An Introduction in order to an Expoſition upon the 1. Chap. of the firſt Epiſtle of John.

BUt before we enter upon the Expoſition of it, let us premiſe theſe following particulars: In the firſt place let us take Notice, this Firſt Chap. is an Epiſtle written by it ſelf, diſtinct from the reſt of the Book; and not written Singularly by the Apoſtle John, as the reſt of the Book is, as appears Verſe 1ſt, That which we have ſeen, Verſe 2nd, For the life was manifeſted, and we have ſeen it: Verſe 3d, That which we have ſeen, Verſe 4th, And theſe things write we unto you, Verſe 5th, This then is the meſſage which we have heard of him, and declare unto you: thus it appears to be written Pluralitively; that is, by more than by the Apoſtle John, in uſing the word We.

But the reſt of the Books, is written. Singularly by the Apoſtle John, as appears, Chap. 2.1. Theſe things write I unto you, verſe 7th, I write no new commandment unto you, and ſo through out the book; as appears in the laſt Chap. verſe 13. Theſe things have I written unto you, that believe on the name of the Son of God. Thus it appears, that the ſecond Chapter to the end of the Book is a ſecond Epiſtle, written to believers in the Light, to encourage them to continue in that State; and written by the Apoſtle John, in his own name Singularly, in Saying; I write unto you, not uſing the word we, as he doth in the firſt Chapter.

A Second thing to be obſerved, is, That as the firſt Chapter contains a diſtinct Epiſtle from the reſt of the Book; So it is not directed to perſons in the ſame State and Condition, as the other part of the Book is directed to: for the firſt 4 Verſes of this Chap. is written to the Sinful World, or to ſuch as were not in fellowſhip with the Children of God, as appears in the 3d and 4th Verſes. That which we have ſeen and heard declare we unto you, that ye alſo may have fellowſhip with us, &c. And theſe things write we unto you, &c. And the other 6 Verſes, contains a Meſſage ſent from God, and directed to ſuch, as had loſt Sight of their Calling and Election, & were in a State of darkneſs, with the reſt of the world; having wandred from the Unity and Fellowſhip which once they were in with God: and the meſſage from God was, and is, to reduce and bring them back to God again, by repentance and confeſſion of their Sins; that thereby they might obtain forgiveneſs of them, and ſo come to be cleanſed from all Sin, as thoſe were that walked in the light: as God is in the Light, as appears in the 7th verſe.

And thirdly we may obſerve, that the Apoſtle John, in Chap. 2.1. begins his own Epiſtle in his own name, thus; My little Children theſe things write I unto you, and ſo goes on in his writing, from babes in Chriſt, to young men and Fathers in Chriſt, yea, unto all Sorts and degrees of Chriſtians, who were in the light. But the firſt Chap. contains a particular Epiſtle written in the Pluralitive; that is in the name of many, or in the name of all the Children of God, who were in the light, as God is in the light; who were cleanſed by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt from all Sin, as appears in the 7 verſe, and by them directed to the World, and to them that were in a State of Sin and darkneſs, as appears in the 5th and 6th verſes.

An Expoſition upon the Firſt Chapter of the firſt Epiſtle of John. 1. John, 1.1. Verſe.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have ſeen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life.

IN this verſe the Apoſtle John, with the reſt of Gods Children, doth declare unto the world, that which was from the beginning, which they had not only heard of, but had ſeen it with their eyes, and looked upon it; and not only looked upon it, but alſo had handled of this word of life, which was from the beginning: all theſe Expreſſions are to convince the world of the truth and certainty of the being of the word of life, by their certain knowledge of its being; not only by hearſay, but by ſeeing of it with their eyes, and looking upon it, and alſo in handling of it with their hands: this word of life is Jeſus Chriſt, as he is the Son of God the Creator of all things: and his firſt proceeding from God, or being born of God; is ſhewed, Gen. 1.3. And God ſaid let there be light, and there was light; this creating word proceeded from God, and was in the beginning with God; and it was Jeſus Chriſt who is God bleſſed for ever more, and all things were made by it: as appears in the following verſes of this Firſt Chap: of Gen. and in the firſt Chap. of John, and 1 verſe, &c. this is the word of life, declared in this verſe, to the World by the Children of God, and was the firſt born before any creature: as appears, Coll. 1.15. Who is the Image of the inviſible God, the first born of every creature. for by him were all things created, and this was the firſt birth of Jeſus Chriſt, as he was the Son of God or word of life: by whom God created all things, as appears, Eph. 3.9 Who created all things by Jeſus Christ. Heb. 11.3. Through faith we underſtand that the worlds were framed by the word of God; or by the Son of God, as appears, Heb. 1.2. Hath in theſe laſt days ſpoken to us by his Son, &c. by whom alſo he made the worlds: as alſo, John 1.1. &c. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God, all things were made by him, (or by it:) This is the word of life declar'd in this firſt verſe.

