,libraries7 ,,the ,,expositor',s ,,bible ,,edited ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 ,editor of ,the ,expositor1 etc4 ,,the ,,epistles ,,of ,,st4 ,,john ,,by ,,william ,,alexander1 ,d4,d4 ,,london ,,hodder ,,and ,,stoughton #bg1 ,,paternoster ,,row ,,mdcccxcvi ,,the ,,expositor',s ,,bible4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 price #gs4 #f;d4 each vol4 ,,first ,,series1 #ahhg-h4 ,colossians4 ,by ,a4 ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,st4 ,mark4 ,by ,very ,rev4 the ,dean of ,armagh4 ,genesis4 ,by ,prof4 ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 #a ,samuel4 ,by ,prof4 ,w4 ,g4 ,,blaikie1 ,d4,d4 #b ,samuel4 ,by the same ,author4 ,hebrews4 ,by ,principal ,t4 ,c4 ,,edwards1 ,d4,d4 ,,second ,,series1 #ahhh-i ,galatians4 ,by ,prof4 ,g4 ,g4 ,,findlay1 ,b4,a4 ,the ,pastoral ,epistles4 ,by ,rev4 ,a4 ,,plummer1 ,d4,d4 ,isaiah ,i4--,,xxxix4 ,by ,prof4 ,g4 ,a4 ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,the ,book of ,revelation4 ,by ,prof4 ,w4 ,,milligan1 ,d4,d4 #a ,corinthians4 ,by ,prof4 ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,john4 ,by ,right ,rev4 ,w4 ,,alexander1 ,d4,d4 ,,third ,,series1 #ahhi-ij4 ,judges and ,ruth4 ,by ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 ,jeremiah4 ,by ,rev4 ,c4 ,j4 ,,ball1 ,m4,a4 ,isaiah ,,xl4--,,lxvi4 ,by ,prof4 ,g4 ,a4 ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,st4 ,matthew4 ,by ,rev4 ,j4 ,,monro ,,gibson1 ,d4,d4 ,exodus4 ,by ,very ,rev4 the ,dean of ,armagh4 ,st4 ,luke4 ,by ,rev4 ,h4 ,,burton1 ,m4,a4 ,,fourth ,,series1 #ahij-a4 ,ecclesiastes4 ,by ,rev4 ,,samuel ,,cox1 ,d4,d4 ,st4 ,james and ,st4 ,jude4 ,by ,rev4 ,a4 ,,plummer1 ,d4,d4 ,proverbs4 ,by ,rev4 ,r4 ,f4 ,,horton1 ,d4,d4 ,leviticus4 ,by ,rev4 ,s4 ,h4 ,,kellogg1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 ,by4 ,prof4 ,m4 ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,by ,prof4 ,,stokes1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,,fifth ,,series1 #ahia-b4 ,the ,psalms4 ,by ,a4 ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,i4 #a and #b ,thessalonians4 ,by ,,james ,,denney1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,job4 ,by ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 ,ephesians4 ,by ,prof4 ,g4 ,g4 ,,findlay1 ,b4,a4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 ,by ,prof4 ,m4 ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,by ,prof4 ,,stokes1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,,sixth ,,series1 #ahib-c4 #a ,kings4 ,by ,very ,rev4 the ,dean of ,canterbury4 ,philippians4 ,by ,principal ,,rainy1 ,d4,d4 ,ezra1 ,nehemiah1 ,esther4 ,by ,prof4 ,w4 ,f4 ,,adeney1 ,m4,a4 ,joshua4 ,by ,prof4 ,w4 ,g4 ,,blaikie1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,psalms4 ,by ,a4 ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,peter4 ,by ,prof4 ,,rawson ,,lumby1 ,d4,d4 ,,seventh ,,series1 #ahic-d4 #b ,kings4 ,by ,very ,rev4 the ,dean of ,canterbury4 ,romans4 ,by ,h4 ,c4 ,g4 ,,moule1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 ,the ,books of ,chronicles4 ,by ,prof4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,bennett1 ,m4,a41 ,b4,d4 #b ,corinthians4 ,by ,,james ,,denney1 ,d4,d4 ,numbers4 ,by ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 ,the ,psalms4 ,by ,a4 ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,vol4 ,,iii4 ,,eighth ,,series #ahie-f4 ,daniel4 ,by ,ven4 ,archdeacon ,,farrar4 ,the ,book of ,jeremiah4 ,by ,prof4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,bennett1 ,m4,a41 ,b4,d4 ,deuteronomy4 ,by ,prof4 ,,andrew ,,harper1 ,b4,d4 ,the ,song of ,solomon and ,lamentations4 ,by ,prof4 ,w4 ,f4 ,,adeney1 ,m4,a4 ,ezekiel4 ,by ,prof4 ,,john ,,skinner1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,minor ,prophets4 ,by ,prof4 ,g4 ,a4 ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 ,two ,vols4 ,,the ,,epistles ,,of ,,st4 ,,john ,,twenty-,,one ,,discourses ,with ,greek ,text1 ,comparative ,versions1 and ,notes ,chiefly ,exegetical ,,by ,,william ,,alexander ,d4,d41 ,d4,c4,l4 ,,oxon41 ,,hon4 ,,ll4,d4 ,,dublin ,,brasenose ,,college1 ,,oxford ,,lord ,,bishop ,,of ,,derry ,,and ,,raphoe ,,fourth ,,edition ,london ,,hodder ,,and ,,stoughton #bg1 ,,paternoster ,,row ,,mdcccxcvi ,hujus scriptis illustratur1 ,illustrata solidatur ,unitas ,ecclesi4 ,,adam ,,of ,,st4 ,,victor ,seq4 xxxi4 7,s4 ,johannes ,evangelista74 ,,preface4 ,it is now many years ago since ,i entered upon a study of the ,epistles of ,st4 ,john1 as serious and prolonged as was consistent with the often distracting cares of an ,irish ,bishop4 ,such fruit as my labours produced enjoyed the advantage of appearing in the last volume of the ,speaker's ,commentary in #ahha4 ,since that period ,i have frequently turned again to these ,epistles--subsequent reflection or study not seldom filling in gaps in my knowledge1 or leading me to modify former interpretations4 ,when invited last year to resume my old work1 ,i therefore embraced willingly the opportunity which was presented to me4 ,let me briefly state the method pursued in this book4 ,i4 ,the ,first ,part contains four ,discourses4 7#a7 ,in the first ,discourse ,i have tried to place the reader in the historical surroundings from which 7unless all early ,church history is unreal1 a past that never was present7 these ,epistles emanated4 7#b7 ,in the second ,discourse ,i compare the ,epistle with the ,gospel4 ,this is the true point of orientation for the commentator4 ,call the connection between the two documents what we may2 be the ,epistle preface1 appendix1 moral and devotional commentary1 or accompanying encyclical address to the ,churches1 which were the nurslings of ,john2 that connection is constant and pervasive4 ,unless this principle is firmly grasped1 we not only lose a defence and confirmation of the ,gospel1 but dissolve the whole consistency of the ,epistle1 and leave it floating--the thinnest cloud in the whole cloudland of mystic idealism4 7#c7 ,the third ,discourse deals with the polemical element in these ,epistles4 ,some commentators indeed1 like the excellent ,henry ,hammond1 spy out ,gnostics where there are none4 ,they confuse us with uncouth names1 and conjure up the ghosts of long-forgotten errors until we seem to hear a theological bedlam1 or to see theological scarecrows4 ,yet ,gnosticism1 ,doketism1 ,cerinthianism1 certainly sprang from the teeming soil of ,ephesian thought2 and without a recognition of this fact1 we shall never understand the ,epistle4 ,undoubtedly1 if the ,apostle had addressed himself only to contemporary error1 his great ,epistle would have become completely obsolete for us4 ,to subsequent ages an antiquated polemical treatise is like a fossil scorpion with a sting of stone4 ,but a divinely taught polemic under transitory forms of error finds principles as lasting as human nature4 7#d7 ,the object of the fourth ,discourse is to bring out the image of ,st4 ,john's soul--the essentials of the spiritual life to be found in those precious chapters which still continue to be an element of the life of the ,church4 ,such a view1 if at all accurate1 will enable the reader to contemplate the whole of the ,epistle with the sense of completeness1 of remoteness1 and of unity which arises from a general survey apart from particular difficulties4 ,an ancient legend insisted that ,st4 ,john exercised miraculous power in blending again into one the broken pieces of a precious stone4 ,we may try in an humble way to bring these fragmentary particles of spiritual gem-dust together1 and fuse them into one4 ,,ii4 ,the plan pursued in the second part is this4 ,the ,first ,epistle 7of which only ,i need now speak7 is divided into ten sections4 ,the sections are thus arranged-- 7#a7 ,the text is given in ,greek4 ,in this matter ,i make no pretence to original research2 and have simply adopted ,tischendorf's text1 with occasional amendments from ,dr4 ,scrivener or ,prof4 ,westcott4 ,at one time ,i might have been tempted to follow ,lachmann2 but experience taught me that he is audacior qum limatior1 and ,i held my hand4 ,the advantage to every studious reader of having the divine original close by him for comparison is too obvious to need a word more4 ,with the ,greek ,i have placed in parallel columns the translations most useful for ordinary readers--the ,latin1 the ,english ,a4,v4 and ,r4,v4 ,the ,latin text is that of the ,codex ,amiatinus1 after ,tischendorf's splendid edition of #ahed4 ,in this the reader will find the ,hieronymian interpretation as it stood not more than a hundred and twenty years after the death of ,st4 ,jerome1 an interpretation more diligent and more accurate than that which is supplied by the ordinary ,vulgate text4 ,the saint felt the peril of presuming to judge others where he himself would be judged by all2 of changing the tongue of the old1 and carrying back a world which was growing hoary to the initial essay of infancy4 ,the ,latin is of that form to which ancient ,latin ,church writers gave the name of rusticitas4 ,but it is a happy--,i had almost said a divine--rusticity4 ,in translating from the ,hebrew of the ,old ,testament1 ,st4 ,jerome has given a new life1 a strange tenderness or awful cadence1 to prophets and psalmists4 ,the voice of the fields is the voice of ,heaven also4 ,the tongue of the people is for once the tongue of ,god4 ,this ,hebraistic ,latin or ,latinised ,hebrew forms the strongest link in that mysterious yet most real spell wherewith the ,latin of the ,church enthrals the soul of the world4 ,but to return to our immediate subject4 ,the student can seldom go wrong by more than a hair's breadth when he has before him three such translations4 ,in the first column stands ,st4 ,jerome's vigorous ,latin4 ,the second contains the ,english ,a4,v41 of which each clause seems to be guarded by the spirits of the holy dead1 as well as by the love of the living ,church2 and to tell the innovator that he does wrong to show it violence1 being so majestical4 ,the third column offers to view the scholarlike--if sometimes just a little pedantic and provoking--accuracy of the ,r4,v4 ,to this comparison of versions ,i attach much significance4 ,every translation is an additional commentary1 every good translation the best of commentaries4 ,i have ventured with much hesitation to add upon another column in each section a translation drawn up by myself for my own private use2 the greater portion of which was made a year or two before the publication of the ,r4,v4 ,its right to be here is this1 that it affords the best key to my meaning in any place where the exposition may be imperfectly expressed4#a 7#b7 ,one or more ,discourses are attached to most of the sections4 ,in these ,i may have seemed sometimes to have given myself a wide scope1 but ,i have tried to make a sound and careful exegesis the basis of each4 ,and ,i have throughout considered myself bound to draw out some great leading idea of ,st4 ,john with conscientious care4 7#c7 ,the ,discourses 7or if there be no ,discourse in the section1 the text and versions7 are followed by short notes1 chiefly exegetical1 in which ,i have not willingly passed by any real difficulty4 ,i have not wished to cumber my pages with constant quotations4 ,but in former years ,i have read1 in some cases with much care1 the following commentators--,st4 ,augustine's ,tractatus1 ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom's ,homilies on the ,gospel 7full of hints upon the ,epistles71 ,cornelius ,lapide2 of older post-,reformation commentators1 the excellent ,henry ,hammond1 the eloquent ,dean ,hardy1 the precious fragments in ,pole's ,synopsis--above all1 the inimitable ,bengel2 of moderns1 ,dsterdieck1 ,huther1 ,ebrard1 ,neander2 more recently1 ,professor ,westcott1 whose subtle and exquisite scholarship deserves the gratitude of every student of ,st4 ,john4 ,of ,haupt ,i know nothing1 with the exception of an analysis of the ,epistle1 which is stamped with the highest praise of so refined and competent a judge as ,archdeacon ,farrar4 ,but having read this list fairly in past years1 ,i am now content to have before me nothing but a ,greek ,testament1 the ,grammars of ,winer and ,donaldson1 the ,new ,testament lexicons of ,bretschneider1 ,grimm1 and ,mintert1 with ,tromm's ,concordantia ,,lxx4 ,for1 on the whole1 ,i really prefer ,st4 ,john to his commentators4 ,and ,i hope ,i am not ungrateful for help which ,i have received from them1 when ,i say that ,i now seem to myself to understand him better without the dissonance of their many voices4 ,johannem nisi ex ,johanne ipso non intellexeris4 ,,iii4 ,it only remains to commend this book1 such as it is1 not only to theological students1 but to general readers1 who ,i hope will not be alarmed by a few ,greek words here and there4 ,i began my fuller study of ,st4 ,john's ,epistle in the noonday of life2 ,i am closing it with the sunset in my eyes4 ,i pray ,god to sanctify this poor attempt to the edification of souls1 and the good of the ,church4 ,and ,i ask all who may find it useful1 to offer their intercessions for a blessing upon the book1 and upon its author4 ,,william ,,derry ,,and ,,raphoe4 ,,the ,,palace1 ,,londonderry1 ,february #fth1 #ahhi4 ,,merciful ,,god1 we beseech ,thee to cast ,thy bright beams of light upon ,thy ,church1 that it being enlightened by the doctrine of ,thy blessed ,apostle and ,evangelist ,st4 ,john1 may so walk in the light of ,thy truth1 that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,,footnote3 #a ,i venture to call attention to the rendering very4 ,it enables the translator to mark the important distinction between two words3 1 factually true and real1 as opposed to that which in point of fact is mendacious2 1 ideally true and real1 that which alone realizes the idea imperfectly expressed by something else4 ,this is one of ,st4 ,john's favourite words4 ,in regard to ,i have not had the courage of my convictions4 ,the word charity seems to me almost providentially preserved for the rendering of that term4 ,it is not without a purpose that is so rigorously excluded from the ,new ,testament4 ,so also from the ,epp4 of ,ignatius4 ,the objection that charity conveys to ordinary ,english people the notion of mere material alms is of little weight4 ,if charity is sometimes a little metallic1 is not love sometimes a little maundering8 ,i agree with ,canon ,evans that the word1 strictly speaking1 should be always translated charity when alone1 love when in regimen4 ,yet ,i have not been bold enough to put ,god is charity for ,god is love4 ,,contents4 ,,page ,,preface v ,,part ,i4 ,,discourse ,i4 ,,the ,,surroundings ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john #c ,,discourse ,,ii4 ,,the ,,connection ,,of ,,the ,,epistle ,,with ,,the ,,gospel ,,of ,,st4 ,,john #ba ,,discourse ,,iii4 ,,the ,,polemical ,,element ,,in ,,the ,,first ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john #ci ,,discourse ,,iv4 ,,the ,,image ,,of ,,st4 ,,john',s ,,soul ,,in ,,his ,,epistle #ed ,,part ,,ii4 ,,some ,,general ,,rules ,,for ,,the ,,interpretation ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john #ge ,,section ,i4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #gi ,,discourse ,i4 ,,analysis ,,and ,,theory ,,of ,,st4 ,,john',s ,,gospel #hj ,,discourse ,,ii4 ,,st4 ,,john',s ,,gospel ,,historical ,,not ,,ideological #hh ,,section ,,ii4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #ajj ,,discourse ,,iii4 ,,extent ,,of ,,the ,,atonement #ajb ,,discourse ,,iv4 ,,missionary ,,application ,,of ,,the ,,extent ,,of ,,the ,,atonement #ajf ,,section ,,iii4 7#a7 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #aag ,,discourse ,v4 ,,the ,,influence ,,of ,,the ,,great ,,life ,,walk ,a ,,personal ,,influence #aah ,,section ,,iii4 7#b7 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #acc ,,section ,,iii4 7#c7 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #acd ,,discourse ,,vi4 ,,the ,,world ,,which ,,we ,,must ,,not ,,love #acf ,,discourse ,,vii4 ,,use ,,and ,,abuse ,,of ,,the ,,sense ,,of ,,the ,,vanity ,,of ,,the ,,world #adi ,,section ,,iv4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #afd ,,discourse ,,viii4 ,,knowing ,,all ,,things #aff ,,section ,v4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #agi ,,section ,,vi4 ,,texts ,,and ,,versions #ahe ,,discourse ,,ix4 ,,lofty ,,ideals ,,perilous ,,unless ,,applied #ahh ,,section ,,vii4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #bjd ,,section ,,viii4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #bjg ,,discourse ,x4 ,,boldness ,,in ,,the ,,day ,,of ,,judgment #baj ,,section ,,ix4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #bbj ,,discourse ,,xi4 ,,birth ,,and ,,victory #bbc ,,discourse ,,xii4 ,,the ,,gospel ,,as ,a ,,gospel ,,of ,,witness2 ,,the ,,three ,,witnesses #bcf ,,discourse ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,witness ,,of ,,men 7,,applied ,,to ,,the ,,resurrection7 #bda ,,discourse ,,xiv4 ,,sin ,,unto ,,death #bed ,,discourse ,,xv4 ,,the ,,terrible ,,truism ,,which ,,has ,,no ,,exception #bfj ,,section ,x4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #bgd ,,second ,,epistle4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #bgi ,,discourse ,,xvi4 ,,theology ,,and ,,life ,,in ,,kyria',s ,,letter #bhb ,,third ,,epistle4 ,,text ,,and ,,versions #big ,,discourse ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,quietness ,,of ,,true ,,religion #cjj ,,part ,i4 ,,johannis ,,epistol1 ,,ultimusque ,,prim ,,versiculus1 ,,in ,,ephesum ,,imprimis ,,conveniunt4 7,,bengel in ,act4 xix4 #ba47 ,,discourse ,i4 ,,the ,,surroundings ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,little children1 keep yourselves from idols4--,i ,,john ,v4 #ba4 ,after the example of a writer of genius1 preachers and essayists for the last forty years have constantly applied--or misapplied--some lines from one of the greatest of ,christian poems4 ,dante sings of ,st4 ,john-- ,as he1 who looks intent1 ,and strives with searching ken1 how he may see ,the sun in his eclipse1 and1 through decline ,of seeing1 loseth power of sight3 so ,i ,gazed on that last resplendence4#b ,the poet meant to be understood of the ,apostle's spiritual splendour of soul1 of the absorption of his intellect and heart in his conception of the ,person of ,christ and of the dogma of the ,holy ,trinity4 ,by these expositors of ,dante the image is transferred to the style and structure of his writings4 ,but confusion of thought is not magnificence1 and mere obscurity is never sunlike4 ,a blurred sphere and undecided outline is not characteristic of the sun even in eclipse4 ,dante never intended us to understand that ,st4 ,john as a writer was distinguished by a beautiful vagueness of sentiment1 by bright but tremulously drawn lines of dogmatic creed4 ,it is indeed certain that round ,st4 ,john himself1 at the time when he wrote1 there were many minds affected by this vague mysticism4 ,for them1 beyond the scanty region of the known1 there was a world of darkness whose shadows they desired to penetrate4 ,for them this little island of life was surrounded by waters into whose depths they affected to gaze4 ,they were drawn by a mystic attraction to things which they themselves called the shadows1 the depths1 the silences4 ,but for ,st4 ,john these shadows were a negation of the message which he delivered that ,god is light1 and darkness in ,him is none4 ,these silences were the contradiction of the ,word who has once for all interpreted ,god4 ,these depths were depths of ,satan4#c ,for the men who were thus enamoured of indefiniteness1 of shifting sentiments and flexible creeds1 were ,gnostic heretics4 ,now ,st4 ,john's style1 as such1 has not the artful variety1 the perfect balance in the masses of composition1 the finished logical cohesion of the ,greek classical writers4 ,yet it can be loftily or pathetically impressive4 ,it can touch the problems and processes of the moral and spiritual world with a pencil-tip of deathless light1 or compress them into symbols which are solemnly or awfully picturesque4#d ,above all ,st4 ,john has the faculty of enshrining dogma in forms of statement which are firm and precise--accurate enough to be envied by philosophers1 subtle enough to defy the passage of heresy through their finely drawn yet powerful lines4 ,thus in the beginning of his ,gospel all false thought upon the ,person of ,him who is the living theology of ,his ,church is refuted by anticipation--that which in itself or in its certain consequences unhumanises or undeifies the ,god ,man2 that which denies the singularity of the ,one ,person who was ,incarnate1 or the reality and entireness of the ,manhood of ,him who fixed ,his ,tabernacle#e of humanity in us4#f ,it is therefore a mistake to look upon the ,first ,epistle of ,st4 ,john as a creedless composite of miscellaneous sweetnesses1 a disconnected rhapsody upon philanthropy4 ,and it will be well to enter upon a serious perusal of it1 with a conviction that it did not drop from the sky upon an unknown place1 at an unknown time1 with an unknown purpose4 ,we can arrive at some definite conclusions as to the circumstances from which it arose1 and the sphere in which it was written--at least if we are entitled to say that we have done so in the case of almost any other ancient document of the same nature4 ,our simplest plan will be1 in the first instance1 to trace in the briefest outline the career of ,st4 ,john after the ,ascension of our ,lord1 so far as it can be followed certainly by ,scripture1 or with the highest probability from early ,church history4 ,we shall then be better able to estimate the degree in which the ,epistle fits into the framework of local thought and circumstances in which we desire to place it4 ,much of this biography can best be drawn out by tracing the contrast between ,st4 ,john and ,st4 ,peter1 which is conveyed with such subtle and exquisite beauty in the closing chapter of the fourth ,gospel4 ,the contrast between the two ,apostles is one of history and of character4 ,historically the work done by each of them for the ,church differs in a remarkable way from the other4 ,we might have anticipated for one so dear to our ,lord a distinguished part in spreading the ,gospel among the nations of the world4 ,the tone of thought revealed in parts of his ,gospel might even have seemed to indicate a remarkable aptitude for such a task4 ,st4 ,john's peculiar appreciation of the visit of the ,greeks to ,jesus1 and his preservation of words which show such deep insight into ,greek religious ideas1 would apparently promise a great missionary1 at least to men of lofty speculative thought4#g ,but in the ,acts of the ,apostles ,st4 ,john is first overshadowed1 then effaced1 by the heroes of the missionary epic1 ,st4 ,peter and ,st4 ,paul4 ,after the close of the ,gospels he is mentioned five times only4 ,once his name occurs in a list of the ,apostles4#h ,thrice he passes before us with ,peter4#i ,once again 7the first and last time when we hear of ,st4 ,john in personal relation with ,st4 ,paul7 he appears in the ,epistle to the ,galatians with two others1 ,james and ,cephas1 as reputed to be pillars of the ,church4#aj ,but whilst we read in the ,acts of his taking a certain part in miracles1 in preaching1 in confirmation2 while his boldness is acknowledged by adversaries of the faith2 not a line of his individual teaching is recorded4 ,he walks in silence by the side of the ,apostle who was more fitted to be a missionary pioneer4#aa ,with the materials at our command1 it is difficult to say how ,st4 ,john was employed whilst the first great advance of the cross was in progress4 ,we know for certain that he was at ,jerusalem during the second visit of ,st4 ,paul4 ,but there is no reason for conjecturing that he was in that city when it was visited by ,st4 ,paul on his last voyage#ab 7,a4,d4 #fj72 while we shall presently have occasion to show how markedly the ,church tradition connects ,st4 ,john with ,ephesus4 ,we have next to point out that this contrast in the history of the ,apostles is the result of a contrast in their characters4 ,this contrast is brought out with a marvellous prophetic symbolism in the miraculous draught of fishes after the ,resurrection4 ,first as regards ,st4 ,peter4 ,when ,simon ,peter heard that it was the ,lord1 he girt his fisher's coat unto him 7for he was naked71 and did cast himself into the sea4#ac ,his was the warm energy1 the forward impulse of young life1 the free bold plunge of an impetuous and chivalrous nature into the waters which are nations and peoples4 ,in he must2 on he will4 ,the prophecy which follows the thrice renewed restitution of the fallen ,apostle is as follows3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto thee1 ,when thou wast young1 thou girdest thyself1 and walkedst whither thou wouldest3 but when thou shalt be old1 thou shalt stretch forth thy hands1 and another shall gird thee1 and carry thee whither thou wouldest not4 ,this spake ,he1 signifying by what death ,he should glorify ,god1 and when ,he had spoken this1 ,he saith unto him1 ,follow ,me4#ad ,this1 we are told1 is obscure2 but it is obscure only as to details4 ,to ,st4 ,peter it could have conveyed no other impression than that it foretold his martyrdom4 ,when thou wast young1 points to the tract of years up to old age4 ,it has been said that forty is the old age of youth1 fifty the youth of old age4 ,but our ,lord does not actually define old age by any precise date4 ,he takes what has occurred as a type of ,peter's youthfulness of heart and frame--girding himself1 with rapid action1 as he had done shortly before2 walking1 as he had walked on the white beach of the lake in the early dawn2 whither thou wouldest1 as when he had cried with impetuous half defiant independence1 ,i go a fishing1 invited by the auguries of the morning1 and of the water4 ,the form of expression seems to indicate that ,simon ,peter was not to go far into the dark and frozen land2 that he was to be growing old1 rather than absolutely old4#ae ,then should he stretch forth his hands1 with the dignified resignation of one who yields manfully to that from which nature would willingly escape4 ,this spake ,he1 adds the evangelist1 signifying by what death he shall glorify ,god4#af ,what fatal temptation leads so many commentators to minimise such a prediction as this8 ,if the prophecy were the product of a later hand added after the martyrdom of ,st4 ,peter1 it certainly would have wanted its present inimitable impress of distance and reserve4 ,it is in the context of this passage that we read most fully and truly the contrast of our ,apostle's nature with that of ,st4 ,peter4 ,st4 ,john1 as ,chrysostom has told us in deathless words1 was loftier1 saw more deeply1 pierced right into and through spiritual truths1#ag was more the lover of ,jesus than of ,christ1 as ,peter was more the lover of ,christ than of ,jesus4 ,below the different work of the two men1 and determining it1 was this essential difference of nature1 which they carried with them into the region of grace4 ,st4 ,john was not so much the great missionary with his sacred restlessness2 not so much the oratorical expositor of prophecy with his pointed proofs of correspondence between prediction and fulfilment1 and his passionate declamation driving in the conviction of guilt like a sting that pricked the conscience4 ,he was the theologian2 the quiet master of the secrets of the spiritual life2 the calm strong controversialist who excludes error by constructing truth4 ,the work of such a spirit as his was rather like the finest product of venerable and long established ,churches4 ,one gentle word of ,jesus sums up the biography of long years which apparently were without the crowded vicissitudes to which other ,apostles were exposed4 ,if the old ,church history is true1 ,st4 ,john was either not called upon to die for ,jesus1 or escaped from that death by a miracle4 ,that one word of the ,lord was to become a sort of motto of ,st4 ,john4 ,it occurs some twenty-six times in the brief pages of these ,epistles4 ,if ,i will that he abide--abide in the bark1 in the ,church1 in one spot1 in life1 in spiritual communion with ,me4 ,it is to be remembered finally1 that not only spiritual1 but ecclesiastical consolidation is attributed to ,st4 ,john by the voice of history4 ,he occupied himself with the visitation of his ,churches and the development of ,episcopacy4#ah ,so in the sunset of the ,apostolic age stands before us the mitred form of ,john the ,divine4 ,early ,christianity had three successive capitals--,jerusalem1 ,antioch1 ,ephesus4 ,surely1 so long as ,st4 ,john lived1 men looked for a ,primate of ,christendom not at ,rome but at ,ephesus4 ,how different were the two deaths6 ,it was as if in ,his words our ,lord allowed ,his two ,apostles to look into a magic glass1 wherein one saw dimly the hurrying feet1 the prelude to execution which even the saint wills not2 the other the calm life1 the gathered disciples1 the quiet sinking to rest4 ,in the clear obscure of that prophecy we may discern the outline of ,peter's cross1 the bowed figure of the saintly old man4 ,let us be thankful that ,john tarried4 ,he has left the ,church three pictures that can never fade--in the ,gospel the picture of ,christ1 in the ,epistles the picture of his own soul1 in the ,apocalypse the picture of ,heaven4 ,so far we have relied almost exclusively upon indications supplied by ,scripture4 ,we now turn to ,church history to fill in some particulars of interest4 ,ancient tradition unhesitatingly believed that the latter years of ,st4 ,john's prolonged life1 were spent in the city of ,ephesus1 or province of ,asia ,minor1 with the ,virgin-,mother1 the sacred legacy from the cross1 under his fostering care for a longer or shorter portion of those years4 ,manifestly he would not have gone to ,ephesus during the lifetime of ,st4 ,paul4 ,various circumstances point to the period of his abode there as beginning a little after the fall of ,jerusalem 7,a4,d4 #fg74 ,he lived on until towards the close of the first century of the ,christian era1 possibly two years later 7,a4,d4 #ajb74 ,with the date of the ,apocalypse we are not directly concerned1 though we refer it to a very late period in ,st4 ,john's career1 believing that the ,apostle did not return from ,patmos until just after ,domitian's death4 ,the date of the ,gospel may be placed between ,a4,d4 #hj and #ij4 ,and the ,first ,epistle accompanied the ,gospel1 as we shall see in a subsequent discourse4 ,the ,epistle then1 like the ,gospel1 and contemporaneously with it1 saw the light in ,ephesus1 or in its vicinity4 ,this is proved by three pieces of evidence of the most unquestionable solidity4 7#a7 ,the opening chapters of the ,apocalypse contain an argument1 which cannot be explained away1 for the connection of ,st4 ,john with ,asia ,minor and with ,ephesus4 ,and the argument is independent of the authorship of that wonderful book4 ,whoever wrote the ,book of the ,revelation must have felt the most absolute conviction of ,st4 ,john's abode in ,ephesus and temporary exile to ,patmos4 ,to have written with a special view of acquiring a hold upon the ,churches of ,asia ,minor1 while assuming from the very first as fact what they1 more than any other ,churches in the world1 must have known to be fiction1 would have been to invite immediate and contemptuous rejection4 ,the three earliest chapters of the ,revelation are unintelligible1 except as the real or assumed utterance of a ,primate 7in later language7 of the ,churches of ,asia ,minor4 ,to the inhabitants of the barren and remote isle of ,patmos1 ,rome and ,ephesus almost represented the world2 their rocky nest among the waters was scarcely visited except as a brief resting-place for those who sailed from one of those great cities to the other1 or for occasional traders from ,corinth4 7#b7 ,the second evidence is the fragment of the ,epistle of ,irenus to ,florinus preserved in the fifth book of the ,ecclesiastical ,history of ,eusebius4 ,irenus mentions no dim tradition1 appeals to no past which was never present4 ,he has but to question his own recollections of ,polycarp1 whom he remembered in early life4 ,where he sat to talk1 his way1 his manner of life1 his personal appearance1 how he used to tell of his intimacy with ,john1 and with the others who had seen the ,lord4#ai ,irenus elsewhere distinctly says that ,john himself issued the ,gospel while living at ,ephesus in ,asia ,minor1 and that he survived in that city until ,trajan's time4#bj 7#c7 ,the third great historical evidence which connects ,st4 ,john with ,ephesus is that of ,polycrates1 ,bishop of ,ephesus1 who wrote a synodical epistle to ,victor and the ,roman ,church on the quartodeciman question1 toward the close of the second century4 ,polycrates speaks of the great ashes which sleep in ,asia ,minor until the ,advent of the ,lord1 when ,he shall raise up ,his saints4 ,he proceeds to mention ,philip who sleeps in ,hierapolis2 two of his daughters2 a third who takes her rest in ,ephesus1 and ,john moreover1 who leaned upon the breast of ,jesus1 who was a high priest bearing the radiant plate of gold upon his forehead4#ba ,this threefold evidence would seem to render the sojourn of ,st4 ,john at ,ephesus for many years one of the most solidly attested facts of earlier ,church history4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it will be necessary for our purpose to sketch the general condition of ,ephesus in ,st4 ,john's time4 ,a traveller coming from ,antioch of ,pisidia 7as ,st4 ,paul did ,a4,d4 #ed7 descended from the mountain chain which separates the ,meander from the ,cayster4 ,he passed down by a narrow ravine to the ,asian meadow celebrated by ,homer4 ,there1 rising from the valley1 partly running up the slope of ,mount ,coressus1 and again higher along the shoulder of ,mount ,prion1 the traveller saw the great city of ,ephesus towering upon the hills1 with widely scattered suburbs4 ,in the first century the population was immense1 and included a strange mixture of races and religions4 ,large numbers of ,jews were settled there1 and seem to have possessed a full religious organisation under a ,high ,priest or ,chief ,rabbi4 ,but the prevailing superstition was the worship of the ,ephesian ,artemis4 ,the great temple1 the priesthood whose chief seems to have enjoyed a royal or quasi-royal rank1 the affluence of pilgrims at certain seasons of the year1 the industries connected with objects of devotion1 supported a swarm of devotees1 whose fanaticism was intensified by their material interest in a vast religious establishment4 ,ephesus boasted of being a theocratic city1 the possessor and keeper of a temple glorified by art as well as by devotion4 ,it had a civic calendar marked by a round of splendid festivities associated with the cultus of the goddess4 ,yet the moral reputation of the city stood at the lowest point1 even in the estimation of ,greeks4 ,the ,greek character was effeminated in ,ionia by ,asiatic manners1 and ,ephesus was the most dissolute city of ,ionia4 ,its once superb schools of art became infected by the ostentatious vulgarity of an ever-increasing parvenu opulence4 ,the place was chiefly divided between dissipation and a degrading form of literature4 ,dancing and music were heard day and night2 a protracted revel was visible in the streets4 ,lascivious romances whose infamy was proverbial were largely sold and passed from hand to hand4 ,yet there were not a few of a different character4 ,in that divine climate1 the very lassitude1 which was the reaction from excessive amusement and perpetual sunshine1 disposed many minds to seek for refuge in the shadows of a visionary world4 ,some who had received or inherited ,christianity from ,aquila and ,priscilla1 or from ,st4 ,paul himself1 thirty or forty years before1 had contaminated the purity of the faith with inferior elements derived from the contagion of local heresy1 or from the infiltration of pagan thought4 ,the ,ionian intellect seems to have delighted in imaginative metaphysics2 and for minds undisciplined by true logic or the training of severe science imaginative metaphysics is a dangerous form of mental recreation4 ,the adept becomes the slave of his own formul1 and drifts into partial insanity by a process which seems to himself to be one of indisputable reasoning4 ,other influences outside ,christianity ran in the same direction4 ,amulets were bought by trembling believers4 ,astrological calculations were received with the irresistible fascination of terror4 ,systems of magic1 incantations1 forms of exorcism1 traditions of theosophy1 communications with demons--all that we should now sum up under the head of spiritualism--laid their spell upon thousands4 ,no ,christian reader of the nineteenth chapter of the ,acts of the ,apostles will be inclined to doubt that beneath all this mass of superstition and imposture there lay some dark reality of evil power4 ,at all events the extent of these practices1 these curious arts in ,ephesus at the time of ,st4 ,paul's visit1 is clearly proved by the extent of the local literature which spiritualism put forth4 ,the value of the books of magic which were burned by penitents of this class1 is estimated by ,st4 ,luke at fifty thousand pieces of silver--probably about thirteen hundred and fifty pounds of our money6#bb ,let us now consider what ideas or allusions in the ,epistles of ,st4 ,john coincide with1 and fit into1 this ,ephesian contexture of life and thought4 ,we shall have occasion in the third discourse to refer to forms of ,christian heresy or of semi-,christian speculation indisputably pointed to by ,st4 ,john1 and prevalent in ,asia ,minor when the ,apostle wrote4 ,but besides this1 several other points of contact with ,ephesus can be detected in the ,epistles before us4 7#a7 ,the first ,epistle closes with a sharp decisive warning1 expressed in a form which could only have been employed when those who were addressed habitually lived in an atmosphere saturated with idolatry1 where the social temptations to come to terms with idolatrous practices were powerful and ubiquitous4 ,this was no doubt true of many other places at the time1 but it was pre-eminently true of ,ephesus4 ,certain of the ,gnostic ,christian sects in ,ionia held lax views about eating things sacrificed unto idols1 although fornication was a general accompaniment of such a compliance4 ,two of the angels of the ,seven ,churches of ,asia within the ,ephesian group--the angels of ,pergamum and of ,thyatira--receive especial admonition from the ,lord upon this subject4 ,these considerations prove that the command1 ,children1 guard yourselves from the idols1 had a very special suitability to the conditions of life in ,ephesus4 7#b7 ,the population of ,ephesus was of a very composite kind4 ,many were attracted to the capital of ,ionia by its reputation as the capital of the pleasures of the world4 ,it was also the centre of an enormous trade by land and sea4 ,ephesus1 ,alexandria1 ,antioch and ,corinth were the four cities where at that period all races and all religions of civilised men were most largely represented4 ,now the ,first ,epistle of ,st4 ,john has a peculiar breadth in its representation of the purposes of ,god4 ,christ is not merely the fulfilment of the hopes of one particular people4 ,the ,church is not merely destined to be the home of a handful of spiritual citizens4 ,the ,atonement is as wide as the race of man4 ,he is the propitiation for the whole world2 we have seen1 and bear witness that the ,father sent the ,son as ,saviour of the world4#bc ,a cosmopolitan population is addressed in a cosmopolitan epistle4 7#c7 ,we have seen that the gaiety and sunshine of ,ephesus was sometimes darkened by the shadows of a world of magic1 that for some natures ,ionia was a land haunted by spiritual terrors4 ,he must be a hasty student who fails to connect the extraordinary narrative in the nineteenth chapter of the ,acts with the ample and awful recognition in the ,epistle to the ,ephesians of the mysterious conflict in the ,christian life against evil intelligences1 real1 though unseen4#bd ,the brilliant rationalist may dispose of such things by the convenient and compendious method of a sneer4 ,such narratives as that 7of ,st4 ,paul's struggle with the exorcists at ,ephesus7 are disagreeable little spots in everything that is done by the people4 ,though we cannot do a thousandth part of what ,st4 ,paul did1 we have a system of physiology and of medicine very superior to his4#be ,perhaps he had a system of spiritual diagnosis very superior to ours4 ,in the epistle to the ,angel of the ,church of ,thyatira1 mention is made of the woman ,jezebel1 which calleth herself a prophetess1#bf who led astray the servants of ,christ4 ,st4 ,john surely addresses himself to a community where influences precisely of this kind exist1 and are recognised