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

Use 2 To confute the Arians, this shows a certain ground of the divinity of Christ, because by keeping his Commandments we may come to know him; now this would not hold, if he had not the same authority to command with God himself, Jam. 4.12. there is but one Law-giver: therefore if Christ be our Law-giver, he is one God with the Father, his Commandments are of like benefit and use with the Fathers Commandments.

Ʋse 2 To confute the Arrians, this shews a certain ground of the divinity of Christ, because by keeping his Commandments we may come to know him; now this would not hold, if he had not the same authority to command with God himself, Iam. 4.12. there is but one Law-giver: therefore if Christ be our Law-giver, he is one God with the Father, his Commandments are of like benefit and use with the Fathers Commandments.

Use 3 Shows the cause why many men do not know that they know Christ, none can know Christ but such as keep his Commandments.

Ʋse 3 Shews the cause why many men do not know that they know Christ, none can know Christ but such as keep his Commandments.

1 Therefore such cannot know Christ that do not know his Commandments, for if they do not know them, how can they keep them? Gods ways are too hard to be found in the night, in Ignorance or Darkness.

1 Therefore such cannot know Christ that do not know his Commandments, for if they do not know them, how can they keep them? Gods ways are too hard to be found in the night, in Ignorance or Darknesse.

3 There are others that know Christ, and yet do not know that they know him why? because thy do not keep his Commandments as their way, do not look at them as their Treasure, as their Ornaments, do not keep them as the Apple of their Eye, but swallow many moats, this doth very much hinder their souls: many would do much for Religion, but would not have it come to life, then no wonder if we see not our Estates, if moats be in our Eyes, we cannot see as otherwise we might, so if sin lye on our souls, no wonder if we be so blinded, that we cannot see our Estate in Christ, nor know that we know him.

Use 4 It shows a ready way to peace of conscience, would we have our consciences pacified? Why, labour to know that we know Christ, and that will pacify the conscience when we come to know that we are acquainted with Christ, this being peace of conscience: but how shall we know that? Why, keep the Commandments of Christ, as our Way, as our Treasure, as the Apple of our Eye, as our Life, then we may know that we know him, that we have Fellowship with him, and then our consciences will be at quiet both in life and death, if we keep the Commandments as our way, and if we be out of the way it troubles us: if we keep it as our Treasure, and if ⟨p. 63⟩we loose any it grieves us, when we grieve for the loss of it, as for the loss of our Ornaments; if we cannot suffer any sin to be in our souls, but it afflicts us, then our consciences will be at peace; if we keep the Commandments carelessly, we keep the peace of our consciences loosely, as we keep the Commandments, so we keep the comforts of our souls; it may be we walk in Gods ways, but not so closely and charily as we should, this hinders our own peace; it was a speech of Jonah when he was now in a good temper and dissembled not, Jonah 2.8. they that follow lying vanities, forsake their own mercies; they that follow lying vanities, any comfort of the World, if there be any way, any Treasure, any Ornament, any life that we prize above the Commandments of God, these are lying vanities, deluding things, and then we forsake our own mercies, that is, the portion of mercy which God hath appointed us, and he spake it by woeful experience, he clave to his credit, a lying vanity, and thought he would prevent his discredit, but God found him out, and he found it by experience that they that stick to any pleasure more than God they forsake their own mercies, he might have had mercy if he had been obedient, but now he saw no hope of mercy, in this world at least; therefore it may teach us to take heed of trusting to any deluding vanity.

