The inspired historian begins his narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, 1. With a review of the gospel history from the resurrection to the ascension of our Lord, ver. 1—11. 2. With a general idea of the embryo of the Christian church, and its state from Christ's ascension to the pouring out of the Spirit, ver. 12—14. 3. With a particular account of the filling up of the vacancy that was made in the sacred college by the death of Judas, by the electing of Matthias in his room, ver. 15—26. Luke i. 3. 1. THE former treatise have I made, O' Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the 3 holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles, whom he had chosen. 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4. And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, you have heard of me. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost, not many days hence. St. Luke, the supposed penman of this book, ad. dreffes it, as he had done his gospel, to Theophilus his noble catechumen. 1. He Evidence given concerning Christ's person and excellency, ver. 1, 2. The knowledge thereof gives us communion with God and Christ, ver. 3. And joy, ver. 4. A description of God, ver. 5. How we are thereupon to walk, ver. 6. The benefit of all such walking, ver. 7. The way to forgiveness, ver. 9. The evil of denying our sin, ver. 8, 9, 10. THAT which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life; 2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us) 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 6. 1—4. The blessed penman of this epistle immediately enters into his subject. Full of Christ, he breaks forth; That which was from the beginning, that glorious and divine person, who from eternity as the Son, subsisted with the Father in the same undivided essence, which, in the fulness of time, became incarnate, we have heard, preaching his everlasting gospel, which we have seen with our eyes, living and dying, which we have looked upon, attentively regarding him both before and after his resurrection from the dead, and our hands have handled, so that we have the strongest and most indubitable evidence of his true humanity, and of the reality of his resurrection in the same body, which before his death he had assumed into personal union with himself, who emphatically bears the name of the word of life, being the fountain of natural life to every creature, and the giver of spiritual and eternal life to his redeemed people, (for the life, the Lord of life and glory, was manifested in the flesh, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, who from everlasting existed in the unity of the Godhead, which was with the Father, one with him in co-essential glory, and was, in the fulness of time, according to the prophetic word, manifested to us in the human nature) that adored personage, which we have seen and heard, and concerning whom we are most incontestably assured that our record is true, HIM we declare unto you, as God and Man in one Christ, as the only and all-sufficient Saviour, through whom all blessings in time and eternity are obtained for his people; and we publish his officers, glory and gospel, that ye also may have fellowship with us in all the inestimable privileges which he bestows on his chosen, on us and all who believe on his name; and truly this communion is of the most transcendently-glorious nature, for our fellowship is with the Father himself, and with his Son Jesus Christ, in and through whom we are admitted into the nearest, most honourable and eternal union and friendship with the God of glory. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full, abounding with consolation in the experience of the present invaluable privileges of pardon, adoption, and grace, and advancing to the perfection of joy in heaven, and to the pleasures which are at God's right hand for evermore. Note, (1.) It is the dignity of every faithful soul that he is admitted into communion with God, and is one with Jesus, as a member of his body mystical. (2.) They who know the Saviour experimentally, as united to him in faith and love, have within them a fund of never-ending consolation, a well of living waters springing up into everlasting life. 5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lye, and do not the truth: 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. —7. Having mentioned the Author of the everlasting gospel, the apostle passes on to the message which they had received from him to deliver unto men. 1. Concerning God. That this is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light; a Spirit absolutely pure, infinite in all perfections, without the truth, shadow of possibility of imperfection; and in him is an darkness at all. Note, Our poor and finite ideas are unable adequately to comprehend the divine excellences; nay, angels before him will their faces, for he dwelleth in that light which no creature can approach unto, so as fully to discern his glory. What we know of him is rather by removing every defect from him, and saying what he is not, rather than what he is. 2. Concerning those who professed to believe in him. [1.] If we say that we have fellowship with him, through the gospel of his dear Son, and yet notwithstanding, such as darkness, the allowed servants of sin, which is so opposite to his effectual purity, we say, and do not the truth; our faiths is evident in his all-searching eye, and our practice contradicts our professions, and proves our hypocrisy. But, [2.] if we walk in the light of truth and holiest, under the guidance of his Spirit, and according to our Christian profession, as he is in the light, resembling him in his communicable perfections; then we have fellowship we wish another; we dwell in God, and God in us, enjoying the most distinguishing communion with him in Spirit; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin; completely justified in God's light, free from all condemnation, and assured also that the being of sin in us shall be shortly for ever rooted out. Blessed and happy are they whom this blood cleanses, and who are admitted into this holy fellowship! 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. v. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a lyar, and his word is not in us. —10. The apostle, to prevent all misconception, as if perfection were to be attained here below, plainly declares, that sin shall cleaves to those who are nearest and dearest to God. For, 1. If we say that we have no sin, not that we never had, but that we have it not now; if we, even the highest apostles, dare make such an arrogant boast, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; we are under a most dangerous error and delusion. And he repeats the admonition, v. 10. to guard more strongly against all the pride of pretended perfectionists: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a lyar, by directly contradicting his truth; because being by nature corrupted creatures, we remain, and must remain whilst in the body, imperfect; and, if we deny it, his word is not in us, which every where supposes and declares us to be such; for if we were not, the exercise of faith in the atoning blood, and of daily repentance, would be at us end. 2. If we confess our sins, and humbly, through faith in Jesus Christ, apply for the promised mercy of God, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins: faithful to the covenant of grace, and to his promise made therein to the Redeemer on the behalf of his people; just, because having received the ransom of atoning blood, it is become an act of justice to pardon those who plead it, and to cleanse them from all unrighteousness. Note, Our acceptance with God stands not on the footing of mercy only, but is assured to us by that very perfection of holiness which seemed most strongly to militate against the sinner's hope. Here the apostle encourages against sins of infirmity, ver. 1, 2. Shows the true knowledge and love of God, ver. 3—6. Renews the precept of fraternal love, ver. 7—11. Addresses Christians of several ages, ver. 12—14. Wants against worldly love, ver. 15—17. Against seducers, ver. 18, 19. Shows the security of true Christians, ver. 20—27. And advises to abide in Christ, ver. 28, 29. 1. 2. Rom. viii. 1. MY little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4. He that faith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a lyar, and the truth is not in him. 5. But who keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6. He that faith be abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. We have here, 1. The design which the apostle chiefly aimed at in what he had written. My little children, whom I regard with the rendered sensations of paternal love, these things require I unto you, that ye sin not; watchful against every surprise and temptation, and never allowing yourselves in the practice of it. And if any man, through the infirmity of his nature, be drawn aside from the way of God's commandments, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who shall still plead our cause, when we with shame and sorrow return to him, whose everlasting righteousness shall stand us in stead before the throne of God. And he is the abiding propitiation for our sins, having made the full atonement, and obtained eternal redemption for us, paying that ransom which is available not only for all just, but for all future transgressions to our lives and: and not for our sin; only, who were once, as Jews, his peculiar and covenant people; but for the sins of the whole world, of Gentile believers also, who are admitted to the participation of the same privileges, and become the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Note, (1.) The advocacy of Jesus is founded upon his everlasting righteousness, and perfect atonement, and therefore is ever available: no cause put into his hand can miscarry. (2.) Whilst with holy jealousy we war against sin, we must not, if at any time cast down, sink into despair: we have one before the throne, who ever liveth to make intercession for us; and God for his sake will abundantly pardon. (3.) Christ's salvation is universal to sinners of all ranks and nations, who come to God by him: none shall be in any wise cast out. 2. The rule of judgment concerning our real knowledge of Christ. And hereby we do know that we know him, and have the fullest demonstration of our real acquaintance with him, and of our genuine faith and love, if we keep his commandments, and unreservedly yield up ourselves to be guided by his holy word and will He that faith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, living in the allowed and habitual practice of iniquity, or a lyar, and the truth is not in him, however confident his boasts may be, and however high his pretensions. But whose keepeth his word, in doctrine and practice, faithfully desiring to correspond therewith in all things, in him verily is the love of God perfected; its prevailing influence, and unfeigned sincerity is hereby manifested; and by this know we that we are in him; vitally united to the living head, eternally interceded in all the privileges of his gospel, in which the hypocrisy hath neither part nor lot. He that faith be abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked; copying the divine pattern, and, though as an humble distance, following the footsteps of the holy Jesus. Note, The profession of Christianity, without the practice of true godliness, is but an empty name. They who are truly Christ's, will prove it not only in their lips, but by their lives. 7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9. He that faith he is in the light, and hareth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11. But he that hareth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. The apostle, as the most distinguishing character of true discipleship, and the great command of the divine Master, earnestly inculcates the great duty of brotherly love. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but remind you of an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: written upon the heart of man in innocence, and enforced in that revelation which God from the first made unto men. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning, wherein love is enjoined as the fulfilling of the law. Again a new commandment I write unto you, the same indeed in substance, but enforced by new motives, encouragements, affilances, and examples; which thing is true in him and in you; manifested most strikingly in that divine pattern of love which he set before you, and which you have in a gracious measure humbly imitated. Because the darkness of the former dispensation is past, and the true light now shineth, the Sun of righteousness is within, and the shadows are tied, the glorious gospel bringing us forth as it were into the meridian light of truth, and demanding from us a conversation suitable to the peculiar advantages which we enjoy. He that faith be is in the light, and prophecies faith in Jesus, the light of the world, and hath his brother, is in darkness; even until now, a stranger to the godlike spirit of charity which the gospel breaches, and covered with the black night of sin and error. He that doubt his brother, as a fellow-member of Christ's mythical body, and because he is the child of the same heavenly Father, abideeth in the light of truth, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him; he will carefully avoid whatever would offend or weaken his brother's soul. But he that hath his brother, and harbours an uncharitable, envious, proud, and untempered disposition, is in darkness, under the evident dominion of Satan and sin; and uneth in darkness, all his ways being perverse before God; and demons not whether he goeth, nor is aware of the dreadful issue of his ways, because that the darkness of his fallen heart hath blinded his eyes to all the dire consequences of sin. Note, (1.) Charity is the distinguishing characteristic of the Christian. (2.) If there be a creature living, against whom we harbour all loved envy, malice, or revenge, in whose misery we should delight, or whose good we desire not to promote, we brand ourselves the children of darkness. 12. I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideeth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 16. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doth the will of God abideeth for ever. The great duty of love is equally the concern of all ranks and degrees of Christians, whatever their several attainments may be in the divine life. 1. He adoreseth himself to Christians in every stage of their profession. I write unto you, little children, and as a powerful incentive to the exercise of charity, urge this duty upon you, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake; and having much forgiven, you should love much. Note, The lowest in the Christian life hath received the free and full pardon of all their sins, this being the soft great privilege of the gospel, of which every babe in Christ is immediately a partaker. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning, and by long acquaintance with his grace and love, are peculiarly called and engaged to show the same divine charity to others; and none are to far advanced, as less to need the word of exhortation. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one, and have been made more than conquerors over sin, and Satan, and the world, through him that loved you. And to impress more deeply my exhortation, I repeat my words. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father; and, young as you are in the Christian life, have talked of the goodness and love of your heavenly Father. I have written unto you, fathers, grown old in the happy experience of the good ways of Christ, because ye have known him that is from the beginning, and entered deep into the mysteries of his everlasting grace, and his transcendent excellence. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong in faith and knowledge, and the exercise of every heavenly temper; and the word of God abideeth in you, Christ being formed in your hearts, and his gospel dwelling in you richly, and influencing all your conversation; and ye have overcome the wicked one, and hitherto effectually defeated all his efforts against your souls, and will, I trust, go on this conquering and to conquer; and blessed are they who are thus strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 2. He solemnly warns them all, whatever their several attainments may be, to beware of this present evil world. Love not the world, let not your afflictions thereon; neither inordinately seek, nor be immoderately delighted with, the things that are in the world. If any man supremely love the world, and let his heart upon it, as his home and his happiness, the love of the Father is not in him; it is evident that such an one is not the object of his choice and regard; hath never experienced a sense of his love, nor felt any real heart-attachment to God in Christ, as his portion and exceeding great joy. For all that is in the world, to engage and seduce the heart from God, the lust of the flesh, whatever ministers to the lawless gratification of appetite, and leads to excels, doth, intemperance, luxury, drunkenness, re- velling, and every kind of impunity; and the lust of the eyes, the gain, possessions, wealth, and glittering riches which the covenants eye gazes upon with such rapture, and eager desire after them; and the pride of life, the pomp and splendor of titles, chew, equipage, humoury, magnificence, which gratify the vanity, and inflame the ambition of the fallen mind; of all and either of these we must say, that it is not of the Father; worldly things were not given to be thus abused, nor are these the objects on which God's children place their affections; but we know, that each of these things is of the world; they are the flattering baits which the god of this world, the devil, spreads to enslave the sensual and earthly hearts of fallen men, and to seduce them from their true Lord and Master. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; great and desirable as the things of it appear in the eye of those, they are poor, perishing, unsatisfactory in the enjoyment, and transitory; often in time flying our grasp, and certainly at death must fail us: but he that doth the will of God abideeth for ever; hath a more enduring substance; his fidelity to death shall be covered with immortal life and glory; his pleasures in eternity shall be infirmely, suppose to all the delights of sense; and his inheritance above incorruptible, undefeed, and which fadeeth not away. Oh! that thou mayest be wise, reader, and learn to weigh time and eternity, this world and the next, in the balances of the sanctuary! 