And whereas it is ſaid in the ſaid verſe, which we have heard; the hearing of it came by the Information which God gave to Moſes of it, in the aforeſaid Gen, 1.3. &c. And whereas it is ſaid, which we heve ſeen with our eyes; this ſight of it, is ſuch a ſight as Moſes had of it: Heb. 11.27. Seeing him who is inviſible: Job. 42.5. I have heard of thee, by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye ſeeth thee. Iſaiah 6.5. For mine eyes have ſeen the King the Lord of hoſts: Such a ſight as this is, the Apoſtle John, with the reſt of Gods Children had of this word of life; which they declare of to the World, which word of life in proceſs of time was made fleſh, John 1.14. And the word was made fleſh, (or became fleſh:) and whereas it is ſaid, and our hands have handled of the word of life, 2 Cor. 4 2. Nor handling the word of God deceitfully; this is a Spiritual handling, in • eling its powerful operation, ſuch as no natural man can have, as appears, Eph. 4. • Who being paſt feeling have given themſelves over unto laſciviouſneſs: but theſe • t declare this word of life to the world, 〈◊〉 ſuch Witneſſes as were created and made 〈◊〉 Creatures, by this word of life; for it 〈◊〉 the creating word, which created all • ngs, Eph. 2.10. For we are his workmanſhip, created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good works. Eph. 4.24.

Verſe 2. For the life was manifeſted, and we have ſeen it, and hear witneſs, and ſhew unto you • at eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifeſted unto us.

This Second verſe, contains a Second De • aration to the world, of the truth of the • ght that the Children of God had of this life; which they are witneſſes to, to the • d that the world may credit the truth of 〈◊〉 : which eternal life (ſay they) was with the Father, and was manifeſted unto us; this is to diſtinguiſh the Son from the Father, in ſaying it was with the Father: and • nd the reaſon why the children of God makes this diſtinction, between the Father and the Son, will appear more fully in the next verſe.

Verſe 3. That which we have ſeen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye alſo may have fellowſhip with us: and truly our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt.

Theſe three verſes doth Evidence the vehement deſire that the Children of God hath; that the world may credit the truth of their, teſtimony, concerning the manifeſtation which they had of this word of life, that ye alſo (ſay they) may have fellowſhip with us, and truly our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt: in this verſe Jeſus Chriſt is named with the Father, for all that hath been ſaid, is to teſtifie to the Divinity of Jeſus Chriſt, who is the word that did proceed from God the Father, and is the Son of God: which Truth was denied by thoſe Anti-chriſts, and falſe Prophets that went forth into the world, before this Epiſtle was wrote: as appears, Chap 2.18. Little children it is the laſt time, and as ye have heard that Anti-chriſt ſhall come, even now are there many Anti-chriſts; whereby we know that it is the laſt time, &c Chap. 4.1. Beloved believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits, whether they are of God, becauſe many falſe Prophets are gone out into the world, &c And this Epiſtle was ſent into the world after them, to confute their denial of his divinity.

Verſe 4th, And theſe things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

In this verſe, the children of God, gives 〈◊〉 world the reaſon of their writing theſe • ings to them, which was matter of great 〈◊〉 ; to hear ſuch glad tidings that Jeſus Chriſt was both God and Man, and thereby 〈◊〉 mediator between God and Men, to reconcile the Sinful world to God, being relat • to both Natures: and to hear this glad tidings from their brethren that had been enemies to God by wicked works, and now to hear that they are come into a fellowſhip and reconciliation with God, this is matter of full joy: for it is the beſt News that ever the world heard.

Now we are come to the Second part of this Epiſtle, which contains a meſſage from God, which all the Children of God that are in the light hath heard of him, and are to declare unto their brethren that are in a State of darkneſs.

Theſe Meſſengers of God are the ſame • rſons that gave forth their witneſs in the • e part of this Chapter, or Epiſtle, concerning the word of life to the world; and and wrote this Epiſtle with the Apoſtle John.

Verſe 5th, This then is the meſſage which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light and in him is no darkneſs at all.

This verſe contains a Meſſage which was heard of God, by all his children that were in the light, as he is in the light; and the following part of this Chapter contains the ſaid meſſage, and they were to declare it to all their brethren that are in darkneſs: the meſſage it ſelf is, that God it light, and in him is no darkneſs at all; this meſſage is to ſhew to all profeſſors, that if they are not in this light with God, they are not in fellowſhip with him; and theſe meſſengers which God ſends this meſſage by, are to declare it to all profeſſors, of Churches, that thoſe Profeſſors who are intermixt with thoſe that are in the light, may not deceive themſelves by being in a viſible Church fellowſhip with them that are in the light, and thereby conceit themſelves to be in fellowſhip with God, while they are in a State of darkneſs: therefore theſe meſſengers of God are to acquaint them in what State and Condition they are in, while in a State of darkneſs; that they may not deceive themſelves with an outward viſible Church fellowſhip, while in a State of Sin and darkneſs, and not in fellowſhip with God, and to inform them by what means they may come out of ſuch a State. Verſe 6th, If we ſay that we have fellowſhip with him, and walk in darkneſs, we li • and do not the truth. Theſe Meſſengers of God, uſe the word We, to comprehend the whole body of the viſible church in one; expreſſing the State of them that are in darkneſs, and the State of them that are in the light diſtinctly, one from the other: this verſe expreſſeth the State of thoſe that are in a State of Sin and darkneſs, and their profeſsion to be a lie; for they do not the truth, for they are not in fellowſhip with God; and therefore if theſe ſhould ſay we have no Sin, while in this State of darkneſs, they would but deceive themſelves, for the truth is not in them: but if theſe in this ſinful dark State ſhould come to confeſs their 〈◊〉 , then they will find god faithful and juſt to forgive them their ſins and to cleanſe them from all unrighteouſneſs; and then th • will come to ſee the State that thoſe are in, ſet forth in the next verſe, and ſo come to be in fellowſhip with them: for theſe meſſengers of God ſets both States together, diſtinctly in two verſes, the State of thoſe who are in Sin and darkneſs, in this verſe; and the State of them that are in the light, and are cleanſed from all Sin, in the next verſe; that thoſe that are in a State of Sin and darkneſs, may diſcern which of the two States they are in; when theſe Meſſengers hath expreſt both States together, the • they open the gate of Salvation to them th • are in a State of darkneſs, that they ma • come out of that State: for if theſe th • are in a State of darkneſs ſhould ſay we ha • no ſin, they will deceive themſelves, for t • truth is not in them; this truth which 〈◊〉 not in them, is Jeſus Chriſt John 14, 6. ver • 2 John, 2. For the truths ſaKe which dwe • leth in us, and ſhall be with us for ever, b • if theſe confeſs their Sins, God is faithful and juſt, to forgive them their Sins, and 〈◊〉 cleanſe them from all unrighteouſneſs: and then they will be in the ſame State, as tho • are in, expreſt in the next verſe, who a • already cleanſed from all Sin: but if the that are in a ſtate of darkneſs, ſay, we ha • not ſinned, then they make God a liar; f • if his word were in them, they could not be in a ſtate of darkneſs; for his word is h • Son Jeſus Chriſt, who is God, and God light, and in him is no darkneſs at all: but his word is not in them that are in a ſtate darkneſs, for if his word were in them, the they would be in the light as God is in the light, and in fellowſhip with him; for th • indwelling of this word, brings us into fellowſhip with God. Theſe Meſſengers of God deales tenderly with their brethren that are in a ſtate of darkneſs, and doth not reflect their ſtate upon them; but comprehends •• ſelves in with them as brethren, and 〈◊〉 if we ſay ſo and ſo of our ſelves, to 〈◊〉 if we ſay we have fellowſhip with him 〈◊〉 walk in darkneſs we lie, and do not the truth: Expreſsing in this verſe, the ſtate of 〈◊〉 that are in darkneſs, and in the next verſe the ſtate of them that are in the light, 〈◊〉 are cleanſed from all Sin by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſo leaves the judgment of every one of them, to judge of his own ſtate, 〈◊〉 her he be in a ſtate of light, or whither he are in a ſtate of darkneſs.