when he writes1--,beloved1 believe not every spirit1 but try the spirits whether they are of ,god3 because many false prophets are gone out into the world4444 ,every spirit that confesseth not ,jesus is not of ,god4#bg ,the ,church or ,churches1 which the ,first ,epistle directly contemplates1 did not consist of men just converted4 ,its whole language supposes ,christians1 some of whom had grown old and were fathers in the faith1 while others who were younger enjoyed the privilege of having been born and brought up in a ,christian atmosphere4 ,they are reminded again and again1 with a reiteration which would be unaccountable if it had no special significance1 that the commandment that which they heard1 the word1 the message1 is the same which they had from the beginning4#bh ,now this will exactly suit the circumstances of a ,church like the ,ephesian1 to which another ,apostle had originally preached the ,gospel many years before4#bi ,on the whole1 we have in favour of assigning these ,epistles to ,ionian and ,ephesian surroundings a considerable amount of external evidence4 ,the general characteristics of the ,first ,epistle consonant with the view of their origin which we have advocated are briefly these4 7#a7 ,it is addressed to readers who were encompassed by peculiar temptations to make a compromise with idolatry4 7#b7 ,it has an amplitude and generality of tone which befitted one who wrote to a ,church which embraced members from many countries1 and was thus in contact with men of many races and religions4 7#c7 ,it has a peculiar solemnity of reference to the invisible world of spiritual evil and to its terrible influence upon the human mind4 7#d7 ,the ,epistle is pervaded by a desire to have it recognised that the creed and law of practice which it asserts is absolutely one with that which had been proclaimed by earlier heralds of the cross to the same community4 ,every one of these characteristics is consistent with the destination of the ,epistle for the ,christians of ,ephesus in the first instance4 ,its polemical element1 which we are presently to discuss1 adds to an accumulation of coincidences which no ingenuity can volatilise away4 ,the ,epistle meets ,ephesian circumstances2 it also strikes at ,ionian heresies4 ,aa-so-,louk1#cj the modern name of ,ephesus1 appears to be derived from two ,greek words which speak of ,st4 ,john the divine1 the theologian of the ,church4 ,as the memory of the ,apostle haunts the city where he so long lived1 even in its fall and long decay under its ,turkish conquerors1--and the fatal spread of the malaria from the marshes of the ,cayster--so a memory of the place seems to rest in turn upon the ,epistle1 and we read it more satisfactorily while we assign to it the origin attributed to it by ,christian antiquity1 and keep that memory before our minds4 ,,footnotes3 #b ,cary's ,dante1 ,paradiso1 xxv4 #aag4 ,stanley's ,sermons and ,essays on the ,apostolic ,age1 #bdb4 #c ,apoc4 ii4 #bd4 #d ,john xiii4 #cj cf4 #a ,john ii1 #aa4 #e 4 #f ,this characteristic of ,st4 ,john's style is powerfully expressed by the great hymn-writer of the ,latin ,church4 ,hebet sensus exors styli2 ,stylo scribit tam subtili1 ,fide tam catholic1 ,ne de ,verbo salutari ,posset quicquam refragari ,pravitas hretica4 ,adam of ,st4 ,victor1 ,seq4 xxxii4 #g ,john xii4 #bj-cd1 especially ver4 #bd4 #h ,acts i4 #ac4 #i ,acts iii4 #d1 v4 #ac1 viii4 #ad4 #aj ,gal4 ii4 #i4 #aa ,acts iii4 #d1 iv4 #ac1 viii4 #ad4 ,the singular and interesting manuscript of ,patmos 7 7 attributed to ,st4 ,john's disciple1 ,prochorus1 seems to recognise that ,st4 ,john's chief mission was not that of working miracles4 ,even in a kind of duel of prodigies between him and the sinister magician of ,patmos1 the following occurs4 ,kynops asked a young man in the multitude where his father then was4 ',my father is dead1' he replied1 'he went down yonder in a storm4' ,turning to ,john1 the magician said1--',now then1 bring up this young man's father from the dead4' ',i have not come here1' answered the ,apostle1 'to raise the dead1 but to deliver the living from their errors4' #ab ,gal4 ii4 #i2 ,acts xxi4 #ag1 sqq4 #ac ,john xxi4 #g4 #ad ,ibid41 vers4 #ag1 #ah1 #ai4 #ae ,the beginning of old age would account sufficiently for the anticipation of death in #b ,peter i4 #ac1 #ad1 #ae4 #af ver4 #ai4 ,the lifelike shall 7not should7 is part of the many minute but vivid touches which make the whole of this scene so full of motion and reality--,i go a fishing 7ver4 #c72 about two hundred cubits 7ver4 #h72 the accurate 7ver4 #d4 ,see ,trench1 ,on ,parables1 #eg2 ,stanley1 ,apostolic ,age1 #ace74 #ag 4 ,s4 ,joann4 ,chrysost4--,hom4 in ,joann4 #ah ,euseb4 ,h4 ,e41 iii4 #bc4 ,see other quotations in ,bilson1 ,government of ,christ's ,church1 p4 #cfe4 #ai ,ap4 ,euseb4 ,h4 ,e41 v4 #bj4 #bj ,adv4 ,hres41 lib4 iii41 ch4 #a4 #ba --,pontifex ejus 7sc4 ,domini7 auream laminam in fronte habens4 ,so translated by ,s4 ,hieron4 ,lib4 de ,vir4 ,illust41 xlv4 ,the is the ,,lxx4 rendering of 1 the projecting leaf or plate of radiant gold 7,exod4 xxviii4 #bf1 xxxix4 #cj71 associated with the mitre 7,lev4 viii4 #i74 ,whether ,polycrates speaks literally1 or wishes to convey by a metaphor the impression of holiness radiating from ,st4 ,john's face1 we probably cannot decide4 #bb ,acts xix4 #bj1 #ba4 ,in this description of ,ephesus the writer has constantly had in view the passages to which he referred in the ,speakers ,commentary1 ,n4,t41 iv41 #bgd1 #bgf4 ,he has also studied ,m4 ,renan's ,saint ,paul1 chap1 xii41 and the authorities cited in the notes1 pp4 #cbi1 #cej4 #bc ,st4 ,john ii4 #b1 iv4 #ad4 #bd ,we wrestle not against flesh and blood1 but against1 etc4 ,eph4 vi4 #ab-ag4 #be ,saint ,paul1 ,renan1 #cah1 #cai4 #bf ,for the almost certain reference here to the ,chaldean ,sybil ,sambethe1 see ,apoc ii4 #bj1 ,archdeacon ,lee's note in ,speaker's ,commentary1 ,n4,t41 iv4 #ebg1 #ecd1 #ece1 and ,dean ,blakesley 7art4 ,thyatira1 ,dict4 of the ,bible74 #bg #a ,john iv4 #a1 #c4 #bh #a ,john ii4 #g1 ii4 #bd1 iii4 #aa2 #b ,john vv4 #e1 #f4 ,the passage in ii4 #bd is a specimen of that simple emphasis1 that presentation of a truth or duty under two aspects1 which ,st4 ,john often produces merely by an inversion of the order of the words4 ,ye--what ye heard from the beginning let it abide in you4 ,if what from the beginning ye heard abide in you 7 ' 444 ' 74 ,the emphasis in the first clause is upon the fact of their having heard the message2 in the second upon this feature of the message--that it was given in the beginning of ,christianity amongst them1 and kept unchanged until the present time4 ,cf4 7ii4 #g7 with of the early ,christian time1 in ,polycarp1 ,ep4 ad ,philipp41 i4 #bi ,acts xviii4 #ah-ba4 ,to these general links connecting our ,epistles with ,ephesus1 a few of less importance1 yet not without significance1 may be added4 7#a7 ,the name of ,demetrius 7#c ,john #ab7 is certainly suggestive of the holy city of the earth-mother 7,acts xix4 #bd1 #ch74 ,vitruvius assigns the completion of the temple of ,ephesus to an architect of the name1 and calls him servus ,dian4 7#b7 ,st4 ,john in his ,gospel adopts1 as if instinctively1 the computation of time which was used in ,asia ,minor 7,john iv4 #f1 xix4 #d--;,hefel4 ,martyrium ,s4 ,polycarp4 xxi474 ,on the same principle he speaks in the ,apocalypse of day and night 7,apoc4 iv4 #h1 vii4 #ae1 xii4 #aj1 xiv4 #aa1 xx4 #aj72 ,st4 ,paul1 on the other hand1 speaks of night and day 7#a ,tim4 v4 #e74 ,it is a very real indication of the accuracy of the report of words in the ,acts that1 while ,st4 ,luke himself uses either form indifferently 7,luke ii4 #cg1 xviii4 #b71 ,st4 ,paul1 as quoted by him1 always says night and day 7,acts xx4 #ca1 xxvi4 #g74 7#c7 ,is it merely fanciful to conjecture that the unusual 7#c ,john #aa7 may be an allusion to the astrological language in which alone the term is ever used outside a very few instances in the sacred writers8 ,he only is under a good star1 and has beneficent omens for his life4 ,balbillus1 one of the most famous astrologers of antiquity1 the confidant of ,nero and ,vespasian1 was an ,ephesian1 and almost supreme in ,ephesus1 not long before ,st4 ,john's arrival there4 ,sueton41 ,neron41 #cf4 #cj ,aa-so-,louk1 a corruption of 1 holy theologian 7or 1 holy city of the theologian74 ,some scholars1 however1 assert that the word is often pronounced and written aiaslyk1 with the common ,turkish termination lyk4 ,see ,s4 ,paul 7,renan1 #cdb1 note #b74 ,,discourse ,,ii4 ,,the ,,connection ,,of ,,the ,,epistle ,,with ,,the ,,gospel ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 4 ,dionys4 ,alexandr4 ap ,euseb41 ,h4 ,e41 vii41 #be4 ,and these things write we unto you1 that your joy may be full4--#a ,,john i4 #d4 ,from the wholesale burning of books at ,ephesus1 as a consequence of awakened convictions1 the most pregnant of all commentators upon the ,new ,testament has drawn a powerful lesson4 ,true religion1 says the writer1 puts bad books out of the way4 ,ephesus at great expense burnt curious and evil volumes1 and the word of ,god grew and prevailed4 ,and he proceeds to show how just in the very matter where ,ephesus had manifested such costly penitence1 she was rewarded by being made a sort of depository of the most precious books which ever came from human pens4 ,st4 ,paul addresses a letter to the ,ephesians4 ,timothy was ,bishop of ,ephesus when the two great pastoral ,epistles were sent to him4#ca ,all ,st4 ,john's writings point to the same place4 ,the ,gospel and ,epistles were written there1 or with primary reference to the capital of ,ionia4#cb ,the ,apocalypse was in all probability first read at ,ephesus4 ,of this group of ,ephesian books we select two of primary importance--the ,gospel and ,first ,epistle of ,st4 ,john4 ,let us dwell upon the close and thorough connection of the two documents1 upon the interpenetration of the ,epistle by the ,gospel1 by whatever name we may prefer to designate the connection4 ,it is said indeed by a very high authority1 that while the whole ,epistle is permeated with thoughts of the person and work of ,christ1 yet direct references to facts of the ,gospel are singularly rare4 ,more particularly it is stated that we find here none of the foundation and 7so to speak7 crucial events summarised in the earliest ,christian confession as we still find them in the ,apostles' creed4 ,and among these events are placed1 the ,birth of the ,virgin ,mary1 the ,crucifixion1 the ,resurrection1 the ,ascension1 the ,session1 the ,coming to ,judgment4 ,to us there seems to be some exaggeration in this way of putting the matter4 ,a writing which accompanied a sacred history1 and which was a spiritual comment upon that very history1 was not likely to repeat the history upon which it commented1 just in the same shape4 ,surely the ,birth is the necessary condition of having come in the flesh4 ,the incident of the piercing of the side1 and the water and blood which flowed from it1 is distinctly spoken of2 and in that the ,crucifixion is implied4 ,shrinking with shame from ,jesus at ,his ,coming1 which is spoken of in another verse1 has no meaning unless that ,coming be to ,judgment4#cc ,the sixth chapter is1 if we may so say1 the section of the ,blood1 in the fourth ,gospel4 ,that section standing in the ,gospel1 standing in the great ,sacrament of the ,church1 standing in the perpetually cleansing and purifying efficacy of the ,atonement--ever present as a witness1 which becomes personal1 because identified with a ,living ,personality#cd--;finds its echo and counterpart in the ,epistle towards the beginning and near the close4#ce ,we now turn to that which is the most conclusive evidence of connection between two documents--one historical1 the other moral and spiritual--of which literary composition is capable4 ,let us suppose that a writer of profound thoughtfulness has finished1 after long elaboration1 the historical record of an eventful and many-sided life--a life of supreme importance to a nation1 or to the general thought and progress of humanity4 ,the book is sent to the representatives of some community or school4 ,the ideas which its subject has uttered to the world1 from their breadth and from the occasional obscurity of expression incident to all great spiritual utterances1 need some elucidation4 ,the plan is really exhaustive1 and combines the facts of the life with a full insight into their relations2 but it may be missed by any but thoughtful readers4 ,the author will accompany this main work by something which in modern language we might call an introduction1 or appendix1 or advertisement1 or explanatory pamphlet1 or encyclical letter4 ,now the ancient form of literary composition rendered books packed with thought doubly difficult both to read and write2 for they did not admit foot-notes1 or marginal analyses1 or abstracts4 ,st4 ,john then practically says1 first to his readers in ,asia ,minor1 then to the ,church for ever--with this life of ,jesus ,i send you not only thoughts for your spiritual benefit1 moulded round ,his teaching1 but something more2 ,i send you an abstract1 a compendium of contents1 at the beginning of this letter2 ,i also send you at its close a key to the plan on which my ,gospel is conceived4 ,and surely a careful reader of the ,gospel at its first publication would have desired assistance exactly of this nature4 ,he would have wished to have a synopsis of contents1 short but comprehensive1 and a synoptical view of the author's plan--of the idea which guided him in his choice of incidents so momentous and of teaching so varied4 ,we have in the ,first ,epistle two synopses of the ,gospel which correspond with a perfect precision to these claims4#cf ,we have3 7#a7 a synopsis of the contents of the ,gospel2 7#b7 a synoptical view of the conception from which it was written4 #a4 ,we find in the ,epistle at the very outset a synopsis of the contents of the ,gospel4 ,that which was from the beginning1 that which we have heard1 that which we have seen with our eyes1 that which we gazed upon1 and our hands handled--,i speak concerning the ,word who is the ,life--that which we have seen and heard1 declare we unto you also4 ,what are the contents of the ,gospel8 7#a7 ,a lofty and dogmatic promium1 which tells us of the ,word who was in the beginning with ,god--in ,whom was life4 7#b7 ,discourses and utterances1 sometimes running on through pages1 sometimes brief and broken4 7#c7 ,works1 sometimes miraculous1 sometimes wrought into the common contexture of human life--looks1 influences1 seen by the very eyes of ,st4 ,john and others1 gazed upon with ever deepening joy and wonder4 7#d7 ,incidents which proved that all this issued from ,one who was intensely human2 that it was as real as life and humanity--historical not visionary2 the doing and the effluence of a ,manhood which could be1 and which was1 grasped by human hands4 ,such is a synopsis of the ,gospel precisely as it is given in the beginning of the ,first ,epistle4 7#a7 ,the ,epistle mentions first1 that which was from the beginning4 ,there is the compendium of the promium of the ,gospel4 7#b7 ,one of the most important constituent parts of the ,gospel is to be found in its ample preservation of dialogues1 in which the ,saviour is one interlocutor2 of monologues spoken to the hushed hearts of the disciples1 or to the listening ,heart of the ,father1 yet not in tones so low that their love did not find it audible4 ,this element of the narrative is summed up by the writer of the ,epistle in two words--,that which we heard4#cg 7#c7 ,the works of benevolence or power1 the doings and sufferings2 the pathos or joy which spring up from them in the souls of the disciples1 occupy a large portion of the ,gospel4 ,all these come under the heading1 that which we have seen with our eyes1#ch that which we gazed upon1#ci with one unbroken gaze of wonder as so beautiful1 and of awe as so divine4#dj 7#d7 ,the assertion of the reality of the ,manhood#da of ,him who was yet the ,life manifested--a reality through all ,his words1 works1 sufferings--finds its strong1 bold summary in this compendium of the contents of the ,gospel1 and our hands have handled4 ,nay1 a still shorter compendium follows3 7#a7 ,the ,life with the ,father4 7#b7 ,the ,life manifested4#db #b4 ,but we have more than a synopsis which embraces the contents of the ,gospel at the beginning of the ,epistle4 ,we have towards its close a second synopsis of the whole framework of the ,gospel2 not now the theory of the ,person of ,christ1 which in such a life was necessarily placed at its beginning1 but of the human conception which pervaded the ,evangelist's composition4 ,the second synopsis1 not of the contents of the ,gospel1 but of the aim and conception which it assumed in the form into which it was moulded by ,st4 ,john1 is given by the ,epistle with a fulness which omits scarcely a paragraph of the ,gospel4 ,in the space of six verses of the fifth chapter the word witness1 as verb or substantive1 is repeated ten times4#dc ,the simplicity of ,st4 ,john's artless rhetoric can make no more emphatic claim on our attention4 ,the ,gospel is indeed a tissue woven out of many lines of evidence human and divine4 ,compress its purpose into one single word4 ,no doubt it is supremely the ,gospel of the ,divinity of ,jesus4 ,but1 next to that1 it may best be defined as the ,gospel of ,witness4 ,these witnesses we may take in the order of the ,epistle4 ,st4 ,john feels that his ,gospel is more than a book2 it is a past made everlastingly present4 ,such as the great ,life was in history1 so it stands for ever4 ,jesus is the propitiation1 is righteous1 is here4#dd ,so the great influences round ,his ,person1 the manifold witnesses of ,his ,life1 stand witnessing for ever in the ,gospel and in the ,church4 ,what are these8 7#a7 ,the ,spirit is ever witnessing4 ,so our ,lord in the ,gospel--when the ,comforter is come1 ,he shall witness of ,me4#de ,no one can doubt that the ,spirit is one pre-eminent subject of the ,gospel4 ,indeed1 teaching about ,him1 above all as the witness to ,christ1 occupies three unbroken chapters in one place4#df 7#b7 ,the water is ever witnessing4 ,so long as ,st4 ,john's ,gospel lasts1 and permeates the ,church with its influence1 the water must so testify4 ,there is scarcely a paragraph of it where water is not2 almost always with some relation to ,christ4 ,the witness of the ,baptist#dg is1 ,i baptize with water4 ,the ,jordan itself bears witness that all its waters cannot give that which ,he bestows who is preferred before ,john4#dh ,is not the water of ,cana that was made wine a witness to ,his glory8#di ,the birth of water and of the ,spirit1#ej is another witness4 ,and so in the ,gospel section after section4 ,the water of ,jacob's well2 the water of the pool of ,bethesda2 the waters of the sea of ,galilee1 with their stormy waves upon which ,he walked2 the water outpoured at the feast of tabernacles1 with its application to the river of living water2 the water of ,siloam2 the water poured into the basin1 when ,jesus washed the disciples' feet2 the water which1 with the blood1 streamed from the riven side upon the cross2 the water of the sea of ,galilee in its gentler mood1 when ,jesus showed ,himself on its beach to the seven2 as long as all this is recorded in the ,gospel1 as long as the sacrament of ,baptism1 with its visible water and its invisible grace working in the regenerate1 abides among the faithful2--so long is the water ever witnessing4#ea 7#c7 ,the ,blood is ever witnessing4 ,expiation once for all2 purification continually from the blood outpoured2 drinking the blood of the ,son of ,man by participation in the sacrament of ,his love1 with the grace and strength that it gives day by day to innumerable souls2 the ,gospel concentrated into that great sacrifice2 the ,church's gifts of benediction summarised in the unspeakable ,gift2 this is the unceasing witness of the ,blood4 7#d7 ,men are ever witnessing4 ,the witness of men fills the ,gospel from beginning to end4 ,the glorious series of confessions wrung from willing and unwilling hearts form the points of division round which the whole narrative may be grouped4 ,let us think of all those attestations which lie between the ,baptist's precious testimony with the sweet yet fainter utterances of ,andrew1 ,philip1 ,nathanael1 and the perfect creed of ,christendom condensed into the burning words of ,thomas--my ,lord and my ,god4#eb ,what a range of feeling and faith2 what a variety of attestation coming from human souls1 sometimes wrung from them half unwillingly1 sometimes uttered at crisis-moments with an impulse that could not be resisted6 ,the witness of men in the ,gospel1 and the assurance of one testimony that was to be given by the ,apostles individually and collectively1#ec besides the evidences already named includes the following--the witness of ,nicodemus1 of the ,samaritan woman1 of the ,samaritans1 of the impotent man at the pool of ,bethesda1 of ,simon ,peter1 of the officers of the ,jewish authorities1 of the blind man1 of ,pilate4#ed 7#e7 ,the witness of ,god occupies also a great position in the fourth ,gospel4 ,that witness may be said to be given in five forms3 the witness of the ,father1#ee of ,christ ,himself1#ef of the ,holy ,spirit1#eg of ,scripture1#eh of miracles4#ei ,this great cloud of witnesses1 human and divine1 finds its appropriate completion in another subjective witness4#fj ,the whole body of evidence passes from the region of the intellectual to that of the moral and spiritual life4 ,the evidence acquires that evidentness which is to all our knowledge what the sap is to the tree4 ,the faithful carries it in his heart2 it goes about with him1 rests with him day and night1 is close to him in life and death4 ,he1 the principle of whose being is belief ever going out of itself and resting its acts of faith on the ,son of ,god1 has all that manifold witness in him4#fa ,it would be easy to enlarge upon the verbal connection between the ,epistle before us and the ,gospel which it accompanied4 ,we might draw out 7as has often been done7 a list of quotations from the ,gospel1 a whole common treasury of mystic language2 but we prefer to leave an undivided impression upon the mind4 ,a document which gives us a synopsis of the contents of another document at the beginning1 and a synoptical analysis of its predominant idea at the close1 covering the entire work1 and capable of absorbing every part of it 7except some necessary adjuncts of a rich and crowded narrative71 has a connection with it which is vital and absorbing4 ,the ,epistle is at once an abstract of the contents of the ,gospel1 and a key to its purport4 ,to the ,gospel1 at least to it and the ,epistle considered as integrally one1 the ,apostle refers when he says3 these things write we unto you4#fb ,st4 ,john had asserted that one end of his declaration was to make his readers hold fast fellowship with us1 i4e41 with the ,church as the ,apostolic ,church2 aye1 and that fellowship of ours is with the ,father1 and with ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ2 and these things1 he continues 7with special reference to his ,gospel1 as spoken of in his opening words71 we write unto you1 that your joy may be fulfilled4 ,there is as truly a joy as a patience and comfort of the ,scriptures4 ,the ,apostle here speaks of your joy1 but that implied his also4 ,all great literature1 like all else that is beautiful1 is a joy for ever4 ,to the true student his books are this4 ,but this is so only with a few really great books4 ,we are not speaking of works of exact science4 ,butler1 ,pascal1 ,bacon1 ,shakespeare1 ,homer1 ,scott1 theirs is work of which congenial spirits never grow quite tired4 ,but to be capable of giving out joy1 books must have been written with it4 ,the ,scotch poet tells us1 that no poet ever found the ,muse1 until he had learned to walk beside the brook1 and no think long4 ,that which is not thought over with pleasure2 that which1 as it gradually rises before the author in its unity1 does not fill him with delight2 will never permanently give pleasure to readers4 ,he must know joy before he can say--these things write we unto you1 that your joy may be full4 ,the book that is to give joy must be a part of a man's self4 ,that is just what most books are not4 ,they are laborious1 diligent1 useful perhaps2 they are not interesting or delightful4 ,how touching it is1 when the poor old stiff hand must write1 and the overworked brain think1 for bread6 ,is there anything so pathetic in literature as ,scott setting his back bravely to the wall1 and forcing from his imagination the reluctant creations which used to issue with such splendid profusion from its haunted chambers8 ,of the conditions under which an inspired writer pursued his labours we know but little4 ,but some conditions are apparent in the books of ,st4 ,john with which we are now concerned4 ,the fourth ,gospel is a book written without arrire pense1 without literary conceit1 without the paralysing dread of criticism4 ,what verdict the polished society of ,ephesus would pronounce2 what sneers would circulate in philosophic quarters2 what the numerous heretics would murmur in their conventicles2 what critics within the ,church might venture to whisper1 missing perhaps favourite thoughts and catch-words2#fc ,st4 ,john cared no more than if he were dead4 ,he communed with the memories of the past2 he listened for the music of the ,voice which had been the teacher of his life4 ,to be faithful to these memories1 to recall these words1 to be true to ,jesus1 was his one aim4 ,no one can doubt that the ,gospel was written with a full delight4 ,no one who is capable of feeling1 ever has doubted that it was written as if with a feather dropped from an angel's wing2 that without aiming at anything but truth1 it attains in parts at least a transcendent beauty4 ,at the close of the promium1 after the completest theological formula which the ,church has ever possessed--the still1 even pressure of a tide of thought--we have a parenthetic sentence1 like the splendid unexpected rush and swell of a sudden wave 7we beheld the glory1 the glory as of the ,only-,begotten of the ,father72 then after the parenthesis a soft and murmuring fall of the whole great tide 7full of grace and truth74 ,can we suppose that the ,apostle hung over his sentence with literary zest8 ,the number of writers is small who can give us an everlasting truth by a single word1 a single pencil touch2 who1 having their mind loaded with thought1 are wise enough to keep that strong and eloquent silence which is the prerogative only of the highest genius4 ,st4 ,john gives us one of these everlasting pictures1 of these inexhaustible symbols1 in three little words--,he then having received the sop1 went immediately out1 and it was night4#fd ,do we suppose that he admired the perfect effect of that powerful self-restraint8 ,just before the crucifixion he writes--,then came ,jesus forth1 wearing the crown of thorns1 and the purple robe1 and ,pilate saith unto them1 ,behold the ,man6#fe ,the pathos1 the majesty1 the royalty of sorrow1 the admiration and pity of ,pilate1 have been for centuries the inspiration of ,christian art4 ,did ,st4 ,john congratulate himself upon the image of sorrow and of beauty which stands for ever in these lines8 ,with ,st4 ,john as a writer it is as with ,st4 ,john delineated in the fresco at ,padua by the genius of ,giotto4 ,the form of the ascending saint is made visible through a reticulation of rays of light in colours as splendid as ever came from mortal pencil2 but the rays issue entirely from the ,saviour1 whose face and form are full before him4 ,the feeling of the ,church has always been that the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john was a solemn work of faith and prayer4 ,the oldest extant fragment upon the canon of the ,new ,testament tells us that the ,gospel was undertaken after earnest invitations from the brethren and the bishops1 with solemn united fasting2 not without special revelation to ,andrew the ,apostle that ,john was to do the work4#ff ,a later and much less important document connected in its origin with ,patmos embodies one beautiful legend about the composition of the ,gospel4 ,it tells how the ,apostle was about to leave ,patmos for ,ephesus2 how the ,christians of the island besought him to leave in writing an account of the ,incarnation1 and mysterious life of the ,son of ,god2 how ,st4 ,john and his chosen friends went forth from the haunts of men about a mile1 and halted in a quiet spot called the gorge of ,rest1#fg and then ascended the mountain which overhung it4 ,there they remained three days4 ,then1 writes ,prochorus1 he ordered me to go down to the town for paper and ink4 ,and after two days ,i found him standing rapt in prayer4 ,said he to me--'take the ink and paper1 and stand on my right hand4' ,and ,i did so4 ,and there was a great lightning and thunder1 so that the mountain shook4 ,and ,i fell on the ground as if dead4 ,whereupon ,john stretched forth his hand and took hold of me1 and said--'stand up at this spot at my right hand4' ,after which he prayed again1 and after his prayer said unto me--'son ,prochorus1 what thou hearest from my mouth1 write upon the sheets4' ,and having opened his mouth as he was standing praying1 and looking up to heaven1 he began to say--'in the beginning was the ,word1 and the ,word was with ,god1 and the ,word was ,god4' ,and so following on1 he spake in order1 standing as he was1 and ,i wrote sitting4#fh ,true instinct which tells us that the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john was the fruit of prayer as well as of memory2 that it was thought out in some valley of rest1 some hush among the hills2 that it came from a solemn joy which it breathed forth upon others6 ,these things write ,i unto you1 that your joy may be fulfilled4 ,generation after generation it has been so4 ,in the numbers numberless of the ,redeemed1 there can be very few who have not been brightened by the joy of that book4 ,still1 at one funeral after another1 hearts are soothed by the word in it which says--,i am the ,resurrection and the ,life4 ,still the sorrowful and the dying ask to hear again and again--let not your heart be troubled1 neither let it be afraid4 ,a brave young officer sent to the war in ,africa1 from a regiment at home1 where he had caused grief by his extravagance1 penitent1 and dying in his tent1 during the fatal day of ,isandula1 scrawled in pencil--dying1 dear father and mother--happy--for ,jesus says1 ',he that cometh to ,me ,i will in no wise cast out4' ,our ,english ,communion ,office1 with its divine beauty1 is a texture shot through and through with golden threads from the discourse at ,capernaum4 ,still are the disciples glad when they see the ,lord in that record4 ,it is the book of the ,church's smiles2 it is the gladness of the saints2 it is the purest fountain of joy in all the literature of earth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,note ,a4 ,the thorough connection of the ,epistle with the ,gospel may be made more clear by the following tabulated analysis3-- ,the 7,a7 beginning and 7,b7 the close of the ,epistle contain two abstracts1 longer and shorter1 of the contents and bearing of the ,gospel4 ,a4 i4--#a ,john i4 #a4 #a4 ,that which was from the beginning--concerning the ,word of ,life ,john i4 #a-ae4 #b4 7a7 ,which we have heard ,john i4 #ch1 #ci1 #db1 #dg1 #ej1 #ea1 ii4 #d1 #g1 #h1 #af1 #ai1 iii4 #c1 #bb1 iv4 #g1 #ci1 #dh1 #ej1 v4 #f1 #dg1 vi4 #e1 #gj1 vii4 #f1 #ci1 viii4 #g1 #eh1 ix4 #c1 #da1 x4 #a1 #ci1 xi4 #d1 #de1 xii4 #g1 #ej1 xiii4 #f1 #ch1 xiv41 xvii41 xviii4 #ad1 #cg1 xix4 #aa1 #bf1 #bg1 #bh1 #cj1 xx4 #ae1 #af1 #ag1 #ai1 #ba1 #bc1 #bg1 #bi1 xxi4 #e1 #f1 #aj1 #ab1 #bb4 7b7 ,which we have seen with our eyes ,john i4 #bi1 #cf1 #ci1 ii4 #aa1 vi4 #b1 #ad1 #ai1 ix41 xi4 #dd1 xiii4 #d1 #e1 xvii4 #a1 xviii4 #f1 xix4 #e1 #ag1 #ah1 #cd1 #ch1 xx4 #e1 #ad1 #bj1 #be1 #bi1 xxi4 #a1 #ad4 7c7 ,which we gazed upon ibid4 7d7 ,which we have handled ,john xx4 #bg 7refers also to a synoptical ,gospel1 ,luke xxiv4 #ci1 #dj74 ii4--#a ,john i4 #b4 #a4 ,the ,life was manifested ,john i4 #bi--xxi4 #be4 #b4 7a7 ,we have seen 7,a4 i4 #b 7b774 7b7 ,and bear witness ,john i4 #g1 #ai1 #cg1 iii4 #b1 #bg1 #cc1 iv4 #ci1 vi4 #fi1 xx4 #bh1 #cj1 #ca1 xxi4 #bd4 7c7 ,and declare unto you ,john passim4 ,the ,life1 the ,eternal ,life1 which ,was with the ,father ,john i4 #a-d4 ,and was manifested unto us ,john passim4 ,b4 i4--#a ,john v4 #f-aj4 ,summary of the ,gospel as a ,gospel of witness4 #a4 ,the ,spirit beareth witness ,john i4 #cb1 xiv41 xv41 xx4 #bb4 #b4 ,the water beareth witness ,john i4 #bh1 ii4 #i1 iii4 #e1 iv4 #ac1 #ad1 v4 #a1 #i1 vi4 #ai1 vii4 #cg1 ix4 #g1 xiii4 #e1 xix4 #cd1 xxi4 #a4 #c4 ,the blood beareth witness ,john vi4 #ec1 #ed1 #ee1 #ef1 xix4 #cd4 #d4 ,the witness of men 7,a4 ii4 #a 7b77 ,also ,john i4 #de1 #di1 iii4 #b1 iv4 #ci1 vii4 #df1 xii4 #ab1 #ac1 #ag1 #ai1 #bj1 #ba1 xviii4 #ch1 xix4 #ce1 xx4 #bh4 #e4 ,the witness of ,god 7a7 ,scripture ,john i4 #de1 v4 #ci1 #df1 xix4 #cf1 #cg4 7b7 ,christ's own ,john viii4 #ag1 #ah1 #df1 xv4 #cj1 xviii4 #cg4 7c7 ,his ,father's ,john v4 #cg1 viii4 #ah1 xii4 #bh4 7d7 ,his works ,john v4 #cf1 x4 #be1 xv4 #bd4 ii4--#a ,john v4 #bj4 ,we know 7i4e41 by the ,gospel7 that-- #a4 ,the ,son of ,god is come 771 has come and is here4 ,note4-- 1 ,,lxx4 ,psalm xl4 #g4 ,venio symbolum quasi ,domini ,jesu fuit4 7,bengel on ,heb4 x4 #g71 the ,ich ,dien of the ,son of the ,father-- 4 ,i came forth from ,god1 and am here 7,john viii4 #d7 ,john i4 #bi--xxi4 #bc 7,john xiv4 #ah1 #ba1 #bc1 xvi4 #af1 #bb1 form part of the thought is here74 #b4 ,and hath given us an understanding gift of the ,spirit1 ,john xiv41 xv41 xvi4 7especially #ac1 #af74 #c4 ,this is the very ,god and eternal ,life ,john i4 #a1 #d4 ,the whole ,gospel of ,st4 ,john brings out these primary principles of the ,faith1-- ,that the ,son of ,god has come4 ,that ,he is now and ever present with ,his people4 ,that the ,holy ,spirit gives them a new faculty of spiritual discernment4 ,that ,christ is the very ,god and the ,life of men4 ,,footnotes3 #ca ,bengel1 on ,acts xix4 #ai1 #bj1 finds a reference to manuscripts of some of the synoptical ,gospels and of the ,epistles in #b ,tim4 iv4 #ac1 and conjectures that1 after ,st4 ,paul's martyrdom1 ,timothy carried them with him to ,ephesus4 #cb ,renan's curious theory that ,rom4 xvi4 #a-af is a sheet of the ,epistle to the ,ephesians accidentally misplaced1 rests upon a supposed prevalence of ,ephesian names in the case of those who are greeted4 ,archdeacon ,gifford's refutation1 and his solution of an unquestionable difficulty1 seems entirely satisfactory4 7,speaker's ,commentary1 in loc41 vol4 iii41 ,new ,testament47 #cc ,it has become usual to say that the ,epistle does not advert to ,john iii4 or ,john vi4 ,to us it seems that every mention of the ,birth of ,god is a reference to ,john iii4 7#a ,john ii4 #bc1 iii4 #i1 iv4 #g1 v4 #a-d47 ,the word occurs once only in the fourth ,gospel outside the sixth chapter 7xix4 #cd2 for i4 #ac belongs to physiology74 ,four times we find it in that chapter--vi4 #ec1 #ed1 #ee1 #ef4 ,each mention of the ,blood in connection with our ,lord does advert to ,john vi4 #cd ,the masc4 part4 is surely very remarkable with the three neuters 7 1 1 7 #a ,john v4 #g1 #h4 #ce #a ,john i4 #g1 v4 #f1 #h4 #cf ,see note ,a4 at the end of this ,discourse1 which shows that there are1 in truth1 four such summaries4 #cg 4 #ch 4 #ci ,john xx4 #bj4 #dj 1 #a ,john i4 #a4 ,the same word is used in ,john i4 #ad4 #da ,john xix4 #bg would express this in the most palpable form4 ,but it is constantly understood through the ,gospel4 ,the tenacity of ,doketic error is evident from the fact that ,chrysostom1 preaching at ,antioch1 speaks of it as a popular error in his day4 ,a little later1 orthodox ears were somewhat offended by some beautiful lines of a ,greek sacred poet1 too little known among us1 who combines in a singular degree ,roman gravity with ,greek grace4 ,st4 ,romanus 7,a4,d4 #dia7 represents our ,lord as saying of the sinful woman who became a penitent1 4 ,which with her tears1 then pure1 ,wetted the feet the sea-depth wetted not4 7,spicil4 ,solesmen4 ,edidit ,t4 ,b4 ,pitra1 ,s4 ,romanus1 xvi4 #ac1 ,cant4 de ,passione4 #abj47 #db #a ,john i4 #b4 ,the ,life with the ,father ,john i4 #a1 #ad4 ,the ,life manifested ,john i4 #ad to end4 #dc ,the ,a4,v4 7#a ,john v4 #f-ab7 obscures this by a too great sensitiveness to monotony4 ,the language of the verses is varied unfortunately by bear record 7ver4 #g71 hath testified 7ver4 #i71 believeth not the record 7ver4 #aj71 this is the record 7ver4 #aa74 #dd #a ,john ii4 #b-bi1 iii4 #g1 iv4 #c1 v4 #bj4 #de ,john xv4 #bf4 #df ,john xiv41 xv41 xvi41 ,cf4 vii4 #ci4 ,the witness of the ,spirit in the ,apostolic ministry will be found ,john xx4 #bb4 #dg ,john i4 #ai4 #dh ,john i4 #af1 #ca1 #cc4 #di ,john ii4 #i1 iv4 #df4 #ej ,john iii4 #e4 #ea ,john iv4 #e1 #g1 #aa1 #ab1 v4 #a1 #h1 vi4 #ai1 vii4 #ce1 #cg1 ix4 #g1 xiii4 #a1 #ad1 xix4 #cd1 xxi4 #a1 #h4 ,in the other great ,johannic book water is constantly mentioned4 ,apoc4 vii4 #g1 xiv4 #g1 xvi4 #e1 xxi4 #f1 xxii4 #a1 xxii4 #ag4 7,cf4 the 1 ,acts x4 #dg47 #eb ,john i4 #ai1 #bi1 #cb1 #cd1 #ce1 #cf1 #da1 #de1 #dg1 xix4 #bg4 #ec ,john xv4 #bg4 #ed ,john iii4 #b4 ,the ,baptist's final witness 7iii4 #be1 #cc1 iv4 #ci1 #db1 v4 #ae1 vi4 #fh1 #fi1 vii4 #df1 xix4 #d1 #f74 ,note1 too1 the accentuation of the idea of witness 7,john v4 #ca1 #ci74 ,it is to be regretted that the ,r4,v4 also has sometimes obscured this important term by substituting a different ,english word1 e4g41 the word of the woman who testified 7,john iv4 #ci74 #ee ,john viii4 #ah1 xii4 #bh4 #ef ,ibid4 viii4 #ag1 #ah4 #eg ,ibid4 xv4 #bf4 #eh ,ibid4 v4 #ci1 #df1 xix4 #ce1 #cf1 #cg4 #ei ,ibid4 v4 #cf4 #fj ,this sixth witness 7#a ,john v4 #aj7 exactly answers to ,john xx4 #cj1 #ca4 #fa 1 7v4 #aj74 ,the construction is different in the words which immediately follow 7 71 not even giving ,him credence1 not believing ,him1 much less believing on ,him4 #fb ,the view here advocated of the relation of the ,epistle to the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john1 and of the brief but complete analytical synopsis in the opening words of the ,epistle1 appears to us to represent the earliest known interpretation as given by the author of the famous fragment of the ,muratorian ,canon1 the first catalogue of the books of the ,n4 ,t4 7written between the middle and close of the second century74 ,after his statement of the circumstances which led to the composition of the fourth ,gospel1 and an assertion of the perfect internal unity of the ,evangelical narratives1 the author of the fragment proceeds4 ,what wonder then if ,john brings forward each matter1 point by point1 with such consecutive order 7tam constanter singula71 even in his ,epistles saying1 when he comes to write in his own person 7dicens in semetipso71 'what we have seen with our eyes1 and heard with our ears1 and our hands have handled1 these things have we written4' ,for thus1 in orderly arrangement and consecutive language he professes himself not only an eye-witness1 but a hearer1 and yet further a writer of the wonderful things of the ,lord4 ,so we understand the writer4 ,sic enim non solum visorem1 sed et auditorem1 sed et scriptorem omnium mirabilium ,domini1 per ordinem profitetur4 ,the fragment1 with copious annotations1 may be found in ,reliqu ,sacr1 ,routh1 ,tom4 i41 #cid1 #dcd4 #fc ,for whatever reason1 four classical terms 7if we may so call them7 of the ,christian religion are excluded1 or nearly excluded1 from the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john1 and from its companion document4 ,church1 gospel1 repentance1 occur nowhere4 ,grace only once 7,john i4 #ad2 see1 however1 #b ,john #c2 ,apoc4 i4 #d2 xxii4 #ba71 faith as a substantive only once4 7#a ,john v4 #d1 but in ,apoc4 ii4 #ac-ai2 xiii4 #aj2 xiv4 #abc47 #fd 4 ,john xiii4 #cj4 #fe ,john xix4 #e4 #ff ,canon4 ,murator4 7apud ,routh41 ,reliq4 ,sacr1 ,tom4 i41 #cid74 #fg 4 #fh ,this passage is translated from the ,greek text of the manuscript of ,patmos1 attributed to ,prochorus1 as given by ,m4 ,gurin4 7,description de l',isle de ,patmos1 pp4 #be-bi47 ,,discourse ,,iii4 ,,the ,,polemical ,,element ,,in ,,the ,,first ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,dum ,magistri super pectus ,fontem haurit intellects ,et doctrin flumina1 ,fiunt1 ipso situ loci1 ,verbo fides1 auris voci1 ,mens ,deo contermina4 ,unde mentis per excessus1 ,carnis1 senss super gressus1 ,errorumque nubila1 ,contra veri solis lumen ,visum cordis et acumen ,figit velut aquila4 ,adam of ,st4 ,victor1 ,seq4 xxxii4 ,every spirit that confesseth that ,jesus ,christ is come in the flesh is of ,god4 ,every spirit that confesseth not that ,jesus ,christ is come in the flesh is not of ,god4--#a ,,john iv4 #b1 #c4 ,a discussion 7however far from technical completeness7 of the polemical element in ,st4 ,john's ,epistle1 probably seems likely to be destitute of interest or of instruction1 except to ecclesiastical or philosophical antiquarians4 ,those who believe the ,epistle to be a divine book must1 however1 take a different view of the matter4 ,st4 ,john was not merely dealing with forms of human error which were local and fortuitous4 ,in refuting them he was enunciating principles of universal import1 of almost illimitable application4 ,let us pass by those obscure sects1 those subtle curiosities of error1 which the diligence of minute research has excavated from the masses of erudition under which they have been buried2 which theologians1 like other antiquarians1 have sometimes labelled with names at once uncouth and imaginative4 ,let us fix our attention upon such broad and well-defined features of heresy as credible witnesses have indelibly fixed upon the contemporaneous heretical thought of ,asia ,minor2 and we shall see not only a great precision in ,st4 ,john's words1 but a radiant image of truth1 which is equally adapted to enlighten us in the peculiar dangers of our age4 ,controversy is the condition under which all truth must be held1 which is not in necessary subject-matter--which is not either mathematical or physical4 ,in the case of the second1 controversy is active1 until the fact of the physical law is established beyond the possibility of rational discussion2 until self-consistent thought can only think upon the postulate of its admission4 ,now in these departments all the argument is on one side4 ,we are not in a state of suspended speculation1 leaning neither to affirmation nor denial1 which is doubt4 ,we are not in the position of inclining either to one side or the other1 by an almost impalpable overplus of evidence1 which is suspicion2 or by those additions to this slender stock1 which convert suspicion into opinion4 ,we are not merely yielding a strong adhesion to one side1 while we must yet admit1 to ourselves at least1 that our knowledge is not perfect1 nor absolutely manifest--which is the mental and moral position of belief4 ,in necessary subject-matter1 we know and see with that perfect intellectual vision for which controversy is impossible4#fi ,the region of belief must therefore1 in our present condition1 be a region from which controversy cannot be excluded4 ,religious controversialists may be divided into three classes1 for each of which we may find an emblem in the animal creation4 ,the first are the nuisances1 at times the numerous nuisances1 of ,churches4 ,these controversialists delight in showing that the convictions of persons whom they happen to dislike1 can1 more or less plausibly1 be pressed to unpopular conclusions4 ,they are incessant fault-finders4 ,some of them1 if they had an opportunity1 might delight in finding the sun guilty in his daily worship of the many-coloured ritualism of the western clouds4 ,controversialists of this class1 if minute are venomous1 and capable of inflicting a degree of pain quite out of proportion to their strength4 ,their emblem may be found somewhere in the range of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth4 ,the second class of controversialists is of a much higher nature4 ,their emblem is the hawk with his bright eye1 with the forward throw of his pinions1 his rushing flight along the woodland skirt1 his unerring stroke4 ,such hawks of the ,churches1 whose delight is in pouncing upon fallacies1 fulfil an important function4 ,they rid us of tribes of mischievous winged errors4 ,the third class of controversialists is that which embraces ,st4 ,john supremely--such minds also as ,augustine's in his loftiest and most inspired moments1 such as those which have endowed the ,church with the ,nicene ,creed4 ,of such the eagle is the emblem4 ,over the grosser atmosphere of earthly anger or imperfect motives1 over the clouds of error1 poised in the light of the ,true ,sun1 with the eagle's upward wing and the eagle's sunward eye1 ,st4 ,john looks upon the truth4 ,he is indeed the eagle of the four ,evangelists1 the eagle of ,god4 ,if the eagle could speak with our language1 his style would have something of the purity of the sky and of the brightness of the light4 ,he would warn his nestlings against losing their way in the banks of clouds that lie below him so far4 ,at times he might show that there is a danger or an error whose position he might indicate by the sweep of his wing1 or by descending for a moment to strike4 ,there are then polemics in the ,epistle and in the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 ,but we refuse to hunt down some obscure heresy in every sentence4 ,it will be enough to indicate the master heresy of ,asia ,minor1 to which ,st4 ,john undoubtedly refers1 with its intellectual and moral perils4 ,in so doing1 we shall find the very truth which our own generation especially needs4 ,the prophetic words addressed by ,st4 ,paul to the ,church of ,ephesus thirty years before the date of this ,epistle had found only too complete a fulfilment4 ,from among their own selves1 at ,ephesus in particular1 through the ,churches of ,asia ,minor in general1 men had arisen speaking perverse things1 to draw away the disciples after them4#gj ,the prediction began to justify itself when ,timothy was ,bishop of ,ephesus only five or six years later4 ,a few significant words in the ,first ,epistle to ,timothy let us see the heretical influences that were at work4 ,st4 ,paul speaks with the solemnity of a closing charge when he warns ,timothy against what were at once#ga profane babblings1 and antitheses of the ,gnosis which is falsely so called4 ,in an earlier portion of the same ,epistle the young ,bishop is exhorted to charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine1 neither to give heed to myths and genealogies1 out of whose endless mazes no intellect entangled in them can ever find its way4#gb ,those commentators put us on a false scent who would have us look after ,judaizing error1 ,jewish stemmata4 ,the reference is not to ,judaistic ritualism1 but to semi-,pagan philosophical speculation4 ,the genealogies are systems of divine potencies which the ,gnostics 7and probably some ,jewish ,rabbis of ,gnosticising tendency7 called ons1#gc and so the earliest ,christian writers understood the word4 ,now without entering into the details of ,gnosticism1 this may be said of its general method and purpose4 ,it aspired at once to accept and to transform the ,christian creed2 to elevate its faith into a philosophy1 a knowledge--and then to make this knowledge cashier and supersede faith1 love1 holiness1 redemption itself4 ,this system was strangely eclectic1 and amalgamated certain elements not only of ,greek and ,egyptian1 but of ,persian and ,indian ,pantheistic thought4 ,it was infected throughout with dualism and doketism4 ,dualism held that all good and evil in the universe proceeded from two first principles1 good and evil4 ,matter was the power of evil whose home is in the region of darkness4 ,minds which started from this fundamental view could only accept the ,incarnation provisionally and with reserve1 and must at once proceed to explain it away4 ,the ,word was made flesh2 but the ,word of ,god1 the ,true ,light1 could not be personally united to an actual material system called a human body1 plunged in the world of matter1 darkened and contaminated by its immersion4 ,the human flesh in which ,jesus appeared to be seen was fictitious4 ,redemption was a drama with a shadow for its hero4 ,the phantom of a redeemer was nailed to the phantom of a cross4 ,philosophical dualism logically became theological doketism4 ,doketism logically evaporated dogmas1 sacraments1 duties1 redemption4#gd ,it may be objected that this doketism has been a mere temporary and local aberration of the human intellect2 a metaphysical curiosity1 with no real roots in human nature4 ,if so1 its refutation is an obsolete piece of an obsolete controversy2 and the ,epistle in some of its most vital portions is a dead letter4 ,now of course literal doketism is past and gone1 dead and buried4 ,the progress of the human mind1 the slow and resistless influence of the logic of common sense1 the wholesome influence of the sciences of observation in correcting visionary metaphysics1 have swept away ons1 emanations1 dualism1#ge and the rest4 ,but a subtler1 and to modern minds infinitely more attractive1 doketism is round us1 and accepted1 as far as words go1 with a passionate enthusiasm4 ,what is this doketism8 ,let us refer to the history and to the language of a mind of singular subtlety and power4 ,in ,george ,eliot's early career she was induced to prepare for the press a translation of ,strauss's mythical explanation of the ,life of ,jesus4 ,it is no disrespect to so great a memory to say1 that at that period of her career1 at least1 ,miss ,evans must have been unequal to grapple with such a work1 if she desired to do so from a ,christian point of view4 ,she had not apparently studied the history or the structure of the ,gospels4 ,what she knew of their meaning she had imbibed from an antiquated and unscientific school of theologians4 ,the faith of a sciolist engaged in a struggle for its life with the fatal strength of a critical giant instructed in the negative lore of all ages1 and sharpened by hatred of the ,christian religion1 met with the result which was to be expected4 ,her faith expired1 not without some painful throes4 ,she fell a victim to the fallacy of youthful conceit--,i cannot answer this or that objection1 therefore it is unanswerable4 ,she wrote at first that she was ,strauss-sick4 ,it made her ill to dissect the beautiful story of the crucifixion4 ,she took to herself a consolation singular in the circumstances4 ,the sight of an ivory crucifix1 and of a pathetic picture of the ,passion1 made her capable of enduring the first shock of the loss which her heart had sustained4 ,that is1 she found comfort in looking at tangible reminders of a scene which had ceased to be an historical reality1 of a sufferer who had faded from a living ,redeemer into the spectre of a visionary past4 ,after a time1 however1 she feels able to propose to herself and others a new starting point4 ,we can never have a satisfactory basis for the history of the man ,jesus1 but that negation does not affect the ,idea of the ,christ1 either in its historical influence1 or its great symbolic meanings4#gf ,yes6 a ,christ who has no history1 of whom we do not possess one undoubted word1 of whom we know1 and can know1 nothing2 who has no flesh of fact1 no blood of life2 an idea1 not a man2 this is the ,christ of modern doketism4 ,the method of this widely diffused school is to separate the sentiments of admiration which the history inspires from the history itself2 to sever the ideas of the faith from the facts of the faith1 and then to present the ideas thus surviving the dissolvents of criticism1 as at once the refutation of the facts and the substitute for them4 ,this may be pretty writing1 though false and illogical writing is rarely even that2 but a little consideration will show that this new starting point is not even a plausible substitute for the old belief4 7#a7 ,we question simple believers in the first instance4 ,we ask them what is the great religious power in ,christianity for themselves1 and for others like-minded8 ,what makes people pure1 good1 self-denying1 nurses of the sick1 missionaries to the heathen8 ,they will tell us that the power lies1 not in any doketic idea of a ,christ-life which was never lived1 but in the conviction that that idea was really and perfectly incarnated in an actual career1#gg of which we have a record literally and absolutely true in all essential particulars4 ,when we turn to the past of the ,church1 we find that as it is with these persons1 so it has ever been with the saints4 ,for instance1 we hear ,st4 ,paul speaking of his whole life4 ,he tells us that whether we went out of ourselves it was unto ,god1 or whether we be sober1 it is for you2 that is to say1 such a life has two aspects1 one ,god-ward1 one man-ward4 ,its ,god-ward aspect is a noble insanity1 its man-ward aspect a noble sanity2 the first with its beautiful enthusiasm1 the second with its saving common sense4 ,what is the source of this8 ,for the love of ,christ constraineth us1--forces the whole stream of life to flow between these two banks without the deviations of selfishness--because we thus judge1 that ,he died for all1 that they which live should no longer live unto themselves1 but to ,him who for their sakes died and rose again4#gh ,it was the real unselfish life of a real unselfish ,man which made such a life as that of ,st4 ,paul a possibility4 ,or we may think of the first beginning of ,st4 ,john's love for our ,lord4 ,when he turned to the past1 he remembered one bright day about ten in the morning1 when the real ,jesus turned to him and to another with a real look1 and said with a human voice1 what seek ye8 and then--come1 and ye shall see4#gi ,it was the real living love that won the only kind of love which could enable the old man to write as he did in this ,epistle so many years afterwards--we love because ,he first loved us4#hj 7#b7 ,we address ourselves next to those who look at ,christ simply as an ideal4 ,we venture to put to them a definite question4 ,you believe that there is no solid basis for the history of the man ,jesus2 that ,his life as an historical reality is lost in a dazzling mist of legend and adoration4 ,has the idea of a ,christ1 divorced from all accompaniment of authentic fact1 unfixed in a definite historical form1 uncontinued in an abiding existence1 been operative or inoperative for yourselves8 ,has it been a practical power and motive1 or an occasional and evanescent sentiment8 ,there can be no doubt about the answer4 ,it is not a make-belief but a belief which gives purity and power4 ,it is not an ideal of ,jesus but the blood of ,jesus which cleanseth us from all sin4 ,there are other lessons of abiding practical importance to be drawn from the polemical elements in ,st4 ,john's ,epistle4 ,these1 however1 we can only briefly indicate because we wish to leave an undivided impression of that which seems to be ,st4 ,john's chief object controversially4 ,there were ,gnostics in ,asia ,minor for whom the mere knowledge of certain supposed spiritual truths was all in all1 as there are those amongst ourselves who care for little but what are called clear views4 ,for such ,st4 ,john writes--and hereby we do know that we know ,him1 if we keep ,his commandments4#ha ,there were heretics in and about ,ephesus who conceived that the special favour of ,god1 or the illumination which they obtained by junction with the sect to which they had gone out from the ,church1 neutralised the poison of sin1 and made innocuous for them that which might have been deadly for others4 ,they suffered1 as they thought1 no more contamination by it1 than gold by lying upon the dunghill 7to use a favourite metaphor of their own74 ,st4 ,john utters a principle which cleaves through every fallacy in every age1 which says or insinuates that sin subjective can in any case cease to be sin objective4 ,whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law1 for sin is the transgression of the law4 ,all unrighteousness is sin4#hb ,possibly within the ,church itself1 certainly among the sectarians without it1 there was a disposition to lessen the glory of the ,incarnation1 by looking upon the ,atonement as narrow and partial in its aim4 ,st4 ,john's unhesitating statement is that ,he is the propitiation for the whole world4 ,thus does the eagle of the ,church ever fix his gaze above the clouds of error1 upon the ,sun of universal truth4 ,above all1 over and through his negation of temporary and local errors about the person of ,christ1 ,st4 ,john leads the ,church in all ages to the true ,christ4 ,cerinthus1 in a form which seems to us eccentric and revolting1 proclaimed a ,jesus not born of a virgin1 temporarily endowed with the sovereign power of the ,christ1 deprived of ,him before his passion and resurrection1 while the ,christ remained spiritual and impassible4 ,he taught a commonplace ,jesus4 ,at the beginning of his ,epistle and ,gospel1 ,john wings his soul1 and leads his readers onward and upward4 ,he is like a man who stands upon the shore and looks upon town and coast and bay4 ,then another takes the man off with him far to sea4 ,all that he surveyed before is now lost to him2 and as he gazes ever oceanward1 he does not stay his eye upon any intervening object1 but lets it range over the infinite azure4 ,so the ,apostle leads us above all creation1 and transports us to the ages before it2 makes us raise our eyes1 not suffering us to find any end in the stretch above1 since end is none4#hc ,that in the beginning1 from the beginning1 of the ,epistle and ,gospel1 includes nothing short of the eternal ,god4 ,the doketics of many shades proclaimed an ideological1 a misty ,christ4 ,every spirit which confesseth ,jesus ,christ as in flesh having come is of ,god1 and every spirit which confesseth not ,jesus1 is not of ,god4 ,many deceivers have gone out into the world1 they who confess not ,jesus ,christ coming in flesh4#hd ,such a ,christ of mist as these words warn us against is again shaped by more powerful intellects and touched with tenderer lights4 ,but the shadowy ,christ of ,george ,eliot and of ,mill is equally arraigned by the hand of ,st4 ,john4 ,each believer may well think within himself--,i must die1 and that1 it may be1 very soon2 ,i must be alone with ,god1 and my own soul2 with that which ,i am1 and have been2 with my memories1 and with my sins4 ,in that hour the weird desolate language of the ,psalmist will find its realisation3 lover and friend hast thou put from me1 and mine acquaintance are--darkness4#he ,then we want1 and then we may find1 a real ,saviour4 ,then we shall know that if we have only a doketic ,christ1 we shall indeed be alone--for except ye eat the flesh of the ,son of ,man1 and drink ,his blood1 ye have no life in you4#hf 99 99 99 99 99 ,,note4 ,the two following extracts1 in addition to what has been already said in this discourse1 will supply the reader with that which it is most necessary for him to know upon the heresies of ,asia ,minor4 #a4 ,two principal heresies upon the nature of ,christ then prevailed1 each diametrically opposite to the other1 as well as to the ,catholic faith4 ,one was the heresy of the ,doket1 which destroyed the verity of the ,human ,nature in ,christ2 the other was the heresy of the ,ebionites1 who denied the ,divine ,nature1 and the eternal ,generation1 and inclined to press the observation of the ceremonial law4 ,ancient writers allow these as heresies of the first century2 all admit that they were powerful in the age of ,ignatius4 ,hence ,theodoret 7,prom47 divided the books of these heresies into two categories4 ,in the first he included those who put forward the idea of a second ,creator1 and asserted that the ,lord had appeared illusively4 ,in the second he placed those who maintained that the ,lord was merely a man4 ,of the first1 ,jerome observed 7,adv4 ,lucifer4 xxiii47 'that while the ,apostles yet remained upon the earth1 while the blood of ,christ was almost smoking upon the sod of ,juda1 some asserted that the body of the ,lord was a phantom4' ,of the second1 the same writer remarked that ',st4 ,john1 at the invitation of the bishops of ,asia ,minor1 wrote his ,gospel against ,cerinthus and other heretics--and especially against the dogma of the ,ebionites then rising into existence1 who asserted that ,christ did not exist before ,mary4' ,epiphanius notes that these heresies were mainly of ,asia ,minor 7 ' 74 ,hres4 lvi4 7,pearson1 ,vindic4 ,ignat41 ii41 c4 i41 p4 #cea47 #b4 ,two of these sects or schools are very ancient1 and seem to have been referred to by ,st4 ,john4 ,the first is that of the ,naassenians or ,ophites4 ,the antiquity of this sect is guaranteed to us by the author of the ,philosophumena1 who represents them as the real founders of ,gnosticism4 ,later1 he says1 they were called ,gnostics1 pretending that they only knew the depths4 7,to this allusion is made ,apoc4 ii4 #bd1 which would identify these sectaries with the ,balaamites and ,nicolaitans47 ,the second of these great heresies of ,asia ,minor is the doketic4 ,the publication of the ,philosophumena has furnished us with much more precise information about their tenets4 ,we need not say much about the divine emanation--the fall of souls into matter1 their corporeal captivity1 their final rehabilitation 7these are merely the ordinary ,gnostic ideas74 ,but we may follow what they assert about the ,saviour and ,his manifestation in the world4 ,they admit in ,him the only ,son of the ,father 7 71 who descended to the reign of shadows and the ,virgin's womb1 where ,he clothed ,himself in a gross1 human material body4 ,but this was a vestment of no integrally personal and permanent character2 it was1 indeed1 a sort of masquerade1 an artifice or fiction imagined to deceive the prince of this world4 ,the ,saviour at ,his baptism received a second birth1 and clad ,himself with a subtler texture of body1 formed in the bosom of the waters--if that can be termed a body which was but a fantastic texture woven or framed upon the model of ,his earthly body4 ,during the hours of the ,passion1 the flesh formed in ,mary's womb1 and it alone1 was nailed to the tree4 ,the great ,archon or ,demiurgus1 whose work that flesh was1 was played upon and deceived1 in pouring ,his wrath only upon the work of ,his hands4 ,for the soul1 or spiritual substance1 which had been wounded in the flesh of the ,saviour1 extricated itself from this as from an unmeet and hateful vesture2 and itself contributing to nailing it to the cross1 triumphed by that very flesh over principalities and powers4 ,it did not1 however1 remain naked1 but clad in the subtler form which it had assumed in its baptismal second birth 7,philosoph41 viii4 #aj74 ,what is remarkable in this theory is1 first1 the admission of the reality of the terrestrial body1 formed in the ,virgin's womb1 and then nailed to the cross4 ,the negation is only of the real and permanent union of this body with the heavenly spirit which inhabits it4 ,we shall1 further1 note the importance which it attaches to the ,saviour's baptism1 and the part played by water1 as if an intermediate element between flesh and spirit4 ,this may bear upon #a ,john v4 #h4 ,this passage is from a ,dissertation--les ,trois ,tmoins ,clestes1 in a collection of religious and literary papers by ,french scholars 7,tom4 ii41 ,sept4 #ahfh1 pp4 #chh-cib74 ,the author1 since deceased1 was the ,abb ,le ,hir1 ,m4 ,renan's instructor in ,hebrew at ,saint ,sulpice1 and pronounced by his pupil one of the first of ,european ,hebraists and scientific theologians4 ,,footnotes3 #fi ,proprium est credentis ut cum assensu cogitet4 ,the intellect of him who believes assents to the thing believed1 not because he sees that thing either in itself or by logical reference to first self-evident principles2 but because it is so far convinced by ,divine authority as to assent to things which it does not see1 and on account of the dominance of the will in setting the intellect in motion4 ,this sentence is taken from a passage of ,aquinas which appears to be of great and permanent value4 ,summa ,theolog4 #b;a1 #b qust4 i4 art4 #d4 qust4 v4 art4 #b4 #gj ,acts xx4 #cj4 #ga 1 4 #a ,tim4 vi4 #bj4 ,the antitheses may either touch with slight sarcasm upon pompous pretensions to scientific logical method2 or may denote the really self-contradictory character of these elaborate compositions2 or again1 their polemical opposition to the ,christian creed4 #gb 4 #a ,tim4 i4 #c1 #d4 #gc ,irenus quotes #a ,tim4 i4 #d1 and interprets it of the ,gnostic 'ons4' ,adv4 ,hres41 i4 ,prom4 #gd ,few phenomena of criticism are more unaccountable than the desire to evade any acknowledgment of the historical existence of these singular heresies4 ,not long after ,st4 ,john's death1 ,polycarp1 in writing to the ,philippians1 quotes #a ,john iv4 #c1 and proceeds to show that doketism had consummated its work down to the last fibres of the root of the creed1 by two negations--no resurrection of the body1 no judgment4 7,polycarp1 ,epist4 ad ,philip41 vii47 ,ignatius twice deals with the ,doket at length4 ,to the ,trallians he delivers what may be called an antidoketic creed1 concluding in the tone of one who was wounded by what he was daily hearing4 ,be deaf then when any man speaks unto you without ,jesus ,christ1 who is of ,mary1 who truly was born1 truly suffered under ,pontius ,pilate1 truly was crucified and died1 truly also was raised from the dead4 ,but if some who are unbelieving say that ,he suffered apparently1 as if in vision1 being visionary themselves1 why am ,i a prisoner8 why do ,i choose to fight with wild beasts8 7,ignat41 ,ep4 ad ,trall41 iv4 x47 ,the play upon the name doket cannot be mistaken 7 1 74 ,ignatius writes to another ,church--,what profited it me if one praiseth me but blasphemeth my ,lord1 not confessing that ,he bears true human flesh4 ,they abstain from ,eucharist and prayer1 because they confess not that the ,eucharist is flesh of our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4 7,ep4 ad ,smyrn41 v4 vi4 vii47 #ge ,the elder ,mr4 ,mill1 however1 appears to have seriously leaned to this as a conceivable solution of the contradictory phenomena of existence4 #gf ,life vol4 ii41 #cei1 #cfj4 #gg ,much use has here been made of a truly remarkable article in the ,spectator1 ,jan4 #cast1 #ahhe4 #gh #b ,cor4 v4 #ac-ae4 #gi ,john i4 #dc4 #hj #a ,john iv4 #ai4 #ha #a ,john ii4 #c4 #hb #a ,john iii4 #d1 v4 #ag4 #hc ,every one who reads ,greek should refer to the magnificent passage1 ,s4 ,joann4 ,chrysos41 in ,joann41 ,homil4 ii4 #d4 #hd #a ,john iv4 #b2 #b ,john v4 #g4 ,see notes on the passages4 #he ,psalm lviii4 #ah4 #hf ,john vi4 #ec4 ,,discourse ,,iv4 ,,the ,,image ,,of ,,st4 ,,john',s ,,soul ,,in ,,his ,,epistle4 ,he that loveth pureness of heart1 for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend4--,,prov4 xxii4 #aa4 4444 4--,,apoc4 xxi4 #ai4 ,we know that whosoever is born of ,god sinneth not2 but he that is begotten of ,god keepeth himself1 and that wicked one toucheth him not4 ,and we know that we are of ,god1 and the whole world lieth in wickedness4 ,and we know that the ,son of ,god is come1 and hath given us an understanding that we may know ,him that is true1 and we are in ,him that is true1 even in ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is the true ,god and eternal life4--#a ,,john v4 #ah-bj4 ,much has been said in the last few years of a series of subtle and delicate experiments in sound4 ,means have been devised of doing for the ear something analogous to that which glasses do for another sense1 and of making the results palpable by a system of notation4 ,we are told that every tree for instance1 according to its foliage1 its position1 and the direction of the winds1 has its own prevalent note or tone1 which can be marked down1 and its timbre made first visible by this notation1 and then audible4 ,so is it with the souls of the saints of ,god1 and chiefly of the ,apostles4 ,each has its own note1 the prevalent key on which its peculiar music is set4 ,or we may employ another image which possibly has ,st4 ,john's own authority4 ,each of the twelve has his peculiar emblem among the twelve vast and precious foundation stones which underlie the whole wall of the ,church4 ,st4 ,john may thus differ from ,st4 ,peter1 as the sapphire's azure differs from the jasper's strength and radiance4 ,each is beautiful1 but with its own characteristic tint of beauty4#hg ,we propose to examine the peculiarities of ,st4 ,john's spiritual nature which may be traced in this ,epistle4 ,we try to form some conception of the key on which it is set1 of the colour which it reflects in the light of heaven1 of the image of a soul which it presents4 ,in this attempt we cannot be deceived4 ,st4 ,john is so transparently honest2 he takes such a deep1 almost terribly severe view of truth4 ,we find him using an expression about truth which is perhaps without a parallel in any other writer4 ,if we say that we have fellowship with ,him and walk in darkness we lie1 and are not doing the truth4#hh ,the truth then for him is something co-extensive with our whole nature and whole life4 ,truth is not only to be spoken--that is but a fragmentary manifestation of it4 ,it is to be done4 ,it would have been for him the darkest of lies to have put forth a spiritual commentary on his ,gospel which was not realised in himself4 ,in the ,epistle1 no doubt1 he uses the first person singular sparingly1 modestly including himself in the simple we of ,christian association4 ,yet we are as sure of the perfect accuracy of the picture of his soul1 of the music in his heart which he makes visible and audible in his letter1 as we are that he heard the voice of many waters1 and saw the city coming down from ,god out of heaven2 as sure1 as if at the close of this fifth chapter he had added with the triumphant emphasis of truth1 in his simple and stately way1 ,i ,john heard these things and saw them4#hi ,he closes this letter with a threefold affirmation of certain primary postulates of the ,christian life2 of its purity1#ij of its privilege#ia1 of its ,presence1#ib--we know1 we know1 we know4 ,in each case the plural might be exchanged for the singular4 ,he says we know1 because he is sure ,i know4 ,in studying the ,epistles of ,st4 ,john we may well ask what we see and hear therein of ,st4 ,john's character1 7#a7 as a sacred writer1 7#b7 as a saintly soul4 ,i4 ,we consider first the indications in the ,epistle of the ,apostle's character as a sacred writer4 ,for help in this direction we do not turn with much satisfaction to essays or annotations pervaded by the modern spirit4 ,the textual criticism of minute scholarship is no doubt much1 but it is not all4 ,aorists are made for man1 not man for the aorist4 ,he indeed who has not traced every fibre of the sacred text with grammar and lexicon cannot quite honestly claim to be an expositor of it4 ,but in the case of a book like ,scripture this1 after all1 is but an important preliminary4 ,the frigid subtlety of the commentator who always seems to have the questions for a divinity examination before his eyes1 fails in the glow and elevation necessary to bring us into communion with the spirit of ,st4 ,john4 ,led by such guides1 the ,apostle passes under our review as a third-rate writer of a magnificent language in decadence1 not as the greatest of theologians and masters of the spiritual life--with whatever defects of literary style1 at once the ,plato of the twelve in one region1 and the ,aristotle in the other2 the first by his lofty inspiration1 the second by his judicious utilitarianism4 ,the deepest thought of the ,church has been brooding for seventeen centuries over these pregnant and many-sided words1 so many of which are the very words of ,christ4 ,to separate ourselves from this vast and beautiful commentary is to place ourselves out of the atmosphere in which we can best feel the influence of ,st4 ,john4 ,let us read ,chrysostom's description of the style and thought of the author of the fourth ,gospel4 ,the son of thunder1 the loved of ,christ1 the pillar of the ,churches1 who leaned on ,jesus' bosom1 makes his entrance4 ,he plays no drama1 he covers his head with no mask4 ,yet he wears array of inimitable beauty4 ,for he comes having his feet shod with the preparation of the ,gospel of peace1 and his loins girt1 not with fleece dyed in purple1 or bedropped with gold1 but woven through and through with1 and composed of1 the truth itself4 ,he will now appear before us1 not dramatically1 for with him there is no theatrical effect or fiction1 but with his head bared he tells the bare truth4 ,all these things he will speak with absolute accuracy1 being the friend of the ,king ,himself--aye1 having the ,king speaking within him1 and hearing all things from ,him which ,he heareth from the ,father2 as ,he saith--'you ,i have called friends1 for all things that ,i have heard from ,my ,father1 ,i have made known unto you4' ,wherefore1 as if we all at once saw one stooping down from yonder heaven1 and promising to tell us truly of things there1 we should all flock to listen to him1 so let us now dispose ourselves4 ,for it is from up there that this man speaks down to us4 ,and the fisherman is not carried away by the whirling current of his own exuberant verbosity2 but all that he utters is with the steadfast accuracy of truth1 and as if he stood upon a rock he budges not4 ,all time is his witness4 ,seest thou the boldness1 and the great authority of his words6 how he utters nothing by way of doubtful conjecture1 but all demonstratively1 as if passing sentence4 ,very lofty is this ,apostle1 and full of dogmas1 and lingers over them more than over other things6#ic ,this admirable passage1 with its fresh and noble enthusiasm1 nowhere reminds us of the glacial subtleties of the schools4 ,it is the utterance of an expositor who spoke the language in which his master wrote1 and breathed the same spiritual atmosphere4 ,it is scarcely less true of the ,epistle than of the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 ,here also he is full of dogmas1 here again he is the theologian of the ,church4 ,but we are not to estimate the amount of dogma merely by the number of words in which it is expressed4 ,dogma1 indeed1 is not really composed of isolated texts--as pollen showered from conifers and germs scattered from mosses1 accidentally brought together and compacted1 are found upon chemical analysis to make up certain lumps of coal4 ,it is primary and structural4 ,the ,divinity and ,incarnation of ,jesus pervade the ,first ,epistle4 ,its whole structure is ,trinitarian4#id ,it contains two of the three great three-word dogmatic utterances of the ,new ,testament about the nature of ,god 7the first being in the fourth ,gospel7--,god is ,spirit1 ,god is light1 ,god is love4 ,the chief dogmatic statements of the ,atonement are found in these few chapters4 ,the blood of ,jesus ,his ,son cleanseth us from all sin4 ,we have an ,advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the ,righteous4 ,he is the propitiation for the whole world4 ,god loved us1 and sent ,his ,son the propitiation for our sins4 ,where the ,apostle passes on to deal with the spiritual life1 he once more is full of dogmas1 i4e41 of eternal self-evidenced oracular sentences1 spoken as if down from heaven1 or by one whose foot is upon a rock1--apparently identical propositions1 all-inclusive1 the dogmas of moral and spiritual life1 as those upon the ,trinity1 the ,incarnation1 the ,atonement1 are of strictly theological truth4 ,a further characteristic of ,st4 ,john as a sacred writer in his ,epistle is1 that he appears to indicate throughout the moral and spiritual conditions which were necessary for receiving the ,gospel with which he endowed the ,church as the life of their life4 ,these conditions are three4 ,the first is spirituality1 submission to the teaching of the ,spirit1 that they may know by it the meaning of the words of ,jesus--the anointing of the ,holy ,ghost1 which is ever teaching all things that ,he said4#ie ,the second condition is purity1 at least1 the continuing effort after self-purification which is incumbent even upon those who have received the great pardon4#if ,this involves the following in life's daily walk of the ,one perfect life-walk1#ig the imitation of that which is supremely good1#ih incarnated in an actual earthly career4 ,all must be purity1 or effort after purity1 on the side of those who would read aright the ,gospel of the immaculate ,lamb of ,god4 ,the third condition for such readers is love--charity4 ,when he comes to deal fully with that great theme1 the eagle of ,god wheels far out of sight4 ,in the depths of ,his ,eternal ,being1 ,god is love4#ii ,then this truth comes closer to us as believers4 ,it stands completely and for ever manifested in its work in us1#ajj because ,god hath sent 7a mission in the past1 but with abiding consequences7#aja ,his ,son1 ,his only-begotten ,son into the world1 that we may live through ,him4 ,yet again1 he rises higher from the manifestation of this love to the eternal and essential principle in which it stands present for ever4 ,in this is the love1 not that we loved ,god1 but that ,god loved us1 and once for all sent ,his ,son a propitiation for our sins4#ajb ,then follows the manifestation of our love4 ,if ,god so loved us1 we also are bound to love one another4 ,do we think it strange that ,st4 ,john does not first draw the lesson--if ,god so loved us1 we also are bound to love ,god8 ,it has been in his heart all along1 but he utters it in his own way1 in the solemn pathetic question--he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen1 ,god whom he hath not seen how can he love8#ajc ,yet once more he sums up the creed in a few short words4 ,we have believed the love that ,god hath in us4#ajd ,truly and deeply has it been said that this creed of the heart1 suffused with the softest tints and sweetest colours1 goes to the root of all heresies upon the ,incarnation1 whether in ,st4 ,john's time or later4 ,that ,god should give up ,his ,son by sending ,him forth in humanity2 that the ,word made flesh should humble ,himself to the death upon the cross1 the ,sinless offer ,himself for sinners1 this is what heresy cannot bring itself to understand4 ,it is the excess of such love which makes it incredible4 ,we have believed the love is the whole faith of a ,christian man4 ,it is ,st4 ,john's creed in three words4#aje ,such are the chief characteristics of ,st4 ,john as a sacred writer1 which may be traced in his ,epistle4 ,these characteristics of the author imply corresponding characteristics of the man4 ,he who states with such inevitable precision1 with such noble and self-contained enthusiasm1 the great dogmas of the ,christian faith1 the great laws of the ,christian life1 must himself have entirely believed them4 ,he who insists upon these conditions in the readers of his ,gospel1 must himself have aimed at1 and possessed1 spirituality1 purity1 and love4 ,,ii4 ,we proceed to look at the ,first ,epistle as a picture of the soul of its author4 7#a7 ,his was a life free from the dominion of wilful and habitual sin of any kind4 ,whosoever is born of ,god doth not commit sin1 and he cannot continue sinning4 ,whosoever abideth in ,him sinneth not2 whosoever sinneth hath not seen ,him1 neither known ,him4 ,a man so entirely true1 if conscious to himself of any reigning sin1 dare not have deliberately written these words4 7#b7 ,but if ,st4 ,john's was a life free from subjection to any form of the power of sin1 he shows us that sanctity is not sinlessness1 in language which it is alike unwise and unsafe to attempt to explain away4 ,if we say that we have no sin1 we deceive ourselves4 ,if we say that we have not sinned and are not sinners1 we make ,him a liar4 ,but so long as we do not fall back into darkness1 the blood of ,jesus is ever purifying us from all sin4 ,this he has written that the fulness of the ,christian life may be realised in believers2 that each step of their walk may follow the blessed footprints of the most holy life2 that each successive act of a consecrated existence may be free from sin4#ajf ,and yet1 if any fail in some such single act1#ajg if he swerve1 for a moment1 from the true tenour of the course which he is shaping1 there is no reason to despair4 ,beautiful humility of this pure and lofty soul6 ,how tenderly1 with what lowly graciousness he places himself among those who have and who need an ,advocate4 ,mark ,john's humility1 cries ,st4 ,augustine2 he says not 'ye have1' nor 'ye have me1' nor even 'ye have ,christ4' ,but he puts forward ,christ1 not himself2 and he says 'we have1' not 'ye have1' thus placing himself in the rank of sinners4#ajh ,nor does ,st4 ,john cover himself under the subterfuges by which men at different times have tried to get rid of a truth so humiliating to spiritual pride--sometimes by asserting that they so stand accepted in ,christ that no sin is accounted to them for such2 sometimes by pleading personal exemption for themselves as believers4 ,this ,epistle stands alone in the ,new ,testament in being addressed to two generations--one of which after conversion had grown old in a ,christian atmosphere1 whilst the other had been educated from the cradle under the influences of the ,christian ,church4 ,it is therefore natural that such a letter should give prominence to the constant need of pardon4 ,it certainly does not speak