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In the beginning was the word, that is, in the beginning of time,* 1.1 of things, when the world was created out of nothing, then was the word, then it had its being and exi∣stence; other things had their beginning, they being then made, but he being not a thing made in time, but
eternall, was then. This is a short delivering the true sense of the words, and I shall endeavour (God willing) to explaine them.
The first Term which I shall endeavour to expound is this Term (Word) a word is twofold, internall,* 1.2 and ex∣ternall; internall is that expression our intellect, or un∣derstanding, hath of its conceipt within its self; exter∣nall, is the expression of that internall conceipt, (I will not here stand upon the difference betwixt Sermo and Verbum, it is not materiall) that there is such a diffe∣rence, is apparent to any man who will consider how he deliver's nothing with his tongue, which he hath not a notion of, in his understanding, before; and that, which he deliver's with his tongue, is the same which was be∣fore in his understanding; in the Wombe when it is in the understanding, in its birth when it is delivered by the mouth; it had an internall being in the Soul, an externall being in the voice; now words are produced two wayes, either by voice, or by the hand; by the mouth, or the pen; this Philosophy we must needs apprehend, after our weak manner, to be true; true concerning God, for we cannot think of God as we ought, but we must think that he doth actually know his owne infinite excellen∣cyes, and all whatsoever he intend's to doe, or doth, in Heaven or Earth; this knowledge, being active, produ∣ceth somewhat which is his Word; when he pleaseth to expresse himselfe outwardly to man, he doth it two wayes, or by two sorts of words, written in the hearts of men, or in the Creatures legibly, which are two Books, in which God expresseth his will; or else by voice, im∣mediately framed by himselfe, or his Prophets inspired by him; the Scripture confirme's all this Philosophy; First for men, I need not write of their inward Words;
Psal. 10.6. speaking of the wicked man, he hath said in his heart, I shall never be removed; so Psal. 14.1. The foole hath said in his heart, there is no God; many times there are words and Speeches in the heart, which were ne∣ver delivered by Tongue or Pen; but never any delivered outwardly, that was not first conceived inwardly; a man may as well be borne, who was never conceived; we may discerne the Spirit of God, shewing us all those wayes of God's speaking, outwardly, Mat. 3. and the last. Lo a voice from Heaven saying, this is my beloved Sonne, in whom I am well pleased; so Rom. 2.15. which shew the works of the Law written in their hearts; there is an ex∣pression by writing; and Rom. 1.19, 20. for God hath shewed it unto them, for the invisible things from the crea∣tion of the World are clearly seene, being understood by the things that are made; there we see a writing in the Crea∣tures, and that written by God, for, saith the Text, God hath sh••wed it unto them. And for God's internall word, Psal. 2.7. The Lord hath said unto me, thou art my Sonne, this day have I begotten thee; here was a Word spoken internally by God, and not to man; it was declared to man, but spoken internally only to his Sonne. Much more may be added, to this purpose, but I love not to weary my Reader unnecessarily; The word spoken of in my Text, is this internall word, and therefore written with an Article, the, or that Word, emphatically; other words are the words of Isaiah, Ieremiah, Iohn, Peter, or the like; but this was the, that word, the like of which never was; and to this will agree most aptly all which St. Iohn discourseth, as will appeare in my prosecution of it, and to none other.
A brief Para∣phra•••• W••••es the first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in St John.
A Word inter∣nal and exter∣nal, both of God and Man.