That which is here intended by darkneſs, 〈◊〉 when profeſſors do not order their Con •• ation aright, and ſo come into ſuch a 〈◊〉 of darkneſs, that they looſe the ſight of theſe juſtification, and ſanctification; ſo that they cannot aſſure their own hearts before God that they are reconciled to God; ſo that Inſtead of rejoycing to appear before God, they dread his preſence; for inſtead of being in that Spirit which is in the children of light, which crieth Abba Father, they are in a Spirit of Bondage to fear, becauſe the love of God is not in them.

Verſe 7th, But if we walk in the light, as is in the light, we have fellowſhip one with another, and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son clea • ſeth us from all Sin.

This verſe expreſſeth, juſt a contrary ſta • to what the fore going verſe doth, even ſuch a ſtate as theſe Meſſengers of God are in who wrote this Epiſtle, and all others that are in their ſtate, who are in the light, a • God is in the light; and theſe only are in fellowſhip with God, and one with another i • the light, as God is in the light: and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son, hath cleanſe • theſe from all ſin, ſaith God in this verſe b • theſe his Meſſengers: ſo that if theſe ſhould ſay, we have ſin, when God ſaith, they are thus cleanſed from all ſin, by the blood o • Jeſus Chriſt his Son; they make God a lia • and undervalue the precious blood of his So • Jeſus Chriſt, for his word is in them, and hath cleanſed them from all ſin: ſo that the are in the light as God is in the light, and hath obtained the forgiveneſs of their ſins for they are ſuch as have already confeſſe • their ſins. and God hath been faithful, an • juſt, to forgive them their ſins, and hath cleanſed them from all unrighteouſneſs, b • the blood of his ſon Jeſus Chriſt: ſo that the • have already done, that which the other ar • directed to do as is teſtified by theſe his Meſſengers, and immediately by God himſelf; as appeareth Chap. 5 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witneſs in himſelf, he that believeth not God, hath made • n a liar; becauſe he believeth not the Regard that God gave of his Son: thus it appareth, that he that believeth on the Son 〈◊〉 God, is in the light, and hath, the witneſs 〈◊〉 God in himſelf, that he is cleanſed by the • od of the Son of God from all ſin: for • heſe are thoſe that are in fellowſhip with • od the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt; as in the third verſe of this Chap. that God will have no fellowſhip with unrighteouſneſs, nor no Communion with darkneſs, neither will Chriſt have any concord • th Belial; for the Bodys of theſe Saints are the Temple of God, and god dwells in them, as is to be ſeen, 2 Cor. 6, 14. For theſe are the light of the world, ſaith Chriſt Mat. 5 14. And are obedient to Chriſt's doctrine being perfect even as their Father which is in heaven is perfect: verſe 48. Theſe are made free from ſin, ſaith Paul, •• m. 6.18, 21. Being cleanſed by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt from all ſin, and by him preſented before God, without Spot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing; being holy and without blemiſh, ſaith Paul, Eph. 5.27 Theſe are they that came out of great tribulation, and have waſhed their Robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, ſaith the Apoſtle John, Rev. 7 14. Theſe are they which are not defiled with women, for they are virgins: theſe are they which follow the Lamb whither ſoever he goeth theſe were redeemed from among men, being the firſt Fruits unto God, and the Lamb, & in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the Throne of God, ſaith the holy Scripture, Rev. 14 4, 5. As God is, ſo are theſe in this world, ſaith the Apoſtle John, 1 John, 4 17. Theſe are in ſuch a fellowſhip with God, and one with another, as Chriſt ſpeaks of, John, 17 21. &c. That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they alſo may be one in us; that they may be one even as we are one, I in them, and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one: this is the fellowſhip that theſe are in, ſpoken of in this 7th verſe: And can they ſay, they have ſin dwelling in them with god the Father, and with his ſon Jeſus Chriſt; and not make god a liar, for his word is in them and they have overcome the wicked one ſaith the Apoſtle John, Chap. 2 14. For theſe are born of God and are the Sons of God, and his ſeed remaineth in them, and this ſeed is the word of God; ſpoken of 〈◊〉 the foregoing part of this Chapter, and they cannot ſin (becauſe they are born of God) while this ſeed, or Son of God re • ineth in them. 1 John, 3.9. For he is greater that is in them, than he that is in the world. Chap. 4.4. For they are kept from ſin, by the mighty power of God that is in them. Eph. 3 16. Coll. 1.11. 〈◊〉 long as this word abides in them. Chap. 2 24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning, if that which ye have heard from the beginning ſhall remain in you; ye alſo ſhall continue in the Son, and in the Father. Verſe 26. Theſe things have I written unto you concerning them that ſeduce you. The 8, 9, and 10th Verſes, ſpeakes to that part of the viſible Church, ſpoken of in the 6th verſe, to wit, If we ſay that we have fellowſhip with him, and walk in darkneſs we lie, and do not the truth: So that if this part of profeſſors ſhould ſay, we have no ſin, they will deceive themſelves, and the truth is not in them, as appears, in verſe the 8th. But if theſe confeſs their ſins, he is faithful • d juſt to forgive them their ſins, and to cleanſe them from all unrighteouſneſs: as appears in verſe 9th. Then they will be in fellowſhip with the other part that walketh in the light, as God is in the light; and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son, hath already cleanſed them from all ſin, as appears in verſe 7th: But if we are of that party that walketh in darkneſs, and yet ſay that we have fellowſhip with God, and have not ſinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us: as appears in verſe 10th. For if his word were in us, ſin could not dwell there: for his word is himſelf, Joh. 1.1. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. For God and ſin will not dwell together, for they two cannot have fellowſhip one with th • other, in the ſame body of fleſh: for the • are two contraries. 2 John, 9.10.11. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Chriſt, hath both the Father and the Son; if there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your houſe, neither bi • him God ſpeed; for he that bideth him God ſpeed, is partaker of his evil deeds.