so much of the great initial pardon1#aji as of the continuing pardons needed by human frailty4 ,in dwelling upon pardon once given1 upon sanctification once begun1 men are possibly apt to forget the pardon that is daily wanting1 the purification that is never to cease4 ,we are to walk daily from pardon to pardon1 from purification to purification4 ,yesterday's surrender of self to ,christ may grow ineffectual if it be not renewed to-day4 ,this is sometimes said to be a humiliating view of the ,christian life4 ,perhaps so--but it is the view of the ,church1 which places in its offices a daily confession of sin2 of ,st4 ,john in this ,epistle2 nay1 of ,him who teaches us1 after our prayers for bread day by day1 to pray for a daily forgiveness4 ,this may be more humiliating1 but it is safer teaching than that which proclaims a pardon to be appropriated in a moment for all sins past1 present1 and to come4 ,this humility may be traced incidentally in other regions of the ,christian life4 ,thus he speaks of the possibility at least of his being among those who might shrink with shame from ,christ in ,his coming4 ,he does not disdain to write as if1 in hours of spiritual depression1 there were tests by which he too might need to lull and persuade his heart before ,god4#aaj 7#c7 ,st4 ,john again has a boundless faith in prayer4 ,it is the key put into the child's hand by which he may let himself into the house1 and come into his ,father's presence when he will1 at any hour of the night or day4 ,and prayer made according to the conditions which ,god has laid down is never quite lost4 ,the particular thing asked for may not indeed be given2 but the substance of the request1 the holier wish1 the better purpose underlying its weakness and imperfection1 never fails to be granted4#aaa 7#d7 ,all but superficial readers must perceive that in the writings and character of ,st4 ,john there is from time to time a tonic and wholesome severity4 ,art and modern literature have agreed to bestow upon the ,apostle of love the features of a languid and inert tenderness4 ,it is forgotten that ,st4 ,john was the son of thunder2 that he could once wish to bring down fire from heaven2 and that the natural character is transfigured not inverted by grace4 ,the ,apostle uses great plainness of speech4 ,for him a lie is a lie1 and darkness is never courteously called light4 ,he abhors and shudders at those heresies which rob the soul first of ,christ1 and then of ,god4#aab ,those who undermine the ,incarnation are for him not interesting and original speculators1 but lying prophets4 ,he underlines his warnings against such men with his roughest and blackest pencil mark4 ,whoso sayeth to him 'good speed' hath fellowship with his works1 those wicked works#aac--;for such heresy is not simply one work1 but a series of works4 ,the schismatic prelate or pretender ,diotrephes may babble2 but his babblings are wicked words for all that1 and are in truth the works which he is doing4 ,the influence of every great ,christian teacher lasts long beyond the day of his death4 ,it is felt in a general tone and spirit1 in a special appropriation of certain parts of the creed1 in a peculiar method of the ,christian life4 ,this influence is very discernible in the remains of two disciples of ,st4 ,john1#aad ,ignatius and ,polycarp4 ,in writing to the ,ephesians1 ,ignatius does not indeed explicitly refer to ,st4 ,john's ,epistle1 as he does to that of ,st4 ,paul to the ,ephesians4 ,but he draws in a few bold lines a picture of the ,christian life which is imbued with the very spirit of ,st4 ,john4 ,the character which the ,apostle loved was quiet and real2 we feel that his heart is not with him that sayeth4#aae ,so ,ignatius writes--it is better to keep silence1 and yet to be1 than to talk and not to be4 ,it is good to teach if 'he that sayeth doeth4' ,he who has gotten to himself the word of ,jesus truly is able to hear the silence of ,jesus also1 so that he may act through that which he speaks1 and be known through the things wherein he is silent4 ,let us therefore do all things as in ,his presence who dwelleth in us1 that we may be ,his temple1 and that ,he may be in us our ,god4 ,this is the very spirit of ,st4 ,john4 ,we feel in it at once his severe common sense and his glorious mysticism4 ,we must add that the influence of ,st4 ,john may be traced in matters which are often considered alien to his simple and spiritual piety4 ,it seems that ,episcopacy was consolidated and extended under his fostering care4 ,the language of ,ignatius 7probably his disciple7 upon the necessity of union with the ,episcopate is1 after all conceivable deductions1 of startling strength4 ,a few decades could not possibly have removed ,ignatius so far from the lines marked out to him by ,st4 ,john as he must have advanced1 if this teaching upon ,church government was a new departure4 ,and with this conception of ,church government we must associate other matters also4 ,the immediate successors of ,st4 ,john1 who had learned from his lips1 held deep sacramental views4 ,the ,eucharist is the bread of ,god1 the bread of heaven1 the bread of life1 the flesh of ,christ4 ,again ,ignatius cries--desire to use one ,eucharist1 for one is the flesh of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and one cup unto oneness of ,his blood1 one altar1 as one ,bishop1 with the ,presbytery and deacons4#aag ,hints are not wanting that sweetness and life in public worship derived inspiration from the same quarter4 ,the language of ,ignatius is deeply tinged with his passion for music4#aah ,the beautiful story1 how he set down1 immediately after a vision1 the melody to which he had heard the angels chanting1 and caused it to be used in his church at ,antioch1 attests the impression of enthusiasm and care for sacred song which was associated with the memory of ,ignatius4#aai ,nor can we be surprised at these features of ,ephesian ,christianity1 when we remember who was the founder of those ,churches4 ,he was the writer of three books4 ,these books come to us with a continuous living interpretation of more than seventeen centuries of historical ,christianity4 ,from the fourth ,gospel in large measure has arisen the sacramental instinct1 from the ,apocalypse the sthetic instinct1 which has been certainly exaggerated both in the ,east and ,west4 ,the third and sixth chapters of ,st4 ,john's ,gospel permeate every baptismal and eucharistic office4 ,given an inspired book which represents the worship of the redeemed as one of perfect majesty and beauty1 men may well in the presence of noble churches and stately liturgies1 adopt the words of our great ,english ,christian poet-- things which shed upon the outward frame ,of worship glory and grace--which who shall blame ,that ever look'd to heaven for final rest8 ,the third book in this group of writings supplies the sweet and quiet spirituality which is the foundation of every regenerate nature4 ,such is the image of the soul which is presented to us by ,st4 ,john himself4 ,it is based upon a firm conviction of the nature of ,god1 of the ,divinity1 the ,incarnation1 the ,atonement of our ,lord4 ,it is spiritual4 ,it is pure1 or being purified4 ,the highest theological truth--,god is ,love--supremely realised in the ,holy ,trinity1 supremely manifested in the sending forth of ,god's only ,son1 becomes the law of its common social life1 made visible in gentle patience1 in giving and forgiving4#abj ,such a life will be free from the degradation of habitual sin4 ,yet it is at best an imperfect representation of the one perfect life4#aba ,it needs unceasing purification by the blood of ,jesus1 the continual advocacy of ,one who is sinless4 ,such a nature1 however full of charity1 will not be weakly indulgent to vital error or to ambitious schism2#abb for it knows the value of truth and unity4 ,it feels the sweetness of a calm conscience1 and of a simple belief in the efficacy of prayer4 ,over every such life--over all the grief that may be1 all the temptation that must be--is the purifying hope of a great ,advent1 the ennobling assurance of a perfect victory1 the knowledge that if we continue true to the principle of our new birth we are safe4 ,and our safety is1 not that we keep ourselves1 but that we are kept by arms which are as soft as love1 and as strong as eternity4#abc ,these ,epistles are full of instruction and of comfort for us1 just because they are written in an atmosphere of the ,church which1 in one respect at least1 resembles our own4 ,there is in them no reference whatever to a continuance of miraculous powers1 to raptures1 or to extraordinary phenomena4 ,all in them which is supernatural continues even to this day1 in the possession of an inspired record1 in sacramental grace1 in the pardon and holiness1 the peace and strength of believers4 ,the apocryphal ,acts of ,john contain some fragments of real beauty almost lost in questionable stories and prolix declamation4 ,it is probably not literally true that when ,st4 ,john in early life wished to make himself a home1 his ,lord said to him1 ,i have need of thee1 ,john2 that that thrilling voice once came to him1 wafted over the still darkened sea--,john1 hadst thou not been ,mine1 ,i would have suffered thee to marry4#abd ,but the ,epistle shows us much more effectually that he had a pure heart and virgin will4 ,it is scarcely probable that the son of ,zebedee ever drained a cup of hemlock with impunity2 but he bore within him an effectual charm against the poison of sin4#abe ,we of this nineteenth century may smile when we read that he possessed the power of turning leaves into gold1 of transmuting pebbles into jewels1 of fusing shattered gems into one2 but he carried with him wherever he went that most excellent gift of charity1 which makes the commonest things of earth radiant with beauty4#abf ,he may not actually have praised his ,master during his last hour in words which seem to us not quite unworthy even of such lips--,thou art the only ,lord1 the root of immortality1 the fountain of incorruption4 ,thou who madest our rough wild nature soft and quiet1 who deliveredst me from the imagination of the moment1 and didst keep me safe within the guard of that which abideth for ever4 ,but such thoughts in life or death were never far from him for whom ,christ was the ,word and the ,life2 who knew that while the world passeth away and the lust thereof1 he that doeth the will of ,god abideth for ever4#abg ,may we so look upon this image of the ,apostle's soul in his ,epistle that we may reflect something of its brightness6 ,may we be able to think1 as we turn to this threefold assertion of knowledge--,i know something of the security of this keeping4#abh ,i know something of the sweetness of being in the ,church1 that isle of light surrounded by a darkened world4#abi ,i know something of the beauty of the perfect human life recorded by ,st4 ,john1 something of the continued presence of the ,son of ,god1 something of the new sense which ,he gives1 that we may know ,him who is the ,very ,god4#acj ,blessed exchange not to be vaunted loudly1 but spoken reverently in our own hearts--the exchange of we1 for ,i4 ,there is much divinity in these pronouns4#aca ,,notes4 ,,note ,a4 #a ,john iv4 #h1 #i1 #aj4 ,modern theological schools of a ,calvinistic bias have tended to overlook the conception of the nature of ,god as essential or substantive ,love1 and to consider love only as manifested in redemption4 ,socinianising interpreters understand the proposition to mean that ,god is simply and exclusively benevolent4 7,on the inadequacy of this1 see ,butler1 ,anal41 ,part ,i41 ch4 iii41 and ,dissertation ,,ii4 of the ,nature of ,virtue47 ,the highest ,christian thought has ever recognised that the proposition ',god is ,love' necessarily involves the august truth that ,god if sole is not solitary4 7,credimur et confitemur omnipotentem ,trinitatem--unum ,deum solum non solitarium4 ,concil4 ,tolet41 vi4 #a47 ,let it not be supposed1 said ,st4 ,bernard1 that ,i here account ,love as an attribute or accident1 but as the ,divine essence--no new doctrine1 seeing that ,st4 ,john saith ',god is love4' ,it may rightly be said both that ,love is ,god1 and that love is the gift of ,god4 ,for ,love gives love2 the essential ,love gives that which is accidental4 ,when ,love signifies the ,giver1 it is the name of ,his essence2 when it signifies ,his gift1 it is the name of a quality or attribute4 7,s4 ,bernard41 de dil4 ,deo1 xii474 ,this is nobly said4 ,god is love4 ,thus love is the eternal law whereby all things were created and are governed--wherewith ,he who is the law of all things is unto ,himself ,his own law1 and that a law of love--wherewith ,he bindeth ,his ,trinity into ,unity4 7,thomassin4 ,dogm4 ,theol41 lib4 iii41 #bc47 ,,note ,b4 1 7,acta ,johannis1 #ba74 ,these sentences are surely not without freshness and power4 ,one other passage is worth translating1 because it seems to have just that imaginative cast which makes the ,greek ,liturgies1 like so much else that is ,greek1 stand midway between the ,east and ,west2 and because it apparently refers to ,st4 ,john's ,gospel4 ,jesus6 ,thou who hast woven this coronal with ,thy plaiting1 who hast blended these many flowers into the flower of ,thy presence1 not blown through by the winds of any storm2 ,thou who hast scattered thickly abroad the seed of these words of ,thine--7,acta ,johannis1 #ag74 ,,footnotes3 #hg ,apoc4 xxi4 #ai1 #bj4 #hh #a ,john i4 #f1 cf4 ,john iii4 #ba4 ,in the ,,lxx4 the phrase is only found once1 and is then applied to ,god3 7,neh4 ix4 #cc74 ,it is characteristic of ,st4 ,john's style that doing a lie is found in ,apoc4 xxi4 #bg1 xxii4 #ae4 #hi ,apoc4 xxii4 #h4 #ij #a ,john v4 #ah4 #ia ,ibid4 #ai4 #ib 1 has come1--and is here4--,ibid4 #bj4 #ic ,s4 ,joann4 ,chrysost41 in ,johan41 ,homil4 iii41 ,tom4 viii41 #be1 #cf1 ,edit4 ,migne4 #id ,huther1 while rejecting with all impartial critics the interpolation 7#a ,john v4 #g71 writes thus3 when we embrace in one survey the contents of the ,epistle as a whole1 it is certainly easy to adapt the conception of the three ,heavenly witnesses to one place after another in the document4 ,but it does not follow that the mention of it just here would be in its right place4 7,handbuch ber der drei ,briefe des ,johannes4 ,dr4 ,j4 ,e4 ,huther47 #ie #a ,john ii4 #bj4 #if #a ,john i4 #g1 iii4 #c4 #ig #a ,john ii4 #f4 #ih ,imitate not that which is evil1 but that which is good 7#c ,john #ab74 ,a comparison of this verse with ,john xxi4 #bd would lead to the supposition that the writer of the letter is quoting the ,gospel1 and assumes an intimate knowledge of it on the part of ,caius4 ,see ,discourse ,,xvii4 ,part ii4 of this vol4 #ii ,see note ,a at the end of this discourse4 #ajj #a ,john iv4 #i4 #aja 4 #ajb 4 #ajc #a ,john iv4 #bj4 #ajd #a ,john iv4 #af4 #aje 1 #a ,john iv4 #af4 #ajf ,for the aor4 conj4 in this place as distinguished from the pres4 conj4 cf4 ,john v4 #bj1 #bc1 vi4 #bh1 #bi1 #cj4 ,professor ,westcott's refined scholarship corrects the error of many commentators1 that the ,apostle is simply warning us not to draw encouragement for license from the doctrine of forgiveness4 ,the tense is decisive against this1 the thought is of the single act not of the state4 #ajg 1 #a ,john ii4 #a4 #ajh ,in ,epist4 ,johann41 ,tract4 ,i4 #aji #a ,john ii4 #ab1 is1 of course1 an important exception4 #aaj #a ,john iii4 #ai1 #bj4 #aaa ,see ,prof4 ,westcott's valuable note on #a ,john v4 #ae4 ,the very things literally asked for would be 1 not 4 #aab #b ,john #aa4 #aac #c ,john #aj4 #aad ,mart4 ,ignat41 i4 ,s4 ,hieron1 de ,script4 ,eccles41 xvii4 #aae 1 #a ,john ii4 #d1 #f1 #i4 #aaf ,ignat4 ,epist4 ad ,ephes41 xv41 cf4 #a ,john ii4 #ad1 iv4 #i1 #ag1 iii4 #b4 #aag ,s4 ,ignat4 ,epist4 ad ,philad41 iv42 cf4 ,epist4 ad ,smyrn41 vii42 ,epist4 ad ,ephes41 xx4 #aah ,the most elaborate passage in the ,ignatian remains is probably this4 ,your ,presbytery is fitted together harmoniously with the ,bishop as chords with the cithara4 ,hereby in your symphonious love ,jesus ,christ is sung in concord4 ,taking your part man by man become one choir1 that being harmoniously accordant in your like-mindedness1 having received in unity the chromatic music of ,god 7 71 ye may sing with one voice through ,jesus ,christ unto the ,father4--,epist4 ad ,ephes41 iv4 ,the same image is differently applied1 ,epist4 ad ,philad41 i4 #aai ,the story is given by ,socrates4 7,h4 ,e41 vi4 #h47 #abj #a ,john iv4 #g1 #ab4 #aba #a ,john ii4 #f1 #i1 i4 #g-aj1 ii4 #a1 #b4 #abb #a ,john i4 #g1 ii4 #b1 iv4 #c1 #f2 #b ,john #g-aa2 #c ,john #i1 #aj4 #abc #a ,john iii4 #ai1 v4 #ad1 #ae1 iv4 #b1 #c1 v4 #d1 #e1 #ah4 #abd ,these sentences do not go so far as the mischievous and antiscriptural legend of later ascetic heretics1 who marred the beauty and the purpose of the miracle at ,cana1 by asserting that ,john was the bridegroom1 and that our ,lord took him away from his bride4 ,acta ,johannis1 ,,xxi4 ,act4 ,apost4 ,apoc41 ,tisch41 #bge74 #abe ,this legend no doubt arose from the promise--if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them 7,mark xvi4 #ah74 ,virus fidens sorbuit4 ,adam of ,st4 ,victor1 ,seq4 ,,xxxiii4 #abf ,aurum hic de frondibus1 ,gemmas de silicibus1 ,fractis de fragminibus1 ,fecit firmas4--,ibid4 ,there is something interesting in the persistency of legends about ,st4 ,john's power over gems1 when connected with the passage1 flashing all over with the light of precious stones1 whose exquisite disposition is the wonder of lapidaries4 ,apoc4 xxi1 #ah1 #bb4 #abg ,see note ,b at the end of the ,discourse4 #abh #a ,john v4 #ah4 #abi ,ibid4 v4 #ai4 #acj ,ibid4 v4 #bj4 #aca ,said by ,luther of ,psalm xxii4 #a4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,some ,,general ,,rules ,,for ,,the ,,interpretation ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,i4 ,,subject ,,matter4 7#a7 ,the ,epistle is to be read through with constant reference to the ,gospel4 ,in what precise form the former is related to the latter 7whether as a preface or as an appendix1 as a spiritual commentary or an encyclical7 critics may decide4 ,but there is a vital and constant connection4 ,the two documents not only touch each other in thought1 but interpenetrate each other2 and the ,epistle is constantly suggesting questions which the ,gospel only can answer1 e4g41 #a ,john i4 #a1 cf4 ,john i4 #a-ad2 #a ,john v4 #i1 witness of men1 cf4 ,john i4 #ae-cf1 #da1 #de1 #di1 iii4 #b1 #bg-cf1 iv4 #bi-db1 vi4 #fh1 #fi1 vii4 #df1 ix4 #ch1 xi4 #bg1 xviii4 #ch1 xix4 #e1 #f1 xx4 #bh4 7#b7 ,such eloquence of style as ,st4 ,john possesses is real rather than verbal4 ,the interpreter must look not only at the words themselves1 but at that which precedes and follows2 above all he must fix his attention not only upon the verbal expression of the thought1 but upon the thought itself4 ,for the formal connecting link is not rarely omitted1 and must be supplied by the devout and candid diligence of the reader4 ,the root below the stream can only be traced by our bending over the water until it becomes translucent to us4 ,e4g4 #a ,john i4 #g1 #h4 ,ver4 #g1 the root below the stream is a question of this kind1 which naturally arises from reading ver4 #f--must it be said that the sons of light need a constant cleansing by the blood of ,jesus1 which implies a constant guilt8 ,some such thought is the latent root of connection4 ,the answer is supplied by the following verse4 ,it is so for if we say that we have no sin1 etc4 ,cf4 also iii4 #af1 #ag1 xiv4 #h1 #i1 #aj1 #aa1 v4 #c 7ad4 fin471 #d4 ,,ii4 ,,language4 #a4 ,tenses4 ,in the ,new ,testament generally tenses are employed very much in the same sense1 and with the same general accuracy1 as in other ,greek authors4 ,the so-called enallage temporum1 or perpetual and convenient ,hebraism1 has been proved by the greatest ,hebrew scholars to be no ,hebraism at all4 ,but it is one of the simple secrets of ,st4 ,john's quiet thoughtful power1 that he uses tenses with the most rigorous precision4 7a7 ,the ,present of continuing uninterrupted action1 e4g41 i4 #h1 ii4 #f1 iii4 #g1 #h1 #i4 ,hence the so-called substantized participle with article has in ,st4 ,john the sense of the continuous and constitutive temper and conduct of any man1 the principle of his moral and spiritual life--e4g41 1 he who is ever vaunting1 ii4 #d2 1 every one the abiding principle of whose life is hatred1 iii4 #ae2 1 every one the abiding principle of whose life is love1 iv4 #g4 ,the ,infin4 ,present is generally used to express an action now in course of performing or continued in itself or in its results1 or frequently repeated--e4g41 #a ,john ii4 #f1 iii4 #h1 #i1 v4 #ah4 7,winer1 ,gr4 of ,n4 ,t4 ,diction1 ,part #c1 xliv41 #cdh74 7b7 ,the ,aorist4 ,this tense is generally used either of a thing occurring only once1 which does not admit1 or at least does not require1 the notion of continuance and perpetuity2 or of something which is brief and as it were only momentary in duration 7,stallbaum1 ,plat4 ,enthyd41 p4 #adj74 ,this limitation or isolation of the predicated action is most accurately indicated by the usual form of this tense in ,greek4 ,the aorist verb is encased between the augment - past time1 and the adjunct - future time1 i4e41 the act is fixed on within certain limits of previous and consequent time 7,donaldson1 ,gr4 ,gr41 #dbg1 ,b4 #b74 ,the aorist is used with most significant accuracy in the ,epistle of ,st4 ,john1 e4g41 ii4 #f1 #aa1 #bg1 iv4 #aj1 v4 #ah4 7c7 ,the ,perfect4 ,the ,perfect denotes action absolutely past which lasts on in its effects4 ,the idea of completeness conveyed by the aorist must be distinguished from that of a state consequent on an act1 which is the meaning of the perfect 7,donaldson1 ,gr4 ,gr41 #dai74 ,careful observation of this principle is the key to some of the chief difficulties of the ,epistle 7iii4 #i1 v4 #d1 #ah74 7#b7 ,the form of accessional parallelism is to be carefully noticed4 ,the second member is always in advance of the first2 and a third is occasionally introduced in advance of the second1 denoting the highest point to which the thought is thrown up by the tide of thought1 e4g41 #a ,john ii4 #d1 #e1 #f1 v4 #aa1 v4 #bg4 7#c7 ,the preparatory touch upon the chord which announces a theme to be amplified afterwards1--e4g41 ii4 #bi1 iii4 #i--;iv4 #g1 v4 #c1 #d2 iii4 #ba--v4 #ad1 ii4 #bj1 iii4 #bd1 iv4 #c1 v4 #f1 #h1 ii4 #ac1 #ad1 iv4 #d--v4 #d1 #e4 7#d7 ,one secret of ,st4 ,john's simple and solemn rhetoric consists in an impressive change in the order in which a leading word is used1 e4g41 #a ,john ii4 #bd1 iv4 #bj4 ,these principles carefully applied will be the best commentary upon the letter of the ,apostle1 to whom not only when his subject is-- ,de ,deo ,deum verum ,alpha et ,omega1 ,patrem rerum2 but when he unfolds the principles of our spiritual life1 we may apply ,adam of ,st4 ,victor's powerful and untranslatable line1 ,solers scribit idiota4 ,,section ,i4 ,,greek ,,text4 ,,latin4 ' 1 ,quod fuit ab initio1 1 quod audivimus1 et 1 vidimus oculis nostris1 1 quod perspeximus1 et manus nostr temtaverunt1 de ,verbo vit2 1 et vita manifestata 1 est1 et vidimus et testamur1 1 et adnuntiamus vobis vitam ternam1 1 qu erat apud ,patrem1 1 et apparuit nobis3 quod vidimus et audivimus1 1 et adnuntiamus vobis1 ut et vos societatem 1 habeatis nobiscum1 et ' societas nostra sit cum ,patre1 et ,filio eius ,iesu ,christo4 ,et hc scripsimus vobis ut gaudium nostrum sit plenum4 1 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,that which was from ,that which was from the beginning1 which the beginning1 that we have heard1 which which we have heard1 we have seen with our that which we have eyes1 which we have seen with our eyes1 looked upon1 and our that which we beheld1 hands have handled1 and our hands handled1 of the ,word of ,life2 concerning the ,word 7for the life was of life 7and the life was manifested1 and we manifested1 and we have seen it1 and bear have seen1 and bear witness1 and show unto witness1 and declare you that eternal life1 unto you the life1 the which was with the eternal life1 which was ,father1 and was manifested with the ,father1 and unto us27 that was manifested unto which we have seen us72 that which we and heard declare we have seen and heard unto you1 that ye declare we unto you also may have fellowship also1 that ye also may with us3 and truly have fellowship with our fellowship is with us3 yea1 and our fellowship the ,father1 and with is with the his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,father1 and with his ,and these things write ,son ,jesus ,christ3 and we unto you1 that your these things we write1 joy may be full4 that our joy may be fulfilled4 ,,another ,,rendering4 ,that which was ever from the beginning1 that which we have heard1 that which we have seen with our eyes1 that which we gazed upon1 and our hands handled--,i speak concerning the ,word who is the ,life--and the ,life was manifested1 and we have seen1 and bear witness1 and declare unto you the life1 the eternal life1 as being that which was ever with the ,father1 and was manifested unto us3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you1 that ye also may have fellowship with us3 yea1 and that fellowship1 which is our fellowship1 is with the ,father and with ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,and these things write we unto you1 that your joy may be fulfilled4 ,,discourse ,i4 ,,analysis ,,and ,,theory ,,of ,,st4 ,,john',s ,,gospel4 ,of the ,word of ,life4--#a ,,john i4 #a4 ,in the opening verses of this ,epistle we have a sentence whose ample and prolonged prelude has but one parallel in ,st4 ,john's writings4#acb ,it is1 as an old divine says1 prefaced and brought in with more magnificent ceremony than any passage in ,scripture4 ,the very emotion and enthusiasm with which it is written1 and the sublimity of the exordium as a whole1 tends to make the highest sense also the most natural sense4 ,of what or of whom does ,st4 ,john speak in the phrase concerning the ,word of ,life1 or the ,word who is the ,life8 ,the neuter that which is used for the masculine--,he who--according to ,st4 ,john's practice of employing the neuter comprehensively when a collective whole is to be expressed4 ,the phrase from the beginning1 taken by itself1 might no doubt be employed to signify the beginning of ,christianity1 or of the ministry of ,christ4 ,but even viewing it as entirely isolated from its context of language and circumstance1 it has a greater claim to be looked upon as from eternity or from the beginning of the creation4 ,other considerations are decisive in favour of the last interpretation4 7#a7 ,we have already adverted to the lofty and transcendental tone of the whole passage1 elevating as it does each clause by the irresistible upward tendency of the whole sentence4 ,the climax and resting place cannot stop short of the bosom of ,god4 7#b7 ,but again1 we must also bear in mind that the ,epistle is everywhere to be read with the ,gospel before us1 and the language of the ,epistle to be connected with that of the ,gospel4 ,the promium of the ,epistle is the subjective version of the objective historical point of view which we find at the close of the preface to the ,gospel4 ,the ,word was made flesh and dwelt among us2 so ,st4 ,john begins his sentence in the ,gospel with a statement of an historical fact4 ,but he proceeds1 and we delightedly beheld ,his glory2 that is a statement of the personal impression attested by his own consciousness and that of other witnesses4 ,but let us note carefully that in the ,epistle1 which is in subjective relation to the ,gospel1 this process is exactly reversed4 ,the ,apostle begins with the personal impression2 pauses to affirm the reality of the many proofs in the realm of fact of that which produced this impression through the senses upon the conceptions and emotions of those who were brought into contact with the ,saviour2 and then returns to the subjective impression from which he had originally started4 7#c7 ,much of the language in this passage is inconsistent with our understanding by the ,word the first announcement of the ,gospel preaching4 ,one might of course speak of hearing the commencement of the ,gospel message1 due surely not of seeing and handling it4 7#d7 ,it is a noteworthy fact that the ,gospel and the ,apocalypse begin with the mention of the personal ,word4 ,this may well lead us to expect that ,logos should be used in the same sense in the promium of the great ,epistle by the same author4 ,we conclude then that when ,st4 ,john here speaks of the ,word of ,life1 he refers to something higher again than the preaching of life1 and that he has in view both the manifestation of the life which has taken place in our humanity1 and ,him who is personally at once the ,word and the ,life4#acc ,the promium may be thus paraphrased4 ,that which in all its collective influence was from the beginning as understood by ,moses1 by ,solomon1 and ,micah2#acd which we have first and above all heard in divinely human utterances1 but which we have also seen with these very eyes2 which we gazed upon with the full and entranced sight that delights in the object contemplated2#ace and which these hands handled reverentially at ,his bidding4#acf ,i speak all this concerning the ,word who is also the ,life4 ,tracts and sheets are often printed in our day with anthologies of texts which are supposed to contain the very essence of the ,gospel4 ,but the sweetest scents1 it is said1 are not distilled exclusively from flowers1 for the flower is but an exhalation4 ,the seeds1 the leaf1 the stem1 the very bark should be macerated1 because they contain the odoriferous substance in minute sacs4 ,so the purest ,christian doctrine is distilled1 not only from a few exquisite flowers in a textual anthology1 but from the whole substance1 so to speak1 of the message4 ,now it will be observed that at the beginning of the ,epistle which accompanied the fourth ,gospel1 our attention is directed not to a sentiment1 but to a fact and to a ,person4 ,in the collections of texts to which reference has been made1 we should probably never find two brief passages which may not unjustly be considered to concentrate the essence of the scheme of salvation more nearly than any others4 ,the ,word was made flesh4 ,concerning the ,word of ,life 7and that ,life was once manifested1 and we have seen and consequently are witnesses and announce to you from ,him who sent us that ,life1 that eternal ,life whose it is to have been in eternal relation with the ,father1 and manifested to us72 ,that which we have seen and heard declare we from ,him who sent us unto you1 to the end that you too may have fellowship with us4 ,it would be disrespectful to the theologian of the ,new ,testament to pass by the great dogmatic term never1 so far as we are told1 applied by our ,lord to ,himself1 but with which ,st4 ,john begins each of his three principal writings--,,the ,,word4#acg ,such mountains of erudition have been heaped over this term that it has become difficult to discover the buried thought4 ,the ,apostle adopted a word which was already in use in various quarters simply because if1 from the nature of the case necessarily inadequate1#ach it was yet more suitable than any other4 ,he also1 as profound ancient thinkers conceived1 looked into the depths of the human mind1 into the first principles of that which is the chief distinction of man from the lower creation--language4 ,the human word1 these thinkers taught1 is twofold2 inner and outer--now as the manifestation to the mind itself of unuttered thought1 now as a part of language uttered to others4 ,the word as signifying unuttered thought1 the mould in which it exists in the mind1 illustrates the eternal relation of the ,father to the ,son4 ,the word as signifying uttered thought illustrates the relation as conveyed to man by the ,incarnation4 ,no man hath seen ,god at any time2 the only begotten ,god which is in the bosom of the ,father ,he interpreted ,him4 ,for the theologian of the ,church ,jesus is thus the ,word2 because ,he had ,his being from the ,father in a way which presents some analogy to the human word1 which is sometimes the inner vesture1 sometimes the outward utterance of thought--sometimes the human thought in that language without which man cannot think1 sometimes the speech whereby the speaker interprets it to others4 ,christ is the ,word ,whom out of the fulness of ,his thought and being the ,father has eternally inspoken and outspoken into personal existence4#aci ,one too well knows that such teaching as this runs the risk of appearing uselessly subtle and technical1 but its practical value will appear upon reflection4 ,because it gives us possession of the point of view from which ,st4 ,john himself surveys1 and from which he would have the ,church contemplate1 the history of the life of our ,lord4 ,and indeed for that life the theology of the ,word1 i4e41 of the ,incarnation1 is simply necessary4 ,for we must agree with ,m4 ,renan so far at least as this1 that a great life1 even as the world counts greatness1 is an organic whole with an underlying vitalising idea2 which must be construed as such1 and cannot be adequately rendered by a mere narration of facts4 ,without this unifying principle the facts will be not only incoherent but inconsistent4 ,there must be a point of view from which we can embrace the life as one4 ,the great test here1 as in art1 is the formation of a living1 consistent1 unmutilated whole4#adj ,thus a general point of view 7if we are to use modern language easily capable of being misunderstood we must say a theory7 is wanted of the ,person1 the work1 the character of ,christ4 ,the synoptical ,evangelists had furnished the ,church with the narrative of ,his earthly origin4 ,st4 ,john in his ,gospel and ,epistle1 under the guidance of the ,spirit1 endowed it with the theory of ,his ,person4 ,other points of view have been adopted1 from the heresies of the early ages to the speculations of our own4 ,all but ,st4 ,john's have failed to co-ordinate the elements of the problem4 ,the earlier attempts essayed to read the history upon the assumption that ,he was merely human or merely divine4 ,they tried in their weary round to unhumanise or undeify the ,god-,man1 to degrade the perfect ,deity1 to mutilate the perfect ,humanity--to present to the adoration of mankind a something neither entirely human nor entirely divine1 but an impossible mixture of the two4 ,the truth on these momentous subjects was fused under the fires of controversy4 ,the last centuries have produced theories less subtle and metaphysical1 but bolder and more blasphemous4 ,some have looked upon ,him as a pretender or an enthusiast4 ,but the depth and sobriety of ,his teaching upon ground where we are able to test it--the texture of circumstantial word and work which will bear to be inspected under any microscope or cross-examined by any prosecutor--have almost shamed such blasphemy into respectful silence4 ,others of later date admit with patronising admiration that the martyr of ,calvary is a saint of transcendent excellence4 ,but if ,he who called ,himself ,son of ,god was not much more than saint1 ,he was something less4 ,indeed ,he would have been something of three characters2 saint1 visionary1 pretender--at moments the ,son of ,god in ,his elevated devotion1 at other times condescending to something of the practice of the charlatan1 ,his unparalleled presumption only excused by ,his unparalleled success4 ,now the point of view taken by ,st4 ,john is the only one which is possible or consistent--the only one which reconciles the humiliation and the glory recorded in the ,gospels1 which harmonises the otherwise insoluble contradictions that beset ,his ,person and ,his work4 ,one after another1 to the question1 what think ye of ,christ8 answers are attempted1 sometimes angry1 sometimes sorrowful1 always confused4 ,the frank respectful bewilderment of the better ,socinianism1 the gay brilliance of ,french romance1 the heavy insolence of ,german criticism1 have woven their revolting or perplexed christologies4 ,the ,church still points with a confidence1 which only deepens as the ages pass1 to the enunciation of the theory of the ,saviour's ,person by ,st4 ,john--in his ,gospel1 ,the ,word was made flesh--in his ,epistle1 concerning the ,word of ,life4 ,,footnotes3 #acb ,see the noble and enthusiastic preface to the washing of the disciples' feet 7,john xiii4 #a1 #b1 #c74 #acc ,the phrase probably means the ,logos1 the ,personal ,word who is at once both the ,word and the ,life4 ,for the double genitive1 the second almost appositional to the first1 conf4 ,john ii4 #ba1 xi4 #ac4 ,this interpretation would seem to be that of ,chrysostom4 ,if then the ,word is the ,life2 and if this ,christ who is at once the ,word and the ,life became flesh2 then the ,life became flesh4 7,in ,joan4 ,evang4 v47 #acd ,gen4 i4 #a2 ,prov4 viii4 #bc2 ,micah v4 #b4 #ace ,cf4 ,john vi4 #cf1 #dj4 ,the word is applied by the angel to the disciples gazing on the ,ascension1 ,acts i4 #aa4 ,the ,transfiguration may be here referred to4 ,such an incident as that in ,john vii4 #cg attests a vivid delighted remembrance of the ,saviour's very attitude4 #acf ,luke xxiv4 #ci2 ,john xx4 #bg4 #acg ,gospel i4 #a-ad2 #a ,john i4 #a2 ,apoc4 i4 #i4 #ach ,he hath a name written which no one knoweth but ,he ,himself1--and ,his name is called ,,the ,,word ,,of ,,god 7,apoc4 xix4 #ab1 #ac74 ,gibbons' adroit italics may here be noted4 ,the ,logos1 ,,taught in the school of ,alexandria ,,before ,christ #ajj--,,revealed to the ,apostle ,st4 ,john1 ,,anno ,,domini1 #ig 7,decline and ,fall1 ch4 xxi474 ,just so very probably--though whether ,st4 ,john ever read a page of ,philo or ,plato we have no means of knowing4 #aci ,the following table may be found useful3-- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,,the ,,word ,,in ,,st4 ,,john ,,is ,,opposed4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ 7,a7 ,to the ,gnostic ,word1 7,a7 ,uncreated and ,eternal4 created and temporal as ,in the beginning was the ,word4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ 7,b7 ,to the ,platonic ,word1 7,b7 ,personal and ,divine4 ideal and abstract as ,the ,word was ,god4 ,he--,his4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ 7,c7 ,to the ,judaistic and 7,c7 ,creative and ,first ,cause4 ,philonic ,word--the type ,all things were made and idea of ,god in as by ,him4 creation 444 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ 7,d7 ,to the ,dualistic ,word-- 7,d7 ,unique and ,universally limitedly and partially ,creative4 ,without ,him instrumental in creation4 as was not anything made that hath been made4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ 7,e7 ,to the ,doketic ,word-- as 7,e7 ,real and ,permanent4 ,the impalpable and visionary ,word became flesh4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ #adj ,vie de ,jesus1 ,int4 #d4 ,,discourse ,,ii4 ,,st4 ,,john',s ,,gospel ,,historical ,,not ,,ideological4 ,that which we have heard4--#a ,,john i4 #a4 ,our argument so far has been that ,st4 ,john's ,gospel is dominated by a central idea and by a theory which harmonises the great and many-sided life which it contains1 and which is repeated again at the beginning of the ,epistle in a form analogous to that in which it had been cast in the promium of the ,gospel--allowing for the difference between a history and a document of a more subjective character moulded upon that history4 ,there is one objection to the accuracy1 almost to the veracity1 of a life written from such a theory or point of view4 ,it may disdain to be shackled by the bondage of facts4 ,it may become an essay in which possibilities and speculations are mistaken for actual events1 and history is superseded by metaphysics4 ,it may degenerate into a romance or prose-poem2 if the subject is religious1 into a mystic effusion4 ,in the case of the fourth ,gospel the cycles in which the narrative moves1 the unveiling as of the progress of a drama1 are thought by some to confirm the suspicion awakened by the point of view given in its promium1 and in the opening of the ,epistle4 ,the ,gospel1 it is said1 is ideological4 ,to us it appears that those who have entered most deeply into the spirit of ,st4 ,john will most deeply feel the significance of the two words which we place at the head of this discourse--which we have heard1 which we have seen with our very eyes1 7which we contemplated with entranced gaze7 which our hands have handled4 ,more truly than any other1 ,st4 ,john could say of this letter in the words of an ,american poet3 ,this is not a book--,it is ,i6 ,in one so true1 so simple1 so profound1 so oracular1 there is a special reason for this prolonged appeal to the senses1 and for the place which is assigned to each4 ,in the fact that hearing stands first1 