276 St. John asserts, that they declared what they had seen: a SECT. tentively looked upon, and viewed so near and so on, and our hands i. long, that it is impossible we should mistake in have handled of the it; and which, in allusion to the condescension word of life. 1John i. 1 of our blessed Redeemer in submitting himself to be examined by our touch and feeling, I may venture to say, that even our hands have han2 dled of the word of eternal life. b And well 2 (For the life was with the Father, may it be styled the word of life; for even Je- was manifested, and we have seen it, and sus, who himself is the living word, and eter- bear witness, and nal life, was graciously manifested in human shew unto you that flesh for the redemption of sinful men; and we eternal life, which saw [it] in its full evidence, and we cheerfully and was manifested bear our renewed testimony, and declare unto unto us ;) you that eternal life, which from the foundation of the world was with the Father, most intimately conversant with him, and united to him; but in due time, by assuming the human nature into an union with the Divine, was manifested to us with all the genuine characters of 3 the promised Messiah. And in consequence of this, what we have seen and intimately con- have seen and heard, versed with, and have not only heard of, but that ye also may have have ourselves heard speaking to us, we declare fellowship with us: unto you; that ye also may have communion with and truly our felus in that dignity and felicity to which we are, Father, and with his lowship is with the by Divine grace, exalted: and truly it is a glo- Son Jesus Christ. rious privilege well worthy your most ready acceptance and earnest pursuit; for our communion is with God the Father, and with his only begotten Son Jesus Christ, as we are happy in an intimate and inseparable union with 3 That which we declare we unto you, full. 4 each. And these things we write to you, that 4 And these things That which we have attentively looked his resurrection, which being permitted, upon: ο εθεασάμεθα ] Mr. Blackwall was a confirmation of this important fact observes, (in his Sacr. Class. Vol. II. p. to all after ages. Dr. Berriman supposes 152,) that it is by no means synonymous these words were particularly levelled with the former clause, but hath a more against the Menandrians, who denied the emphatical signification, namely, that of real existence of the flesh of Christ, and beholding attentively, with a kind of delight asserted that it was only a visible appearand admiration. ance they were therefore called doxa, and pavarasan. See his Hist. of the Trin. p. 77. b Our hands have handled.] This probably refers to Thomas's having insisted upon handling Christ's body, in proof of For the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin. 5 This then is the and declare unto 7 But if we walk to it. his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 277 i. 1 John i. 5 And this is the great declaration which we SECT. message which we have heard from him, upon which our faith most have heard of him, cheerfully centres, and which we again declare you, that God is 'unto you, that God is perfect light, consumlight, and in him is mate knowledge and holiness; and in him there no darkness at all. is no darkness at all, not the least mixture of ig6 If we say that norance, or of sin. And if we pretend to say, 6 we have fellowship that we have communion with him, and walk in with him, and walk darkness, that is, go on in the practice of sin, in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: which is as contrary to his holy nature, as darkness is to that of light, whatever professions we may make of our acquaintance with Christianity, and of being zealous for its interest, we lie, and do not the truth, but act in direct opposition But if, on the other hand, we walk 7 in the light as he is in the light of holiness, as he himself is ever in in the light, we have fellowship one with the light of it, and surrounded with it as his another, and the brightest glory, we have then communion with blood of Jesus Christ him, and with one another in him; and though we are indeed conscious to ourselves of many past offences, for which so holy a God might for ever banish us from his presence, and of many remaining imperfections, which might discourage our approaches to him, we have this grand consolation, that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all our sins, be they 8 If we say that ever so numerous, or ever so heinous. And 8 we have no sin, we indeed it is a consolation which we absolutely deceive ourselves, and the truth is not need; for if we say, that we have no sin, it is too evident that we grossly deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; we must be destitute of every good principle, if we are utterly insensible 9 If we confess our of our own guilt and imperfection. But if 9 sins, he is faithful we confess our sins to God, with a becoming and just to forgive us our sins, and to lowliness and contrition of spirit, he is not only cleanse us from all merciful and gracious, but faithful and just, to unrighteousness. forgive us our sins, in consideration of his engagements to our great Surety, and to us by him, and effectually to cleanse us from all unrigteous in us. God is light.] This expresses his most clear and perfect knowledge, for light discovers all things; his unspotted holiness, for light is incapable of any pollution; and his sovereign goodness and happiness, for light, joined with vital heat, inspires pleasure into universal nature. See Dr. Bates's Works, p. 537. If we confess our sins.] This so evidently refers to confessing our sins to God, and not to the priest, that one could hardly forbear being astonished, that it should ever have been urged in behalf of auricular confession; if it were not for the many examples we have of such shameful and preposterous reasoning in the arguments which are pleaded in favour of popery. 278 Reflections on the regard due to St. John's message, &c. SECT. ness, by his atoning blood, and the influence i. of that sanctifying Spirit which it has purchased for us. 1 John i. 10 verse 10 If we say that This is our ground of confidence, and our refuge as sinners; and let us often renew our we have not sinned, applications to it: for as on this foundation we and his word is not we make him a liar, are indeed secure, so on the other hand, if we in us. are so rash and presumptuous, to say, that we have not sinned, we not only lie ourselves, which in every instance must be displeasing to the God of truth; but we, in effect, make him a liar, who in the constitution of the gospel which he hath sent to all, goes on a supposition, that every soul to whom it is addressed, is under guilt and condemnation. And consequently, if we assert and maintain our own personal innocence, we shall shew, that his word is not in us, that this humbling message of his grace has never been cordially received by us, nor hath produced its genuine effects on our hearts. IMPROVEMENT. How seriously should we attend to the word of life, when ad1 dressed to us by those who were so intimately acquainted with it, and with him who brought it and revealed it to the world! In like manner may all concerned in dispensing it, be able to say that it is what they have heard, and, as it were, seen and handled ; 2 yea, tasted and let in all its sweetness and energy. Jesus Christ is indeed that life which was with the Father, and is now manifested unto us: may we ever regard him as such, and have communion with John, and the other sacred writers, in their communion 3 with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ. Surely they, who by experience know the delight and benefit of that communion, will desire that others may be partakers of it with themselves. Their own joy, instead of being diminished, will be rather ren4 dered more complete and intense, by being in this manner imparted to others. 