Advertiſement.

IN the year 1705. I printed a Book in which book, I have expounded ſeveral places of Scripture, which places of Scripture are groſly wreſted; to defend and maintain a Doctrine that there is no freedom from ſin on this ſide the grave, which is a groſs contradiction of the holy Scriptures: and is an undervaluing the precious blood of Jeſus Chriſt the Son of God, which clean • eth us from all ſin: which ſaid books, I have now ſome of them by me.

The Scripture expounded in ſaid book, are theſe Scriptures under quoted. Prov. 24. • 5.16. This Scripture is falſly reported, and traditionally believed that it ſaith: A righteous man falleth into ſin ſeven times a day; when as it ſpeaks not of falling into ſin, but into perils. A ſecond Scripture is, 2 Cor. 12, 9.10. A third Scripture is, Jam. 3. • . A fourth Scripture is, Jam. 4.5. A fifth, is ſeveral verſes in the 7th Chapter of the Rom. which is groſly wreſted, in judging it to ſpeak of Pauls converted ſtate; becauſe he wrote it after his Converſion, for 〈◊〉 his converted ſtate he was not a carnal • an Sold under ſin, but a ſpiritual man re • eemed from ſin, neither did ſin dwell in • im: but Chriſt did dwell in him, as appears Gall, 2.20. neither was he a wretch •• man then wanting deliverance, but a happy man, having obtained deliverance by Chriſt. A ſixth Scripture is Gall. 5 17. A ſeventh Scripture is 1 Joh. 1 8. An eighth Scripture is Eccele. 7 20. All theſe Scriptures above mentioned, is often quoted and groſly wreſted by the ignorant and unlearned to their own deſtruction; not underſtanding the Scriptures, neither the power of God, as is written 2 Pet. 3 16. Mat. 22.29. There is alſo in ſaid book, an Expoſition upon Jere. 10.25. Tit. 2.11. 1 Cor. 12.7. All which ſaid ſcriptures are reſtored into their natural Senſe, by comparing ſcripture with ſcripture.

J. R.

JOhn Rogers a Servant of Jeſus Chriſt, to them that are called of God to be Saints, and ſanctified by the ſpirit of truth, and preſerved in Jeſus Chriſt; grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

Beloved in the Lord, my prayer to God for you is that you may be growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and not be ſeduced by unprofitable teachers, who transform themſelves as the Miniſters of Chriſt: of whom we have had ſufficient warning from our Lord Jeſus Chriſt and from his holy Apoſtles; who have ſo plainly deſcribed them to us, that if we • lk in, and be guided by the Spirit of truth, 〈◊〉 ſhall eaſiely diſcern them; by their con • ary practices to the Doctrine of Chriſt, • d by their differing Doctrine, from the • octrine of his holy Apoſtles.