there is a reference to one characteristic of that ,gospel to which the ,epistle throughout refers4 ,beyond the synoptical ,evangelists1 ,st4 ,john records the words of ,jesus4 ,the position which hearing holds in the sentence1 above and prior to sight and handling1 indicates the reverential estimation in which the ,apostle held his ,master's teaching4#ada ,the expression places us on solid historical ground1 because it is a moral demonstration that one like ,st4 ,john would not have dared to invent whole discourses and place them in the lips of ,jesus4 ,thus in the we have heard there is a guarantee of the sincerity of the report of the discourses1 which forms so large a proportion of the narrative that it practically guarantees the whole ,gospel4 ,on this accusation of ideology against ,st4 ,john's ,gospel1 let us make a further remark founded upon the ,epistle4 ,it is said that the ,gospel systematically subordinates chronological order and historical sequence of facts to the necessity imposed by the theory of the ,word which stands in the forefront of the ,epistle and ,gospel4 ,but mystic ideology1 indifference to historical veracity as compared with adherence to a conception or theory1 is absolutely inconsistent with that strong1 simple1 severe appeal to the validity of the historical principle of belief upon sufficient evidence which pervades ,st4 ,john's writings4 ,his ,gospel is a tissue woven of many lines of evidence4 ,witness stands in almost every page of that ,gospel1 and indeed is found there nearly as often as in the whole of the rest of the ,new ,testament4 ,the word occurs ten times in five short verses of the ,epistle4#adb ,there is no possibility of mistaking this prolixity of reiteration in a writer so simple and so sincere as our ,apostle4 ,the theologian is an historian4 ,he has no intention of sacrificing history to dogma1 and no necessity for doing so4 ,his theory1 and that alone1 harmonises his facts4 ,his facts have passed in the domain of human history1 and have had that evidence of witness which proves that they did so4 ,a few of the stories of the earliest ages of ,christianity have ever been repeated1 and rightly so1 as affording the most beautiful illustrations of ,st4 ,john's character1 the most simple and truthful idea of the impression left by his character and his work4 ,his tender love for souls1 his deathless desire to promote mutual love among his people1 are enshrined in two anecdotes which the ,church has never forgotten4 ,it has scarcely been noticed that a tradition of not much later date 7at least as old as ,tertullian1 born probably about ,a4,d4 #aej7 credits ,st4 ,john with a stern reverence for the accuracy of historical truth1 and tells us what1 in the estimation of those who were near him in time1 the ,apostle thought of the lawfulness of ideological religious romance4 ,it was said that a presbyter of ,asia ,minor confessed that he was the author of certain apocryphal ,acts of ,paul and ,thecla--probably the same strange but unquestionably very ancient document with the same title which is still preserved4 ,the man's motive does not seem to have been selfish4 ,his work was apparently the composition of an ardent and romantic nature passionately attracted by a saint so wonderful as ,st4 ,paul4#adc ,the tradition went on to assert that ,st4 ,john without hesitation degraded this clerical romance-writer from his ministry4 ,but the offence of the ,asiatic presbyter would have been light indeed compared with that of the mendacious ,evangelist1 who could have deliberately fabricated discourses and narrated miracles which he dared to attribute to the ,incarnate ,son of ,god4 ,the guilt of publishing to the ,church apocryphal ,acts of ,paul and ,thecla would have paled before the crimson sin of forging a ,gospel4 ,these considerations upon ,st4 ,john's prolonged and circumstantial claim to personal acquaintance with the ,word made flesh1 confirmed by every avenue of communication between man and man--and first in order by the hearing of that sweet yet awful teaching--point to the fourth ,gospel again and again4 ,and the simple assertion--that which we have heard--accounts for one characteristic of the fourth ,gospel which would otherwise be a perplexing enigma--its dramatic vividness and consistency4 ,this dramatic truth of ,st4 ,john's narrative1 manifested in various developments1 deserves careful consideration4 ,there are three notes in the fourth ,gospel which indicate either a consummate dramatic instinct or a most faithful record4 7#a7 ,the delineation of individual characters4 ,the ,evangelist tells us with no unmeaning distinction1 that ,jesus knew all men1 and knew what is in man6#add ,for some persons take an apparently profound view of human nature in the abstract4 ,they pass for being sages so long as they confine themselves to sounding generalizations1 but they are convicted on the field of life and experience4 ,they claim to know what is in man2 but they know it vaguely1 as one might be in possession of the outlines of a map1 yet totally ignorant of most places within its limits4 ,others1 who mostly affect to be keen men of the world1 refrain from generalizations2 but they have an insight1 which at times is startling1 into the characters of the individual men who cross their path4 ,there is a sense in which they superficially seem to know all men1 but their knowledge after all is capricious and limited4 ,one class affects to know men1 but does not even affect to know man2 the other class knows something about man1 but is lost in the infinite variety of the world of real men4 ,our ,lord knew both--both the abstract ultimate principles of human nature and the subtle distinctions which mark off every human character from every other4 ,of this peculiar knowledge he who was brought into the most intimate communion with the ,great ,teacher was made in some degree a partaker in the course of ,his earthly ministry4 ,with how few touches yet how clearly are delineated the ,baptist1 ,nathanael1 the ,samaritan woman1 the blind man1 ,philip1 ,thomas1 ,martha and ,mary1 ,pilate6 7#b7 ,more particularly the appropriateness and consistency of the language used by the various persons introduced in the narrative is1 in the case of a writer like ,st4 ,john1 a multiplied proof of historical veracity4#ade ,for instance1 of ,st4 ,thomas only one single sentence1 containing seven words1 is preserved1#adf outside the memorable narrative in the twentieth chapter2 yet how unmistakably does that brief sentence indicate the same character--tender1 impetuous1 loving1 yet ever inclined to take the darker view of things because from the very excess of its affection it cannot believe in that which it most desires1 and demands accumulated and convincing proof of its own happiness4 7#c7 ,further1 the language of our ,lord which ,st4 ,john preserves is both morally and intellectually a marvellous witness to the proof of his assertion here in the outset of his ,epistle4 ,this may be exemplified by an illustration from modern literature4 ,victor ,hugo1 in his ,lgende des ,sicles1 has in one passage only placed in our ,lord's lips a few words which are not found in the ,evangelist4#adg ,every one will at once feel that these words ring hollow1 that there is in them something exaggerated and factitious--and that although the dramatist had the advantage of having a type of style already constructed for him4 ,people talk as if the representation in detail of a perfect character were a comparatively easy performance4 ,yet every such representation shows some flaw when closely inspected4 ,for instance1 a character in which ,shakespeare so evidently delighted as ,buckingham1 whose end is so noble and martyr-like1 is thus described1 when on his trial1 by a sympathising witness3 ',how did he bear himself8' ',when he was bought again to the bar1 to hear1 ,his knell rung out1 his judgment1 he was struck ,with such an agony1 he sweat extremely1 ,and something spoke in choler1 ill and hasty2 ,but he fell to himself again1 and sweetly ,in all the rest show'd a most noble patience4'#adh ,our argument comes to this point4 ,here is one man of all but the highest rank in dramatic genius1 who utterly fails to invent even one sentence which could possibly be taken for an utterance of our ,lord4 ,here is another1 the most transcendent in the same order whom the human race has ever known1 who tacitly confesses the impossibility of representing a character which shall be one entire and perfect chrysolite1 without speck or flaw4 ,take yet another instance4 ,sir ,walter ,scott appeals for the fair licence due to the author of a fictitious composition2 and admits that he cannot pretend to the observation of complete accuracy even in outward costume1 much less in the more important points of language and manners4#adi ,but ,st4 ,john was evidently a man of no such pretensions as these kings of the human imagination--no ,scott or ,victor ,hugo1 much less a ,shakespeare4 ,how then--except on the assumption of his being a faithful reporter1 of his recording words actually spoken1 and witnessing incidents which he had seen with his very eyes and contemplated with loving and admiring reverence--can we account for his having given us long successions of sentences1 continuous discourses in which we trace a certain unity and adaptation2#aej and a character which stands alone among all recorded in history or conceived in fiction1 by presenting to us an excellence faultless in every detail8 ,we assert that the one answer to this question is boldly given us by ,st4 ,john in the forefront of his ,epistle--,that which we have heard1 which we have seen with our eyes--concerning the ,word who is the ,life--declare we unto you4 ,st4 ,john's mode of writing history may profitably be contrasted with that of one who in his own line was a great master1 as it has been ably criticised by a distinguished statesman4 ,voltaire's historical masterpiece is a portion of the life of ,maria ,theresa1 which is unquestionably written from a partly ideological point of view4 ,for1 those who have patience to go back to the sources1 and to compare ,voltaire's narrative with them1 will see the process by which a literary master has produced his effect4 ,the writer works as if he were composing a classical tragedy restricted to the unities of time and place4 ,the three days of the coronation and of the successive votes are brought into one effect1 of which we are made to feel that it is due to a magic inspiration of ,maria ,theresa4 ,yet1 as the great historical critic to whom we refer proceeds to demonstrate1 a different charm1 very much more real because it comes from truth1 may be found in literal historical accuracy without this academic rouge4 ,writers more conscientious than ,voltaire would not have assumed that ,maria ,theresa was degraded by a husband who was inferior to her4 ,they would not have substituted some pretty and pretentious phrases for the genuine emotion not quite veiled under the official ,latin of the ,queen4 ,however high a thing art may be1 reality1 truth1 which is the work of ,god1 is higher6#aea ,it is this conviction1 this entire intense adhesion to truth1 this childlike ingenuousness which has made ,st4 ,john as an historian attain the higher region which is usually reached by genius alone--which has given us narratives and passages whose ideal beauty or awe is so transcendent or solemn1 whose pictorial grandeur or pathos is so inexhaustible1 whose philosophical depth is so unfathomable4#aeb ,he stands with spell-bound delight before his work without the disappointment which ever attends upon men of genius2 because that work is not drawn from himself1 because he can say three words--which we have heard1 which we have seen with our eyes1 which we have gazed upon4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 i4 #b1 #d4 ,ver4 #b4 ,us1 we4 ,the nominative plural first person is not always of majesty but often of modesty1 when we share our privilege and dignity with others 7,grotius74 ,the context must decide what shade of meaning is to be read into the text1 e4g41 here it is the we of modesty1 as also 7very tenderly and beautifully7 in ii4 #a1 #b1 v4 #e4 ,it rises into majesty with the majestic1 we announce4 ,ver4 #d4 ,these things4 ,not even the fellowship with the ,church and with the ,father and with the ,son is so much in the ,apostle's intention here as the record in the ,gospel4 ,we write unto you4 ,in days when men's minds were still freshly full of the privilege of free access to the ,scriptures1 these words suggested 7and they naturally enough do so still7 the use of the written word1 and the guilt of the ,church or of individuals in neglecting it4 ,this has been well expressed by an old divine4 ,that which is able to give us full joy must not be deficient in anything which conduceth to our happiness2 but the holy ,scriptures give fulness of joy1 and therefore the way to happiness is perfectly laid down in them4 ,the major of this syllogism is so clear1 that it needs no probation2 for who can or will deny1 that full joy is only to be had in a state of bliss8 ,the minor is plain from this scripture1 and may thus be drawn forth4 ,that which the ,apostles aimed at in1 may doubtless be attained to by1 their writings2 for they being inspired of ,god1 it is no other than the end that ,god purposed in inspiring which they had in writing2 and either ,god ,himself is wanting in the means which ,he hath designed for this end1 or these writings contain in them what will yield fulness of joy1 and to that end bring us to a state of blessedness4 ,how odious is the profaneness of those ,christians who neglect the holy ,scriptures1 and give themselves to reading other books6 ,how many precious hours do many spend1 and that not only on work days1 but holy days1 in foolish romances1 fabulous histories1 lascivious poems6 ,and why this1 but that they may be cheered and delighted1 when as full joy is only to be had in these holy books4 ,alas1 the joy you find in those writings is perhaps pernicious1 such as tickleth your lust1 and promoteth contemplative wickedness4 ,at the best it is but vain1 such as only pleaseth the fancy and affecteth the wit2 whereas these holy writings 7to use ,david's expression1 ,psalm xix4 #h71 are 'right1 rejoicing the heart4' ,again1 are there not many who more set by ,plutarch's morals1 ,seneca's epistles1 and suchlike books1 than they do by the holy ,scriptures8 ,it is true1 there are excellent truths in those moral writings of the heathen1 but yet they are far short of these sacred books4 ,those may comfort against outward trouble1 but not against inward fears2 they may rejoice the mind1 but cannot quiet the conscience2 they may kindle some flashy sparkles of joy1 but they cannot warm the soul with a lasting fire of solid consolation4 ,and truly1 if ever ,god give you a spiritual ear to judge of things aright1 you will then acknowledge there are no bells like to those of ,aaron1 no harp like to that of ,david1 no trumpet like to that of ,isaiah1 no pipes like to those of the ,apostles4 7,first ,epistle of ,st4 ,john1 unfolded and applied by ,nathaniel ,hardy1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,rochester1 about #affj47 ,,footnotes3 #ada ,the appeal to the senses of seeing and hearing is a trait common to all the group of ,st4 ,john's writings 7,john i4 #ad1 xix4 #ce2 #a ,john i4 #a1 #b1 iv4 #ad2 ,apoc4 i4 #b74 ,the true reading 7 4 ,apoc4 xxi4 #h1 where hearing stands before seeing7 is indicative of ,john's style4 #adb #a ,john v4 #f-ab4 #adc ,that the ,acts of ,paul and ,thecla are of high antiquity there can be no rational doubt4 ,tertullian writes3 ,but if those who read ,st4 ,paul's writings rashly use the example of ,thecla1 to give licence to women to teach and baptize publicly1 let them know that a presbyter of ,asia ,minor1 who put together that piece1 crowning it with the authority of a ,pauline title1 convicted by his own confession of doing this from love of ,st4 ,paul1 was deprived of his orders4 7,tertullian1 ,de ,baptismo1 xvii47 ,on which ,st4 ,jerome remarks--,we therefore relegate to the class of apocryphal writings1 the of ,paul and ,thecla1 and the whole fable of the baptized lion4 ,for how could it be that the sole real companion of the ,apostle 7,luke7 while so well acquainted with the rest of the history1 should have known nothing of this8 ,and further1 ,tertullian1 who touched so nearly upon those times1 records that a certain presbyter in ,asia ,minor1 convicted before ,john of being the author of that book1 and confessing that as a of the ,apostle ,paul he had done this from loving devotion to that great memory1 was deposed from his ministry4 7,st4 ,hieron41 de ,script4 ,eccles41 ,,vii47 ,see the mass of authority for the antiquity of this document1 which gives a considerable degree of probability to the statement about ,st4 ,john1 in ,acta ,apost4 ,apoc41 ,edit4 ,tischendorf4--,proleg4 xxi41 xxvi4 #add ,john iii1 #bd1 #be4 #ade ,those who are perplexed by the identity in style and turn of language between the ,epistle and the discourse of our ,lord in ,st4 ,john's ,gospel may be referred to the writer's remarks in ,the ,speakers ,commentary 7,n4 ,t4 iv4 #bhf-hi74 ,it should be added that the ,epp4 to the ,seven ,churches 7,apoc4 ii41 iii47--especially to ,sardis--interweave sayings of ,jesus recorded by the ,synoptical evangelists1 e4g41 as a thief1 ,apoc4 iii4 #c1 cf4 ,mark xiii4 #cg2 book of life1 ,apoc4 iii4 #e1 cf4 ,luke x4 #bj2 confessing a name1 ,apoc4 iii4 #e1 cf4 ,matt4 x4 #cb2 ,he that hath an ear1 ,apoc4 iii4 #f1 #ac1 #bb1 and ii4 #g1 #aa1 #ag1 #bi4 ,this phrase1 found in each of the seven ,epp41 occurs nowhere in the fourth ,gospel1 but constantly in the ,synoptics4 ,cf4 ,matt4 x4 #bg1 xi4 #ae1 xiii4 #ai1 #dc2 ,mark iv4 #i1 #bc1 vii4 #af2 ,luke viii4 #h1 xiv4 #ce2 cf4 also giving power over the nations1 ,apoc4 ii4 #bf--with the conception in ,matt4 xix4 #bh2 ,luke xxii4 #bi1 #cj4 ,the word repentance is nowhere in the fourth ,gospel1 nor given as part of our ,lord's teaching2 but we find it ,apoc4 ii4 #e1 #af1 iii4 #c1 #ai4 ,if the author of the fourth ,gospel was also the author of the ,apocalypse1 his choice of the style which he attributes to the ,saviour was at least decided by no lack of knowledge of the ,synoptical type of expression1 and by no incapacity to use it with freedom and power4 #adf ,john xi4 #af4 #adg ,qui me suit1 aux anges est pareil4 ,quand un homme a march tout le jour au soleil ,dans un chemin sans puits et sans htellerie1 ,s'il ne croit pas quand vient le soir il pleure1 il crie1 ,il est las2 sur la terre il tombe haletant4 ,s'il croit en moi1 qu'il prie1 il peut au mme instant4 ,continuer sa route avec des forces triples4 7,le ,christ et le ,tombeau47 ,tom4 i4 #dd4 #adh ,king ,henry ,,viii41 ,act #b1 ,sc4 #a4 ,contrast again our ,lord before the council with ,st4 ,paul before that tribunal4 ,in the case of one of the chief of saints there is the touch of human infirmity1 the something spoken in choler1 ill and hasty1 the angry and contemptuous whited wall--the confession of hasty inconsiderateness 7 -- 7 which led to a violation of a precept of the law 7,exod4 xxii4 #bh74 #adi ,preface to ,ivanhoe4 #aej ,how the great sayings were accurately collected has not been the question before us in this discourse4 ,but it presents little difficulty4 ,it is not absurd to suppose 7if we are required to postulate no divine assistance7 that notes may have been taken in some form by certain members of the company of disciples4 ,the profoundly thoughtful remark of ,irenus upon his own unfailing recollection of early lessons from ,polycarp1 would apply with indefinitely greater force to such a pupil as ,john1 of such a teacher as ,jesus4 ,i can thoroughly recollect things so far back better than those which have lately occurred2 for lessons which have grown with us since boyhood are compacted into a unity with the very soul itself4 7 7 ,euseb41 v4 #bi4 ,but above all1 whatever subordinate agency may have been employed in the preservation of those precious words1 every ,christian reverently acknowledges the fulfilment of the ,saviour's promise--,the ,comforter1 the ,holy ,ghost1 ,he shall teach you all things1 and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever ,i have said unto you 7,john xiv4 #bf74 #aea ,duc de ,broglie4 ,revue des deux ,mondes4 #ae ,jan4 #ahhb4 ,coxe1 ,house of ,austria1 vol4 iii41 chap4 xcix41 p4 #dae1 sqq4 #aeb ,john xiii4 #cj1 xi4 #ce1 xix4 #e1 xxii4 #bi-ce4 ,,section ,,ii4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,et hc est adnuntiatio quam audivimus ' 1 ab eo1 et adnuntiamus 1 vobis1 quoniam ,deus 1 lux est1 et tenebr in eo non sunt ull4 ,si 4 dixerimus quoniam societatem ' habemus cum 1 eo et in tenebris ambulamus1 1 1 mentimur1 et non facimus veritatem3 si autem in luce ambulamus 1 sicut et ipse est in luce1 societatem 1 habemus ad invicem1 ' 1 et sanguis ,iesu ,christi1 ,filii eius1 mundat nos omni peccato4 ,si 4 dixerimus quoniam peccatum non habemus1 1 ipsi nos seducimus1 1 et veritas in nobis non est4 ,si confiteamur 4 peccata nostra1 1 fidelis et justus est1 1 ut remittat nobis peccata nostra1 et emundet 1 nos ab omni iniquitate4 4 ,si dixerimus quoniam non peccavimus1 1 mendacem faciemus 1 eum1 et verbum eius in nobis non est4 4 ,filioli mei1 hc scribo vobis1 ut non peccetis3 1 sed et si quis peccaverit 1 advocatum habemus apud ,patrem1 ,iesum 1 ,christum iustum et 1 ipse est propitiatio pro peccatis nostris1 non pro nostris autem tantum sed etiam pro totius mundi4 1 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,this then is the message ,and this is the message which we have which we have heard of ,him1 and declare heard from ,him1 and unto you1 that announce unto you1 ,god is light1 and in that ,god is light1 and ,him is no darkness at in ,him is no darkness all4 ,if we say that we at all4 ,if we say that have fellowship with we have fellowship ,him1 and walk in darkness1 with him1 and walk in we lie1 and do not the darkness1 we lie1 and the truth3 but if we do not the truth3 but walk in the light1 as if we walk in the light1 ,he is in the light1 as ,he is in the light1 we have fellowship one we have fellowship one with another1 and the with another1 and the blood of ,jesus ,christ blood of ,jesus ,his ,son ,his ,son cleanseth us cleanseth us from all from all sin4 ,if we say sin4 ,if we say that that we have no sin1 we have no sin1 we we deceive ourselves1 deceive ourselves1 and and the truth is not in the truth is not in us4 us4 ,if we confess our ,if we confess our sins1 ,he is faithful and sins ,he is faithful and just to forgive us our righteous to forgive us sins1 and to cleanse us our sins1 and to cleanse from all unrighteousness4 us from all unrighteousness4 ,if we say that ,if we say that we have not sinned1 we have not sinned1 we make ,him a liar1 we make ,him a liar1 and ,his word is not in and ,his word is not in us4 ,my little children1 us4 ,my little children1 these things write ,i these things write ,i unto you1 that ye sin unto you1 that ye may not4 ,but if any man not sin4 ,and if any sin1 we have an man sin1 we have advocate with the an ,advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous3 and ,he the righteous3 and ,he is the propitiation for is the propitiation for our sins3 and not for our sins2 and not for our's only1 but also for ours only1 but also for the sins of the whole the whole world4 world4 ,,another ,,version4 ,and this is the message which we have heard from ,him and are announcing unto you that ,god is light1 and darkness in ,him there is none4 ,if we say that we have fellowship with ,him and are walking in the darkness1 we lie and are not doing the truth2 but if we walk in the light as ,he is in the light we have fellowship one with another1 and the blood of ,jesus ,his ,son is purifying us from all sin4 ,if we say that we have not sin1 we mislead ourselves and the truth in us is not4 ,if we confess our sins ,he is faithful and righteous that ,he may forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness4 ,if we say that we have not sinned a liar we are making ,him1 and ,his word is not in us4 ,my children these things write ,i unto you that ye may not sin4 ,and yet if any may have sinned1 an ,advocate have we with the ,father ,jesus ,christ who is righteous3 and ,he is propitiation for our sins2 yea1 and not for ours only but also for the whole world4 ,,discourse ,,iii4 ,,extent ,,of ,,the ,,atonement4 ,my little children1 these things write ,i unto you1 that ye sin not4 ,and if any man sin we have an advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the righteous3 and ,he is the propitiation for our sins1 and not for ours only1 but also for the sins of the whole world4--#a ,,john ii4 #a1 #b4 ,of the ,incarnation of the ,word1 of the whole previous strain of solemn oracular annunciation1 there are two great objects4 ,rightly understood it at once stimulates and soothes2 it supplies inducements to holiness1 and yet quiets the accusing heart4 7#a7 ,it urges to a pervading holiness in each recurring circumstance of life4#aec ,that ye may not sin is the bold universal language of the morality of ,god4 ,men only understand moral teaching when it comes with a series of monographs on the virtues1 sobriety1 chastity1 and the rest4 ,christianity does not overlook these1 but it comes first with all-inclusive principles4 ,the morality of man is like the sculptor working line by line and part by part1 partially and successively4 ,the morality of ,god is like nature1 and works in every part of the flower and tree with a sort of ubiquitous presence4 ,these things write we unto you4 ,no dead letter--a living spirit infuses the lines2 there is a deathless principle behind the words which will vitalize and permeate all isolated relations and developments of conduct4 ,these things write we unto you that ye may not sin4 7#b7 ,but further1 this announcement also soothes4 ,there may be isolated acts of sin against the whole tenor of the higher and nobler life4 ,there may be1 ,god forbid6--but it may be--some glaring act of inconsistency4 ,in this case the ,apostle uses a form of expression which includes himself1 we have1 and yet points to ,christ1 not to himself1 we have an ,advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ--and that in view of ,his being ,one who is perfectly and simply righteous2 and ,he is the propitiation for our sins4 ,then1 as if suddenly fired by a great thought1 ,st4 ,john's view broadens over the whole world beyond the limits of the comparatively little group of believers whom his words at that time could reach4 ,the ,incarnation and ,atonement have been before his soul4 ,the ,catholic ,church is the correlative of the first1 humanity of the second4 ,the ,paraclete whom he beheld is ever in relation with1 ever turned towards the ,father4#aed ,his propitiation is1 and ,he is it4 ,it was not simply a fact in history which works on with unexhaustible force4 ,as the ,advocate is ever turned towards the ,father1 so the propitiation lives on with unexhausted life4 ,his intercession is not verbal1 temporary1 interrupted4 ,the ,church1 in her best days1 never prayed--,jesus1 pray for me6 ,it is interpretative1 continuous1 unbroken4 ,in time it is eternally valid1 eternally present4 ,in space it extends as far as human need1 and therefore takes in every place4 ,not for our sins only1 but for men universally1 for the whole world4#aee ,it is implied then in this passage1 that ,christ was intended as a propitiation for the whole world2 and that ,he is fitted for satisfying all human wants4 7#a7 ,christ was intended for the whole world4 ,let us see the ,divine intention in one incident of the crucifixion4 ,in that are mingling lines of glory and of humiliation4 ,the ,king of humanity appears with a scarlet camp-mantle flung contemptuously over ,his shoulders2 but to the eye of faith it is the purple of empire4 ,he is crowned with the acanthus wreath2 but the wreath of mockery is the royalty of our race4 ,he is crucified between two thieves2 but ,his cross is a ,judgment-,throne1 and at ,his right hand and ,his left are the two separated worlds of belief and unbelief4 ,all the ,evangelists tell us that a superscription1 a title of accusation1 was written over ,his cross2 two of them add that it was written over ,him in letters of ,greek1 and ,latin1 and ,hebrew 7or in ,hebrew1 ,greek1 ,latin74 ,in ,hebrew--the sacred tongue of patriarchs and seers1 of the nation all whose members were in idea and destination those of whom ,god said1 ,my prophets4 ,in ,greek--the musical and golden tongue which gave a soul to the objects of sense and a body to the abstractions of philosophy2 the language of a people whose mission it was to give a principle of fermentation to all races of mankind1 susceptible of those subtle and largely indefinable influences which are called collectively ,progress4 ,in ,latin--the dialect of a people originally the strongest of all the sons of men4 ,the three languages represent the three races and their ideas--revelation1 art1 literature2 progress1 war1 and jurisprudence4 ,beneath the title is the thorn-crowned head of the ideal ,king of humanity4 ,wherever these three tendencies of the human race exist1 wherever annunciation can be made in human language1 wherever there is a heart to sin1 a tongue to speak1 an eye to read1 the cross has a message4 ,the superscription1 written in ,hebrew1 ,greek1 and ,latin1 is the historical symbol translated into its dogmatic form by ,st4 ,john--,he is the propitiation#aef for our sins1 and not for ours only1 but also for the whole world4 ,,footnotes3 #aec ,observe in the ,greek the 1 which refers to single acts1 not to a continuous state--that ye may not sin4 #aed #a ,john ii4 #b4 ,as a translation1 towards seems too pedantic2 yet is ad-versus rather than apud1 and with the accusative signifies either the direction of motion1 or the relation between two objects4 7,donaldson1 ,greek ,grammar1 #ebd74 ,we may fittingly call the preposition here pictorial4 #aee ,the various meanings of are fully traced below on #a ,john ii4 #ag4 ,there is one point in which the notions of and intersect4 ,but they may be thus distinguished4 ,the first signifies the world projected in space1 the second in time4 ,the supposition that the form of expression at the close of our verse is elliptical1 and to be filled up by the repetition of for the sins of the whole world is not justified by usage1 and weakens the force of the passage4 7,epistles of ,st4 ,john1 ,westcott1 p4 #dd47 #aef ,as to doctrine4 ,there are three grand circles or families of images whereby ,scripture approaches from different quarters1 or surveys from different sides1 the benefits of our ,lord's meritorious death4 ,these are represented by1 are summed up in1 three words--1 1 4 ,the last is found in the text and in iv4 #aj2 nowhere else precisely in that form in the ,new ,testament4 7expiation or propitiation7 and 7redemption7 is fundamentally one single benefit1 i4e41 the restitution of the lost sinner4 is in respect of enemies2 in respect of ,god4 ,and here again the words 4 and 4 differ4 ,propitiation takes away offences as against ,god4 ,reconciliation has two sides4 ,it takes away 7a7 ,god's indignation against us1 #b ,cor4 v4 #ah1 #ai2 7b7 our alienation from ,god1 #b ,cor4 v4 #bj4 7,bengel on ,rom4 iii4 #bd4 ,whoever would rightly understand all that we can know on these great words must study ,new ,testament ,synonyms1 ,archbp4 ,trench1 pp4 #bgf-hb47 ,,discourse ,,iv4 ,,missionary ,,application ,,of ,,the ,,extent ,,of ,,the ,,atonement4 ,for the whole world4--#a ,,john ii4 #b4 ,let us now consider the universal and ineradicable wants of man4 ,such a consideration is substantially unaffected by speculation as to the theory of man's origin4 ,whether the first men are to be looked for by the banks of some icy river feebly shaping their arrowheads of flint1 or in godlike and glorious progenitors beside the streams of ,eden2 whether our ancestors were the result of an inconceivably ancient evolution1 or called into existence by a creative act1 or sprung from some lower creature elevated in the fulness of time by a majestic inspiration1--at least1 as a matter of fact1 man has other and deeper wants than those of the back and stomach4 ,man as he is has five spiritual instincts4 ,how they came to be there1 let it be repeated1 is not the question4 ,it is the fact of their existence1 not the mode of their genesis1 with which we are now concerned4 7#a7 ,there is almost1 if not quite1 without exception the instinct which may be generally described as the instinct of the ,divine4 ,in the wonderful address where ,st4 ,paul so fully recognises the influence of geographical circumstance and of climate1 he speaks of ,god having made out of one blood every nation of men to seek after their ,lord1 if haply at least 7as might be expected7 they would feel for ,him#aeg--like men in darkness groping towards the light4 7#b7 ,there is the instinct of prayer1 the testimony of the soul naturally ,christian4 ,the little child at our knees meets us half way in the first touching lessons in the science of prayer4 ,in danger1 when the vessel seems to be sinking in a storm1 it is ever as it was in the days of ,jonah1 when the mariners cried every man unto his ,god4#aeh 7#c7 ,there is the instinct of immortality1 the desire that our conscious existence should continue beyond death4 ,who would lose1 ,though full of pain1 this intellectual being1 ,these thoughts that wander through eternity1 ,to perish rather swallow'd up and lost ,in the wide womb of uncreated night8 7#d7 ,there is the instinct of morality1 call it conscience or what we will4 ,the lowest1 most sordid1 most materialised languages are never quite without witness to this nobler instinct4 ,though such languages have lien among the pots1 yet their wings are as the wings of a dove that is covered with silver wings and her feathers like gold4 ,the most impoverished vocabularies have words of moral judgment1 good or bad2 of praise or blame1 truth and lie2 above all1 those august words which recognise a law paramount to all other laws1 ,i must1 ,i ought4 7#e7 ,there is the instinct of sacrifice1 which1 if not absolutely universal1 is at least all but so--the sense of impurity and unworthiness1 which says by the very fact of bringing a victim4 ,i am not worthy to come alone2 may my guilt be transferred to the representative which ,i immolate4 7#a7 ,thus then man seeks after ,god4 ,philosophy unaided does not succeed in finding ,him4 ,the theistic systems marshal their syllogisms2 they prove1 but do not convince4 ,the pantheistic systems glitter before man's eye2 but when he grasps them in his feverish hand1 and brushes off the mystic gold dust from the moth's wings1 a death's-head mocks him4 ,st4 ,john has found the essence of the whole question1 stripped from it all its plausible disguises1 and characterises ,mahommedan and ,judaistic ,deism in a few words4 ,nay1 the philosophical deism of ,christian countries comes within the scope of his terrible proposition4 ,deo erexit ,voltairius1 was the philosopher's inscription over the porch of a church2 but ,voltaire had not in any true sense a ,god to whom he could dedicate it4 ,for ,st4 ,john tells us--whosoever denieth the ,son1 the same hath not the ,father4#aei ,other words there are in his ,second ,epistle whose full import seems to have been generally overlooked1 but which are of solemn significance to those who go out from the camp of ,christianity with the idea of finding a more refined morality and a more ethereal spiritualism4 ,whosoever goeth forward and abideth not in the doctrine of ,christ2 whosoever writes progress on his standard1 and goes forward beyond the lines of ,christ1 loses natural as well as supernatural religion--he hath not ,god4#afj 7#b7 ,man wants to pray4 ,poor disinherited child1 what master of requests shall he find8 ,who shall interpret his broken language to ,god1 ,god's infinite language to him8 7#c7 ,man yearns for the assurance of immortal life4 ,this can best be given by one specimen of manhood risen from the grave1 one traveller come back from the undiscovered bourne with the breath of eternity on ,his cheek and its light in ,his eye2 one like ,jonah1 ,himself the living sign and proof that ,he has been down in the great deeps4 7#d7 ,man needs a morality to instruct and elevate conscience4 ,such a morality must possess these characteristics4 ,it must be authoritative1 resting upon an absolute will2 its teacher must say1 not ,i think1 or ,i conclude1 but--verily1 verily ,i say unto you4 ,it must be unmixed with baser and more questionable elements4 ,it must be pervasive1 laying the strong grasp of its purity on the whole domain of thought and feeling as well as of action4 ,it must be exemplified4 ,it must present to us a series of pictures1 of object-lessons in which we may see it illustrated4 ,finally1 this morality must be spiritual4 ,it must come to man1 not like the ,jewish ,talmud with its seventy thousand precepts which few indeed can ever learn1 but with a compendious and condensed1 yet all-embracing brevity--with words that are spirit and life4 7#e7 ,as man knows duty more thoroughly1 the instinct of sacrifice will speak with an ever-increasing intensity4 ,my heart is overwhelmed by the infinite purity of this law4 ,lead me to the rock that is higher than ,i2 let me find ,god and be reconciled to ,him4 ,when the old ,latin spoke of propitiation he thought of something which brought near 7prope72 his inner thought was--let ,god come near to me1 that ,i may be near to ,god4 ,these five ultimate spiritual wants1 these five ineradicable spiritual instincts1 ,he must meet1 of whom a master of spiritual truth like ,st4 ,john can say with his plenitude of insight--,he is the propitiation for our sins1 and not for ours only1 but also for the whole world4 ,we shall better understand the fulness of ,st4 ,john's thought if we proceed to consider that this fitness in ,christ for meeting the spiritual wants of humanity is exclusive4 ,three great religions of the world are more or less ,missionary4 ,hinduism1 which embraces at least a hundred and ninety millions of souls1 is certainly not in any sense missionary4 ,for ,hinduism transplanted from its ancient shrines and local superstitions dies like a flower without roots4 ,but ,judaism at times has strung itself to a kind of exertion almost inconsistent with its leading idea4 ,the very word proselyte attests the unnatural fervour to which it had worked itself up in our ,lord's time4 ,the ,pharisee was a missionary sent out by pride and consecrated by self-will4 ,ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte1 and when he is made1 ye make him tenfold more the child of hell than yourselves4#afa ,bouddhism has had enormous missionary success from one point of view4 ,not long ago it was said that it outnumbered ,christendom4 ,but it is to be observed that it finds adherents among people of only one type of thought and character4#afb ,outside these races it is and must ever be1 non-existent4 ,we may except the fanciful perversion of a few idle people in ,london1 ,calcutta1 or ,ceylon1 captivated for a season or two by the light of ,asia4 ,we may except also a very few more remarkable cases where the esoteric principle of ,bouddhism commends itself to certain profound thinkers stricken with the dreary disease of modern sentiment4 ,mohammedanism has also1 in a limited degree1 proved itself a missionary religion1 not only by the sword4 ,in ,british ,india it counts millions of adherents1 and it is still making some progress in ,india4 ,in other ages whole ,christian populations 7but belonging to heretical and debased forms of ,christianity7 have gone over to ,mohammedanism4 ,let us be just to it4#afc ,it once elevated the pagan ,arabs4 ,even now it elevates the ,negro above his fetisch4 ,but it must ever remain a religion for stationary races1 with its sterile ,god and its poor literality1 the dead book pressing upon it with a weight of lead4 ,its merits are these--it inculcates a lofty if sterile ,theism2 it fulfils the pledge conveyed in the word ,moslem1 by inspiring a calm if frigid resignation to destiny2 it teaches the duty of prayer with a strange impressiveness4 ,but whole realms of thought and feeling are crushed out by its bloody and lustful grasp4 ,it is without purity1 without tenderness1 and without humility4 ,thus then we come back again with a truer insight to the exclusive fitness of ,christ to meet the wants of mankind4 ,others beside the ,incarnate ,lord have obtained from a portion of their fellow-men some measure of passionate enthusiasm4 ,each people has a hero1 call him demigod1 or what we will4 ,but such men are idolised by one race alone1 and are fashioned after its likeness4 ,the very qualities which procure them an apotheosis