1 John 5

1 John 5:1

BEleeveth] with a true and firme assent, and with a lively application to himselfe That Jesus] under this is comprehended the whole substance of Christian Religion Every one that] whosoever truely loves the father loves the children likewise for love of the father whose they are, and who is by them and in them represented.

1 John 5:2

That we love] namely, that the love of our neighbour is true and holy in us, and that it is regulated as it ought to be When we] namely, when our conscience witnesseth unto us that we love God above all things, and then our neighbours, under him, in him, and for the love of him.

1 John 5:3

Are not] because that the Holy Ghost gives beleevers the power, and will, to execute them, and to overcome all oppositions of the flesh, Romans 8:2; Romans 8:4 Philippians 2:12-13.

1 John 5:4

The World] namely, all the temptations; assaults, and deceipts of the divell, working in the world by his instruments The victory] namely, the onely meanes by which we have already obtained the beginning, and chiefe part of the victory against the divell and his kingdome; and by which also we are assured to overcome the residue Our faith] by which we apprehend and apply unto our selves the victory of Christ our head, Iohn 16. 33. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Revelation 12:11. and by which also he works in us, and beats down the divell under our feet, Romans 16:20. 1 Peter 5:9.

1 John 5:6

That came] who being true glorious God in Heaven, hath taken upon him humane nature on earth, to bring these two benefits to men, namely, satisfaction for sinne by his death, to disannull the guilt and curse of it, which is meant by the name of blood. And next, of purification from the inward corruption, by the spirit of sanctification, which is meant by water Not by water] that is to say, it was convenient that before he sanctified man in himselfe, he should justifie him before God: for God doth not give his Spirit of grace, but onely to those whom he hath received into grace by meanes of the satisfaction and reconciliation made by Christ That beareth] outwardly by the word, and inwardly in the heart of every beleever Because the] the Holy Ghost alone doth this, because that he onely is able and sufficient to doe it, being he is the Spirit of truth and witnesse by sight, and who is of a most intimate communion in Gods secrets, Iohn 14 17. & 1. 26. & 16. 13. 1 Cor.〈◊〉. 10, 11.

1 John 5:7

That beare witnesse] of the same truth by glorious effects, proper to each of the three persons of the holy Trinity, See Iohn 5. 32. & 8. 18 Are one] namely, in essence, and most perfect union of operation, especially in regard of this witnessing.

1 John 5:8

And there are three] there are likewise three things which confirme this truth in the heart of be leevers in this world, spoken of vers. 6. namely, the presence and effects of the Holy Ghost in them, in life, strength, and light, &c. Secondly, the lively feeling of the continuall forgivenesse of their sins, see Hebrews 11:24. Thirdly, the worke of their sanctification which continueth and goeth forward in them: which benefits being all divine, not brought forth by any humane art or industry doe testifie that all proceeds from Christs benefit and vertue. Unlesse the Apostle would applie these three witnessings to the three persons of the Trinity. The water, that is to say, the grace to the Father; the blood, that is to say, the redemption to the Sonne, the Spirit, that is to say, the light and spirituall vertue, to the Holy Ghost In one] namely, to prove the same truth of, v. 6.

1 John 5:9

If we] if in humane affaires we doe believe the uniforme and well agreeing testimony of divers witnesses, much more ought we to beleeve Gods witnesse, in which the three persons doe concurre For this is] I speake thus, because the whole Trinity hath testified, and doth testifie this truth with is spoken of, v. 6.

1 John 5:10

In himselfe] that is to say, sounding, and imprinted in his heart, by the Holy Ghost, which dwelleth in him, and certifies, and puts him out of doubt, concerning this truth A lyer]because he doth implicitely reprove him of falshood, judging him not fit to be believed, though he be convinced in his owne conscience, that these proofes and arguments cannot proceed from any but God.

1 John 5:11

This life] namely, the causes, foundation, and originall of it.

1 John 5:12

Hath the Sonne] that is to say, doth apprehend and possesse him firmely by faith.

1 John 5:13

That ye have] you have a right to it, a beginning and first fruit, an earnest and assurance of the accomplishment of it That ye may believe] that ye may persevere, increase, and grow strong in faith.

1 John 5:14

And this is] namely, if we doe truely believe.

1 John 5:15

If we know] that is to say, Gods hearing ones prayer is not in vaine, but alwaies accompanied with its effect.

1 John 5:16

Which is not] that is to say, which shall not by certaine proofes appeare to be a sinne against the Holy Ghost, by which man fals into everlasting death, without pardon or remission.And he shall give] that is to say, God shall pardon him, and so free him from everlasting death.

1 John 5:18

That wicked one] that is to say, he is in a manner defended against all his assaults, so that he cannot give him any deadly wounds.

1 John 5:19

Whole world] namely, the multitude of those that are out of Christs body and Kingdome Lieth] as it were in a deepe puddle. Or, in a dead sleepe, Or, under the power and command of the wicked one.

1 John 5:20

That is true] the Italian, that is the true; namely, the true eternall God, John 17:3. We are] that is to say, all true beleevers, are engrafted into Christ by faith, and are borne up, and live in the union of his body Eternall life] that is to say, the onely author, and fountaine of it, and also the onely meanes to obtaine it.