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

Doct. 2. Such as do believe on the Name of Jesus Christ, by reading the Epistles of John, may come to know they have eternal life.

Doct. 2. Such as doe believe on the Name of Jesus Christ, by reading the Epistles of John, may come to know they have eternal life.

1 Because he sets before them, where eternal life is to be found, and that is in Jesus Christ, as vers. 12.

3 He gives certain signs, whereby we may know whether we be in an estate of eternal life. As 1 Walking in the light, cap. 1.7. 2 Keeping his Commandments, cap. 2.3. 3 Purifying our selves from sin, cap. 3.3. 4 Love of our brethren, cap. 3.14, 5 Boldness towards God, cap. 3.21.

3 He gives certain signs, whereby we may know whether we be in an estate of eternal life. As 1 Walking in the light, cap. 1.7. 2 Keeping his Commandements, cap. 2.3. 3 Purifying our selves from sin, cap. 3.3. 4 Love of our brethren, cap. 3.14, 5 Boldnesse towards God, cap. 3.21.

Use 1. This may be a just refutation of the Popish Doctrine, that saith we cannot know that we have eternal life, but if that be true, then St. Johns end in writing these Epistles is disappointed, and not only St. John, but the holy Ghost himself is deceived: Whereas they tell us we cannot have a certain, but conjectural knowledge only, there is a contradiction; for if a man saith he knows such a thing, it implies he is certain of it, or else he speaks safely: and were it for nothing else, this doctrine of doubtings were a sufficient discouragement against their Religion; that Church, that trains up her self and children to be ignorant of their Father, is not the true Spouse of Christ, but an Harlot; a sign the Church of Rome hath mixed her self with so many false gods, that she knows not of whom her children are begot.

Ʋse 1. This may be a just refutation of the Popish Doctrine, that saith we cannot know that we have eternal life, but if that be true, then St. Johns end in writing these Epistles is disappointed, and not onely St. John, but the holy Ghost himself is deceived: Whereas they tell us we cannot have a certain, but conjectural knowledge only, there is a contradiction; for if a man saith he knows such a thing, it implyes he is certain of it, or else he speaks safely: and were it for nothing else, this doctrine of doubtings were a sufficient discouragement against their Religion; that Church, that trains up her selfe and children to be ignorant of their Father, is not the true Spouse of Christ, but an Harlot; a sign the Church of Rome hath mixt her selfe with so many false gods, that she knows not of whom her children are begot.

Use 2. It condemns their excluding the vulgar sort from reading the Scriptures, for if by them we may come to know Christ, and that we have eternal life, then take away them, and you take away a principal means of salvation.

Ʋse 2. It condemns their excluding the vulgar sort from reading the Scriptures, for if by them we may come to know Christ, and that we have eternal life, then take away them, and you take away a principal means of salvation.

Use 3. For such Christians as are doubtful of their estate, above all the writings of the Apostle read this Epistle, it was the main scope of St. John, in this Epistle, that their joy might be full, and that they might know they had eternal life, here you shall find a good ground-work of your good estate.

Ʋse 3. For such Christians as are doubtful of their estate, above all the writings of the Apostle read this Epstile, it was the main scope of St. John, in this Epistle, that their joy might be full, and that they might know they had eternal life, here you shall finde a good ground-work of your good estate.

Use 4. To teach all believers to know what they have profited by reading: it's an usual thing to content our selves, if we do but read a chapter, and pray every morning, and our conscience is not satisfied if we omit it, but a man may read and pray, and yet get no good, but if you would read profitably, so read that you may know that you have eternal life, & when you have so ⟨p. 414⟩read, then you have read to purpose, therefore in reading learn to search out diligently the knowledge of your estates.

Ʋse 4. To teach all believers to know what they have profited by reading: it's an usual thing to content our selves, if we do but read a chapter, and pray every morning, and our conscience is not satisfied if we omit it, but a man may read and pray, and yet get no good, but if you would read profitably, so read that you may know that you have eternal life, & when you have so ⟨p. 414⟩read, then you have read to purpose, therefore in reading learn to search out diligently the knowledge of your estates.

This verse declares a double end of St. Johns writing this Epistle, one was, that believers might know they have eternal life, of which before; the second end was, That they might believe on the Name of the Son of God.

Doct. 3. It's one of the holy ends, and scope of the holy Scripture, that believers might believe.

Doct. 3. It's one of the holy ends, and scope of the holy Scripture, that believers might belive.