are precisely those which prove how narrow the type is which they represent2 how far they are from speaking to all humanity4 ,a national type is a narrow and exclusive type4 ,no ,european1 unless effeminated and enfeebled1 could really love an ,asiatic ,messiah4 ,but ,christ is loved everywhere4 ,no race or kindred is exempt from the sweet contagion produced by the universal appeal of the universal ,saviour4 ,from all languages spoken by the lips of man1 hymns of adoration are offered to ,him4 ,we read in ,england the ,confessions of ,st4 ,augustine4 ,those words still quiver with the emotions of penitence and praise2 still breathe the breath of life4 ,those ardent affections1 those yearnings of personal love to ,christ1 which filled the heart of ,augustine fifteen centuries ago1 under the blue sky of ,africa1 touch us even now under this grey heaven in the fierce hurry of our modern life4 ,but they have in them equally the possibility of touching the ,shanar of ,tinnevelly1 the ,negro--even the ,bushman1 or the native of ,terra del ,fuego4 ,by a homage of such diversity and such extent we recognise a universal ,saviour for the universal wants of universal man1 the fitting propitiation for the whole world4 ,towards the close of this ,epistle ,st4 ,john oracularly utters three great canons of universal ,christian consciousness--we know1 we know1 we know4 ,of these three canons the second is--we know that we are from ,god1 and the world lieth wholly in the wicked one4 ,a characteristic ,johannic exaggeration6 some critic has exclaimed2 yet surely even in ,christian lands where men lie outside the influences of the ,divine society1 we have only to read the ,police-reports to justify the ,apostle4 ,in volumes of travels1 again1 in the pages of ,darwin and ,baker1 from missionary records in places where the earth is full of darkness and cruel habitations1 we are told of deeds of lust and blood which almost make us blush to bear the same form with creatures so degraded4 ,yet the very same missionary records bear witness that in every race which the ,gospel proclamation has reached1 however low it may be placed in the scale of the ethnologist2 deep under the ruins of the fall are the spiritual instincts1 the affections which have for their object the infinite ,god1 and for their career the illimitable ages4 ,the shadow of sin is broad indeed4 ,but in the evening light of ,god's love the shadow of the cross is projected further still into the infinite beyond4 ,missionary success is therefore sure1 if it be slow4 ,the reason is given by ,st4 ,john4 ,he is the propitiation for our sins1 and not for ours only1 but for the whole world4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 i4 #e to ii4 #b4 ,ver4 #e4 ,the ,word1 the ,life1 the ,light1 are connected in the first chapter as in ,john i4 #c1 #d1 #e4 ,upon earth1 behind all life is light2 in the spiritual world1 behind all light is life4 ,darkness4 ,the schoolmen well said that there is a fourfold darkness--of nature1 of ignorance1 of misery1 of sin4 ,the symbol of light applied to ,god must designate perfect goodness and beauty1 combined with blissful consciousness of it1 and transparent luminous clearness of wisdom4 ,ver4 #g4 ,the blood of ,jesus ,his ,son ,sc4 poured forth4 ,this word 7the ,blood7 denotes more vividly and effectively than any other could do three great realities of the ,christian belief--the reality of the ,manhood of ,jesus1 the reality of ,his sufferings1 the reality of ,his sacrifice4 ,it is dogma2 but dogma made pictorial1 pathetic1 almost passionate4 ,it may be noted that much current thought and feeling around us is just at the opposite extreme4 ,it is a semi-doketism which is manifested in two different forms4 7#a7 ,whilst it need not be denied that there are hymns which are pervaded by an ensanguined materialism1 and which are calculated to wound reverence1 as well as taste2 it is clear that much criticism on hymns and sermons1 where the ,blood of ,jesus is at all appealed to1 has an ultra-refinement which is unscriptural and rationalistic4 ,it is out of touch with ,st4 ,paul 7,col4 i4 #ad-bj71 with the author of the ,epistle to the ,hebrews 7,heb4 ix4 #ad7 7a passage strikingly like this verse71 with ,st4 ,peter 7#a ,pet4 i4 #ai71 with ,st4 ,john in this ,epistle1 with the redeemed in heaven 7,apoc4 v4 #i74 7#b7 ,a good deal of feeling against representations in sacred art seems to have its origin in this sort of unconscious semi-doketism4 ,it appears to be thought that when representation supersedes symbolism1 ,christian thought and feeling necessarily lose everything and gain nothing4 ,but surely it ought to be remembered that for a being like man there are two worlds1 one of ideas1 the other of facts2 one of philosophy1 the other of history4 ,the one is filled with things which are conceived1 the other with things which are done4 ,one contents itself with a shadowy symbol1 the other is not satisfied except by a concrete representation4 ,so we venture respectfully to think that the image of the dead ,christ is not foreign to ,scripture or ,scriptural thought2 simply because1 as a fact1 ,he died4 ,calvary1 the tree1 the wounds1 were not ideal4 ,the crucifixion was not a symbol for dainty and refined abstract theorists4 ,the form of the ,crucified was not veiled by silver mists and crowned with roses4 ,he who realises the meaning of the ,blood of ,jesus1 and is consistent1 will not be severe upon the expression of the same thought in another form4 ,note that which ,estius hath upon the blood of his ,son1 that in them there is a confutation of three heresies at once3 the ,manichees1 who deny the truth of ,christ's human nature1 since1 as ,alexander said of his wound1 clamat me esse hominem1 it proclaimeth me a man1 we may say of ,his blood1 for had ,he not been man ,he could not have bled1 have died2 the ,ebionites1 who deny ,him to be ,god1 since1 being ,god's natural ,son1 ,he must needs be of the same essence with ,himself2 and the ,nestorians1 who make two persons1 which1 if true1 the blood of ,christ the man could not have been called the blood of ,christ the ,son of ,god4 ,that which ,i conceive here chiefly to be taken notice of is1 that our ,apostle contents not himself to say the blood of ,jesus ,christ1 but he addeth ,his ,son1 to intimate to us how this blood became available to our cleansing1 to wit1 as it was the blood not merely of the ,son of ,mary1 the ,son of ,david1 the ,son of ,man1 but of ,him who was also the ,son of ,god4 ,behold1 ,o sinner1 the exceeding love of thy ,saviour1 who1 that ,he might cleanse thee when polluted in thy blood1 was pleased to shed ,his own blood4 ,indeed1 the pouring out of ,christ's blood was a super-excellent work of charity2 hence it is that these two are joined together2 and when the ,scripture speaketh of ,his love1 it presently annexeth ,his sufferings4 ,we read1 that when ,christ wept for ,lazarus1 ,john xi4 #cf1 the standers by said1 ,see how ,he loved him4 ,surely if ,his tears1 much more ,his blood1 proclaimeth ,his affection towards us4 ,the ,jews were the scribes1 the nails were the pens1 ,his body the white paper1 and ,his blood the red ink2 and the characters were love1 exceeding love1 and these so fairly written that he which runs may read them4 ,i shut up this with that of devout ,bernard1 ,behold and look upon the rose of ,his bloody passion1 how ,his redness bespeaketh ,his flaming love1 there being1 as it were1 a contention betwixt ,his passion and affection3 this1 that it might be hotter2 that1 that it might be redder4 ,nor had ,his sufferings been so red with blood had not ,his heart been inflamed with love4 ,oh let us beholding magnify1 magnifying admire1 and admiring praise ,him for ,his inestimable goodness1 saying with the holy ,apostle 7,rev4 i4 #e71 ',unto ,him that loved us1 and washed us from our sins in ,his blood1 be honour and glory for ever4'--,dean ,hardy 7pp4 #gg1 #gh47 ,observe on this verse its unison of thought and feeling with ,apoc4 i4 #e1 xxii4 #ad4afd ,chap4 ii4 #a4 ,we have an ,advocate literally ,paraclete4 ,one called in to aid him whose cause is to be tried or petition considered4 ,the word is used only by ,st4 ,john1 four times in the ,gospel1 of the ,holy ,ghost2#afe once here of ,christ4 ,and now1 ,o thou drooping sinner1 let me bespeak thee in ,st4 ,austin's#aff language3 ,thou committest thy cause to an eloquent lawyer1 and art safe2 how canst thou miscarry1 when thou hast the ,word to be thy advocate8 ,let me put this question to thee3 ,if1 when thou sinnest1 thou hadst all the angels1 saints1 confessors1 martyrs1 in those celestial mansions to beg thy pardon1 dost thou think they would not speed8 ,i tell thee1 one word out of ,christ's mouth is more worth than all their conjoined entreaties4 ,when1 therefore1 thy daily infirmities discourage thee1 or particular falls affright thee1 imagine with thyself that thou heardst thy advocate pleading for thee in these or the like expressions3 ,o ,my loving ,father1 look upon the face of ,thine ,anointed2 behold the hands1 and feet1 and side of ,thy crucified ,christ6 ,i had no sins of ,my own for which ,i thus suffered2 no1 it was for the sins of this penitent wretch1 who in ,my name sued for pardon6 ,father1 ,i am ,thy ,son1 the ,son of ,thy love1 ,thy bosom1 who plead with ,thee2 it is for ,thy child1 ,thy returning penitent child1 ,i plead4 ,that for which ,i pray is no more than what ,i paid for2 ,i have merited pardon for all that come to ,me6 ,oh let those merits be imputed1 and that pardon granted to this poor sinner6 ,cheer up1 then1 thou disconsolate soul1 ,christ is an advocate for thee1 and therefore do not despair1 but believe2 and believing1 rejoice2 and rejoicing1 triumph4--,dean ,hardy 7pp4 #abh1 #abi74 ,in these days1 when petitions to ,jesus to pray for us have crept into hymns and are creeping into liturgies1 it may be well to note that in the remains of the early saints and in the solemn formulas of the ,christian ,church1 ,christ is not asked to pray for us1 but to hear our prayers4 ,the ,son is prayed to2 the ,father is prayed to through the ,son2 the ,son is never prayed to pray to the ,father4 7,see ,greg4 ,nazianz41 ,oratio xxx41 ,theologi iv41 de ,filio4 ,see ,thomassin1 ,dogm4 ,theol41 lib4 ix41 cap4 #f1 ,tom4 iv4 #bbj1 #bbg47 ,ver4 #b4 ,not for ours only4 ,this large-hearted afterthought reminds one of ,st4 ,paul's corrective and ampliative addition2 of his chivalrous abstinence from exclusiveness in thought or word1 when having dictated ,jesus ,christ our ,lord1 his voice falters1 and he feels constrained to say--both theirs1 and ours 7#a ,cor4 i4 #b74 ,,footnotes3 #aeg ,acts xvii4 #bg4 #aeh ,jonah i4 #e4 #aei #a ,john ii4 #bh4 #afj #b ,john #i4 #afa ,matt4 xxiii4 #ae4 #afb ,bouddhism1 it is now said1 appears to be on the wane1 and the period for its disappearance is gradually approaching1 according to the ,boden ,professor of ,sanscrit at ,oxford4 ,in his opinion this creed is one of rapidly increasing disintegration and decline1 and as a form of popular religion ,bouddhism is gradually losing its vitality and hold on the vast populations once loyal to its rule4 ,he computes the number of ,bouddhists at #ajj1jjj1jjj2 not #djj1jjj1jjj as hitherto estimated2 and places ,christianity numerically at the head of all religions--next ,confucianism1 thirdly ,hinduism1 then ,bouddhism1 and last ,mohammedanism4 ,he affirms that the capacity of ,bouddhism for resistance must give way before the mighty forces which are destined to sweep the earth4 #afc ,that modern ,english writers have been more than just to ,mohammed is proved overwhelmingly by the living ,missionary who knows ,mohammedanism best4--,mohammed and ,mohammedans4 ,dr4 ,koelle4 #afd ,the inner meaning of #a ,john i4 #h exactly 7#a ,peter i4 #b74 ,it is the obedient who are sprinkled4 #afe ,john xiv4 #af1 #bf1 xv4 #bf1 xvi4 #g4 #aff ,aug4 in loc4 ,,section ,,iii4 7#a74 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,et in hoc scimus quoniam cognovimus 1 eum1 si mandata eius 4 1 observemus4 ,qui dicit 1 se nosse eum et mandata eius non custodit1 1 1 mendax est1 et in eo veritas non est3 ' qui autem servat verbum 1 eius1 vere in eo caritas ,dei perfecta 4 est3 in hoc scimus quoniam in ipso sumus4 ,qui dicit se in 4 ipso manere debet sicut 1 1 ille ambulavit et ipse 1 ambulare4 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,and hereby we do ,and hereby know we know that we know that we know ,him1 if ,him1 if we keep ,his we keep ,his commandments4 commandments4 ,he ,he that that saith1 ,i know ,him1 saith1 ,i know ,him1 and and keepeth not ,his keepeth not ,his commandments commandments1 is a is a liar1 liar1 and the truth is and the truth is not in not in ,him4 ,but whoso him3 but whoso keepeth keepeth ,his word1 ,his word1 in him verily in him verily is the hath the love of ,god love of ,god perfected3 been perfected4 ,hereby hereby know we that know we that we we are in ,him4 ,he are in ,him3 he that that saith he abideth saith he abideth in in ,him ought himself ,him ought himself also also so to walk1 even to walk even as ,he as ,he walked4 walked4 ,,another ,,version4 ,and hereby we do know that we have knowledge of ,him1 if we observe ,his commandments4 ,he that saith ,i have knowledge of ,him and observeth not ,his commandments is a liar1 and in this man the truth is not4 ,but whoso observeth ,his word verily in this man the love of ,god is perfected4 ,hereby know we that we are in ,him3 he that saith he abideth in ,him is bound1 even as ,he walked1 so also himself to be ever walking4 ,,discourse ,v4 ,,the ,,influence ,,of ,,the ,,great ,,life ,,walk ,a ,,personal ,,influence4 ,he that saith he abideth in ,him1 ought himself also so to walk even as ,he also walked4--#a ,,john ii4 #f4 ,this verse is one of those in reading which we may easily fall into the fallacy of mistaking familiarity for knowledge4 ,let us bring out its meaning with accuracy4 ,st4 ,john's hatred of unreality1 of lying in every form1 leads him to claim in ,christians a perfect correspondence between the outward profession and the inward life1 as well as the visible manifestation of it4 ,he that saith always marks a danger to those who are outwardly in ,christian communion4 ,it is the take notice of a hidden falsity4 ,he whose claim1 possibly whose vaunt1 is that he abideth in ,christ1 has contracted a moral debt of far-reaching significance4 ,st4 ,john seems to pause for a moment4 ,he points to a picture in a page of the scroll which is beside him--the picture of ,christ in the ,gospel drawn by himself2 not a vague magnificence1 a mere harmony of colour1 but a likeness of absolute historical truth4 ,every pilgrim of time in the continuous course of his daily walk1 outward and inward1 has by the possession of that ,gospel contracted an obligation to be walking by the one great life-walk of the ,pilgrim of eternity4 ,the very depth and intensity of feeling half hushes the ,apostle's voice4 ,instead of the beloved ,name which all who love it will easily supply1#afg ,st4 ,john uses the reverential ,he1 the pronoun which specially belongs to ,christ in the vocabulary of the ,epistle4#afh ,he that saith he abideth in ,him is bound1 even as ,he once walked1 to be ever walking4 ,i4 ,the importance of example in the moral and spiritual life gives emphasis to this canon of ,st4 ,john4 ,such an example as can be sufficient for creatures like ourselves should be at once manifested in concrete form and susceptible of ideal application4 ,this was felt by a great but unhappily anti-christian thinker1 the exponent of a severe and lofty morality4 ,mr4 ,mill fully confesses that there may be an elevating and an ennobling influence in a ,divine ideal2 and thus justifies the apparently startling precept--be ye therefore perfect1 even as your ,father which is in ,heaven is perfect4#afi ,but he considered that some more human model was necessary for the moral striver4 ,he recommends novel-readers1 when they are charmed or strengthened by some conception of pure manhood or womanhood1 to carry that conception with them into their own lives4 ,he would have them ask themselves in difficult positions1 how that strong and lofty man1 that tender and unselfish woman1 would have behaved in similar circumstances1 and so bear about with them a standard of duty at once compendious and affecting4 ,but to this there is one fatal objection--that such an elaborate process of make-believe is practically impossible4 ,a fantastic morality1 if it were possible at all1 must be a feeble morality4 ,surely an authentic example will be greatly more valuable4 ,but example1 however precious1 is made indefinitely more powerful when it is living example1 example crowned by personal influence4 ,so far as the stain of a guilty past can be removed from those who have contracted it2 they are improvable and capable of restoration1 chiefly1 perhaps almost exclusively1 by personal influence in some form4 ,when a process of deterioration and decay has set in in any human soul1 the germ of a more wholesome growth is introduced in nearly every case1 by the transfusion and transplantation of healthier life4 ,we test the soundness or the putrefaction of a soul by its capacity of receiving and assimilating this germ of restoration4 ,a parent is in doubt whether a son is susceptible of renovation1 whether he has not become wholly evil4 ,he tries to bring the young man under the personal influence of a friend of noble and sympathetic character4 ,has his son any capacity left for being touched by such a character2 of admiring its strength on one side1 its softness on another8 ,when he is in contact with it1 when he perceives how pure1 how self-sacrificing1 how true and straight it is1 is there a glow in his face1 a trembling of his voice1 a moisture in his eye1 a wholesome self-humiliation8 ,or does he repel all this with a sneer and a bitter gibe8 ,has he that evil attribute which is possessed only by the most deeply corrupt--they blaspheme1 rail at glories8#agj ,the ,chaplain of a penitentiary records that among the most degraded of its inmates was one miserable creature4 ,the ,matron met her with firmness1 but with a good will which no hardness could break down1 no insolence overcome4 ,one evening after prayers the ,chaplain observed this poor outcast stealthily kissing the shadow of the ,matron thrown by her candle upon the wall4 ,he saw that the diseased nature was beginning to be capable of assimilating new life1 that the victory of wholesome personal influence had begun4 ,he found reason for concluding that his judgment was well founded4 ,the law of restoration by living example through personal influence pervades the whole of our human relations under ,god's natural and moral government as truly as the principle of mediation4 ,this law also pervades the system of restoration revealed to us by ,christianity4 ,it is one of the chief results of the ,incarnation itself4 ,it begins to act upon us first1 when the ,gospels become something more to us than a mere history1 when we realise in some degree how ,he walked4 ,but it is not complete until we know that all this is not merely of the past1 but of the present2 that ,he is not dead1 but living2 that we may therefore use that little word is about ,christ in the lofty sense of ,st4 ,john--even as ,he is pure2 in ,him is no sin2 even as ,he is righteous2 ,he is the propitiation for our sins4 ,if this is true1 as it undoubtedly is1 of all good human influence personal and living1 is it not true of the ,personal and living ,christ in an infinitely higher degree8 ,if the shadow of ,peter overshadowing the sick had some strange efficacy2 if handkerchiefs or aprons from the body of ,paul wrought upon the sick and possessed2 what may be the spiritual result of contact with ,christ ,himself8 ,of one of those men specially gifted to raise struggling natures and of others like him1 a true poet lately taken from us has sung in one of his most glorious strains4 ,matthew ,arnold likens mankind to a host inexorably bound by divine appointment to march over mountain and desert to the city of ,god4 ,but they become entangled in the wilderness through which they march1 split into mutinous factions1 and are in danger of battering on the rocks for ever in vain1 of dying one by one in the waste4 ,then comes the poet's appeal to the servants of ,god3-- ,in the hour of need ,of your fainting dispirited race1 ,ye like angels appear6 ,languor is not in your heart1 ,weakness is not in your word1 ,weariness not on your brow4 ,eyes rekindling1 and prayers ,follow your steps as ye go4 ,ye fill up the gaps in our file1 ,strengthen the wavering line1 ,stablish1 continue our march-- ,on1 to the bound of the waste-- ,on to the ,city of ,god4#aga ,if all this be true of the personal influence of good and strong men--true in proportion to their goodness and strength--it must be true of the influence of the ,strongest and ,best with ,whom we are brought into personal relation by prayer and sacraments1 and by meditation upon the sacred record which tells us what ,his one life-walk was4 ,strength is not wanting upon ,his part1 for ,he is able to save to the uttermost4 ,pity is not wanting2 for to use touching words 7attributed to ,st4 ,paul in a very ancient apocryphal document71 ,he alone sympathised with a world that has lost its way4#agb ,let it not be forgotten that in that of which ,st4 ,john speaks lies the true answer to an objection1 formulated by the great anti-christian writer above quoted1 and constantly repeated by others4 ,the ideal of ,christian morality1 says ,mr4 ,mill1 is negative rather than positive2 passive rather than active2 innocence rather than nobleness2 abstinence from evil1 rather than energetic pursuit of good2 in its precepts 7as has been well said71 'thou shalt not' predominates unduly over 'thou shalt4'#agc ,the answer is this4 7#a7 ,a true religious system must have a distinct moral code4 ,if not1 it would be justly condemned for expressing itself 7in the words of ,mr4 ,mill's own accusation against ,christianity elsewhere7 in language most general1 and possessing rather the impressiveness of poetry or eloquence than the precision of legislation4 ,but the necessary formula of precise legislation is1 thou shalt not2 and without this it cannot be precise4 7#b7 ,but further4 ,to say that ,christian legislation is negative1 a mere string of thou shalt nots1 is just such a superficial accusation as might be expected from a man who should enter a church upon some rare occasion1 and happen to listen to the ten commandments1 but fall asleep before he could hear the ,epistle and ,gospel4 ,the philosopher of duty1 ,kant1 has told us that the peculiarity of a moral principle1 of any proposition which states what duty is1 is to convey the meaning of an imperative through the form of an indicative4 ,in his own expressive if pedantic language--its categorical form involves an epitactic meaning4 ,st4 ,john asserts that the ,christian ought to walk even as ,christ walked4 ,to every one who receives it1 that proposition is therefore precisely equivalent to a command--walk as ,christ walked4 ,is it a negative1 passive morality1 a mere system of thou shalt not1 which contains such a precept as that8 ,does not the ,christian religion in virtue of this alone enforce a great thou shalt2 which every man who brings himself within its range will find rising with him in the morning1 following him like his shadow all day long1 and lying down with him when he goes to rest8 ,,ii4 ,it should be clearly understood that in the words even as ,he walked1 the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john is both referred to and attested4 ,for surely to point with any degree of moral seriousness to an example1 is to presuppose some clear knowledge and definite record of it4 ,no example can be beautiful or instructive when its shape is lost in darkness4 ,it has indeed been said by a deeply religious writer1 that the likeness of the ,christian to ,christ is to ,his character1 not to the particular form in which it was historically manifested4 ,and this1 of course1 is in one sense a truism4 ,but how else except by this historical manifestation can we know the character of ,christ in any true sense of the word knowledge8 ,for those who are familiar with the fourth ,gospel1 the term walk was tenderly significant4 ,for if it was used with a reminiscence of the ,old ,testament and of the language of our ,lord1#agd to denote the whole continuous activity of the life of any man inward and outward1 there was another signification which became entwined with it4 ,st4 ,john had used the word historically#age in his ,gospel1 not without allusion to the ,saviour's homelessness on earth1 to ,his itinerant life of beneficence and of teaching4#agf ,those who first received this ,epistle with deepest reverence as the utterance of the ,apostle whom they loved1 when they came to the precept--walk even as ,he walked--would ask themselves how did ,he walk8 ,what do we know of the great rule of life thus proposed to us8 ,the ,gospel which accompanied this letter1 and with which it was in some way closely connected1 was a sufficient and definite answer4 ,,iii4 ,the character of ,christ in his ,gospel is thus1 according to ,st4 ,john1 the loftiest ideal of purity1 peace1 self-sacrifice1 unbroken communion with ,god2 the inexhaustible fountain of regulated thoughts1 high aims1 holy action1 constant prayer4 ,we may advert to one aspect of this perfection as delineated in the fourth ,gospel--our ,lord's way of doing small things1 or at least things which in human estimation appear to be small4 ,the fourth chapter of that ,gospel contains a marvellous record of word and work4 ,let us trace that record back to its beginning4 ,there are seeds of spiritual life scattered in many hearts which were destined to yield a rich harvest in due time2 there is the account of one sensuous nature1 quickened and spiritualised2 there are promises which have been for successive centuries as a river of ,god to weary natures4 ,all these results issue from three words spoken by a tired traveller1 sitting naturally over a well--give me to drink4 ,we take another instance4 ,there is one passage in ,st4 ,john's ,gospel which divides with the promium of his ,epistle1 the glory of being the loftiest1 the most prolonged1 the most sustained1 in the ,apostle's writings4 ,it is the prelude of a work which might have seemed to be of little moment4 ,yet all the height of a great ideal is over it1 like the vault of heaven2 all the power of a ,divine purpose is under it1 like the strength of the great deep2 all the consciousness of ,his death1 of ,his ascension1 of ,his coming dominion1 of ,his ,divine origin1 of ,his session at ,god's right hand--all the hoarded love in ,his heart for ,his own which were in the world--passes by some mysterious transference into that little incident of tenderness and of humiliation4 ,he sets an everlasting mark upon it1 not by a basin of gold crusted with gems1 nor by mixing precious scents with the water which ,he poured out1 nor by using linen of the finest tissue1 but by the absolute perfection of love and dutiful humility in the spirit and in every detail of the whole action4 ,it is one more of those little chinks through which the whole sunshine of heaven streams in upon those who have eyes to see4#agg ,the underlying secret of this feature of our ,lord's character is told by ,himself4 ,my meat is to be ever doing the will of ,him that sent ,me1 and so when the time comes by one great decisive act to finish ,his work4#agh ,all along the course of that life-walk there were smaller preludes to the great act which won our redemption--multitudinous daily little perfect epitomes of love and sacrifice1 without which the crowning sacrifice would not have been what it was4 ,the plan of our life must1 of course1 be constructed on a scale as different as the human from the ,divine4 ,yet there is a true sense in which this lesson of the great life may be applied to us4 ,the apparently small things of life must not be despised or neglected on account of their smallness1 by those who would follow the precept of ,st4 ,john4 ,patience and diligence in petty trades1 in services called menial1 in waiting on the sick and old1 in a hundred such works1 all come within the sweep of this net1 with its lines that look as thin as cobwebs1 and which yet for ,christian hearts are stronger than fibres of steel--walk even as ,he walked4 ,this1 too1 is our only security4 ,a ,french poet has told a beautiful tale4 ,near a river which runs between ,french and ,german territory1 a blacksmith was at work one snowy night near ,christmas time4 ,he was tired out1 standing by his forge1 and wistfully looking towards his little home1 lighted up a short quarter of a mile away1 and wife and children waiting for their festal supper1 when he should return4 ,it came to the last piece of his work1 a rivet which it was difficult to finish properly2 for it was of peculiar shape1 intended by the contractor who employed him to pin the metal work of a bridge which he was constructing over the river4 ,the smith was sorely tempted to fail in giving honest work1 to hurry over a job which seemed at once so troublesome and so trifling4 ,but some good angel whispered to the man that he should do his best4 ,he turned to the forge with a sigh1 and never rested until the work was as complete as his skill could make it4 ,the poet carries us on for a year or two4 ,war breaks out4 ,a squadron of the blacksmith's countrymen is driven over the bridge in headlong flight4 ,men1 horses1 guns1 try its solidity4 ,for a moment or two the whole weight of the mass really hangs upon the one rivet4 ,there are times in life when the whole weight of the soul also hangs upon a rivet2 the rivet of sobriety1 of purity1 of honesty1 of command of temper4 ,possibly we have devoted little or no honest work to it in the years when we should have perfected the work2 and so1 in the day of trial1 the rivet snaps1 and we are lost4 ,there is one word of encouragement which should be finally spoken for the sake of one class of ,god's servants4 ,some are sick1 weary1 broken1 paralysed1 it may be slowly dying4 ,what--they sometimes ask--have we to do with this precept8 ,others who have hope1 elasticity1 capacity of service1 may walk as ,he walked2 but we can scarcely do so4 ,such persons should remember what walking in the ,christian sense is--all life's activity inward and outward4 ,let them think of ,christ upon ,his cross4 ,he was fixed to it1 nailed hand and foot4 ,nailed2 yet never--not when ,he trod upon the waves1 not when ,he moved upward through the air to ,his throne--never did ,he walk more truly because ,he walked in the way of perfect love4 ,it is just whilst looking at the moveless form upon the tree that we may hear most touchingly the great thou shalt--thou shalt walk even as ,he walked4 ,,iv4 ,as there is a literal1 so there is a mystical walking as ,christ walked4 ,this is an idea which deeply pervades ,st4 ,paul's writings4 ,is it ,his birth8 ,we are born again4 ,is it ,his life8 ,we walk with ,him in newness of life4 ,is it ,his death8 ,we are crucified with ,him4 ,is it ,his burial8 ,we are buried with ,him4 ,is it ,his resurrection8 ,we are risen again with ,him4 ,is it ,his ascension--,his very session at ,god's right hand8 ,he hath raised us up and made us sit together with ,him in heavenly places4 ,they know nothing of ,st4 ,paul's mind who know nothing of this image of a soul seen in the very dust of death1 loved1 pardoned1 quickened1 elevated1 crowned1 throned4 ,it was this conception at work from the beginning in the general consciousness of ,christians which moulded round itself the order of the ,christian year4 ,it will illustrate this idea for us if we think of the difference between the outside and the inside of a church4 ,outside on some high spire we see the light just lingering far up1 while the shadows are coldly gathering in the streets below2 and we know that it is winter4 ,again the evening falls warm and golden on the churchyard1 and we recognise the touch of summer4 ,but inside it is always ,god's weather2 it is ,christ all the year long4 ,now the ,babe wrapped in swaddling clothes1 or circumcised with the knife of the law1 manifested to the ,gentiles1 or manifesting ,himself with a glory that breaks through the veil2 now the ,man tempted in the wilderness2 now the victim dying on the cross2 now the ,victor risen1 ascended1 sending the ,holy ,spirit2 now for twenty-five ,sundays worshipped as the ,everlasting ,word with the ,father and the ,holy ,ghost4 ,in this mystical following of ,christ also1 the one perpetual lesson is--he that saith he abideth in ,him1 ought himself also so to walk even as ,he walked4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 ii4 #c-aa4 ,ver4 #d4 ,a liar4 ,there are many things which the sayer says by the language of his life rather than by his lips to others3 many things which he says to himself4 ,we lead ourselves astray 7i4 #h74 ,we say ,i have knowledge of ,him1 while yet we observe not ,his commandments4 ,strange that we can lie to the one being who knows the truth thoroughly--self2 and having lied1 can get the lie believed1-- ,like one1 ,who having1 unto truth1 by telling of it1 ,made such a sinner of his memory1 ,to credit his own lie4 ,tempest1 ,act ,i4 ,sc4 #b4 ,ver4 #g4 ,fresh4 ,there are two quite different words alike translated new in ,a4 ,v43 one of these is the word used here 772 the other 774 ,the first always signifies new in quality--intellectual1 ethical1 spiritual novelty--that which is opposed to1 which replaces and supersedes1 the antiquated1 inferior1 outworn2 new in the world of thought4 7,heb4 viii4 #ac states this with perfect precision47 ,it may sometimes not inadequately be rendered fresh 7youngly1 ,shakespeare1 ,coriolanus74 ,the other term 77 is simply recent2 new chronologically in the world of time4 ,which ye heard from the beginning4 ,probably a recognition of ,st4 ,paul's teaching at ,ephesus1 and of his ,epistle to the ,ephesians4 ,ver4 #h4 ,to many commentators this verse seems almost of insoluble difficulty4 ,surely1 however1 the meaning is clear enough for those who will place themselves within the atmosphere of ,st4 ,john's thought4 ,again a fresh commandment ,i am writing to you this commandment1 charity1 is no unreal and therefore delusive standard of duty4 ,taken as one great whole 77 it is true1 matter of observable historical fact1 because it is realised in ,him who gave the commandment2 capable of realisation1 and even in measure realised in you4 ,and this can be actually done by ,christians1 and recognised more and more by others1 because the shadow is drifting by from the landscape even of the world1 and the light1 the very light1 enlighteneth by a new ideal and a new example4 ,ver4 #aj4 ,scandal4 ,in ,greek is the rendering of two ,hebrew words4 7#a7 ,that against which we trip and stumble1 a stumbling-block2 7#b7 ,a hook or snare4 ,ver4 #aa4 ,the terrible force of this truly ,hebraistic parallelism should be noted4 #a4 ,he that hateth his brother is in darkness4 #b4 walketh in darkness4 #c4 knoweth not where he goeth4 #d4 darkness has blinded his eyes4 ,the third beat of the parallelism contains an allusion to that ,cain among the nations1 the ,jewish people in our ,lord's time4 7,john xii4 #ce47 ,in illustration of the powerful expression1 7darkness has blinded his eyes7 the present writer quoted a striking passage from ,professor ,drummond1 who adduces a parallel for the ,christian's loss of the spiritual faculty1 by the atrophy of organs which takes place in moles1 and in the fish in dark caverns4 7,speaker's ,commentary1 in loc47 ,but as regards the mole at least1 a great observer of ,nature entirely denies the alleged atrophy4 ,mr4 ,buckland quotes ,dr4 ,lee in a paper1 in the ,proceedings of the ,royal ,society1 where he says1--the eye of the mole presents us with an instance of an organ which is rudimentary1 not by arrest of development1 but through disuse1 aided perhaps by natural selection4 ,but ,mr4 ,buckland asserts that the same great ,wisdom who made the mole's teeth the most beautiful set of insectivorous teeth among animals1 also made its eye fit for the work it has to do4 ,the mole has been designed to prey upon earthworms2 they will not come up to the surface to him1 so he must go down into the earth to them4 ,for this purpose his eyes are fitted4 7,life of ,f4 ,buckland1 pp4 #bdg1 #bdh74 ,,footnotes3 #afg ,nomen facile supplent credentes1 plenum pectus habentes memori ,domini4--,bengel4 #afh in our ,epistle belongs to ,christ in every place but one where it occurs 7#a ,john ii4 #f1 iii4 #c1 #e1 #g1 #af1 iv4 #ag2 cf4 ,john i4 #ah1 ii4 #ba74 ,it is very much equivalent to our reverent usage of printing the pronoun which refers to ,christ with a capital letter4 #afi ,matt4 vi4 #de4 #agj 7#b ,peter ii4 #aj2 ,jude v4 #h74 #aga ,poems by ,matthew ,arnold 7,rugby ,chapel1 ,nov4 #aheg71 vol4 ii41 pp4 #bea1 #bee4 #agb 4 ,acta ,paul4 et ,thec4 #af1 ,acta4 ,apost4 ,apoc4 #dg4 ,edit4 ,tischendorf4 #agc ,on ,liberty4 ,john ,stuart ,mill 7chap4 iii474 #agd ,john viii4 #ab-ce4 ,for ,apostolic usage of the word1 see ,acts i4 #ba2 ,rom4 vi4 #d2 ,ephes4 ii4 #aj2 ,col4 iii4 #g4 #age ,john vii4 #a4 #agf ,ambulando docebat4--,bretschneider4 #agg ,john xiii4 #a-f4 #agh 444 7,john iv4 #cd74 ,,section ,,iii4 7#b7 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 1 ,carissimi non mandatum 1 ' novum scribo vobis1 sed mandatum ' vetus quod habuistis ab initio3 mandatum 4 vetus est verbum quod audistis4 ,iterum mandatum 1 novum scribo vobis1 quod est verum 1 et in ipso et in vobis1 quoniam tenebr transierunt 4 et lumen verum jam lucet4 ,qui dicit se in luce esse et fratrem suum odit1 in 4 tenebris est usque adhuc4 ,qui diligit 4 f ratrem suum in lumine manet1 et scandalum 4 in eo non est3 qui autem odit fratrem suum1 in tenebris est1 1 et in tenebris ambulat 1 et nescit quo eat1 quoniam tenebr obccaverunt 4 oculos eius4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,brethren1 ,i write ,beloved1 no new no new commandment commandment write ,i unto you1 but an old unto you1 but an old commandment which commandment which ye had from the beginning4 ye had from the beginning3 ,the old commandment the old commandment is the word is the word which ye have heard which ye heard4 ,again1 from the beginning4 a new commandment ,again1 a new commandment write ,i unto you1 which ,i write unto thing is true in ,him you1 which thing is and in you3 because true in ,him and in the darkness is passing you3 because the darkness away1 and the true is past1 and the light already shineth4 true light now shineth4 ,he that saith he is in ,he that saith he the light1 and hateth is in the light1 and his brother1 is in the hateth his brother1 is darkness even until in darkness even until now4 ,he that loveth now4 ,he that loveth his brother abideth in his brother abideth in the light1 and there is the light1 and there is none occasion of stumbling none occasion of stumbling in him4 ,but he in him4 ,but he that hateth his brother that hateth his brother is in the darkness1 and is in darkness1 and walketh in the darkness1 walketh in darkness1 and knoweth not and knoweth not whither whither he goeth1 because he goeth1 because the darkness that darkness hath hath blinded his eyes4 blinded his eyes4 ,,another ,,version4 ,beloved1 no fresh commandment ,i am writing unto you1 but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning4 ,the commandment1 the old commandment1 is the word which ye heard4 ,again1 a fresh commandment ,i am writing unto you1 which thing as a whole is true in ,him and in you3 because the shadow is drifting by1 and the light1 the very light1 is already enlightening4 ,he that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother1 in the darkness is he hitherto4 ,he that loveth his brother in the light abideth he1 and scandal in him there is not4 ,but he that hateth his brother in the darkness is he1 and in the darkness walketh he1 and he knoweth not whither he goeth because the darkness hath blinded his eyes4 ,,section ,,iii4 7#c7 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 1 1 ,scribo vobis1 filioli1 quoniam remittentur vobis1 peccata propter 4 1 1 nomen eius4 ,scribo vobis1 patres1 quoniam ' 4 1 cognovistis eum qui 1 ab initio est4 ,scribo 4 vobis1 adolescentes1 1 1 quoniam vicistis malignum4 4 ,scribo vobis1 1 1 infantes1 quia cognovistis ' 4 patrem4 ,scripsi 1 1 vobis1 iuvenes quia 1 fortes estis et verbum ,dei in vobis manet et 1 vicistis malignum4 ,nolite 4 diligere mundum 1 ne que eaqu in mundo 4 sunt4 ,si quis diligit 1 mundum1 non est caritas ,patris in eo3 quoniam omne quod in 1 mundo est1 concupiscentia carnis est1 et concupiscentia oculorum1 et superbia vit2 1 qu non est ex ,patre1 1 sed ex mundo est4 ,et mundus transibit et