5 Nothing can be of more importance than to form right and worthy conceptions of God; and that we may do so, let us reflect on him, as the purest and even unmingled light, without any the least shade of darkness; as truth in perfection, without any mixture of falsehood or evil. And let us be particularly We make him a liar.] This text plain- and consequently is a clear proof of the ly implies, that Christianity does in effect corruption of human nature. assert, that we are all in a degenerate state, 279 i verse 6,7 He wrote these things to them that they might not sin. concerned, that as we desire to have fellowship with him, we SECT. allow not ourselves to walk in darkness of any kind, but put off all its works, that we may put on the whole armour of light, and walk in the light, as he is of the light. Let every action of our lives, every thought of our hearts, be brought to the light of the gospel, and tried and proved according to it. And as it would be very vain and criminal in us, to deny our having any sin, as it would be self deceit to imagine it, and self confusion to affirm 10 it, let us with humble thankfulness, apply to that blood, which is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Most freely confess- 9 ing our sins, in all their aggravations, so far as our weak and limited thoughts can attain to the view of them, let us humbly plead his promise, and his covenant; and then fidelity and jus tice will join with mercy, to ensure our deliverance from the ishment they merit; so that instead of being, as we have deserved, companions in condemnation and ruin, we shall share together in that complete freedom from all the penal consequences of sin, which will be the portion of all those who truly repent, and obey the gospel. SECT. II. pun Farther to promote that holiness of temper, which it is the great design of this epistle to recommend, the apostle urges the propitiation and intercession of Christ, and the necessity of shewing our love to God, by obedience, by brotherly love, and by overcoming the immoderate love of the world. 1 John II. 1—17. 1 JOHN II. 1. M Y little chil. dren, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. P 1 JOHN II. 1. 1 John ERMIT me now to address myself to SECT. you, with all tenderness and endearment, ii. as my little children, and to assure you, that I And if any man sin, write these things concerning the readiness of ii. 1 we have an Advo- God to forgive sin, not to encourage you to ofcate with the Fa- fend, but with a contrary purpose, that you may But not sin. And I hope you will consider it as • An Advocate with the Father.] The signifies one who is to plead for a person word, advocate, in our language commonly in a court of judicature; but Dr. Samuel 280 ii. 1 John ii. 1 Christ is the propitiation for our sins; Christ SECT. and renew our peace, even Jesus Christ, the ther, Jesus righteous one; that great exalted Saviour, who the righteous : was himself, by way of eminence, and in such a degree, as no other person dwelling in human flesh ever was, so perfectly righteous, that his obedience absolutely answered the demands of the Divine law in all its extent and 2 purity. And he is the great propitiation for 2 And he is the our sins, to whom, under that character, we prop propitiation for our sins : and not for have fled with cheerful confidence; and it is a ours only, but also joy to us to reflect, that he is not only the pro- for the sins of the pitiation for ours, but also [for the sins] of the whole world. whole world: no nation under heaven is excluded from a share in the blessings he hath purchased, nor shall any person whatsoever be excluded, let his iniquities have been ever so great and aggravated, if he be disposed to make 3 a proper application to him. And by this cer 3 And hereby we tain mark and evidence, we know that we are do know that we acquainted with him to the most happy and ef- know him, if we fectual purposes, even if we faithfully and up- ments. 4 rightly keep all his commandments. keep his command For he 4 He that saith, I eth not his command that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his com- know him, and keepmandments, is a liar; he falsely pretends to a ments, is a liar, and knowledge of him, of which he is quite desti- the truth is not in tute; and therefore in this respect the truth is not him. 5 [in him.] But Whosoever uprightly and 5 But whoso keepimpartially keepeth his word, in him certainly is eth his word, in him the love of God perfected: it is plain he has it verily is the love truly in his heart, and does not, like those who Harris hath taken great pains to show, that it properly signifies the same with patron amongst the Romans, or my in the Hebrew, a great person, who used to patronize the cause of some of inferior rank, and who was also a sponsor for their good behaviour. By this he imagines several scriptures may be illustrated, and particularly Isa. i. 7-9; Job xxix. 12; Psal. Ixxii. 12; Job xxxiii. 23, &c. And in confirmation of this sentiment he brings some remarkable quotations from the ancients. Harris's Observ. p. 49-61. Perhaps there is nothing that illustrates the matter more, than the residence of some eminent persons from distant provinces, in the courts of great princes or states, whose business it was constantly to ne. gotiate with them the affairs of those whom they represented, to vindicate them from any unjust aspersions, and to advance their interest to the utmost of their power. For the sins of the whole world.] Mr. Reyner has urged this as a proof, that the merit of Christ's death shall extend, not only to believers, but to virtuous heathens; and I do not see that Christianity can receive any prejudice by our acknowledging, that if there are those in whom a truly virtuous temper prevails, they may be accepted of God, in consideration of the atonement which Christ hath made. But this will by no means prove the doctrine of universal redemption, in the sense in which some persons have stated it. But it seems to me, that the apostle is to be understood, as speaking only of all those who believe, whether Jews or Gentiles, over the whole world. |