Ʋse 4 It shews a ready way to peace of conscience, would we have our consciences pacified? Why, labour to know that we know Christ, and that will pacifie the conscience when we come to know that wee are acquainted with Christ, this being peace of conscience: but how shall we know that? Why, keep the Commandments of Christ, as our Way, as our Treasure, as the Apple of our Eye, as our Life, then we may know that we know him, that we have Fellowship with him, and then our consciences will be at quiet both in life and death, if we keep the Commandments as our way, and if wee bee out of the way it troubles us: if wee keep it as our Treasure, and if

Use 5. Of consolation to constant keepers of Gods Commandments, sometimes a man may keep them, and yet be in fear and doubts of his Estate, why, go on in that way still, keep them as your Way, your Treasure, and Apple of your Eye, your life, that is the way to comfort: be it known unto you if you do thus that you do know Christ, for did you not love God, you would never go on in a constant course of keeping his Commandments, and you could not love him except he loved you first, and you could not keep his Commandments but by his Spirit dwelling in you, and that argues acquaintance with him, Psal. 19 11. in keeping of them there is great reward, greater than any gold or silver; a man may keep that and yet want a quiet Conscience; but a man that keeps Gods Commandments shall not want peace of Conscience, Psal, 119.72. thousands of gold and silver will not keep a mans heart warm and comfortable, but the keeping of Gods Commandments will; and be it that you be about your calling, no business of your calling will hinder your peace, no Commandment of God hinders your Peace; indeed if you go about things without warrant from a Commandment, be it in the World, in your callings; if you look at your profit and pleasure &c. and not at Gods Commandment to set you a work, you lose your Peace, and you will want your Peace in that days conversation, but if you go about things in virtue of a Commandment, never fear, your calling will never hinder your Peace; keep the Commandment and keep your Peace: we hinder our Peace often, because we go about businesses without an eye to the Commandment, and so it is not acceptable to God, he finds no savour of rest in it, and therefore no wonder if we lose our Peace; but if any work, though never so mean, be done in obedience to Gods Commandments, we shall keep and maintain our Peace.

Ʋse 5. Of consolation to constant keepers of Gods Commandements, sometimes a man may keep them, and yet be in feare and doubts of his Estate, why, goe on in that way still, keep them as your Way, your Tresaure, and Apple of your Eye, your life, that is the way to comfort: be it known unto you if you doe thus that you doe know Christ, for did you not love God, you would never go on in a constant course of keeping his Commandments, and you could not love him except he loved you first, and you could not keep his Commandments but by his Spirit dwelling in you, and that argues acquaintance with him, Psal. 19 11. in keeping of them there is great reward, greater than any gold or silver; a man may keep that and yet want a quiet Conscience; but a man that keeps Gods Commandments shall not want peace of Conscience, Psal, 119.72. thousands of gold and silver will not keep a mans heart warm and comfortable, but the keeping of Gods Commandments will; and be it that you be about your calling, no businesse of your calling will hinder your peace, no Commandment of God hinders your Peace; indeed if you go about things without warrant from a Commandment, be it in the World, in your callings; if you look at your profit and pleasure &c. and not at Gods Commandment to set you a work, you lose your Peace, and you will want your Peace in that dayes conversation, but if you go about things in vertue of a Commandment, never fear, your calling will never hinder your Peace; keep the Commandment and keep your Peace: we hinder our Peace often, because we go about businesses without an eye to the Commandment, and so it is not acceptable to God, he finds no savour of rest in it, and therefore no wonder if we lose our Peace; but if any work, though never so mean, be done in obedience to Gods Commandments, we shall keep and maintain our Peace.

1 JOHN 2.4. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 JOHN 2.4. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a lyar, and the truth is not in him.

IT is St. Johns usual course to propound the Truth Affirmatively, and Negatively. Vers. 3. Affirmatively, Vers. 4. Negatively, Vers. 5. he amplifies the keeping of Christs Commandment, by a double benefit.

1 In him that doth so, is the Love of God perfect.

2 Hereby we know that we are in him,

From whence Verse 6. he passes this conclusion of conforming our lives, to the life of Christ.

Verse 4 He that saith he knows him, &c.

To say, is either, in Heart, in Word, or in outward Carriage.

He that saith I know him, he speaks not of an active understanding of him, but of an affectionate hearty knowledge.

Knowledge is either speculative or operative; infused or acquired; Historical, or Experimental, all come to one; but this Knowledge here meant is acquaintance; so then, he that saith he hath acquaintance with God, and keeps not his Commandments, that is, as his Way, his Treasure, his Ornaments, his Eye, his Life.