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THe first generall part of the Epistle, I take to bee generally applyed to the whole Church, and is contained in chap. 1. unto
the first foure verses of the second Chapter.
1. Part whereof containes Salutations and Prayer for the whole Church, chap. 1 from ver. 2. to 11.
2. From verse 12. to the end of the 4 verse chap. 2. hee holds out Christ, and the Communion Paul and Timothy had with them, and they with all Saints in Heaven and Earth in Iesus Christ, as members in a body, of which Christ is Head and Saviour.
In the next place, the Apostle prepares or makes way to descend to the particular Church societyes.
Ver. 5. He comes to mention the order observed by them in the government of their Church.
Ver. 6. He exhorts them as they have received Christ, so they would walk in him, which implieth there was among them a dif∣ferent receiving of Christ; some received him in the gospel milke, others in the gospel meate, some received him from the Doctor in his Ministry, others from the Pastor in his Ministry differing first in Degrees, secondly in Meanes, thirdly in the Word and Mi∣nistry also.
Ver. 7. Hee sweetly and plainly illustrates this truth by a three∣fold Metaphor.
1. Rooting, an allusion taken from a tree, and fitly to be apply∣ed to the Doctor-Ministry, who teacheth the Principles and Fun∣damentals of Christ, the first way of receiving Christ.
2. And built in him, a Metaphor taken from a house not founded, but built up, having a higher degree in it of Christ, another way of receiving Christ.
Note the change of the Metaphor hath in it a signification of dif∣ference to bee in the societies the Saints had among them at Co∣losse, and also of their differing condition in Christ; hee otherwise might have used one Metaphor as significantly, and have said being founded on and builded up in him, &c. but changing the Metaphor, he significantly sets out and implies a Mystery therein to bee un∣folded.
3. And established, which is the last way of receiving Christ, under the dispensations of the Gospel Ministers in this present life.
Ap. That in these clearly the order named vers. 5, is here ex∣plained, how and in what it did consist, in the Ministeries right rooting beginners, and building up other believers, and establish∣ing others in the grace of the Gospel by several degrees, as they had received Jesus Christ.
Object. The Apostle, if he meant the change of societies in the change of metaphors in the first, Why he did not change them in the last?
Resp. The thing was sufficiently cleared in the first metaphor to those Churches, who had this order erected among them.
2 This of established may be applied to other metaphors, as well as that of building or planting.
3. Though the metaphor be not changed, the act is a different act, which shews a different means to be used for the end intended by the Apostle in the thing spoken of.
1 The text clearly proves it, that this order generally, for the rooting, building, and establishing, is to be done by teaching: so saith the holy Ghost, As ye have been taught.
2 The adverb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 shews, that in the quality of teaching was contained the manner of receiving Christ; and shews, that as they differed in the receiving of Christ, so in the teaching Christ.
2 General. From vers. 11 of chap. 2. to the end of vers. 11 of chap. 3. the Apostle applieth himself onely to speak unto the rooting of rooted Christians.
1 Shewing there was to be a spiritual Circumcision wrought in them, by which is occasioned a putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, vers. 11. which consists in a spiritual sense given them of sin and nature, and an abominating of them required of those made members.
2 After this they are to be baptized, in which they are said to be dead, and risen with him through the faith of the operation of God.
3 After this, vers. 13, 14, 15, ye have what Christ hath done for those thus baptized, and how he is to be preached unto them.
4 From vers. 16. ye have the end contained, the abolition of
ceremonies, things which usually were a trouble to the weak, or the infant-society of the Saints.
5 From chap 3. vers. 1, to the end of vers. 8, he provoketh the Saints to a spiritual trial of themselves, their estates and conversa∣tions, and shews what accompanieth true regeneration in the Saints. V. 9. he gives the reason, they have put off the old man with his deeds, making a publike renunciation of the deeds of the flesh before baptisme, ver. 10. and have put on the new, that is, by co∣venants, promises, by sacraments, in which all are alike interessed: for nor Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all in all. Application in these verses predicted and applied, ye have generally set down what is to be taught the society of infants, and what is required of them, though the first Epistle of John is that which solely con∣cerns the Infants of the Church; the Apostles, as they saw occa∣sion, writing sometimes more largely of the duty of one Society to one Church then to another, as they saw occasion required in the Churches estate they wrote unto.
The second part of Ministery, or the Society of Young men, as concerned in vers. 12, 13.
1. Is intimated in a second putting on of Christ, which is to be according to the elect of God, as holy and beloved ones.
2. This is to be manifested in the inward spirituall operati∣ons of Christ in the minde, set out in bowels of mercy, kind∣nesse, humblenesse of minde, meeknesse, long-suffering, ver. 13. Forbearing one another, forgiving one another; If any man have a quarrell against any man, even as CHRIST forgave you, so doe ye also.
1. In these doe I suppose are contained the things chiefly to be pressed on the Saints of the Pastors Society, and to reprove those that fail amongst them in obedience hereunto.
2. Not that here, or in any other Epistle in particular, is all to be taught in this Society; but the whole Scripture pertaining to that Society, is, that is only sufficient to instruct them to, and fit them for the perfecting Ministery.
3. 1 Ep. of John is only for the Rooting of Saints.
1 Ep. of Peter, for the building up of Saints.
Ep. to the Hebrews, for the stablishing of Saints, which here now as the Third generall Part of Ministery; comes to be handled; and is contained in Verse 14, and Verse 17. In which Christ is to be put on in Charity, which is said, To be a∣bove all.
First, This is said to be the bond of perfection; here, I sup∣pose the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hath respect to Church bonds, by which men were bound to Christ in some publique way, and to one another.
Secondly, Verse 15. they should have the peace of God rule in them.
Thirdly, The Word of God dwell richly in them, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, Songs, Hymnes.
1. It is clear, these things were not to be applyed to the Society of Infants, nor were all beleevers capable of it, onely the men in Christ are here spoken unto, who were to have these things in a more abundant and excellent way then others were, and whether these Psalms were the Scripture-Psalms only, or whether those of that Society only were to be spiritually gifted therein; I shall not undertake to determine, they were to be emi∣nently gifted doubtless in all grace.
That that makes this doctrine the more clear; is,
1 That with these he ends his doctrine to the Church, there be∣ing no other Society but these in or of the Church.
2 Hence he applyeth himself to domestick duties in the fa∣mily.
1. Verse 17, 18. is set down what is required of the wife to the husband, and husband to the wife.
2. Verse 20, & 21. what is required of Parents to children, and Children to parents.
3. From ver. 22, to ver. 25. Servants duties to their Masters.
4. Cap. 4. ver. 1. the duty of Masters to their Servants.
5. Ver. 2, & 3. Family duties to God are set down to be exercised in private; which are; 1 Prayer. 2 Watchfulness. 3 Thanksgiving.
6. Ver. 4. Especially they are to pray for, 1 The Gospel. 2 The Ministers thereof.