18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that 'antichrist shall come,' even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for 'if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21. I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth: but because ye know it, and that no lye is of the truth. 22. Who is a lyer but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son. 23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledged the Son, hath the Father also. 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father. 25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26. The things have written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideeth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you: but, as the same anointing 'teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lye: and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. As the mystery of iniquity had begun already to work, the apostle, 1. Reminds them, that the Jewish dispensation was now ready to expire utterly with the destruction of their temple, city, and nation. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists; either those who among the Jewish people let up themselves for the Messiah; or rather, who under the Christian profession opposed and denied the person, officer, and gospel of Christ; broaching their berecical terms, and perverting many from the truth. They went out from us, from our communion and society; but they were not of us, not had ever truly been renewed by grace: for if they had been of us, and partakers of the like precious faith with us, they would no doubt have continued with us, and perfected in the principles and practices of the gospel: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us, but from the beginning were false-hearted professors, who never called of the grace of God in truth. Note, They who fall away finally, we may assuredly conclude, never were truly converted, whatever (pecious professors) they might have made. 2. He encourages them to trust, and not be afraid, since no seducers should ever be able to move them from their sleddeness. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, from the Spirit of grace and truth, which through the exalted Saviour hath been bestowed upon you; and ye know all things necessary to preserve you from the wiles of deceivers, and to bring you to everlasting salvation. I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth; but because ye know it, and are established in the principles of the gospel, and the fundamental doctrines of Christ; and know that no lye is of the truth, but the very sweet, and proven the hypocrisy and apolysory of those who by fraud and error would support their berecical doctrines. Note, They who are truly taught of God shall be preserved from every fatal delusion. 3. He 3. He particularly points out these feduers, by their tenets. Who is a jour, and to be deemed an impeller, but he that dreads that 'Jefus is the Chrift, rejecting him as the true Messiah? He is antichrist, and bears the brand of this hateful name, that deneth the Father and the Son, either confounding the persons in the Godhead, or dividing the substance; or denying that flood of evidence, wherewith God the Father hath borne witness to the mission and incarnation of his dear Son. Whoever deneth the Son, his personality and essential Deity, or the office he bears as Mediator, the same hath not the Father, holds not the true doctrine of the persons in the undivided Godhead, and of the relation which God the Father bears to God the Son; and thereto denies all that revelation which he hath made of pardon and reconciliation, through the substitution of the incarnate Redeemer: but he that acknowledge the Son, hath the Father also; he that recovers the Lord Jefus by faith as the only Saviour, and confesses him to be the eternal Son of God, he hath the true knowledge of God the Father, and an interest in his favour and love. [The last clause of this text is wanting in many editions, but appears in others, of great authority, and is admitted into our version, though marked with Italics, as a supplement which elucidates the foregoing part of the verse.] 4. He exhorts them to cleave to the old truth, for novelty of doctrine is the sure proof of error. Let that therefore abide in you which he have heard from the beginning, when the gospel was first preached unto you. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye only shall continue in the Son and in the Father, and holding the profession of your faith unwavering, shall enjoy the most happy communion with the Father through the Son, until you came to his kingdom in glory. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life, which he will infallibly fulfil to those who abide in him, and will bring them to the beatific vision and enjoyment of his blessed self for ever and ever. 5. He mentions one great purpose of this epistle. They they have a written unto you concerning them that labour to seduce and pervert you from the simplicity which is in Christ. But the amazing which ye have received of him abideth in you, the Spirit which he hath given you shall continue to teach, direct, and lead you aright; and ye need not that any man teach you; cannot want the help of these pretended wise men to instruct you above what is written: but, as the same amusing teacheth you of all things, and hath opened your eyes to see in the revealed world all things that pertain unto life and godliness, and is truth, and is no fee, but directly contrary to the Spirit of error which advances these feduers: and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him, your living head, and continue under the blessed influence and guidance of his truth and grace unto the end. 1 Chap. iii. 2 Chap. iv. 4 Affe. xiii. 6 Chap. iii. 7, 10. 28. And now, little children, abide in him; that 'when he shall appear we may have confidence,' and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29. 