Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

1. 1 John chap. 4. v. 8. God is Love. That the name of ¹God is here taken personally, and for the person of the Father, not Essentially, is evident from v. 9. where he is distinguished from his only begotten Son whom he sends into the world. Now (saith he) the Father is Love, that is, not only of an infinitely gracious, tender, Compassionate and Loving nature, according as he hath proclaimed himself Exod. chap. 34. v. 6, 7. but also one that eminently and peculiarly dispenseth himself unto us in free love. So the Apostle sets it forth in the following verses; this is ⟨p. 1⟩²love v. 9. this is that which I would have you take notice of in him, that he makes out love unto you, in sending his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. So also, v. 10. He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. And that this is peculiarly to be eyed in him, the holy Ghost plainly declares, in making it Antecedent to the Sending of Christ, and all mercies and benefits whatever by him received. This love I say, in its self is Antecedent to the purchase of Christ, although the whole fruit thereof be made out alone thereby. Ephes. 1. 4, 5, 6.

1. 1 John chap. 4. v. 8. God is Love. That the name of ¹God is here taken personally, and for the person of the Father, not Essentially, is evident from v. 9. where he is distinguished from his only begotten Son whom he sends into the world. Now (saith he) the Father is Love, that is, not only of an infinitely gracious, tender, Compassionate and Loving nature, according as he hath proclaimed himselfe Exod. chap. 34. v. 6, 7. but also one that eminently and peculiarly dispenseth himselfe unto us in free love. So the Apostle sets it forth in the following verses; this is