Ecclesiastica interpretatio: or The expositions vpon the difficult and doubtful passages of the seuen Epistles called catholike, and the Reuelation. Collected out of the best esteemed, both old and new writers, together with the authors examinations, determinations, and short annotations. The texts in the seuen Epistles of Iames, Peter, Iohn and Iude are six and forty. The expositions vpon the Reuelation are set forth by way of question and answer. Here is also a briefe commentary vpon euery verse of each chapter, setting forth the coherence and sense, and the authors, and time of writing euery of these bookes. Hereunto is also annexed an antidot against popery. By Iohn Mayer, B. of D. and pastor of the Church of Little Wratting in Suffolke.

1 IOHN Chapter 3. Verse 1.

For this the world knoweth vs not, because it knoweth not him. Beloued, now we are the sonnes of God, but yet it is not made manifest what we shall be, &c.

BEcause we are the Sonnes of God the world knoweth vs not, that is, by the knowledge of approbation; or as the Glosse hath it, they know not our dignity to loue and respect vs, but doe esteeme basely of vs, and afflict vs, Because it knoweth not him, that is, beleeueth not in him. It doth not appeare, &c. that is, the great glory wherewith we shall be glorified appeareth not, it is as a light hidden in a Pitcher, till it be broken; or as a light within a mans hands, appearing onely through his fin∣gers. We know, that when he shall appeare, that is, by the cer∣tainty of faith, for faith doth assure vs of things inuisible: now we know our selues to be Gods children by the vertues and miracles which by his spirit we are inabled to doe. When he shall appeare, that is, at the day of iudgement. Wee shall be like vnto him, that is, in the conformity of nature, of grace, and of glory. We shall see him as he is, that is, in the very substance of

his Deity, which is not granted to any man liuing here.

The doubts of this place are, first, what is meant by the worlds not knowing of vs, [ 1] and to what these words [For this] haue reference?

I answer, that the world of wicked men, and vnbeleeuers, are said not to know vs, that are accepted to be the children of God, because they doe not see into the excellency of this estate, to prize and to esteeme of it. And for this they know vs not, because they know not Christ, it was hidden from them of what excellency hee was, which was the cause that they vsed him as base and contemptible. For had they knowne him, they could not but haue knowne his, so much resembling him; as they that haue knowne the father, if his sonne commeth in presence, which is very like him, they know him to be his sonne: and as he that hath well knowne a man, if hee seeth his picture, he knoweth whose picture it is. And this is spo∣ken to make vs vndismaid at the contempt and ignominy that shall be offered to vs in the world, as a Prince laugheth at the railings and ill vsage of him by his owne seruants, whilst they know him not. They know not (saith Chrysostome) what manner of persons we are, that abuse vs, as namely, that wee are Citizens of Heauen, reckoned to the Countrey aboue, and fellowes of the Cherubims. So also Wisd. 5.3, 4 5.

[ 2] Secondly, how it is said, It appeareth not yet what we shall be? hath not God set forth in his word the vnspeakable glory and felicity to come?

I answer with Thomas, that though it be set forth, yet the glorious and happy estate of Gods children appeareth not now, but they liue after a poore and contemptible fashion, which is the cause that the world maketh no reckoning of this Sonne-ship.

[ 3] Thirdly, wherein shall wee be like vnto God, and what knowledge shall wee haue of him, and how doth this proue, that we shall be like vnto him, because we shall know him?

To the first it is commonly answered, that wee shall be like vnto him in heauenly glory, euen as children doe partake of the glory of their father, as Oecumenius speaketh, the minde being sanctified and inlightened, and the body being glorified

as the body of the Lord Iesus. To the second, some (as Tho∣mas Aquinas) say, that we shall see his essence: but others de∣ny this, affirming that we shall see him onely in his qualities, being pure, as he is pure; and being iust wee shall behold him iust, as Oecumenius. But I assent rather to those that expound this of seeing the Lord Iesus Christ in his glory, and the ma∣iesty of God the Father: for now we see onely darkly, and as it were in a glasse, as we are capable: but then being present with him, wee shall immediatly behold his glory. And this very beholding of him present doth argue, that wee shall be like vnto him, because this seeing of him is not granted to any, but to the children of God, who are holy, as he is holy. For, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. And let the wicked be taken away (saith the Prophet) that they may not see the glory of God.

Note, that wicked men that make no reckoning of the state of grace, are so farre from being true Christians, that they know not what a Christian is, they know not Christ: for did they but know, they would admire and be in loue with this condi∣tion, whereas now they despise it and vilipend the children of God, and beare an hatred against them.

Note againe, that the glory of the faithfull shall be the high∣est degree of glory, like vnto that of God himselfe; we shall bee present where the glory of his Maiesty doth most appeare. To heare of him, and to behold him in his Word and workes, must suffice vs whilst we are in this world, and for such as li∣ued then to see God in the flesh, but the time shall come when we shall behold him immediatly. The present comfort in God and ioy in the holy Ghost is nothing in comparison of that comfort which we shall haue.

Notes

• Th. Aquinas in 1 Iohn 3.
• Mayer.
• Chrys. Hom. 78. in Iohan.
• Oecumen. Scho∣lia Graeca.
• Phil. 3 20. August.
• Oecumen. Faber Stapul. Beza.
• Mat. 5. Esa. 26.10. according to the 70.
• Note.
• Note.