St. John when he wrote his Gospel, it was for this end, That they might believe, John 20.31. For though believing be already wrought, yet they that do believe had need to believe more, the Word is the mighty power of God to lead believers from faith to faith, Rom. 1.17. that is, from one degree of faith to another, Phil 1.25 as that is not only faith, but increase of faith, so 1 Thess. 3.10. there is not any of Gods servants, even the most exemplary Christians, but there is some defect in their faith, which had need to be supplied, and this may be the first reason.

St. John when he wrote his Gospel, it was for this end, That they might believe, John 20.31. For though believing be already wrought, yet they that do believe had need to believe more, the Word is the mighty power of God to lead believers from faith to faith, Rom. 1.17. that is, from one degree of faith to another, Phil 1.25 as that is not only faith, but increase of faith, so 1 Thess. 3.10. there is not any of Gods servants, even the most exemplary Christians, but there is some defect in their faith, which had need to be supplyed, and this may be the first reason.

Reas. 1. Taken from the defects that are found in believers, the supply whereof they had need to increase and grow up to. 1 They had need to grow up to the belief of some principles which they believed not before, and this is a defect in the objects of faith; many of the Apostles believed not the Resurrection of Christ; nay Thomas said, he should not believe, except he should see the print of his nails, John 20.25. So many of the Corinths believed not the Resurrection from the dead, a main Article of Faith: the Thessalonians lacked this in their Faith, they thought Christ would then have come suddenly, and therefore began to lay aside all care in their outward callings, which Paul informs them in, 2 Thess. 2. The Galatians are wanting in believing justification by faith, and therefore Paul writes that Epistle to them.

Reas. 1. Taken from the defects that are found in believers, the supply whereof they had need to increase and grow up to. 1 They had need to grow up to the belief of some principles which they believed not before, and this is a defect in the objects of faith; many of the Apostles believed not the Resurrection of Christ; nay Thomas said, he should not believe, except he should see the print of his nayles, John 20.25. So many of the Corinths believed not the Resurrection from the dead, a main Article of Faith: the Thessalonians lacked this in their Faith, they thought Christ would then have come suddenly, and therefore began to lay aside all care in their outward callings, which Paul informs them in, 2 Thess. 2. The Galatians are wanting in believing justification by faith, and therefore Paul writes that Epistle to them.

2. There is something wanting in the habit, or in the grace of faith, therefore the Apostle prays for the Colossians, that they might be rooted and established in the faith, Col. 2.7. even as a young plant may be so weak, that the least rub may root it up; so a Christian may have some rooting in Christ, and yet want sound rootedness and firmness of faith, there may be a want of that confidence and full assurance that is required.

2. There is something wanting in the habit, or in the grace of faith, therefore the Apostle prays for the Colossians, that they might be rooted and established in the faith, Col. 2.7. even as a young plant may be so weak, that the least rub may root it up; so a Christian may have some rooting in Christ, and yet want sound rootednesse and firmnesse of faith, there may be a want of that confidence and full assurance that is required.

3 Faith may be wanting in the sense of it, for a Christian may have attained to a great measure of lively faith, and yet be in doubt whether he have any true faith or not; now that we may be assured of it, he had need to be built up in faith; as the poor man said to Christ, Lord I believe, help mine unbelief, he believed, and yet knew not well whether he should call it faith, or unbelief, therefore Phil. 1.25. Paul trusted that he should continue with them for the furtherance and joy of their faith; now so long as a Christian is doubtful of his faith, he hath little joy or comfort in it, therefore they had need to be brought on further, that their faith may be a joyful faith.

4 Faith had need to be increased in regard of the acts of it, which are persuasion and trust on Christ, those had need to be increased. Peter when he walked on the water, he was persuaded Christ would save him, but when the winds began to be boisterous, he was afraid and began to sink, but Christ reacheth forth his hand to help him, and reproves him, O thou of little faith, Matth. 14.30, 31. The two Disciples that went to Emmaus, and were talking of Christs death, they said one to another, We trusted it had been he that should have delivered Israel, we so trusted, but now are afraid we are deceived, for they looked that the Messiah should abide for ever, but what saith Christ to them? O fools and slow of heart to believe, so that faith had need to increase in the acts of it.

4 Faith had need to be increased in regard of the acts of it, which are perswasion and trust on Christ, those had need to be increased. Peter when he walked on the water, he was perswaded Christ would save him, but when the winds began to be boysterous, he was afraid and began to sink, but Christ reacheth forth his hand to help him, and reproves him, O thou of little faith, Matth. 14.30, 31. The two Disciples that went to Emaus, and were talking of Christs death, they said one to another, We trusted it had been he that should have delivered Israel, we so trusted, but now are afraid we are deceived, for they looked that the Messias should abide for ever, but what saith Christ to them? O fools and slow of heart to believe, so that faith had need to increase in the acts of it.