1 John 1

1 John 1:1

The apostle John opens the pious and charitable design which he had in writing this epistle, and lays the foundation of what he has further to say, in bearing his testimony to the holiness of God, and to the mercy which he exhibits in Jesus Christ to all who are truly sensible of their sins, and confess them with sincere desires of reformation and amendment. 1 John I. 1, to the end.

JOHN I. 1. THAT which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked up. MY Christian brethren, I am now going to address you on a very important subject; to speak of that which was from the beginning of the gospel declaration, and indeed from the beginning of the world, and previous to its existence; of that which we have heard most credibly attested by authentic witnesses, and that which we have not taken merely on their credit, but have seen with our own eyes; we are going to treat of that which we have at-

VOL. 6.

*St. John asserts, that they declared what they tentively looked upon,*ᵃ and viewed so near and so long, that it is impossible we should mistake in it; and which, in allusion to the condescension 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 handledᵇ of the word of eternal life. And well may it be styled the word of life; for even Jesus, who himself is the living word, and eternal life, was graciously manifested in human flesh for the redemption of sinful men; and we saw [it] in its full evidence, and we cheerfully bear our renewed testimony, and declare unto 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 the promised Messiah. And in consequence of this, what we have seen and intimately conversed with, and have not only heard of, but have ourselves heard speaking to us, we declare unto you; that ye also may have communion with us in that dignity and felicity to which we are, by Divine grace, exalted: and truly it is a glorious 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 each. And these things we write to you, that the Divine life may be so improved in your souls, and your meethness for the heavenly inheritance may be so apparent, and so advanced, that your joy may, as far as possible, be fulfilled, and no circumstance, which this mortal state will admit, may be wanting to complete it.

ᵃ That which we have attentively looked upon: c 1914. p. 152.) Mr. Blackwall observes, (in his Sacr. Class Vol. II. p. 152.) that it is by no means synonymous with the former clause, but hath a more emphatical signification, namely, that of choking attentively, with a kind of delight and admiration.

ᵇ Our hands have handled.] This probably refers to Thomas’s having insisted upon handling Christ’s body, in proof of

his resurrection, which being permitted, was a confirmation of this important fact to all after ages. Dr. Berriman supposes these words were particularly levelled against the Menandrians, who denied the real existence of the flesh of Christ, and asserted that it was only a visible appearance: they were therefore called ἐνεῖαι, and ἐνεῖαι See his Hist. of the Trin. p. 77.

For the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin.

And this is the great declaration which we have heard from him, upon which our faith most cheerfully centres, and which we again declare unto you, that God is perfect light, consummate knowledge and holiness; and in him there is no darkness at all, not the least mixture of ignorance, or of sin. And if we pretend to say, that we have communion with him, and walk in darkness, that is, go on in the practice of sin, 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 to it. But if, on the other hand, we walk in the light of holiness, as he himself is ever in the light of it, and surrounded with it as his brightest glory, we have then communion with 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 ever so numerous, or ever so heinous. And indeed it is a consolation which we absolutely 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 of our own guilt and imperfection. But if we confess our sins do God, with a becoming lowliness and contrition of spirit, he is not only merciful and gracious, but faithful and just, to 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 unrighteous-

God is light.] This expresses his most clear and perfect knowledge, for light discovers all things; his unspotted holiness, or 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 leaded in favour of po

Reflections on the regard to St. John’s message, &c.

ness, by his atoning blood, and the influence of that sanctifying Spirit which it has purchased for us.

This is our ground of confidence, and our refuge as sinners; and let us often renew our applications to it: for as on this foundation we are indeed secure, so on the other hand, if we 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 addressed 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; 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 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 rendered more complete and intense, by being in this manner imparted to others. 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 my implies, that Christianity does in effect corruption of human nature. assert, that we are all in a de-enerate state,

He wrote these things to them that they might not sin.

concerned, that as we desire to have fellowship with him, we 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 it, let us with humble thankfulness, apply to that blood, which is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Most freely confessing 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 justice will join with mercy, to ensure our deliverance from the punishment 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.