The Apoſtle John declares, that as we were fore told of them, ſo they did appear 〈◊〉 his time, 1 Joh. 2 18. It is the laſt time • nd as ye have heard that Anti-chriſt ſhall • ome, even now are there many Anti-chriſts • aith he; theſe Anti-chriſts that did appear • n this Apoſtles time, (as the Church hiſto • ies informs us,) was one Carpocrates, from whom the Carpocrations did ariſe, and did • old that Jeſus was only man, deſcending from both Sexes: and alſo one Cerinthus, of whom came the Cerinthians: and alſo one Merinthus, of whom aroſe the Sect of the Merinthians; theſe alſo denied Chriſts divinity, and ſaid he was not before Mary, and that he was a meer man: as alſo one Hebion, of whom came the Hebionites; they alſo held that Chriſt was only man. This Doctrine • preading ſo much in the world, occaſioned John to write his Goſpel, and his firſt Epi • tle, to ſuppreſs and to confute this Doctrine; and he did it ſo effectually, that thoſe Anti- • hriſts and falſe Prophets that are in this our • ay, are forc'd to confeſs in words, that Jeſus Chriſt is both God and man; and yet are as blind and ignorant of his divine nature as they were: and by their Doctrine it appears, they do not feel his power, nor ſee his preſence, as he is God Almighty any more than they did: and for them to preach him as he is the Son of man in our nature up in the viſible heavens, from the report of the holy Scriptures, without any immediate revelation or the truth of it, is no more than they did. For tho' the children of God have not ſeen, nor known him as he is the Son of man, yet they have ſeen and known him as he is the Son of God, as will appear by Scripture evidence, by what followeth: and how the Children of God come to know the truth of what is written of him, as he is the Son of man; ſo as to give a true teſtimony to the truth of the Scriptures, by a myſtical knowledge of him, ſuch as the Apoſtle Peter had, Mat, 16.15. He ſaith unto them, but whom ſay ye that I the Son of man am. Peter anſwered and ſaid, thou art Chriſt the Son of the living God; and Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, fleſh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven; this immediate Revelation from God, is greater than a Revelation of him from the Scripture; and this revelation every faithful Child of God hath of • m, which is unknown to Anti-chriſts and • ſe Prophets, who with good words and •• r ſpeeches preach him from the report of • he Scriptures, but know not the truth of it: • ut the Children of God, have a greater witneſs of him than the Teſtimony of the Scripture, as appears in Acts. 5 30. here the Apoſtle gives a witneſs of his death, reſurrection and exaltation, and ſaith we are his witneſſes of theſe things, this is a ſcripture witneſs: but further ſaith he, and ſo is alſo the holy Ghoſt whom God hath given to them that obey him; but this witneſs of the holy Ghoſt is immediate from God, and is a greater witneſs than the Scriptures, given to every one that doth obey him: by which Revelation they know the truth of the Scriptures, Rev. 19.10. The teſtimo • ty of Jeſus is the Spirit of prophecie. 1 Cor. 12 3. No man can ſay that Jeſus is the Lord but by the holy Ghoſt, that is he cannot ſay ſo in truth, by hear ſay; So that thoſe Anti-chriſts and falſe Prophets lie, when they ſay he is a man up in the viſible heavens, for they know not whether the Scripture is true that reports ſuch a thing, tho' it be true; Jer. 5.2. And though they ſay the Lord liveth, ſurely they ſwear falſely.

But Gods children know that the teſtimony of the Scriptures concerning him (as he is the Son of man) is truth; the truth of this is further manifeſted, 1 Joh. 2.20 21 But ye have an unction from the holy one, and know all things the Apoſtle uſeth theſe words, to wit, but ye have an unction from the holy one, to diſtinguiſh theſe to whom he writes to, from thoſe Anti-chriſts, which he had been ſpeaking of in the foregoing verſes, who had not this unction, and therefore did not know all things: John ſpeaks of all thoſe things written to them by him, in the foregoing part of this his Epiſtle; and therefore ſaith he in the next words: I have not written unto you, becauſe ye know not the truth, but becauſe ye know it; thus it appears they had an inward witneſs of the truth of what he wrote to them. But theſe Anti-chriſts tho they confeſs him to be man, and the Son of Mary, Abraham and David, which was true, for ſo he was, fleſh and blood as we are, ſin only excepted: yet they denied him coming in the fleſh of that man born of the Virgin Mary, as he was the word, or Son of God; which word created all things, before it appeared in that body of fleſh; and ſo conſequently denied his coming into the Saints Bodies of fleſh as he is the Son of God, vanquiſhing Sin and Satan; and • ſetting them free from Sin and Satan; and • his his coming in the Saints bodies of fleſh • hey denied, and this Doctrine they oppoſed, • hey being Satans Miniſters, in whom was • he Spirit of errour: and for this oppoſition, John calls them Anti-chriſts, in that they oppoſed this Doctrine, to wit, Jeſus Chriſt • oming into the fleſhly bodies of the children of Adam, where the Devil had poſſeſſion, and did rule; who dreads chriſt in his divine nature, knowing he is too ſtrong for him, and able to caſt him out, and take from him his Seat and Throne, which he hath in mens bodys of fleſh; for this was the wiſdom and kindneſs of God to man, to take our nature, and ſo become man, that the Devil might no more overcome us: we thus having Gods ſtrength through Faith, might ſtand, and no more be overcome by him: and this great miſtery of Gods manifeſting himſelf in man, this Apoſtle manageth againſt the Devil and his Miniſters, as followeth. 1 Joh. 3.23: And this is his Commandment, that we ſhould believe on the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and love one another, as he gave us Commandment. From hence we may take Notice, that John mentioneth two Commandments in this verſe, which God commands his Children to obſerve and keep. The firſt is to believe on the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt: and the ſecond is, to love one another: and in the next veſe, ſaith he; he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him: in this verſe he teſtifieth, that he that keepeth theſe Commandments, dwelleth in God, and God in him; and this God that dwelleth in the Saints, is Jeſus Chriſt as he is the Son of God, (or in his divine nature) and in keeping theſe two Commandments, we fulfil both Law and Goſpel, as appeareth, Rom. 13.10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Gal. 5.14, For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou ſhalt love thy Neighbour as thy ſelf.

