To clear the way, I shall examine this Text, 1 John 2.12, 13, 14. Which whether it denote and assert distinct Classes or kinds of Saints is yet the question. But I hope to evince that these are three distinct ranks and slates of Saints, not with reference to their natural years, 1or the time of their standing (as to conversion and profession) but with reference to their proper and peculiar attainments, whether elder or younger for years and standing. Indeed ⟨p. 3⟩the Scripture doth not measure them by that, but by this rule; or else there could not be any gradual Apostasy in any Saints, as there was in them of the Church of Ephesus, Revel. 2. or any standing (as 'twere) at a stay, as it seems to be with them, Heb. 5. So that their measure is to be taken by their attainments and proficiency, not by their years; 2(for though with the ancient there (usually) is wisdom, yet grey hairs are not always wise; which made Elihu speak as he did, Job 32.7, 9. The wise are always old, but the old are not always wise:) 'tis not how long they have stood, or how many years they have been in Christ, but their enjoyments, experiences, proficiency and fruitfulness that denominates one above another: some may be in Christ before others, who yet may be out-grown by others, that came in long after them; as most of the elder Disciples were out-grown by Paul a younger Brother, a Post-hume, 3one born out of due time (as he speaks of himself) who yet laboured more abundantly than they all: so, many that are last shall be first. Some that are young for years, may be Fathers for experiences and attainments, when others that are old and aged as to time, may be but young and raw in knowledge and practice. Some are but children when they are old, and others may be men, when they are but young; as Timothy was, who knew the Scriptures from (the cradle and from the breast as 'twere, or from) a child. Some are but like David, a youth and stripling, and yet of more true valour ⟨p. 4⟩and worth than Goliath who was a man of war from his youth, that I may speak by allusion. The Apostle tells us of some that for their time (if that had been the measure) might have been Teachers of others (might have attained to a great degree) but were such Punies and Babes, that they needed to learn the A. B. C. of Religion; they were dull of hearing, had very weak stomachs and an ill digestion, Heb. 5.
To clear the way, I shall examine this Text, 1 John 2.12, 13, 14. Which whether it denote and assert distinct Classes or kinds of Saints is yet the question. But I hope to evince that these are three distinct ranks and slates of Saints, not with reference to their natural years, 1or the time of their standing (as to conversion and profession) but with reference to their proper and peculiar attainments, whether elder or younger for years and standing. Indeed ⟨p. 3⟩the Scripture doth not measure them by that, but by this rule; or else there could not be any gradual Apostasie in any Saints, as there was in them of the Church of Ephesus, Revel. 2. or any standing (as 'twere) at a stay, as it seems to be with them, Heb. 5. So that their measure is to be taken by their attainments and proficiency, not by their years; 2(for though with the ancient there (usually) is wisdom, yet gray hairs are not always wise; which made Elihu speak as he did, Job 32.7, 9. The wise are always old, but the old are not always wise:) 'tis not how long they have stood, or how many years they have been in Christ, but their injoyments, experiences, proficiency and fruitfulness that denominates one above another: some may be in Christ before others, who yet may be out-grown by others, that came in long after them; as most of the elder Disciples were out-grown by Paul a younger Brother, a Post-hume, 3one born out of due time (as he speaks of himself) who yet labour'd more abundantly than they all: so, many that are last shall be first. Some that are young for years, may be Fathers for experiences and attainments, when others that are old and aged as to time, may be but young and raw in knowledge and practice. Some are but children when they are old, and others may be men, when they are but young; as Timothy was, who knew the Scriptures from (the cradle and from the breast as 'twere, or from) a child. Some are but like David, a youth and stripling, and yet of more true valor ⟨p. 4⟩and worth than Goliah who was a man of war from his youth, that I may speak by allusion. The Apostle tells us of some that for their time (if that had been the measure) might have been Teachers of others (might have attained to a great degree) but were such Punies and Babes, that they needed to learn the A. B. C. of Religion; they were dull of hearing, had very weak stomachs and an ill digestion,
- 1Partitur hic & in sequeatibus Christianus ja Classes tres, Puerorum, Adolescentum, Scuun; quae discrimina non secundum aetatem, sed secundum gradus diverso; tjus prosectus qui in Coristo est, intelligi d•b•t. Grot. in Loc.Partitur hic & in sequeatibus Christianus ia Classes tres, Puerorum, Adolescentum, Scuun; quae discrimina non secundum aetatem, sed secundum gradus diverso; tjus prosectus qui in Coristo est, intelligi d•b•t. Grot. in Loc.
- 2See Wisd; 4.8, 9.
- 31 Cor. 15.8, 9, 10.
