1 John 1

1 John 1:1

WHich was] namely, the Sonne of God, true, everlasting God, John 1:1. who also hath taken human nature, in which he hath manifested himselfe; he is the subject of our preaching Which we have heard] of whom we have been fully certified by all manner of proofes, of sence, of reason, and of Gods Spirit, Luke 1:2. 2 Peter 1:16. Our hands] a figurative speech, the handling being done by an immediate application of the Organ to the object, is the most certaine of all the sences, Luke 24:39. John 20:25. Of the Word] namely, of the Sonne of God, Iohn 1. 1. who hath not onely life in himselfe, but is likewise the authour of life in men, especially of the spirituall life, John 1. 4. & 5. 26. 1 John 5:11.

1 John 1:2

For the life] the Italian, and the life; namely, he that is the onely spring and dispenser of life Was manifested] namely, in the flesh, and the assumption of humane nature, John 1:14. 1 Timothy 3:16.

1 John 1:3

May have fellowship] or be by true faith united to the Church, and Christ its head, to be partakers of his goods and life; and are by him perfectly united with God, Iohn 17. 21.

1 John 1:4

That your joy] that is to say, that you may be the more confirmed in faith, and by this meanes may have the fruition of that divine joy which consists in the feeling of Gods grace, and in the comfort of the Spirit which may also increase in you, untill it is come to its perfection, 2 Iohn 12.

1 John 1:5

The message] that is to say, the summe of the Gospell consists in this, that we have communion with the father, that is to say, that we are by him called to the participation of his grace, life and glory: which cannot be done, but onely by meanes of regeneration to his likenesse, in righteousnesse, and glory No darknesse] of ignorance, error, falshood, and sinne.

1 John 1:6

If we say] this verse and those that follow, are also concerning that message We lie] because that the true union with God doth necessarily import a participation of his happinesse, and likenesse of his vertues, see 2 Corinthians 3:18.

1 John 1:7

He is in the] he in his owne proper nature, from everlasting, possesseth the perfection of vertues, which are meant by the light: whereas beleevers doe but onely walke in the light: that is to say, they live and converse, following that light of God which is conferred upon them by grace, and is not their owne by nature: and besides, they can never have the full fruition of it in this life, but do aspire thereunto by continuall progresse Cleanseth us] this cleansing is shewed, and felt by us by this undoubted triall of regeneration and sanctification, the workes of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost, being inseparable: and also by this progresse in holinesse, the application of Christs blood is assured unto us for the remission of sinnes, untill the end of our life, Revelation 22:11.

1 John 1:8

If we say] the Gospell also teacheth us that during this life, we are never quite without sinne: whereby we have alwaies need of Christs blood.

1 John 1:9

Faithfull] for to obtaine the promises of forgivenesse and grace: made unto those who with a true heart and lively feeling of their errors, doe confesse them, and by faith doe flie unto his mercie to aske forgivenesse for them And just] that is to say, benigne, mercifull, bountifull, or loyall and just in keeping his promises, See Romans 3:25.

1 John 1:10

We make him] because that by his Law and word, he redargues the whole world of sinne, and in regard that his promises are but onely of grace, and forgivenesse towards sinners; and that they cannot produce their effect, without confessing the sin: whereby he that doth not confesse it makes them unprofitable, as if they were false.