'If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that 'every one that doth righteousness is born of him. v. 28, 29. From what he had said, the apostle closes with this affectionate exhortation to them: And now, little children, abide in him, maintaining the closest communion with Jesus, and walking in the lively exercise of faith and hope, and love towards him, unmoved from the doctrines of his gospel by the wiles of deceivers; that when he shall appear on the throne of judgment at the last day, we may have confidence and boldness to appear in his presence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming, when we your ministers shall not be disappointed of our hopes, but meet you as our joy and crown, and, together with you, stand forth without fault, and blameless, acknowledged by him as his people, and admitted into the joy of our Lord. If, or since, ye know that he is righteous, perfectly righteous himself, the lover and author of all righteousness in his redeemed, ye know that every one that doth righteousness is born of him, and thereby gives a demonstration that he is a partake of a divine nature, and hath the possession of spiritual life, which is the pledge of that which will be eternal. Note, (1.) They only will have boldness in a day of judgment who are found in Christ, and perseveringly cleave to him. (2.) Everlasting shame and contempt will cover those, who ungratefully, unfaithfully, and pervertely have departed from the truth, and shall be disowned of Jesus in the day of his appearing and glory. (3.) The evidence of a divine nature must be manifested in a good concretation; for whatever conceits men may entertain of themselves, it is by their fruits they must be known. The apostle here magnifies the love of God in our adoption, ver. 1, 2. He thereupon argues for ballistic, ver. 3, and against sin, ver. 4—10. He professeth brotherly love, ver. 11—18. How to assure our hearts before God, ver. 19—21. The precept of faith, ver. 23. And the good of obedience, ver. 24. 4. He should what manner of love the Father hath followed upon us, that 'we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,' because it knew him not. 2. Beloved, 'now are we the sons of God, and 'it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear,' we shall be like him; for 'we shall see him as he is. 3. And 'every man that hath this hope in him puriseth himself, even as he is pure. The apostle here, 1. Breaks forth with admiration in the view of the love of God towards his people. Should, with wonder and nature, what manner of love the Father hath followed upon us in Jesus Christ, that we, by nature and practice to vile, corrupt, and sinful, should, notwithstanding, be adopted into his family, and be called the sons of God, advanced to that transcendent dignity and honour: therefore the world, who have these minds wholly engrossed with sensible objects, and have no discernment of spiritual things, knoweth us not; far from esteeming and valuing us, they decide and perfectate us for that image which we bear, because it knew him not, they are ignorant of God; and when this Son appeared incarnate, they mailed him to a tree. Note, (1.) The meanest child of God hath a dignity infinitely greater than the full-born of princes. (2.) It will be matter of everlasting wonder and praise to the redeemed, that ever God should set his love upon them. (3.) If we are treated with decision and contempt by this wicked world, we should remember the cross which Jesus bore, and be ashamed to murmur. 2. He declares the high expectations of God's children. Believed, now are we the sons of God; this is our present honour; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; greater blessedness is in store for us than eye hath seen, or ear heard, or it hath entered into the heart of man to conceive: but we know that, when he shall appear, who is our head, even Christ, we shall be with him, admitted to his presence, and partakers of all his glory; for we shall see him as he is, and our bodies as well as souls shall be fashioned after his bright image. Note, The day of judgment will be a day of triumph to every redeemed soul; then at least they shall be perfected in holiness and happiness for ever. 3. Such a hope cannot but have the most powerful influence upon our conduct. And every man that hath this hope in him puriseth himself, even as he is pure, letting Christ's glorious pattern before him, and earnestly desirous to obtain a holy conformity to him in all things. Note, The hope that doth not lead us to holiness, is but the hope of the hypocrite, which periseth. 4. Whoever commiteth sin, transgresseth also the law: for 'sin is the transgressors of the law. 5. And ye know that 'he was manifested 'to take away our sins; and 'in him is no sin. 6. Whoever abideth in him sinneeth not: 'whoever sinneeth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7. Little children, 'let no man deceive you: 'He that doth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: 8. 'He that commiteth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneeth from the beginning. For this purpose 'the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9. 'Whoever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for 'his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: Whoever doth not righteousness is not of God, 'neither he that loveth not his brother. Nothing can more strongly urge the believer to strive against sin, than the arguments which the apostle here urges upon him. 1. Sin is the breach of God's holy law. Whoever commiteth sin, transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgressors of the law. Every deviation from that perfect rule brings guilt upon the conscience, and so far clouds our hope; and where sin is the allowed practice, there all hope towards God must be delusion. 2. The very end of Christ's redemption was to cleanse us from all iniquity. And ye know that he was manifested in the flesh on purpose to take away our sins, both the guilt of them from the conscience, and to break the power of them in our hearts; and in him is no sin: all therefore, who belong to him, must shew that the design of his incarnation is answered respecting them in their deliverance from the bondage of corruption, and in their growing conformity to his blessed image. 3. An allowed and habitual course of sin is utterly contradictory to real union with Christ. Whoever abideth in him, as the branch in the view, deriving constant supplies of grace out of his fulness, sinneeth not with freedom, choice, delight, and perseverance, but hates sin as the greatest evil, and desires to keep at the greatest distance from it: whoever sinneeth, determinedly, with satisfaction, and full purpose to abide in the practice of it, hath