And ſecondly, as to Faith, it is written, Heb. 11 6. Without Faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. Mat. 17 20. If ye have faith as a Grain of Muſtard-ſeed, nothing ſhall be unpoſsible unto you, 1 Joh. 5.4.5. And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jeſus is the Son of God: take notice the Anti-chriſts did believe him to be the Son of man, but not the Son of God: thus the Apoſtle ſheweth us, that if we keep theſe two Commandments, to wit: to live the • ife of faith, and love, as God hath commanded us; then we dwell in him, and he in us; hereby ſaith he, we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us; for this Spirit is the Spirit of faith and love. 2. Cor. 4.13. We having the ſame Spirit of faith, 1 Joh. 3 16. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him: and in the following verſe of the following Chapter, or firſt verſe of the fourth Chapter, John exhorts theſe children of God, (to whom he writes to, they having a certain knowledge that God abideth and dwelleth in them, by the Spirit that God hath given them,) to trie the ſpirits of falſe Prophets: becauſe at that time many of them were gone out into the world; and he doth not only bid them try the Spirits, of ſaid Prophets: but tells them how they ſhall try what Spirit they come in, ſo as to know certainly what Spirit they come in, verſe 2. hereby know we the Spirit of God, ſaith he: every Spirit that confeſſeth that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh, is of God ſaith he; and this confeſſion • s as he came in the body of fleſh, born of the Virgin Mary: ſo likewiſe is come into the body of fleſh, of every Saint; for Jeſus Chriſt is the head Member of the Body, which is the Church: for as much then, as the children are partakers of fleſh and blood, he alſo himſelf likewiſe took part of the ſame, Heb. 2.14. So likewiſe hath made them partakers of his divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promiſes: that by theſe ye might be partakers of the divine nature. compare this with Heb. 2.11. For both he that Sanctifieth, and they who are Sanctified are all of one. that is, both he and they are of one fleſh, and of one Spirit in union: as appears, Joh. 17.21. &c. That they all may be one, as thou Fat ••• • rt in me, and I in thee: that they alſo may be one in us, I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. And in the third Verſe, ſaith the Apoſtle, And every Spirit that confeſſeth not that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh is not of God. thus he ſheweth thoſe to whom he writeth to, and exhorts to try the Spirits of the Prophets, to know whither they are true Prophets or falſe: in they are falſe Prophets, they may know them to be ſo, by their denying that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh of the Saints of whom Jeſus Chriſt in our nature is the chief Saint, and in his divine nature, is over all, God bleſſed for ever Amen. Rom. 9.5. And is in them all. Eph. 4 6. compared with • aiah 9 6. For unto us a Child is born, unto • a Son is given, and his name ſhall be called the • ighty God, the everlaſting Father: and ſaith • he Apoſtle John, in the laſt part of the • hird verſe. That theſe that deny Chriſt coming • the fleſh, is not of God; but are thoſe Anti-chriſts whom they had heard of that ſhould come, and even now already, ſaith he, is in the world.

Theſe were thoſe falſe Prophets that did • onfeſs Jeſus Chriſt to be man only; and no doubt but that they confeſſed him to dwell in • he viſible heavens: for their confeſsing him • o be a man was by hear ſay from the Scriptures, which alſo teſtified of his aſcenſion • nto heaven: their faith reached thus far • pon hearſay, but oppoſed this Doctrine of Chriſts coming in the fleſh of his Saints, to • trengthen them with might in their inner • an againſt Sin and Satan: and thereby to • eanſe them from all unrighteouſneſs. 1 Joh. 9. And ſo make them free from Sin. • om. 6.18 22. this Doctrine they denied, this Apoſtle ſheweth in the 4th verſe, compared with the laſt verſe of the forego • g chapter. Ye are of God little Children, & • ve overcome them; becauſe greater is he that in you, than he that is in the world. and hereby we know that God abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us; for he that keepeth faith, and love, keepeth Gods Commandments, and dwelleth in him, and he in him; who is greater than the Prince of the Power of the air, the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Diſobedience. Verſe 5th, They are of the world, therefore they ſpeak of the world, and the world heareth them, ſaith the Apoſtle: thus he ſhews, that they can preach Chriſt in our nature, who could be ſeen and known, as he was man of the ſeed of Adam, and viſible to be ſeen with a carnal eye: but they knew him not as he dwells in his Saints, and ſo is in fellowſhip with them, and they with him; as John ſaith in the foregoing Chapter, The world knoweth us not, becauſe it knew not him.