concupiscentia eius3 qui autem facit voluntatem ,dei1 manet in eternum4 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,i write unto you1 ,i write unto you1 my little children1 because little children1 because your sins are forgiven your sins are forgiven you for ,his name's you for ,his name's sake4 ,i write unto sake4 ,i write unto you1 fathers1 because you1 fathers1 because ye have known ,him ye know ,him that is that is from the beginning4 from the beginning4 ,i ,i write unto you1 write unto you1 young young men1 because ye men1 because ye have have overcome the overcome the evil one4 wicked one4 ,i write ,i have written unto unto you1 little children1 you1 little children1 because because ye have ye know the known the ,father4 ,i ,father4 ,i have written have written unto you1 unto you1 fathers1 because fathers1 because ye ye know ,him have known ,him that which is from the is from the beginning4 beginning4 ,i have ,i have written unto written unto you1 you1 young men1 because young men1 because ye ye are strong1 are strong1 and the and the word of ,god word of ,god abideth abideth in you1 and ye in you1 and ye have have overcome the overcome the evil one4 wicked one4 ,love not ,love not the world1 the world1 neither the neither the things that things that are in the are in the world4 ,if world4 ,if any man any man love the love the world1 the world1 the love of the love of the ,father is ,father is not in him4 not in him4 ,for all ,for all that is in the that is in the world1 world1 the lust of the the lust of the flesh1 flesh1 and the lust of and the lust of the the eyes1 and the vainglory eyes1 and the pride of of life1 is not of life1 is not of the ,father1 the ,father1 but is of but is of the world4 the world4 ,and the ,and the world passeth world passeth away1 away1 and the lust and the lust thereof3 thereof3 but he that but he that doeth the doeth the will of ,god will of ,god abideth for abideth for ever4 ever4 ,,another ,,version4 ,i am writing unto you1 children1 because your sins are forgiven you for ,his name's sake4 ,i am writing unto you1 fathers1 because ye have knowledge of ,him who is from the beginning4 ,i am writing unto you1 young men1 because ye are conquerors of the wicked one4 ,i have written unto you1 little children1 because ye have knowledge of the ,father4 ,i have written unto you1 fathers1 because ye have knowledge of ,him who is from the beginning4 ,i have written unto you1 young men1 because ye are strong and the word of ,god abideth in you1 and ye are conquerors of the wicked one4 ,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,if any man love the world the love of the ,father is not in him4 ,for all that is in the world1 the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the arrogancy of living1 is not from the ,father1 but from the world is it4 ,and the world is drifting by1 and the lust of it3 but he that is doing the will of ,god abideth for ever4 ,,discourse ,,vi4 ,,the ,,world ,,which ,,we ,,must ,,not ,,love4 ,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4 ,for all that is in the world1 the lust of the flesh1 and the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life1 is not of the ,father1 but of the world4--#a ,,john ii4 #ae1 #af4 ,an adequate development of words so compressed and pregnant as these would require a separate treatise1 or series of treatises4#agi ,but if we succeed in grasping ,st4 ,john's conception of the world1 we shall have a key that will open to us this cabinet of spiritual thought4 ,i4 ,in the writings of ,st4 ,john the world is always found in one or other of four senses1 as may be decided by the context4 7#a7 ,it means the creation1#ahj the universe4 ,so our ,lord in ,his ,high-priestly prayer--,thou lovedst ,me before the foundation of the world4#aha 7#b7 ,it is used for the earth locally as the place where man resides2#ahb and whose soil the ,son of ,god trod for awhile4 ,i am no more in the world1 but these are in the world4#ahc 7#c7 ,it denotes the chief inhabitants of the earth1 they to whom the counsels of ,god mainly point--men universally4 ,such a transference is common in nearly all languages4 ,both the inhabitants of a building and the material structure which contains them1 are called a house2 and the inhabitants are frequently bitterly blamed1 while the beauty of the structure is passionately admired4 ,in this sense there is a magnificent width in the word world4 ,we cannot but feel indignant at attempts to gird its grandeur within the narrow rim of a human system4 ,the bread that ,i will give1 said ,he who knew best1 is ,my flesh which ,i will give for the life of the world4#ahd ,he is the propitiation for the whole world1 writes the ,apostle at the beginning of this chapter4 ,in this sense1 if we would imitate ,christ1 if we would aspire to the ,father's perfection1 love not the world must be tempered by that other tender oracle--,god so loved the world4#ahe ,in none of these senses can the world here be understood4#ahf ,there remains then 7#d7 a fourth signification1 which has two allied shades of thought4 ,world is employed to cover the whole present existence1 with its blended good and evil--susceptible of elevation by grace1 susceptible also of deeper depths of sin and ruin4 ,but yet again the indifferent meaning passes into one that is wholly evil1 wholly within a region of darkness4 ,the first creation was pronounced by ,god in each department good collectively2 when crowned by ,god's masterpiece in man1 very good4#ahg ,all things1 our ,apostle tells us1 were made through ,him 7the ,word71 and without ,him was not any thing made that was made4#ahh ,but as that was a world wholly good1 so is this a world wholly evil4 ,this evil world is not ,god's creation1 drew not its origin from ,him4 ,all that is in it came out from it1 from nothing higher4#ahi ,this wholly evil world is not the material creation2 if it were1 we should be landed in dualism1 or ,manicheism4 ,it is not an entity1 an actual tangible thing1 a creation4 ,it is not of ,god's world that ,st4 ,john cries in that last fierce word of abhorrence which he flings at it as he sees the shadowy thing like an evil spirit made visible in an idol's arms--the world lieth wholly in the evil one4#aij ,this anti-world1 this caricature of creation1 this thing of negations1 is spun out of three abuses of the endowment of ,god's glorious gift of free-will to man2 out of three noble instincts ignobly used4 ,first1 the lust of the flesh--of which flesh is the seat1 and supplies the organic medium through which it works4 ,the flesh is that softer part of the frame which by the network of the nerves is intensely susceptible of pleasurable and painful sensations2 capable of heroic patient submission to the higher principles of conscience and spirit1#aia capable also of frightful rebellion4 ,of all theologians ,st4 ,john is the least likely to fall into the exaggeration of libelling the flesh as essentially evil4 ,is it not he who1 whether in his ,gospel1 or in his ,epistles1 delights to speak of the flesh of ,jesus1 to record words in which ,he refers to it8#aib ,still the flesh brings us into contact with all sins which are sins that spring from1 and end in1 the senses4 ,shall we ask for a catalogue of particulars from ,st4 ,john8 ,nay1 we cannot expect that the virgin ,apostle1 who received the virgin ,mother from the ,virgin ,lord upon the cross1 will sully his virgin pen with words so abhorred4 ,when he has uttered the lust of the flesh his shudder is followed by an eloquent silence4 ,we can fill up the blank too well--drunkenness1 gluttony1 thoughts and motions which spring from deliberate1 wilfully cherished1 rebellious sensuality2 which fill many of us with pain and fear1 and wring cries and bitter tears from penitents1 and even from saints4 ,the second1 abuse of free-will1 the second element in this world which is not ,god's world1 is the desire of which the eyes are the seat--the lust of the eyes4 ,to the two sins which we instinctively associate with this phrase--voluptuousness and curiosity of the senses or the soul--,scripture might seem to add envy1 which derives so much of its aliment from sight4 ,in this lies the ,christian's warning against wilfully indulging in evil sights1 bad plays1 bad books1 bad pictures4 ,he who is outwardly the spectator of these things becomes inwardly the actor of them4 ,the eye is1 so to speak1 the burning-glass of the soul2 it draws the rays from their evil brightness to a focus1 and may kindle a raging fire in the heart4 ,under this department comes unregulated spiritual or intellectual curiosity4 ,the first need not trouble us so much as it did ,christians in a more believing time4 ,comparatively very few are in danger from the planchette or from astrology4 ,but surely it is a rash thing for an ordinary mind1 without a clear call of duty1 without any adequate preparation1 to place its faith within the deadly grip of some powerful adversary4 ,people really seem to have absolutely no conscience about reading anything--the last philosophical ,life of ,christ1 or the last romance2 of which the titles might be with advantage exchanged1 for the philosophical history is a light romance1 and the romance is a heavy philosophy4 ,the third constituent in the evil anti-trinity of the anti-world is the pride 7the arrogancy1 gasconade1 almost swagger7 of life1 of which the lower life#aic is the seat4 ,the thought is not so much of outward pomp and ostentation as of that false pride which arises in the heart4 ,the arrogancy is within2 the gasconade plays its fantastic tricks before high heaven4 ,and each of these three elements 7making up as they do collectively all that is in the world and springing out of the world7 is not a substantive thing1 not an original ingredient of man's nature1 or among the forms of ,god's world2 it is the perversion of an element which had a use that was noble1 or at least innocent4 ,for first comes the lust of the flesh4 ,take those two objects to which this lust turns with a fierce and perverted passion4 ,the possession of flesh in itself leads man to crave for the necessary support to his native weakness4 ,the mutual craving for the love of beings so like and so unlike as man and woman1 if it be a weakness1 has at least a most touching and exquisite side4 ,again1 is not a yearning for beauty gratified through the eyes8 ,were they not given for the enjoyment1 for the teaching1 at once high and sweet1 of ,nature and of ,art8 ,art may be a moral and spiritual discipline4 ,the ideas of ,beauty from gifted minds by cunning hands transferred to1 and stamped upon1 outward things1 come from the ancient and uncreated ,beauty1 whose beauty is as perfect as ,his truth and strength4 ,still further2 in the lower life1 and in its lawful use1 there was intended to be a something of quiet satisfaction1 a certain restfulness1 at times making us happy and triumphant4 ,and lo6 for all this1 not moderate fare and pure love1 not thoughtful curiosity and the sweet pensiveness which is the best tribute to the beautiful--not a wise humility which makes us feel that our times are in ,god's hands and our means ,his continual gift--but degraded senses1 low art1 evil literature1 a pride which is as grovelling as it is godless4 ,these three typical summaries of the evil tendencies in the exercise of free-will correspond with a remarkable fulness to the two narratives of trial which give us the compendium and general outline of all human temptation4 ,our ,lord's three temptations answer to this division4 ,the lust of the flesh is in essence the rebellion of the lower appetites1 inherent to creaturely dependence1 against the higher principle or law4 ,the nearest and only conceivable approach to this in the sinless ,man would be in ,his seeking lawful support by unlawful means--procuring food by a miraculous exertion of power1 which only would have become sinful1 or short of the highest goodness1 by some condition of its exercise at that time and in that place4 ,an appeal to the desire for beauty and glory1 with an implied hint of using them for ,god's greater honour1 is the essence of the second temptation2 the one possible approximation to the lust of the eyes in that perfect character4 ,the interior deception of some touch of pride in the visible support of angels wafting the ,son of ,god through the air is ,satan's one sinister way of insinuating to the ,saviour something akin to the pride of life4 ,in the case of the other earlier typical trials it will be observed that while the temptations fit into the same threefold framework1 they are placed in an order which exactly reverses that of ,st4 ,john4 ,for in ,eden the first approach is through pride2 the magnificent promise of elevation in the scale of being1 of the knowledge that would win the wonder of the spiritual world4 ,for ,god doth know that in the day ye eat thereof1 then your eyes shall be opened1 and ye shall be as gods1 knowing good and evil4#aid ,the next step is that which directs the curiosity both of the senses and of the aspiring mind to the object forbidden--when the woman saw that the tree was good for food1 and that it was pleasant to the eyes1 and a tree to be desired to make one wise4#aie ,then seems to have come some strange and sad rebellion of the lower nature1 filling their souls with shame2 some bitter revelation of the law of sin in their members2 some knowledge that they were contaminated by the lust of the flesh4#aif ,the order of the temptation in the narrative of ,moses is historical2 ,st4 ,john's order is moral and spiritual1 answering to the facts of life4 ,the lust of the flesh which may approach the child through childish greed1 grows apace4 ,at first it is half unconscious2 then it becomes coarse and palpable4 ,in the man's desire acting with unregulated curiosity1 through ambition of knowledge at any price1 searching out for itself books and other instruments with deliberate desire to kindle lust1 the lust of the eyes ceases not its fatal influence4 ,the crowning sin of pride with its selfishness1 which is self apart from ,god as well as from the brother1 finds its place in the pride of life4 ,,iii4 ,we may now be in a position to see more clearly against what world the ,primate of early ,christendom pronounced his anathema1 and launched his interdict1 and why8 ,what world did he denounce8 ,clearly not the world as the creation1 the universe4 ,not again the earth locally4 ,god made and ordered all things4 ,why should we not love them with a holy and a blameless love8 ,only we should not love them in themselves2 we should not cling to them forgetting ,him4 ,suppose that some husband heaped beautiful and costly presents upon his wife whom he loved4 ,at last with the intuition of love he begins to see what is the secret of such cold imitation of love as that icy heart can give4 ,she loves him not--his riches1 not the man2 his gifts1 not the giver4 ,and thus loving with that frigid love which has no heart in it1 there is no true love2 her heart is another's4 ,gifts are given that the giver may be loved in them4 ,if it is true that gifts are nought when givers prove unkind1 it is also true that there is a sort of adultery of the heart when the taker is unkind--because the gift is valuable1 not because the bestower is dear4#aig ,and so the world1 ,god's beautiful world1 now becomes to us an idol4 ,if we are so lost in the procession of ,nature1 in the march of law1 in the majestic growth1 in the stars above and in the plants below1 that we forget the ,lawgiver1 who from such humble beginnings has brought out a world of beauty and order2 if with modern poets we find content1 calm1 happiness1 purity1 rest1 simply in contemplating the glaciers1 the waves1 and the stars2 then we look at the world even in this sense in a way which is a violation of ,st4 ,john's rule4 ,yet again1 the world which is now condemned is not humanity4 ,there is no real ,christianity in taking black views1 and speaking bitter things1 about the human society to which we belong1 and the human nature of which we are partakers4 ,no doubt ,christianity believes that man is very far gone from original righteousness2 that there is a corruption in the nature of every man that naturally is engendered of the offspring of ,adam4 ,yet the utterers of unwholesome apophthegms1 the suspecters of their kind1 are not ,christian thinkers4 ,the philosophic historian1 whose gorge rose at the doctrine of the ,fall1 thought much worse of man practically than the ,fathers of the ,church4 ,they bowed before martyrdom and purity1 and believed in them with a child-like faith4 ,for ,gibbon1 the martyr was not quite so true1 nor the virgin quite so pure1 nor the saint quite so holy4 ,he ,who knew human nature best1 ,who has thrown that terrible ray of light into the unlit gulf of the heart when ,he tells us what proceeds out of the heart of man1#aih had yet the ear which was the first to hear the trembling of the one chord that yet kept healthful time and tune in the harlot's passionate heart4 ,he believed that man was recoverable2 lost1 but capable of being found4 ,after all1 in this sense there is something worthy of love in man4 ,god so loved 7not so hated7 the world1 that ,he gave ,his only begotten ,son4 ,shall we say that we are to hate the world which ,he loved8 ,and now we come to that world which ,god never loved1 never will love1 never will reconcile to ,himself1--which we are not to love4 ,this is most important to see2 for there is always a danger in setting out with a stricter standard than ,christ's1 a narrower road than the narrow one which leads to heaven4 ,experience proves that they who begin with standards of duty which are impossibly high end with standards of duty which are sometimes sadly low4 ,such men have tried the impracticable1 and failed2 the practicable seems to be too hard for them ever afterwards4 ,they who begin by anathematising the world in things innocent1 indifferent1 or even laudable1 not rarely end by a reaction of thought which believes that the world is nothing and nowhere4 ,but there is such a thing as the world in ,st4 ,john's sense--an evil world brought into existence by the abuse of our free-will2 filled by the anti-trinity1 by the lust of the flesh1 the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life4 ,let us not confuse the world with the earth1 with the whole race of man1 with general society1 with any particular set1 however much some sets are to be avoided4 ,look at the thing fairly4 ,two people1 we will say1 go to ,london1 to live there4 ,one1 from circumstances of life and position1 naturally falls into the highest social circle4 ,another has introductions to a smaller set1 with an apparently more serious connection4 ,follow the first some evening4 ,he drives to a great gathering4 ,the room which he enters is ablaze with light2 jewelled orders sparkle upon men's coats1 and fair women move in exquisite dresses4 ,we look at the scene and we say--what worldly society has the man fallen into6 ,perhaps so1 in a sense4 ,but about the same time the other walks to a little room with humbler adjuncts1 where a grave and apparently serious circle meet together4 ,we are able to look in there also1 and we exclaim--this is serious society1 unworldly society4 ,perhaps so again4 ,yet let us read the letters of ,mary ,godolphin4 ,she bore a life unspotted by the world in the dissolute court of ,charles ,,ii41 because the love of the ,father was in her4 ,in small serious circles are there no hidden lusts which blaze up in scandals8 ,is there no vanity1 no pride1 no hatred8 ,in the world of ,charles ,,ii4's court ,mary ,godolphin lived out of the world which ,god hated2 in the religious world not a few1 certainly1 live in the world which is not ,god's4 ,for once more1 the world is not so much a place--though at times its power seems to have been drawn into one intense focus1 as in the empire of which ,rome was the centre1 and which may have been in the ,apostle's thought in the following verse4 ,in the truest and deepest sense the world consists of our own spiritual surrounding2 it is the place which we make for our own souls4 ,no walls that ever were reared can shut out the world from us2 the ,nun of ,kenmare found that it followed her into the seemingly spiritual retreat of a severe ,order4 ,the world in its essence is subtler and thinner than the most infinitesimal of the bacterian germs in the air4 ,they can be strained off by the exquisite apparatus of a man of science4 ,at a certain height they cease to exist4 ,but the world may be wherever we are2 we carry it with us wherever we go1 it lasts while our lives last4 ,no consecration can utterly banish it even from within the church's walls2 it dares to be round us while we kneel1 and follows us into the presence of ,god4 7#b7 ,why does ,god hate this world--the world in this sense8 ,st4 ,john tells us4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4 ,deep in every heart must be one or other of two loves4 ,there is no room for two master-passions4 ,there is an expulsive power in all true affection4 ,what tenderness and pathos1 how much of expostulation1 more potent because reserved--the love of the ,father is not in him6 ,he has told all his little ones that he has written to them because they know the ,father4 ,st4 ,john does not use sacred names at random4 ,even ,voltaire felt that there was something almost awful in hearing ,newton pronounce the name of ,god4 ,such in an incomparably higher degree is the spirit of ,st4 ,john4 ,in this section he writes of the love of the ,father1#aii and of the will of ,god4#bjj ,the first title has more sweetness than majesty2 the second more majesty than sweetness4#bja ,he would throw into his plea some of the winningness of one who uses this as a resistless argument with a tempted but loving child--an argument often successful when every other fails4 ,if you do this1 your ,father will not love you2 you will not be ,his child4 ,we have but to read this with the hearts of ,god's dear children4 ,then we shall find that if the love not of this verse contains words of extirpation2#bjb it ends with others which are intended to draw us with cords of a man1 and with bands of love4 ,,footnotes3 #agi ,after all deductions for the lack of accurate and searching textual exegesis1 perhaps ,bossuet's ,trait de la concupiscence1 ou ,exposition de ces ,paroles de ,saint ,jean1 #a ,john ii4 #ae-ag 7uvres de ,bossuet1 ,tom4 vii41 #chj-dbj71 remains unrivalled4 #ahj ,the word originally signified ornament 7chiefly perhaps of dress72 figuratively it came to denote order4 ,it was first applied by ,pythagoras to the universe1 from the conception of the order1 which reigns in it 7,plut41 de ,plac4 ,phil41 ii4 #a74 ,from schools of philosophy it passed into the language of poets and writers of elevated prose4 ,it is somewhat singular that the ,romans1 possibly from ,greek influence1 came to apply mundus by the same process to the world1 as it had also originally signified ornament1 especially of female dress 7,see ,richard ,bentley against ,boyle1 ,opera ,philol41 #cdg-dde1 and ,notes1 ,humboldt's ,cosmos1 xiii474 ,in the ,,lxx4 does not appear as the translation of its spiritual equivalent in ,hebrew2 but very often in the sense of ornament and order4 7,see ,tromm41 ,concord4 ,gr4 in ,,lxx41 #a1 #iac71 but it is found as world several times in the ,apocrypha 7,wisdom vi4 #bf1 vii4 #ah1 ix4 #c1 xi4 #ah1 xv4 #ad2 #b ,mac4 iii4 #ab1 vii4 #i-bc1 viii4 #ah1 xiii4 #ad74 #aha ,john xvii4 #bd4 #ahb ,in ,hebrew habitable globe2 translated in ,,lxx4 7see ,psalm lxxxix4 #aa74 #ahc ,john v4 #aa4 #ahd ,john vi4 #ca2 #a ,john ii4 #b4 #ahe ,john iii4 #af4 ,it may be added that these are passages where the world as humanity generally passes into the darker meaning of that portion of it which is actively hostile to ,god4 ,john xv4 #ah1 #ai4 #ahf ,see note on ver4 #af at the end of the next ,discourse4 #ahg ,gen4 i4 #ca4 #ahh ,john i4 #c4 #ahi ,the writer does not happen to remember any commentator who has pointed out this subtle but powerful thought1 -- 7#a ,john ii4 #af74 #aij #a ,john v4 #ai4 #aia ,john xiv4 #a2 #a ,john iv4 #b1 #c2 #b ,john #g4 #aib ,john vi4 #ea1 #ec-ef2 #a ,john iv4 #b1 #c2 #b ,john #g4 #aic 4 #aid ,gen4 iii4 #e4 #aie ,gen4 iii4 #f4 #aif ,gen4 iii4 #g4 #aig ,s4 ,augustin41 ,tract4 in ,joann4 ,epist4 #aih ,mark vii4 #ba4 #aii #a ,john ii4 #ae1 #af4 #bjj ,ibid4 ver4 #ag4 #bja ,no portion of ,prof4 ,westcott's ,commentary is more thorough or more exquisite than his exposition here4 7,epistles of ,st4 ,john1 #ff47 #bjb ,extirpantia verba4 ,st4 ,august 7in loc474 ,,discourse ,,vii4 ,,use ,,and ,,abuse ,,of ,,the ,,sense ,,of ,,the ,,vanity ,,of ,,the ,,world4 ,the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof3 but he that doeth the will of ,god abideth for ever4--#a ,,john ii4 #ag4 ,the connection of the passage in which these words occur is not difficult to trace1 for those who are used to follow those roots below the stream1 those real rather than verbal links latent in the substance of ,st4 ,john's thoughts4 ,he addresses those whom he has in view with a paternal authority1 as his sons in the faith--with an endearing variation as little children4 ,he reminds them of the wisdom and strength involved in their ,christian life4 ,theirs is the sweetest flower of knowledge--to know the ,father4 ,theirs is the grandest crown of victory--to overcome the wicked one4 ,but there remains an enemy in one sense more dangerous than the evil one--the world4 ,by the world in this place we are to understand that element in the material and human sphere1 in the region of mingled good and evil1 which is external to ,god1 to the influence of ,his ,spirit1 to the boundaries of ,his ,church--nay1 which frequently passes over those boundaries4 ,in this sense it is1 so to speak1 a fictitious world1 a world of wills separated from ,god because dominated by self2 a shadowy caricature of creation2 an anti-kosmos1 which the ,author of the kosmos has not made4 ,what has been well called the great love not rings out--love not the world4 ,for this admonition two reasons of ever enduring validity are given by ,st4 ,john4 7#a7 ,the application of the law of human nature1 that two master-passions cannot co-exist in one man4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4 7#b7 ,the unsatisfactory nature of the world1 its incurable transitoriness1 its visible tendency to non-existence4 ,the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof4 ,it will be well to consider how far this thought of the transitoriness of the world1 of its drifting by in ceaseless change1 is in itself salutary and ,christian1 how far it needs to be supplemented and elevated by that which follows and closes the verse4#bjc ,i4 ,there can be no doubt1 then1 that up to a certain point this conviction is a necessary element of ,christian thought1 feeling1 and character2 that it is at least among the preliminaries of a saving reception of ,christ4 ,there is in the great majority of the world a surprising and almost incredible levity4 ,there is a disposition to believe in the permanency of that which we have known to continue long1 and which has become habitual4 ,there is a tale of a man who was resolved to keep from his children the knowledge of death4 ,he was the ,governor of a colony1 and had lost in succession his wife and many children4 ,two only1 mere infants1 were left4 ,he withdrew to a beautiful and secluded island1 and tried to barricade his daughters from the fatal knowledge which1 when once acquired1 darkens the spirit with anticipation4 ,in the ocean-island death was to be a forbidden word4 ,if met with in the pages of a book1 and questions were asked1 no answer was to be given4 ,if some one expired1 the body was to be removed1 and the children were to be told that the departed had gone to another country4 ,it does not need much imagination to feel sure that the secret could not be kept2 that some fish lying on the coral reef1 or some bright bird killed in the tropic forest1 gave the little ones the hint of a something that touched the splendour of the sunset with a strange presentiment2 that some hour came when1 as to the rest of us1 so to them1 the mute presence would insist upon being made known4 ,ours is a stranger mode of dealing with ourselves than was the father's way of dealing with his children4 ,we tacitly resolve to play a game of make-believe with ourselves1 to forget that which cannot be forgotten1 to remove to an incalculable distance that which is inexorably near4 ,and the fear of death with us does not come from the nerves1 but from the will4 ,death ushers us into the presence of ,god4 ,those of whom we speak hate and fear death because they fear ,god1 and hate ,his presence4 ,now it is necessary for such persons as these to be awakened from their illusion4 ,that which is supremely important for them is to realise that the world is indeed drifting by2 that there is an emptiness in all that is created1 a vanity in all that is not eternal2 that time is short1 eternity long4 ,they must be brought to see that with the world1 the lust thereof 7the concupiscence1 the lust of it1 which has the world for its object1 which belongs to it1 and which the world stimulates7 passes by also4 ,the world1 which is the object of the desire1 is a phantom and a shadow2 the desire itself must be therefore the phantom of a phantom and the shadow of a shadow4 ,this conviction has a thousand times over led human souls to the one true abiding centre of eternal reality4 ,it has come in a thousand ways4 ,it has been said that one heard the fifth chapter of ,genesis read1 with those words eight times repeated over the close of each record of longevity1 like the strokes of a funeral bell1 and he died2 and that the impression never left him1 until he planted his foot upon the rock over the tide of the changing years4 ,sometimes this conviction is produced by the death of friends--sometimes by the slow discipline of life--sometimes no doubt it may be begun1 sometimes deepened1 by the preacher's voice upon the watch-night1 by the effective ritualism of the tolling bell1 of the silent prayer1 of the well-selected hymn4 ,and it is right that the world's dancing in1 or drinking in1 the ,new ,year1 should be a hint to ,christians to pray it in4 ,this is one of the happy plagiarisms which the ,church has made from the world4 ,the heart feels as it never did before the truth of ,st4 ,john's sad1 calm1 oracular survey of existence4 ,the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof4 ,,ii4 ,but we have not sounded the depth of the truth--certainly we have not exhausted ,st4 ,john's meaning--until we have asked something more4 ,is this conviction alone always a herald of salvation8 ,is it always1 taken by itself1 even salutary8 ,can it never be exaggerated1 and become the parent of evils almost greater than those which it supersedes8 ,we are led by careful study of the ,bible to conclude that this sentiment of the flux of things is capable of exaggeration4 ,for there is one important principle which arises from a comparison of the ,old ,testament with the ,new in this matter4 ,it is to be noticed that the ,old ,testament has indefinitely more which corresponds to the first proposition of the text1 without the qualification which follows it1 than we can find in the ,new4 ,the patriarch ,job's experience echoes in our ears4 ,man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live1 and is full of misery4 ,he cometh up1 and is cut down1 like a flower2 he fleeth as it were a shadow1 and never continueth in one stay4#bjd ,the ,funeral ,psalms make their melancholy chant4 ,behold1 ,thou hast made my days as it were a span long4444 ,verily every man living is altogether vanity4 ,for man walketh in a vain shadow1 and disquieteth himself in vain4444 ,o spare me a little that ,i may smile again4#bje ,or we read the words of ,moses1 the man of ,god1 in that ancient psalm of his1 that hymn of time and of eternity4 ,all that human speech can say is summed up in four words1 the truest1 the deepest1 the saddest and the most expressive1 that ever fell from any mortal pen4 ,we bring our years to an end1 as a sigh4#bjf ,each life is a sigh between two eternities6 ,our point is1 that in the ,new ,testament there is greatly less of this element--greatly less of this pathetic moralising upon the vanity and fragility of human life1 of which we have only cited a few examples--and that what there is lies in a different atmosphere1 with sunnier and more cheerful surroundings4 ,indeed1 in the whole compass of the ,new ,testament there is perhaps but one passage which is set quite in the same key with our familiar declamations upon the uncertainty and shortness of human life--where ,st4 ,james desires ,christians ever to remember in all their projects to make deduction for the will of ,god1 not knowing what shall be on the morrow4#bjg ,in the ,new ,testament the voice1 which wails for a second about the changefulness and misery1 is lost in the triumphant music by which it is encompassed4 ,if earthly goods are depreciated1 it is not merely because the load of them troubles1 the love of them taints1 the loss of them tortures2#bjh it is because better things are ready4 ,there is no lamentation over the change1 no clinging to the dead past4 ,the tone is rather one of joyful invitation4 ,your raft is going to pieces in the troubled sea of time2 step into a gallant ship4 ,the volcanic isle on which you stand is undermined by silent fires2 we can promise to bring you with us to a shore of safety where you shall be compassed about with songs of deliverance4 ,it is no doubt true to urge that this style of thought and language is partly to be ascribed to a desire that the attention of ,christians should be fixed on the return of their ,lord1 rather than upon their own death4 ,but1 if we believe ,scripture to have been written under ,divine guidance1 the history of religion may supply us with good grounds for the absence of all exaggeration from its pages in speaking of the misery of life and the transitoriness of the world4 ,the largest religious experiment in the world1 the history of a religion which at one time numerically exceeded ,christendom1 is a gigantic proof that it is not safe to allow unlimited licence to melancholy speculation4 ,the true symbol for humanity is not a skull and an hour glass4 ,some two thousand five hundred years ago1 towards the end of the seventh century before ,christ1 at the foot of the mountains of ,nepaul1 in the capital of a kingdom of ,central ,india1 an infant was born whom the world will never forget4 ,all gifts seemed to be showered on this child4 ,he was the son of a powerful king and heir to his throne4 ,the young ,siddhrtha was of rare distinction1 brave and beautiful1 a thinker and a hero1 married to an amiable and fascinating princess4 ,but neither a great position nor domestic happiness could clear away the cloud of melancholy which hung over ,siddhrtha1 even under that lovely sky4 ,his deep and meditative soul dwelt night and day upon the mystery of existence4 ,he came to the conclusion that the life of the creature is incurably evil from three causes--from the very fact of existence1 from desire1 and from ignorance4 ,the things revealed by sense are evil4 ,none has that continuance and fixity which is the mark of ,law1 and the attainment of which is the condition of happiness4 ,at last his resolution to leave all his splendour and become an ascetic was irrevocably fixed4 ,one splendid morning the prince drove to a glorious garden4 ,on his road he met a repulsive old man1 wrinkled1 toothless1 bent4 ,another day1 a wretched being wasted with fever crossed his path4 ,yet a third excursion--and a funeral passes along the road with a corpse on an open bier1 and friends wailing as they go4 ,his favourite attendant is obliged in each case to confess that these evils are not exceptional--that old age1 sickness1 and death1 are the fatal conditions of conscious existence for all the sons of men4 ,then the ,prince ,royal takes his first step towards becoming the deliverer of humanity4 ,he cries--woe1 woe to the youth which old age must destroy1 to the health which sickness must undermine1 to the life which has so few days and is so full of evil4 ,hasty readers are apt to judge that the ,prince was on the same track with the ,patriarch of ,idumea1 and with ,moses the man of ,god in the desert--nay1 with ,st4 ,john1 when he writes from ,ephesus that the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof4 ,it may be well to reconsider this2 to see what contradictory principle lies under utterances which have so much superficial resemblance4 ,siddhrtha became known as the ,bouddha1 the august founder of a great and ancient religion4 ,that religion has of later years been favourably compared with ,christianity--yet what are its necessary results1 as drawn out for us by those who have studied it most deeply8 ,scepticism1 fanatic hatred of life1 incurable sadness in a world fearfully misunderstood2 rejection of the personality of man1 of ,god1 of the reality of ,nature4 ,strange enigma6 ,the ,bouddha sought to win annihilation by good works2 everlasting non-being by a life of purity1 of alms1 of renunciation1 of austerity4 ,the prize of his high calling was not everlasting life1 but everlasting death2 for what else is impersonality1 unconsciousness1 absorption into the universe1 but the negation of human existence8 ,the acceptance of the principles of ,bouddhism is simply a sentence of death intellectually1 morally1 spiritually1 almost physically1 passed upon the race which submits to the melancholy bondage of its creed of desolation4 ,it is the opium drunkenness of the spiritual world without the dreams that are its temporary consolation4 ,it is enervating without being soft1 and contemplative without being profound4 ,it is a religion which is spiritual without recognising the soul1 virtuous without the conception of duty1 moral without the admission of liberty1 charitable without love4 ,it surveys a world without nature1 and a universe without ,god4#bji ,the human soul under its influence is not so much drunken as asphyxiated by a monotonous unbalanced perpetual repetition of one half of the truth--the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof4 ,for let us carefully note that ,st4 ,john adds a qualification which preserves the balance of truth4 ,over against the dreary contemplation of the perpetual flux of things1 he sets a constant course of doing--over against the world1 ,god in ,his deepest1 truest personality1 the will of ,god--over against the fact of our having a short time to live1 and being full of misery1 an everlasting fixity1 he abideth for ever--7so well brought out by the old gloss which slipped into the ,latin text1 even as ,god abideth for ever74 ,as the ,lord had taught before1 so the disciple now teaches1 of the rocklike solidity1 of the permanent abiding1 under and over him who doeth4 ,of the devotee who became in his turn the ,bouddha1 akhya-,mouni could not have said one word of the close of our text4 ,he--but human personality is lost in the triumph of knowledge4 ,doeth the will of ,god--but ,god is ignored1 if not denied4#baj ,abideth for ever--but that is precisely the object of his aversion1 the terror from which he wishes to be emancipated at any price1 by any self-denial4 ,it may be supposed that this strain of thought is of little practical importance4 ,it may be of use1 indeed1 in other lands to the missionary who is brought into contact with forms of ,bouddhism in ,china1 ,india1 or ,ceylon1 but not to us in these countries4 ,in truth it is not so4 ,it is about half a century ago since a great ,english theologian warned his ,university that the central principle of ,bouddhism was being spread far and wide in ,europe from ,berlin4 ,this propaganda is not confined to philosophy4 ,it is at work in literature generally1 in poetry1 in novels1 above all in those collections of ,penses which have become so extensively popular4 ,the unbelief of the last century advanced with flashing epigrams and defiant songs4 ,with ,byron it softened at times into a melancholy which was perhaps partly affected4 ,but with ,amiel1 and others of our own day1 unbelief assumes a sweet and dirge-like tone4 ,the satanic mirth of the past unbelief is exchanged for a satanic melancholy in the present4 ,many currents of thought run into our hearts1 and all are tinged with a darkness before unknown from new substances in the soil which colours the waters4 ,there is little fear of our not hearing enough1 great fear of our hearing too much1 of the proposition--the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof4 ,all this may possibly serve as some explanation for the fact that the ,christian ,church1 as such1 has no fast for the last day of the year1 no festival for ,new ,year's ,day except