VII. keving that Jefus is the Chrift, is because SER M. there were even Then fome falfe Apostles, in whom the mystery of iniquity did already work: Who taught, that Jefus was not indeed the Chrift: That Chrift, the Son of God, was not indeed incarnate, was not made Man and fuffered for us really, but in appearance only: That Jefus, the perfon born of the bleffed Virgin, was not himself the Chrift, the Son of God; but that Chrift, the Son of God, was another perfon, fictitiously and in Name only united to Jefus who was the Son of Man. Against Thefe falfe Teachers, the Apostle argues through this whole Epistle; ch. ii. 22; Who is a Liar, but he that denieth that Jefus is the Chrift? From the Context it appears evidently, that he is not there arguing against profeffed Unbelievers, but against pretended Chriftians, who denied the reality of our Lord's Incarnation. Again, ch. iv. 1; Beloved, believe not every Spirit, (that is, every Prophet or Teacher,) but try the Spirits whether they are of God; because many falfe Prophets are gone out into the World: Hereby know де the Spirit of God; Every Spirit that confefes that Jefus SERM Jefus Chrift is come in the Flesh, (that is to VII. fay, that the Son of God was really incarnate and made Man for us,) is of God: And every Spirit that confeffeth not, that Jefus Chrift is come in the Flesh; is not of God. Again, 2 Epift. v. 7. Many deceivers are entred into the World, who confefs not that Jefus Chrift is come in the Flesh. And in the 4th ch. of this 1 Epistle, ver. 15; and ch. v. 1, 5; the Phrases, to confefs that Jefus is the Son of God, to believe that Jefus is the Chrift, and to believe that Jefus is the Son of God, are All used in the like Senfe, to express the reality of the incarnation of the Son of God, and that he truly and perfonally, (not in Appearance and Name only,) became the Son of Man. Hence, through this whole Epistle, these and the like Expreffions are conftantly to be understood as fignifying True and Sincere Christians. And therefore, I fay, the General Doctrine, laid down by St John in the first Verse of this Fifth Chapter, (and the Subject-matter indeed of the whole Epiftle,) is This; that every fincere Chriflian is a regenerate perfon, one that loves God and keeps his Commandments; living in the the habitual Practice of univerfal Virtue SER M. VII. and Righteousness. ON the other fide: Whofoever loves God, and defires to keep his Commandments, and is difpofed to become a regenerate perfon; will hardly fail of being fincerely a Chriftian: For fo the Apoftle goes on in the latter part of the first verse; Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth Him alfo that is begotten of Him; Every one that fincerely loves God, every one that is of a good and virtuous Disposition, will naturally love the Religion of Christ. And, that no man might mistake, wherein this Love of God confifts; he defines it in express words, ver. 3; This, fays he, is the Love of God, that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous. And the Reafon why his Commandments are not grievous, is because (fays he, ver. 4.) whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the World; A true Child of God, a fincere Chriftian, will defpife and conquer all the Temptations of a finful and debauched World. And the Means, by which he is inabled to VOL. VI. M conquer SER M.Conquer thefe Temptations, is Faith; VII. This is the Victory that overcometh the World, even our Faith: Our Faith, our firm Belief, of the Being and Government of God, and of his having appointed a day wherein he will judge the World in Righteousness; this is what will not fail to prevail over the temptations, of a wicked and debauched World. And because it is by the Revelation of Chrift, by the Doctrine and Preaching of the Gofpel, that this, Faith or firm Belief of a future Judgment is principally established in the minds of men; therefore in the 5th verse the Apostle proceeds to explain this Faith in the following manner; Who is He that overcometh, the World, but be which believeth that Jefus is the Son of God? that is, that he is the True Meffiah which was to come into the World, the Perfon appointed to be the Judge of Quick and Dead. THAT This is plainly the Meaning of the Phrafe, appears from the parallel places wherein the Scripture expreffes the fame Senfe in Other Words. Thus, what VII. in this 5th verfe is, believing that Jefus is SER M. the Son of God; is in the 1ft verse, believing that Jefus is the Chrift. And St Peter's confeffion, which in St Matthew's words, ch, xvi. 16; is, Thou art Chrift the Son of the Living God; is, in St Mark's words; ch. viii. 29; Thou art the Chrift. Again: The Queftion put to our Lord by the High-Prieft, which in St Matthew's words, ch. xxvi. 63; is, whether thou be the Chrift the Son of God; is, in St Luke's words, ch. xxii. 67; Art thou the Chrift? And Nathanael, in His Confeffion, Joh. i. 49, uses these two, as known Synonymous expreffions; Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Ifrael. THE Faith therefore, which, St John here tells us, overcometh the World; is the believing that Jefus is the True Messiah, the perfon appointed of God to be the Judge of Quick and Dead. Which Truth whofoever is firmly perfwaded of, will not eafily fuffer himself to be overcome by the Temptations of Sin, which he knows will expofe him to the final Wrath of God at That Great Day. M 2 WHERE |