Thus they deceived and ſeduced many, by their Preaching up Chriſt as he was the Son of man; and in Practiſing an imitation of the Saints in the viſible ordinances which is of the world, and this Doctrine the World would here: for ſaith he, the world heareth them, but this indwelling of God in his Children which is the Power of Godlineſs, they know nothing of: for it is not of the world, neither will the world hear this Doctrine: as appeareth in the 6th verſe. We are of God, ſaith the Apoſtle, that is God dwelleth in us, and we in him; as he ſhewed in the laſt verſe of the foregoing Chapter, and in the 4th verſe of this Chapter: and further ſaith he, in this 6th verſe. He that is of God heareth us. for he that is of God in him God dwelleth, and he ſees and knows God; for his faith is from a divine ſight of God, ſeeing him who is inviſible to the carnal eye, who imagines his Saviour to be a great way of from him: knowing nothing of this inviſible Power of the Almighty God in the Saints: which is the Power of Godlineſs, which thoſe Anti-chriſts will not confeſs; for they ſee him not, neither do they know him: and therefore ſaith John in the 6th verſe. He that is not of God, heareth not us, for the faith of Gods Elect is by a ſight of the unction of the Spirit which they are anointed with; even the ſame Spirit of gladneſs, which Jeſus of Nazareth was anointed with above his fellows. Heb. 1.9. but theſe Anti-chriſts have not this unction. 1 Joh, 2 20. But ye have an unction from the holy one. and theſe to whom he writes, that had this unction, knew the truth of Johns writing, as appears, verſe 21. I have not written unto you becauſe ye know not the truth, but becauſe ye know the truth: thus the Children of God who had this unction, knew the truth of Johns writing: but theſe Anti-chriſts knew not the truth of it, and therefore would not believe this Doctrine; as appears in the 6th verſe of ſaid 4th Chapter. He that is not of God heareth not us. ſaith the Apoſtle, and they not hearing us, in this our teſtimony of Gods dwelling and abiding in us, who is greater in us, than he that is in the world: hereby ſaith the Apoſtle, in this 6th verſe, know we the Spirit of truth, and the Spirit of errour; for he that is in the Spirit of truth will confeſs this Doctrine to be truth: becauſe his Faith is from a ſight of Jeſus Chriſts coming into his body of fleſh, and is a preſent help and deliverer out of Sin, and from the Power of Satan, 2. Cor. 13.5. Examine your ſelves whether ye be in the Faith, prove your own ſelves: know you not your own ſelves, how that Jeſus Chriſt is in you, except ye be reprobates. For if your faith be not from this ſight of Chriſt in you; ye are yet in your Sins, and your Faith is only the hypocrites Faith: or the Faith of thoſe Anti-chriſts, that believe only in the Son of man a great way off in the viſible heavens; who know nothing of the Power of God: tho' they have a faith of Chriſt in our nature, up in the viſible heavens, whom they new ſaw, nor knew, who hath declared, as it is written, Joh. 5.30. I can of mine own ſelf do nothing; ſaith he: this is to be underſtood in our nature as he was man; thus is he believed on by theſe Anti-chriſts and falſe Prophets, and known by them no other ways.

Theſe are undeniably Hypocrites, and Counterfeits fore-told off by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, that ſhould appear in theſe laſt days; and deceive the very elect if it were poſſible, by their hypocritical lying ſigns and wonders to deceive.

And therefore as we have taken a view of their deceiving Doctrine; let us in the next place take a view of their contrary practice to the Doctrine of Chriſt and his holy Apoſtles, to ſeduce and deceive the very elect if it were poſsible: and therefore let us take a view of the Doctrine of Chriſt; to ſee how contrary they Act to it, which may be ſeen by their Synagogue prayers, and trumpet ſounding alms, or publick Synagogue contributions, and hypocritical faſts. All theſe things are contrary to Chriſts Doctrine, Mat. 6.1. &c. which he commanded his Diſciples to perform in ſecret, and further theſe hypocrites deceive by their ſelf righteouſneſs, but live a faithleſs life and converſation, as Chriſt ſaith, Mat. 23.28. Ye are righteous before men, but are full of hypocriſie: and their Doctrine is feigned words, 2 Pet. 2 3. for Chriſt is not in them; and therefore it is not the voice of his Spirit; but as the Scripture ſaith with good words, and fair ſpeeches they deceive the hearts of the ſimple. Rom. 16 18. All theſe things are lying Signs and wonders to deceive, attended with their ſabbaths, and their ſolemn meetings. Iſai. 1.13. &c. Attended with their unclean and unwaſht hearts, Verſe 16. for they performing all theſe things in a polluted ſtate of ſin (Chriſt not being in them,) it is all an abomination to the Lord, for they are but reprobates, or counterfeit Silver, 2 Cor. 13 5. Jer. 6 30. having no fellowſhip with a Chriſt in them, ſo that all that they do, is but a form of godlineſs. theſe are they that the Apoſtle foretold us of, 2 Tim. 3 1. ver. compared with the 5th verſe This know that in the laſt days perilous times ſhall come. for men ſhall be lovers of themſelves, having a form of godlineſs, but denying the power thereof from ſuch turn away; now this power of godlineſs which they deny is chriſt in the Saints, tho they confeſs him to be in the viſible heavens, as he is a man, even as he is fleſh and blood with us, yet deny him in his perfect righteouſneſs in us; by whoſe righteous Spirit in us, we fulfil the law, Rom. 8 4. by whom we are ſtrengthened with might in our inner man, by his immediate power and preſence in us: which Doctrine they deny; tho' our predeceſſors in Scripture have fully given their teſtimony to the truth of it, as appears, Col. 1.25.2 • compared with the 27th verſe. Whereof I am made a Miniſter, according to the Diſpenſation of God, which is given to me, for you to fulfil the word of God, even the miſtery to whom God would make known, what is the riches of the glory of this miſtery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory. thus it appears, that a true faith is derived from a ſight or Chriſt in us: and we have no Grounds to hope for glory if we ſee not Chriſt dwelling in us: for he in us is the hope of glory, and power of godlineſs appearing in us, as a warriour againſt the power of the Devil that dwelt in us, whom he hath overcome for us, and taken from him the Seat of his throne and now hath taken our fleſhly bodies to be his habitation to dwell in, by his Spirit. Coll. 1.11. That we might be ſtrengthened with all might, according to his glorious power. And this Apoſtle that was called of God to preach this great miſtery, that theſe hypocrites, and Anti-chriſts in this our day know nothing of, doth declare to the Church of Epheſus; that he did bow his knees on their behalf Eph. 3.14. &c. To the Father of our Lord Jeſus Christ, that he would grant unto them that they might be ſtrengthened with might, by his Spirit in their inner man. This is the power of godlineſs ſeen and felt in the Saints: and this Spirit that ſtrengtheneth them is Chriſt in them, as appears in the 17th verſe. That Chriſt may dwell in your hearts by faith. this faith is derived from this fight of Chriſts dwelling in us, for this Spirit that ſtrengtheneth us with might in our inner man is Chriſt, 2 Cor. 3 17 thus Chriſt in us is the Spirit of faith; for the gift of the Spirit of Chriſt is the gift of faith: thus it appears that no man can have a ſaving faith of his Salvation till Chriſt comes into him, and Diethrones the Devil, that Rules and Reigns in him; for until then he is in his ſins.

