1 John 4

1 John 4:1

SPirit] that is to say, The doctrine propounded under the name of inspiration of the holy Ghost, or Doctor that shall say, he hath any such revelations But trie] namely, by the rule of Gods word, with all care and diligence, see Iohn 5. 39 Acts 17:11 Revelation 2:2.

1 John 4:2

Every Spirit] that is to say, every Doctrine or Doctor Confesseth] that retains the pure faith and profession of Christs office and person, which is particularly spoken in regard of certain hereticks which were sprung up even in those dayes.

1 John 4:3

Is it] insomuch as Christs person was already contradicted by those hereticks, as the chief Antichrist was to fight against, and usurpe his kingdom and domination.

1 John 4:4

Of God] regenerate and guided by his Spirit Have overcome] ye have withstood those Doctors endeavours and actions, and have persevered in faith, and have convinced and confuted them Greater is he] namely, the Spirit of God which dwelleth and reigneth in you, is more powerfull then the Devils spirit which worketh in the world, John 12:31. 1 Corinthians 2:12.Ephes. 2. 2. and 6. 12.

1 John 4:5

They] as these hereticks are altogether sensuall and worldly, without any lively light or Spirit of God, 1 Corinthians 2:14. such is their doctrine also And the world] namely, sensuall men that are like unto them, John 15. 19. and 17. 14.

1 John 4:6

We are] we Apostles are indeed sent by God, and instructed and directed by his Spirit, and all our doctrines and motions proceed from him That knoweth] that is, truly enlightned by him in faith and sound judgement in spirituall things, see 1 Corinth. 14. 37. 2 Corinthians 10:7 Hereby] namely, by holding with Apostolicall Doctrine, for the holy Ghost never varieth, but is the same, and alwayes agreeth in one thing, and hee himself hath given that Doctrine for an everlasting rule to discerne true inspirations from false ones, see Isaiah 8:20.

1 John 4:7

Is of God] is a true and proper vertue belonging to all those that are regenerate and governed by the Spirit That liveth] namely, in God, and according to God Is born] that is to say, doth shew himself truly to be such, by proper, perpetuall, and infallible effects.

1 John 4:8

Knoweth not] namely, that true and lively knowledge which transformeth a man into his image, 2 Corinthians 3:18 Is love] namely, a God highly and infinitely loving and bounteous, especially towards his elect and beleevers.

1 John 4:10

Herein] Gods love consists not in that we having loved him first, hee hath enterchangeably loved us again with the like love; but in that he hath prevented us with his love, when we were his enemies.

1 John 4:12

No man] though God be invisible and incomprehensible to man in this life, yet is he present and united with his beleevers by means of the Spirit of love which he granteth them, whereby he brings forth in them the Soveraigne effect of his love, which is to transform them to his own image, vers. 17.

1 John 4:14

And we have] this depends upon, vers. 6. The meaning is, we Apostles are faithfull witnesses of this fundamentall truth, for wee speak as by sight, namely, by an undoubted certainty of Gods Spirit in spirituall things: And by corporall sight in such things as could be apprehended by the senses, having seen Christ in the flesh, conversed with him, seen his works, and heard his doctrine, see 1 Corinthians 15:5. 2 Peter 1:16. 1 John 11.

1 John 4:15

Shall confesse] with his mouth, beleeving it verily in his heart, Romans 10:9 That Iesus] under this head of Christian faith, which was contrary to the heresics of those dayes, are comprehended all the rest which are inseparable in their own nature, for if he be the Son of God, all his Doctrine is everlasting truth.

1 John 4:16

And we] namely, we Apostles, have not onely been enlightned in the foresaid knowledge, but likewise have by faith received a lively feeling of Gods grace towards us: which is firme, and perpetuall, through the gift of love created in us, and therefore we exhort all beleevers to faith and love, vers. 6, 7.

1 John 4:17

Made perfect] it is to come to its height of perfection: seeing we receive not onely the effects, but also a lively impression and likenesse of it That we may] that is to say, which is a most certaine and sensible proofe unto us of Gods grace, and of the liuely application of it; whereby our consciences are emboldned against the terrors of the judgement to come, Matth.25. 35 As he is] namely, in holinesse and righteousnesse, love, &c Luke 6:36. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Ephesians 4:24 Colossians 3:10 Hebrews 12:10. 2 Peter 1:4.

1 John 4:18

No feare] namely, no terrible feare of an unavoydable evill, which causeth trouble of the mind and weakning of the strength Perfect love] namely, true, lively, and sincere love, which hath all its essentiall parts towards God and men, 1 John 3:18-19 Casteth out] that is to say, it is towards God, not for feare of his terrible Majesty and judgement, but through a sweet, humble, and reverend apprehension of his grace and goodnesse, by which he hath made and declared himselfe most loving to the soule; whereby is ingendered hope and confidence. As likewise, love towards ones neighbour doth confirme the heart in the certainty of Gods love; it being the worke of the Holy Ghost, and the holy Ghost the Seale of Grace, see 2 Timothy 1:7 Hath torment] and love contrariwise is nothing but joy, comfort and mildnesse:

1 John 4:19

Because he] because he by his love, hath not onely bound and induced us to love him (for love bringeth forth love) but hath also given us the power and facultie to doe it; enlighten our minds in the lively knowledge of him, and moving our hearts to love him.

1 John 4:20

He is a lyer] because these two commandements are inseparable, Matth. 22. 38, 39. and the brother is the Sonne of God bearing the Fathers Image, 1 Peter 5:1. and the true love of God, consists in obeying him, John 14:21. 1 John 5:3 Whr he hath] he hath a relation to that love springeth from the sight and knowledge. The meaning is, if man by the sences which doe apprehend the communion and similitude of nature, and any thing that is good and comely in another man, is not moved to love him: it is impossible that he should be moved to love God who is invisible, and incomprehensible, seeing he hath no naturall love: and so long as he is such, he is not capable of supernaturall love, which the Holy Ghost inserts in the other, as in his owne subject and vessell, and by it sanctifies and sublimes it, see 1 Timothy 5:8.