This divine testimony is far more powerfull then any humane testimony, Heb. 4.12, 13. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. The Ordinances of God are mighty and effectual through God, so to change and renew our hearts, that no humane power is able to reach them.

Use 1. To refute two doctrines of the Romish Church.

Ʋse 1. To refute two doctrines of the Romish Church.

1 That the last ground-work of faith is resolved on the testimony of the Church: Ask them if they believe Jesus to be the Son of God, they say yes; ask them why? Because the Scripture say so: ask rhem, But why do you believe the Scripture? From the testimony of the Church, say they; so that their best faith is but humane credulity: But ask a true Protestant, why he believes Jesus to be the Son of God? he tells you because the Scripture say so; ask him why he believes the Scripture? he saith, not because the Church believes so, but he believes it from a testimony within himself. What say they, you trust a private spirit of your own? nay his private spirit is common with him to all believers, ever since the world was, and that spirit is no other then the Spirit of God that breatheth in all his children. Besides, he hath other witnesses in his heart, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and this is a divine testimony, greater then the witness of all the world; so that here is a double error of theirs; 1 In grounding their faith upon the Churches testimony. 2 In blaspheming the Spirit of God, for a private spirit. Fundamental errors.

1 That the last ground-work of faith is resolved on the testimony of the Church: Ask them if they believe Jesus to be the Son of God, they say yes; ask them why? Because the Scripture say so: ask rhem, But why doe you believe the Scripture? From the testimony of the Church, say they; so that their best faith is but humane credulity: But ask a true Protestant, why he believes Jesus to be the Son of God? he tels you because the Scripture say so; ask him why he believes the Scripture? he saith, not because the Church believes so, but he believes it from a testimony within himselfe. What say they, you trust a private spirit of your own? nay his private spirit is common with him to all believers, ever since the world was, and that spirit is no other then the Spirit of God that breatheth in all his children. Besides, he hath other witnesses in his heart, the Spirit, the water, and the bloud, and this is a divine testimony, greater then the witnesse of all the world; so that here is a double errour of theirs; 1 In grounding their faith upon the Churches testimony. 2 In blaspheming the Spirit of God, for a private spirit. Fundamental errours.

2 It refutes another uncomfortable doctrine of the Romish Church, that teach, that a man cannot by divine faith have assurance of his estate in grace and salvation; for say they, all divine faith is general; thus he that repents and believes shall be saved, but I repent and believe, this say they, the Scripture no where saith: But say we, besides the testimony of the Scripture, there is a threefold witness in heaven, and three on earth, all witnessing this truth; now their testimony is divine, and therefore my faith is divine, and they all witness to this truth, that Jesus is the Son of God; and that I believing on him shall be saved.

2 It refutes another uncomfortable doctrine of the Romish Church, that teach, that a man cannot by divine faith have assurance of his estate in grace and salvation; for say they, all divine faith is generall; thus he that repents and believes shall be saved, but I repent and believe, this say they, the Scripture no where saith: But say we, besides the testimony of the Scripture, there is a threefold witnesse in heaven, and three on earth, all witnessing this truth; now their testimony is divine, and therefore my faith is divine, and they all witnesse to this truth, that Jesus is the Son of God; and that I believing on him shall be saved.

Obj. All these are but suavis quidam motus, & cannot produce a divine faith.

Answ. Can the testimony of men produce an humane certainty, and cannot three divine witnesses in heaven, and three on earth, produce more then an humane probability? If not, how doth the text say, their testimony is greater then the testimony of men?

Answ. Can the testimony of men produce an humane certainty, and cannot three divine witnesses in heaven, and three on earth, produce more then an humane probabilty? If not, how doth the text say, their testimony is greater then the testimony of men?

Object. How comes it to pass then, that this witness is so low sometimes, that we can hardly discern it?

Object. How comes it to passe then, that this witnesse is so low sometimes, that we can hardly discern it?

Answ. We so grieve the Spirit of God sometimes, that he delights not to reveal himself to us; but this is our own fault, that we so black this evidence, that we cannot read it; but if we maintain and cherish it, it will be a strong testimony to our souls.

Answ. We so grieve the Spirit of God sometimes, that he delights not to reveal himselfe to us; but this is our own fault, that we so black this evidence, that we cannot read it; but if we maintain and cherish it, it will be a strong testimony to our souls.

Use 2. For trial of our faith; wouldst thou know whether thy faith be true or not? If it be, it will convey a double trinity of witnesses into thy heart, witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he came by water and blood. If you should resolve most mens faith into its principle, you should find most mens faith built upon antiquity, and authority, and universal consent of all men: Why, if these be the best grounds of thy saith, the Devil hath better grounds of faith then so; but if thou find this truth confirmed to thee, by the testimony of Gods Spirit within thee, this faith will hold trial.

Ʋse 2. For tryal of our faith; wouldst thou know whether thy faith be true or not? If it be, it will convey a double trinity of witnesses into thy heart, witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he came by water and bloud. If you should resolve most mens faith into its principle, you should find most mens faith built upon antiquity, and authority, and universall consent of all men: Why, if these be the best grounds of thy saith, the Divel hath better grounds of faith then so; but if thou find this truth confirmed to thee, by the testimony of Gods Spirit within thee, this faith will hold tryall.

Use 3. Of consolation to all them that find this witness in themselves. Why, they have grounds of full assurance of their good estates, seeing they have such divine and certain witness of it, both in heaven and earth.

Ʋse 3. Of consolation to all them that find this witnesse in themselves. Why, they have grounds of full assurance of their good estates, seeing they have such divine and certain witnesse of it, both in heaven and earth.

1 JOHN 5.10, 11, 12. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son, &c.

1 JOHN 5.10, 11, 12. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witnesse in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a lyar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son, &c.

Having showed vers. 6, 7, 8. three witnesses in heaven, and three on earth, that bear witness to the Sonship of Christ, vers. 9, 10. he stirs us up to believe this witness, 1 A minori, If we believe the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. 2 From the Divinity of all those witnesses in our hearts and consciences. 3 From the nearness of this testimony. 4 From the danger that follows the not believing this testimony we thereby make God a liar, and he gives a reason of it, because he believes not the record that God hath of his Son, and he shows what that record is, this is the record that God hath given us of his Son, even eternal life.

HAving shewed vers. 6, 7, 8. three witnesses in heaven, and three on earth, that bear witnesse to the Sonship of Christ, vers. 9, 10. he stirs us up to believe this witnesse, 1 A minori, If we believe the witnesse of men, the witnesse of God is greater. 2 From the Divinity of all those witnesses in our hearts and consciences. 3 From the nearnesse of this testimony. 4 From the danger that follows the not believing this testimony we thereby make God a lyar, and he gives a reason of it, because he believes not the record that God hath of his Son, and he shews what that record is, this is the record that God hath given us of his Son, even eternal life.

From the change of the phrase in this 10 vers. believing on the Son of God, and believing God, observe

Doct. True faith that believeth God believeth also on the Son of God.

There is a double phrase used, 1 Credere Deo. 2 Credere in filium Dei.