My friends and brethren, I tell you glad tidings of great joy, that you may come and have fellowſhip with us, and truly our fellowſhip is with God the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt: and if we ſay we have fellowſhip with him, and walk ſo in darkneſs that we ſee not the truth of thoſe things, we are liars and the God of truth is not in us Gall. 2.20. I am crucified with Chriſt, ſaith Paul, but this was not Pauls body of fleſh that was crucified with Chriſt; but it was Chriſts body of fleſh that was crucified for Pauls body of Sin: and it was Pauls body of ſin that was crucified with Chriſts body of fleſh; by reaſon that Chriſts body of fleſh, was crucified for Pauls body of ſin: nevertheleſs ſaith Paul, I live, this is to demonſtrate to us that tho' he was crucified with Chriſt, yet his body of fleſh did live, and that it was only his body of ſin that was crucified with Chriſt; yet not I ſaith he but Chriſt liveth in me: this is to be underſtood that when Chriſt through the eternal Spirit (which Spirit was his divine nature) offered his ſpotleſs body of fleſh for Pauls ſinful and defiled body of ſin: then he in his divine nature, as he was the Son of God, entred into Pauls body of fleſh, to dwell there, that he might now be kept through faith unto Salvation: thus when Chriſt had deſtroyed the body of Sin, he takes poſſeſſion of the body of fleſh and lives there; and now Chriſt is greater in Paul, than he that was in him before his body of ſin was deſtroyed, or crucified: for now he is made free from ſin, Rom. 6 18.22. and Chriſt in him is the Spirit of faith, and this great miſtery of faith can be kept only by a pur • conſcience cleanſed by the blood of Je •• Chriſt upon the croſs▪ but Paul was a reprobate before he obtained this faith, 〈◊〉 Chriſts coming into him, and living in him now Paul can ſay, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himſelf for me, and now Chriſt dwells in him by faith eſſentially in his divine nature, as he is the Son of God. the firſt born before any creature, being that word, which in proceſs of time was made fleſh, and then became the Son of man alſo: for this word that was with God in the beginning was God, and all things was made by it, as appears in the firſt Chapter of Geneſes, and in the firſt Chapter of John It was God without any other nature, till it took hold of the Seed of David, for before it was only the Son of God, by whom he made the worlds, Heb. 1 2. and was the firſt born before any creature, Coll. 1.15.16. Eph. 3.9. Who created all things by Jeſus Chriſt. And his name is called the word of God. Rev. 10.13.

Beloved in the Lord theſe things have I written unto you, concerning them that ſeduce you, that you may come into this fellowſhip with God, and with the children of God who are ſeparated from all the • ecta • es, and are in this fellowſhip with God.

For the holy Scripture that teſtifie the truth of theſe things, are as a Light that ſhineth in a dark place; and you will do well to take heed unto them, until the day ſhall dawn, and the day light appear unto you, after this long and dark night of Apoſtacy: for none of theſe Scripture teſtimonies are of any private interpretation, but the earth is covered with darkneſs, and the people with groſs darkneſs; for the pen-men of theſe Scripture truths, ſpake by the inſpiration of the holy Ghoſt, and not by the wiſdom or learning of men: and for this end was they penned, that we might not be misled by Seducers.

Finally my brethren, if we will be chriſts diſciples, we muſt have no reſpect to Sects, or to ſay with them of old, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, as it is this day; the Papiſts is the right way ſaith one, another the Church of England, another is for the Presbiterian, another for the Quaker, another for the Baptiſts: are ye not carnal and Sectaries, and walk as men, is Chriſt divided, is he not a man of a Sea • leſs garment, and of a Spotleſs body, and preſents his Church to God, not having Spot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but that i • ſhould be holy and without blemiſh.

Thus we ſee the members of Chriſt are not Sectaries, but are united together in a perfect bond of Love and Unity: for Love is the bond of perfection, and by this ſaith Chriſt, ſhall all men know that ye are my diſciples: when ye love one another, for God is love, and all his children are taught of him to love one another. It is a new Commandment given unto us, by the Spirit of love, that came from God the fountain of love, who hath ſhed it in our hearts, by the holy ghoſt that dwelleth in us.

Grace be unto you all, Amen.