one quite unconnected with the lessons which may be drawn from the flight of time4 ,the death of the old year1 the birth of the new year1 have touching associations for us4 ,but the ,church consecrates no death but that of ,jesus and ,his martyrs1 no nativity but that of her ,lord1 and of one whose birth was directly connected with ,his own--,john the ,baptist4#baa ,a cause of this has been found in the fact that the day had become so deeply contaminated by the abominations of the heathen ,saturnalia that it was impossible in the early ,church to continue any very marked observation of it4 ,this may well be so2 but it is worth considering whether there is not another and deeper reason4 ,nothing that has now been said can be supposed to militate against the observance of this time by ,christians in private1 with solemn penitence for the transgressions of the past year1 and earnest prayer for that upon which we enter--nothing against the edification of particular congregations by such services as those most striking ones which are held in so many places4 ,but some explanation is supplied why the ,watch-night is not recognised in the calendar of the ,church4 ,let us take our verse together as a whole and we have something better than moralising over the flight of time and the transitoriness of the world2 something better than vulgarising vanity of vanities by vapid iteration4 ,it is hard to conceive a life in which death and evanescence have nothing that enforces their recognition4 ,now the removal of one dear to us1 now a glance at the obituary with the name of some one of almost the same age as ourselves1 brings a sudden shadow over the sunniest field4 ,yet surely it is not wholesome to encourage the perpetual presence of the cloud4 ,we might impose upon ourselves the penance of being shut up all a winter's night with a corpse1 go half crazy with terror of that unearthly presence1 and yet be no more spiritual after all4#bab ,we must learn to look at death in a different way1 with new eyes4 ,we all know how different dead faces are4 ,some speak to us merely of material ugliness1 of the sweep of decay's effacing fingers4 ,in others a new idea seems to light up the face2 there is the touch of a superhuman irradiation1 of a beauty from a hidden life4 ,we feel that we look on one who has seen ,christ1 and say--we shall be like ,him1 for we shall see ,him as ,he is4 ,these two kinds of faces answer to the two different views of life4 ,not the transitory1 but the permanent2 not the fleeting1 but the abiding2 not death but life1 is the conclusion of the whole matter4 ,the ,christian life is not an initial spasm followed by a chronic dyspepsia4 ,what does ,st4 ,john give us as the picture of it exemplified in a believer8 ,daily1 perpetual1 constant doing the will of ,god4 ,this is the end far beyond--somewhat inconsistent with--obstinately morbid meditation and surrounding ourselves with multiplied images of mortality4 ,lying in a coffin half the night might not lead to that end2 nay1 it might be a hindrance thereto4 ,beyond the grave1 outside the coffin1 is the object at which we are to look4 ,the current of things temporal1 cries ,augustine1 sweeps along4 ,but like a tree over that stream has risen our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,he willed to plant ,himself as it were over the river4 ,are you whirled along by the current8 ,lay hold of the wood4 ,does the love of the world roll you onward in its course8 ,lay hold upon ,christ4 ,for you ,he became temporal that you might become eternal4 ,for ,he was so made temporal as to remain eternal4 ,join thy heart to the eternity of ,god1 and thou shalt be eternal with ,him4 ,those who have heard the ,miserere in the ,sistine ,chapel describe the desolation which settles upon the soul which surrenders itself to the impression of the ritual4 ,as the psalm proceeds1 at the end of each rhythmical pulsation of thought1 each beat of the alternate wings of the parallelism1 a light upon the altar is extinguished4 ,as the wail grows sadder the darkness grows deeper4 ,when all the lights are out and the last echo of the strain dies away1 there would be something suitable for the penitent's mood in the words--the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof4 ,upon the altar of the ,christian heart there are tapers at first unlighted1 and before it a priest in black vestments4 ,but one by one the vestments are exchanged for others which are white2 one after another the lamps are lighted slowly and without noise1 until gradually1 we know not how1 the whole place is full of light4 ,and ever sweeter and clearer1 calm and happy1 with a triumph which is at first repressed and reverential1 but which increases as the light becomes diffused1 the words are heard strong and quiet--a plain-song now that will swell into an anthem presently--he that doeth the will of ,god abideth for ever4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 ii4 #ab-ag4 ,ver4 #ab1 #ac1 #ad4 ,these verses cannot properly be divided so as to embrace three departments of spiritual1 answering to three departments of natural1 life4 ,all believers are addressed authoritatively as children in the faith1 tenderly as little children2 then subdivided into two classes only1 fathers1 and young men4 ,confirmation is justly found implied here4 ,ver4 #af4 ,hardy's comment is quaint1 and interesting4 ,these three are 'all that is in the world2' they are the world's cursed trinity2 according to that of the poet1 ,ambitiosus honos1 et opes1 et fda voluptas2 ,hc tria pro trino numine mundus habet1 which wicked men adore and worship as deities2 in which regard ,lapide opposeth them to the three persons in the blessed ,trinity3 the lust of the eyes to the ,father1 who is liberal in communicating ,his essence to the ,son and the ,spirit2 the lust of the flesh to the ,son1 whose generation is spiritual and eternal2 the pride of life to the ,holy ,ghost1 who is the ,spirit of humility4 ,that golden calf1 which1 being made1 was set up and worshipped by the ,israelites in the wilderness1 is not unfitly made use of to represent these3 the calf1 which is a wanton creature1 an emblem of the lust of flesh2 the gold of the calf1 referring to the lust of the eyes2 and the exalting it1 to the pride of life4 ,oh1 how do the most of men fall down before this golden calf which the world erecteth4 ,in tracing the various senses of the world we have not dwelt prominently upon the conception of the world as embodied in the ,roman ,empire1 and in the city of ,rome as its seat--an empire standing over against the ,church as the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the may be projected outwardly1 and set in a material framework in the gorgeous description of the wealth and luxury of ,rome in ,apoc4 xviii4 #aa-ad4 ,m4 ,rnan finds in the ,apocalypse the cry of horror of a witness who has been at ,rome1 seen the martyrdom of brethren1 and been himself near death4 7,apoc4 i4 #i1 vi4 #i1 xiii4 #aj1 xx4 #d2 cf4 ,l',antechrist1 pp4 #aig1 #aii4 ,surely ,apoc4 xviii4 #bj adds a strong testimony to the martyrdom of ,peter and ,paul at ,rome47 ,so early a witness as ,tertullian gives the story of ,st4 ,john's having been plunged into the boiling oil without injury to him before his exile at ,patmos4 7,de ,prscr4 ,hr41 #cf74 ,the ,apocryphal ',acta ,iohannis' 7known to ,eusebius and to ,st4 ,augustine71 relates at length an interview at ,rome between ,domitian and ,st4 ,john--not without interest1 in spite of some miraculous embellishment4 ,acta4 ,apost4 ,apoc4 ,tischendorf1 #bff-bga4 ,,footnotes3 #bjc 4 ,it has been said that this is not the real point2 that what ,st4 ,john here describes is not the general attribute of the world as transitory1 but its condition at the moment when the ,epistle was written1 in presence of the manifestation of the kingdom of ,god1 which was daily shining forth4 ,but surely the world can scarcely be so completely identified with the temporary framework of the ,roman ,empire2 and the universality of the antithesis 7 4447 and its intensely individual form1 lead us to take in that universal and inclusive signification which alone is of abiding interest to every age4 #bjd ,job xiv4 #a1 #b4 ,cf4 x4 #bj-bb4 #bje ,such seems to be the meaning of 7,ps4 xxxix4 #ad74 #bjf ,ps4 xc4 #i4 #bjg ,james iv4 #ac-ag4 ,the passage #a ,pet4 i4 #be is taken from the magnificent prophecy in which the fragility of all flesh1 transitory as the falling away of the flowers of grass into impalpable dust1 is contrasted with the eternity of the word of ,god4 ,isa4 xl4 #f1 #g1 ,,lxx4 #bjh ,possessa onerant1 amata inquinant1 amissa cruciant4--,st4 ,bernard4 #bji ,the view here taken of ,bouddhism follows that of ,m4 ,j4 ,barthelemy ,st4 ,hilaire4 ,le ,bouddha et sa ,rligion4 ,prmire partie1 chap4 v41 pp4 #ada-ahb4 #baj ,these populations neither deny nor affirm ,god4 ,they simply ignore ,him4 ,to assert that they are atheists would be very much the same thing as to assert that they are anti-,cartesians4 ,as they are neither for nor against ,descartes1 so they are neither for nor against ,god4 ,they are just children4 ,a child is neither atheist nor deist4 ,he is nothing4--,voltaire1 ,dict4 ,phil41 ,art4 ,athisme4 #baa ,it is noteworthy that in the collects in the ,english ,prayer-,book1 and indeed in its public formularies generally 7outside the ,funeral ,service1 and that for the ,visitation of the ,sick71 there are but two places in which the note of the world passeth away is very prominently struck1 viz41 the ,collect for the ,fourth ,sunday after ,easter1 and one portion of the prayer for ,the ,church ,militant4 ,one of the most wholesome and beautiful expressions of the salutary convictions arising from ,christian perception of this melancholy truth is to be found in ,dr4 ,johnson's ,prayer for the ,last ,day in the ,year1 as given in ,mr4 ,stobart's ,daily ,services for ,christian ,households1 pp4 #ii1 #ajj4 #bab ,the old ,memento ,mori timepiece of ,mary1 ,queen of ,scots1 is a watch in the interior of a death's-head1 which opens to disclose it4 ,surely not a symbol likely to make any soul happier or better6 ,,section ,,iv4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 1 ,filioli1 novissima hora est3 et sicut audistis quia antichristus 1 venit1 nunc autem antichristi multi facti sunt1 unde scimus quia 4 novissima hora est4 1 ' ,ex nobis prodierunt1 4 sed non erant ex nobis1 1 nam si fuissent ex ' nobis1 permansissent ' utique nobiscum2 sed ut manifesti sint quoniam 4 non sunt omnes ex nobis4 ,sed vos 1 unctionem habetis a 4 ,sancto1 et nostis omnia4 1 ,non scripsi vobis quasi 1 ' ignorantibus veritatem1 1 sed quasi scientibus eam1 et quoniam omne 4 mendacium ex veritate 1 non est4 ,quis est mendax1 nisi qui negat quoniam ,iesus non est 2 ,christus8 ,hic est 1 antichristus1 qui negat ,patrem et ,filium4 4 ,omnis qui negat ,filium 1 nec ,patrem habet3 qui 4 confitetur ,filium1 et ,patrem habet4 ,vos 4 quod audistis ab initio1 ' 1 in vobis permaneat4 4 ,si in vobis permanserit ' quod ab initio audistis1 1 et vos in ,filio et ,patre manebitis4 ,et hc est 4 promissio quam ipse 1 pollicitus est vobis1 1 vitam ternam4 ,hc 4 scripsi vobis de his qui seducunt vos4 ,et vos 4 unctionem quam accepistis ab eo1 maneat in ' 1 vobis2 et non necesse 1 habetis ut aliquis doceat vos1 sed sicut ' unctio eius docet vos de omnibus1 et verum 1 est1 et non est mendacium1 1 et sicut docuit vos manete in eo4 ,et 1 nunc1 filioli1 manete in 4 1 eo1 ut cum apparuerit 1 habemus fiduciam1 et 1 non confundamur ab eo 1 in adventu eius4 ' 1 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,little children1 it is ,little children1 it is the last time3 and as the last hour3 and as ye have heard that ye heard that antichrist antichrist shall come1 cometh1 even now have even now there are there arisen many many antichrists2 antichrists2 whereby whereby we know that we know that it is the it is the last time4 last hour4 ,they went ,they went out from us1 out from us1 but they but they were not of were not of us2 for if us2 for if they had they had been of us1 been of us1 they would they would have continued no doubt have continued with us3 but with us3 but they went out1 that they they went out1 that might be made manifest they might be made manifest how that they are that they were not not of us4 ,and ye all of us4 ,but ye have have an anointing from an unction from the the ,holy ,one1 and ye ,holy ,one1 and ye know know all things4 ,i all things4 ,i have not have not written unto written unto you because you because ye know ye know not the not the truth1 but because truth1 but because ye ye know it1 and know it1 and that no because no lie is of the lie is of the truth4 truth4 ,who is the liar ,who is a liar but he but he that denieth that denieth that ,jesus that ,jesus is the is the ,christ8 ,he is ,christ8 ,this is the antichrist1 that denieth antichrist1 even he that the ,father and the ,son4 denieth the ,father and ,whosoever denieth the the ,son4 ,whosoever ,son1 the same hath not denieth the ,son1 the the ,father3 but same hath not the he that acknowledgeth the ,father3 he that confesseth ,son hath the ,father the ,son hath also4 ,let that therefore the ,father also4 ,as abide in you1 for you1 let that abide which ye have heard in you which ye heard from the beginning4 from the beginning4 ,if that which ye have ,if that which ye heard heard from the beginning from the beginning shall remain in abide in you1 ye also you1 ye also shall continue shall abide in the ,son1 in the ,son1 and and in the ,father4 in the ,father4 ,and ,and this is the promise this is the promise that which ,he promised us1 ,he hath promised us1 even the life eternal4 even eternal life4 ,these things have ,i ,these things have ,i written unto you concerning written unto you concerning them that them that seduce you4 would lead you astray4 ,but the anointing ,and as for you1 the which ye have received anointing which ye received of ,him abideth in you1 of ,him abideth and ye need not that in you1 and ye need any man teach you3 not that any one teach but as the same anointing you2 but as ,his anointing teacheth you of all teacheth you concerning things1 and is truth1 all things1 and and is no lie1 and even is true1 and is no lie1 as it hath taught you1 and even as it taught ye shall abide in ,him4 you1 ye abide in ,him4 ,and now1 little children1 ,and now1 my little abide in ,him2 children1 abide in ,him2 that1 when ,he shall that1 if ,he shall be appear1 we may have manifested1 we may confidence1 and not be have boldness1 and not ashamed before ,him be ashamed before ,him at ,his coming4 at ,his coming4 ,,another ,,version4 ,little children1 it is a last hour2 and as ye heard that antichrist cometh1 so now many antichrists are in existence2 whereby we know that it is a last hour4 ,they went out from us1 but they were not of us2 for if they had been of us they would have continued with us3 but that they might be made manifest how that all are not of us1 they all went out4 ,but ye have unction from the ,holy ,one1 and ye know all things4 ,i have not written unto you this--ye know not the truth--but this--ye know it1 and this--every lie is not from the truth4 ,who is the liar but he that denieth that ,jesus is the ,christ8 ,the antichrist is this1 he that denieth the ,father and the ,son4 ,whosoever denieth the ,son the same hath not the ,father2 he that confesseth the ,son also hath the ,father4 ,as for you--that which ye heard from the beginning let it abide in you4 ,if that abide in you which from the beginning ye heard1 ye also shall abide in the ,son and in the ,father4 ,and this is the promise which ,he promised us1 the life1 the eternal life4 ,these things have ,i written unto you concerning those that would mislead you4 ,and as for you--the anointing which ye received from ,him abideth in you1 and ye have no need that any be teaching you3 but as ,his unction is teaching you continually concerning all things1 and is true1 and is not a lie1 and as it taught you1 so shall ye abide in ,him4 ,and now1 children1 abide in ,him1 that if ,he shall be manifested we may have boldness and not shrink in shame from ,him in ,his coming4 ,,discourse ,,viii4 ,,knowing ,,all ,,things4 ,but ye have an unction from the ,holy ,one1 and ye know all things4--#a ,,john ii4 #bj4 ,there is little of the form of logical argument to which ,western readers are habituated in the writings of ,st4 ,john1 steeped as his mind was in ,hebraic influences4 ,the inferential therefore is not to be found in this ,epistle4#bac ,yet the diligent reader or expositor finds it more difficult to detach any single sentence1 without loss to the general meaning1 than in any other writing of the ,new ,testament4 ,the sentence may look almost as if its letters were graven brief and large upon a block of marble1 and stood out in oracular isolation--but upon reverent study it will be found that the seemingly lapidary inscription is one of a series with each of which it is indissolubly connected--sometimes limited1 sometimes enlarged1 always coloured and influenced by that which precedes and follows4 ,it is peculiarly needful to bear this observation in mind in considering fully the almost startling principle stated in the verse which is prefixed to this discourse4 ,a kind of spiritual omniscience appears to be attributed to believers4 ,catechisms1 confessions1 creeds1 teachers1 preachers1 seem to be superseded by a stroke of the ,apostle's pen1 by what we are half tempted to consider as a magnificent exaggeration4 ,the text sounds as if it outstripped even the fulfilment of the promise of the new covenant contained in ,jeremiah's prophecy--they shall teach no more every man his neighbour1 and every man his brother1 saying1 ,know the ,lord3 for they shall all know ,me1 from the least of them unto the greatest of them4#bad ,the passages just before and after ,st4 ,john's splendid annunciation#bae in our text are occupied with the subject of ,antichrist1 here first mentioned in ,scripture4 ,in this section of our ,epistle ,antichrist is 7#a7 revealed1 and 7#b7 refuted4 7#a7 ,antichrist is revealed by the very crisis which the ,church was then traversing4 ,from this especially1 from the transitory character of a world drifting by them in unceasing mutation1 the ,apostle is led to consider this as one of those crisis-hours of the ,church's history1 each of which may be the last hour1 and which is assuredly--in the language of primitive ,christianity--a last hour4 ,the ,apostle therefore exclaims with fatherly affection--,little children1 it is a last hour4#baf ,deep in the heart of the ,apostolic ,church1 because it came from those who had received it from ,christ1 there was one awful anticipation4 ,st4 ,john in this passage gives it a name4 ,he remembers ,who had told the ,jews that if another shall come in his own name1 him ye will receive4#bag ,he can announce to them that as ye have heard this ,antichrist cometh1 even so now 7precisely as ye have heard7 many antichrists have come into existence and are around you1 whereby we know that it is a last hour4 ,the name ,antichrist occurs only in these ,epistles1 and seems purposely intended to denote both one who occupies the place of ,christ1 and one who is against ,christ4 ,in the ,antichrist the antichristian principle is personally concentrated4 ,the conception of representative-men is one which has become familiar to modern students of the philosophy of history4 ,such representative-men1 at once the products of the past1 moulders of the present1 and creative of the future1 sum up in themselves tendencies and principles good and evil1 and project them in a form equally compacted and intensified into the coming generations4 ,shadows and anticipations of ,antichrist the holiest of the ,church's sons have sometimes seen1 even in the high places of the ,church4 ,but it is evident that as yet the ,antichrist has not come4 ,for wherever ,st4 ,john mentions this fearful impersonation of evil1 he connects the manifestation of his influence with absolute denial of the true ,manhood1 of the ,messiahship1 of the everlasting sonship of ,jesus1 of the ,father1 ,who is ,his and our ,father4#bah ,in negation of the ,personality of ,god1 in the substitution of a glittering but unreal idea of human goodness and active philanthropy for the historical ,christ1 we of this age may not improbably hear his advancing footsteps1 and foresee the advent of a day when antichristianity shall find its great representative-man4 7#b7 ,antichrist is also refuted by a principle common to the life of ,christians and by its result4 ,the principle by which he is refuted is a gift of insight lodged in the ,church at large1 and partaken of by all faithful souls4 ,a hint of a solemn crisis had been conveyed to the ,christians of ,asia ,minor by secessions from the great ,christian community4 ,they went out from us1 but they were not of us2 for if they had been of us1 they would have continued with us 7which they did not1 but went out7 that they might be made manifest that not all are of us4#bai ,not only this4 ,yea further1 ye yourselves have a hallowing oil from ,him who is hallowed1 a chrism from the ,christ1 an unction from the ,holy ,one1 even from the ,son of ,god4 ,chrism 7as we are reminded by the most accurate of scholars7 is always the material with which anointing is performed1 never the act of anointing2 it points to the unction of prophets1 priests and kings under the ,old ,testament1 in whose sacrifices and mystic language oil symbolises the ,holy ,spirit as the spirit of joy and freedom4 ,quite possibly there may be some allusion to a literal use of oil in ,baptism and ,confirmation1 which began at a very early period2#bbj though it is equally possible that the material may have arisen from the spiritual1 and not in the reverse order4 ,but beyond all question the real predominant reference is to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,in the chrism here mentioned there is a feature characteristic of ,st4 ,john's style4 ,for there is first a faint prelusive note which 7as we find in several other important subjects#bba7 is faintly struck and seems to die away1 but is afterwards taken up1 and more fully brought out4 ,the full distinct mention of the ,holy ,spirit comes like a burst of the music of the ,veni ,creator1 carrying on the fainter prelude when it might seem to have been almost lost4 ,the first reverential1 almost timid hint1 is succeeded by another1 brief but significant--almost dogmatically expressive of the relation of the ,holy ,spirit to ,christ as ,his ,chrism1 the ,chrism of ,him4#bbb ,we shall presently have a direct mention of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,hereby we know that ,he abideth in us1 from the ,spirit which ,he gave us4#bbc ,antichrist is refuted by a result of this great principle of the life of the ,holy ,spirit in the living ,church4 ,ye have chrism from the ,christ2 ,antichrist shall not lay his unhallowing disanointing hand upon you4 ,as a result of this1 ye know all things4#bbd ,how are we to understand this startling expression8 ,if we receive any teachers as messengers commissioned by ,god1 it is evident that their message must be communicated to us through the medium of human language4 ,they come to us with minds that have been in contact with a ,mind of infinite knowledge1 and deliver utterances of universal import4 ,they are therefore under an obligation to use language which is capable of being misunderstood by some persons4 ,our ,lord and ,his ,apostles so spoke at times4 ,two very different classes of men constantly misinterpret words like those of our text4 ,the rationalist does so with a sinister smile2 the fanatic with a cry of hysterical triumph4 ,the first may point his epigram with effective reference to the exaggerated promise which is belied by the ignorance of so many ardent believers2 the second may advance his absurd claim to personal infallibility in all things spiritual4 ,yet an ,apostle calmly says--ye have an unction from the ,holy ,one1 and ye know all things4 ,this1 however1 is but another asterisk directing the eye to the ,master's promise in the ,gospel1 which is at once the warrant and the explanation of the utterance here4 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 whom the ,father will send in ,my name1 ,he shall teach you all things1 and bring all things to your remembrance1 whatsoever ,i have said unto you4#bbe ,the express limitation of the ,saviour's promise is the implied limitation of ,st4 ,john's statement4 ,the ,holy ,ghost has been sent1 according to this unfailing pledge4 ,he teaches you 7and1 if ,he teaches1 you know7 all things which ,christ has said1 as far as their substance is written down in a true record--all things of the new creation spoken by our ,lord1 preserved by the help of the ,spirit in the memories of chosen witnesses with unfading freshness1 by the same ,spirit unfolded and interpreted to you4 ,we should observe in what spirit and to whom ,st4 ,john speaks4 ,he does not speak in the strain which would be adopted by a missionary in addressing men lately brought out of heathenism into the fold of ,christ4 ,he does not like a modern preacher or tract-writer at once divide his observations into two parts1 one for the converted1 one for the unconverted2 all are his dear ones as beloved1 his sons as brought into close spiritual relationship with himself4 ,he classes them simply as young and old1 with their respective graces of strength and knowledge4 ,all are looked upon as abiding2 almost the one exhortation is to abide unto the end in a condition upon which all have already entered1 and in which some have long continued4 ,we feel throughout the calmness and assurance of a spiritual teacher writing to ,christian men who had either been born in the atmosphere of ,christian tradition1 or had lived in it for many years4 ,they are again and again appealed to on the ground of a common ,christian confidence--we know4 ,they have all the articles of the ,christian creed1 the great inheritance of a faithful summary of the words and works of ,christ4 ,the ,gospel which ,paul at first preached in ,asia ,minor was the starting point of the truth which remained among them1 illustrated1 expanded1 applied1 but absolutely unaltered4#bbf ,what the ,christians whom ,st4 ,john has in view really want is the revival of familiar truths1 not the impartation of new4 ,no spiritual voyage or discovery is needed2 they have only to explore well-known regions4 ,the memory and the affections must be stimulated4 ,the truths which have become cramped and bed-ridden in the dormitory of the soul must acquire elasticity from exercise4 ,the accumulation of ashes must be blown away1 and the spark of fire beneath fanned into flame4 ,this capacity of revival1 of expansion1 of quickened life1 of developed truth1 is in the unction common to the faithful1 in the latent possibilities of the new birth4 ,the same verse to which we have before referred as the best interpreter of this should be consulted again4#bbg ,there is an instructive distinction between the tenses--as ,his unction is teaching--as it taught you4#bbh ,the teaching was once for all1 the creed definite and fixed1 the body of truth a sum-total looked upon as one4 ,the unction taught4 ,once for all the ,holy ,spirit made known the ,incarnation and stamped the recorded words of ,christ with ,his seal4 ,but there are depths of thought about ,his person which need to be reverently explored4 ,there is an energy in ,his work which was not exhausted in the few years of its doing1 and which is not imprisoned within the brief chronicle in which it is written4 ,there is a spirit and a life in ,his words4 ,in one aspect they have the strength of the tornado1 which advances in a narrow line2 but every foot of the column1 as if armed with a tooth of steel1 grinds and cuts into pieces all which resists it4 ,those words have also depths of tenderness1 depths of wisdom1 into which eighteen centuries have looked down and never yet seen the last of their meaning4 ,advancing time does but broaden the interpretation of the wisdom and the sympathy of those words4 ,applications of their significance are being discovered by ,christian souls in forms as new and manifold as the claims of human need4 ,the ,church collectively is like one sanctified mind meditating incessantly upon the ,incarnation2 attaining more and more to an understanding of that character as it widens in a circle of glory round the form of its historical manifestation--considering how those words may be applied not only to self but to humanity4 ,the new wants of each successive generation bring new help out of that inexhaustible store4 ,the ,church may have decided opinions2 but she has not the deep slumber which is said to accompany them4 ,how can she be fast asleep who is ever learning from a teacher ,who is always supplying her with fresh and varied lessons8 ,the ,church must be ever learning1 because the anointing which taught once for all is also ever teaching4 ,this profound saying is therefore chiefly true of ,christians as a whole4 ,yet each individual believer may surely have a part in it4 ,there is a teacher in the heart who has also a chair in heaven4 ,the ,holy ,spirit who dwells in the justified soul1 says a pious writer1 is a great director4 ,may we not add that ,he is a great catechist8 ,in difficulties1 whether worldly1 intellectual1 or spiritual1 thousands for a time helpless and ignorant1 in presence of difficulties through which they could not make their way1 have found with surprise how true in the sequel our text has become to them4 ,for we all know how different things1 persons1 truths1 ideas may become1 as they are seen at different times and in different lights1 as they are seen in relation to ,god and truth or outside that relation4 ,the bread in ,holy ,communion is unchanged in substance2 but some new and glorious relation is superadded to it4 ,it is devoted by its consecration to the noblest use manward and ,godward1 so that ,st4 ,paul speaks of it with hushed reverence as ,the ,body4#bbi ,it seems to be a part of the same law that some one--once perhaps frivolous1 common-place1 sinful--is taken into the hand of the great ,high ,priest1 broken with sorrow and penitence1 and blessed2 and thereafter he is at once personally the same1 and yet another higher and better by that awful consecration to another use4 ,so again with some truth of creed or catechism which we have fallen into the fallacy of supposing that we know because it is familiar4 ,it may be a truth that is sweet or one that is tremendous4 ,it awaits its consecration1 its blessing1 its transformation into a something which in itself is the same yet which is other to us4 ,that is to say1 the familiar truth is old1 in itself1 in substance and expression4 ,it needs no other1 and can have no better formula4 ,to change the formula would be to alter the truth2 but to us it is taught newly with a fuller and nobler exposition by the unction which is ever teaching1 whereby we know all things4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 ii4 #ah-bh4 ,ver4 #ah4 ,a last hour1 4 ,hour is used in all ,st4 ,john's writings of a definite point of time1 which is also providentially fixed4 7,cf4 ,john xvii4 #a2 ,apoc4 iii4 #c47 ,in something of this elevated signification ,shakespeare appears to employ the word in ,the ,tempest in relation to his own life3 ,prospero4 ,how's the day8 ,ariel4 ,on the sixth hour2 at which time1 my lord1 ,you said our work should cease4 ,each decade of years is here looked upon as a providentially fixed duration of time4 ,the poet intended to retire from the work of imaginative poetry when his life should draw on towards sixty years of age4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,it doth not appear1 nor is it probable1 that these antichrists1 when gone out from the ,apostles1 did still pretend to the orthodox faith2 and therefore no need for the ,apostle to make any provision against it4 ,nay1 it is plainly intimated by the following discourse1 that these antichrists being gone forth1 did set themselves expressly1 directly1 against the orthodox1 denying that ,jesus1 whom they did profess1 to be the ,christ2 and therefore the design of this clause is most rationally conceived to be the prevention of that scandal which their horrid apostasy might give to weak ,christians2 nor could anything more effectually prevent or remove it1 than to let them know that these antichristian apostates were never true stars in the firmament of the ,church1 but only blazing comets1 as their falling away did evidently demonstrate4--,dean ,hardy1 #cji4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,to use the words of a once famous controversial divine1 they may be said to be of the ,church presumptively in their own1 and others' opinion1 but not really4 7,spalat41 lib4 vii41 #aj1 cf4 on the whole subject1 ,st4 ,aug4 ,lib4 de ,bono4 ,persev41 viii47 ,let no one count that the good can go forth from the ,church2 the wind cannot carry away the wheat1 nor the storm overthrow the solidly rooted tree4 ,the light chaff is tossed by the wind1 the weak trees go down before the blast4 ',they went out from us1 but they were not of us4'--,s4 ,cyp41 ,b4 de ,simplic4 ,ver4 #bd4 ,ye shall abide in the ,son1 and in the ,father4 ,if it be asked why the ,son is put before the ,father1 the answer is well returned4 ,because the ,apostle had just before inveighed against those who1 though they pretended to acknowledge the ,father1 yet deny the ,son4 ,though withal there may besides be a double reason assigned3 the one to insinuate that the ,son is not less than the ,father1 but that they are equal in essence and dignity4 ,upon this account most probable it is that the apostolical benediction beginneth with ',the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1' and then followeth 'the love of ,god the ,father4' ,the other1 because1 as ,beda well glosseth1 ,no man cometh in1 or continueth in1 the ,father but by the ,son1 who saith of ,himself1 ',i am the way1 the truth1 and the life4' ,to draw it up1 lo1 here ,eximia laus doctrin1 an high commendation of evangelical doctrine1 that it leads up to ,christ1 and by ,him to the ,father4 ,the water riseth as high as the spring from whence it floweth4 ,no wonder if the gospel1 which cometh from ,god through ,christ1 lead us back again through ,christ to ,god2 and as by hearing and believing this doctrine we are united to1 so by adhering to1 and persevering in it1 we continue in1 the ,son and the ,father4 ,suitable to this is that promise of our blessed ,saviour1 ,john xiv4 #bc1 ',if any man love ,me he will keep ,my word1 and ,my ,father will love him1 and we will come to him and make our abode with him4'--,dean ,hardy1 #cej4 ,ver4 #bg4 ,the connection of the whole section is well traced by the old divine1 whose commentary closes a little below4 ,if you compare these three with the eight foregoing verses1 you shall find them to be a summary repetition of what is there more largely delivered4 ,there are three hinges upon which the precedent discourse turneth1 namely1 the peril of antichristian doctrine1 the benefit of the ,spirit's unction1 the duty of perseverance in the ,christian faith2 and these three are inculcated in these verses4 ,indeed1 where the danger is very great1 the admonition cannot be too frequent4 ,when the benefit is of singular advantage1 it would be often considered1 and a duty which must be performed cannot be too much pressed4 ,no wonder if ,st4 ,john proposed them in this gemination to our second thoughts4 ,and yet it is not a naked repetition neither1 but such as hath a variation and amplification in every particular4 ,the duty is reinforced at the eight-and-twentieth verse1 but in another phrase1 of 'abiding in ,christ1' and with a new motive1 drawn from the second coming of ,christ4 ,the benefit is reiterated1 and much amplified1 in the seven-and-twentieth verse1 as to its excellency and energy4 ,finally1 the danger is repeated1 but with another description of those by whom they were in danger2 whilst as before he had called them antichrists for their enmity against ,christ1 so here1 for their malignity against ,christians1 he calleth them seducers3 ',these things have ,i written to you concerning them that seduce you1' etc4--,dean ,hardy1 #ceg4 ,,footnotes3 #bac ,the in ver4 #bd is not recognised by the ,r4 ,v4 nor adopted in ,professor ,westcott's text4 ,one uncial 7,a71 however1 inserts it in #a ,john iv4 #ai4 ,it occurs in #c ,john #h4 ,this inferential particle is found with unusual frequency in ,st4 ,john's ,gospel4 ,it does not seem satisfactory to account for this by calling it one of the beginnings of modern ,greek4 7,b4 de ,xivrey47 ,by ,st4 ,john as an historian1 the frequent therefore is the spontaneous recognition of a ,divine logic of events2 of the necessary yet natural sequence of every incident in the life of the ,word made ,flesh4 ,the expresses something more than continuity of narrative4 ,it indicates a connection of events so interlinked that each springs from1 and is joined with1 the preceding1 as if it were a conclusion which followed from the premiss of the ,divine argument4 ,now a mind which views history in this light is just the mind which will be dogmatic in theology4 ,the inspired dogmatic theologian will necessarily write in a style different from that of the theologian of the ,schools4 ,the style of the former will be oracular2 that of the latter will be scholastic1 i4e41 inferential1 a concatenation of syllogisms4 ,the syllogistic is then naturally absent from ,st4 ,john's ,epistles4 ,the one undoubted exception is #c ,john #h1 where a practical inference is drawn from an historical statement in ver4 #g4 ,the writer may be allowed to refer to ,the ,speaker's ,commentary1 iv41 #cha4 #bad ,jer4 xxxi4 #cd4 #bae ,vers4 #ah1 #bb4 #baf ,the last hour is not a date arbitrarily chosen and written down as a man might mark a day for an engagement in a calendar4 ,it is determined by history--by the sum-total of the product of the actions of men who are not the slaves of fatality1 who possess free-will1 and are not forced to act in a particular way4 ,it is supposed to derogate from the ,divine mission of the ,apostles if we admit that they might be mistaken as to the chronology of the closing hour of time4 ,but to know that supreme instant would involve a knowledge of the whole plan of ,god and the whole predetermining motives in the appointment of that day1 i4e41 it would constructively involve omniscience4 ,cf4 ,mark xiii4 #cb1 and our ,lord's profound saying1 ,acts i4 #g4 #bag ,john v4 #dc4 #bah #a ,john ii4 #bb1 iv4 #b1 #c2 #b ,john #g-i4 #bai ,ver4 #ai4 #bbj ,bingham's ,antiquities1 i41 #dfb-ebd1 #efe4 #bba ,for other instances of this characteristic1 see a subject introduced ii4 #bi1 expanded iii4 #i--;another subject introduced iii4 #ba1 expanded v4 #ad4 #bbb 1 ver4 #bg1 not 7the same anointing1 ,a4 ,v47 ,this most unusual order throws a strong emphasis on the pronoun4 7,prof4 ,westcott47 ,the writer thankfully quotes this as it seems to him to bring out the dogmatic significance of the word1 emphasised as it is by this unusual order--the chrism1 the ,spirit of ,him4 #bbc #a ,john iii4 #bd4 #bbd ,the reading of the ,a4 ,v4 is received into ,tischendorf's text and adopted by the ,r4 ,v4 ,another reading omits and substitutes for so that the passage would run thus1 ,ye have an unction from the ,holy ,one4 ,ye all know 7,i have not written unto you because ye know not7 the truth4 ,as far as the difficulty of is concerned1 nothing is gained by the change1 as the statement recurs in a slightly varied form in ver4 #bg4 #bbe ,john xiv4 #bf4 #bbf ,let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning1 #a ,john ii4 #bd4 ,cf4 ,testifying that this is the true grace of ,god wherein ye stand1 #a ,pet4 v4 #ab4 ,even as our beloved brother ,paul has written unto you1 #b ,pet4 iii4 #ae4 ,st4 ,paul has thus the attestation of ,st4 ,john as well as of ,st4 ,peter4 #bbg ,ver4 #bg #bbh --4 #bbi #a ,cor4 xi4 #bi4 ,,section ,v4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,si scitis quoniam 1 iustus est1 scitote quoniam omnis qui facit 4 iustitiam ex ipso natus est4 ,videte qualem 1 caritatem dedit nobis 1 ,pater ut filii ,dei nominemur 4 et simus4 1 ,propter hoc mundus 4 1 non novit nos1 quia non 1 novit eum4 ,carissimi1 nunc filii ,dei sumus et nondum apparuit quid erimus4 ,scimus 1 quoniam cum apparuerit similes ei erimus1 4 quoniam videbimus ' eum sicuti est4 ,et omnis qui habet spem 4 hanc in eo sanctificat se1 sicut et ille sanctus est4 ,omnis qui facit peccatum et iniquitatem facit1 4 et peccatum est iniquitas4 ,et scitis quoniam ille apparuit ut 1 peccata tolerit1 et peccatum 4 in eo non est4 ,omnis qui in eo manet non peccat1 et omnis qui peccat non videt 4 1 eum nec cognovit eum4 ,filioli1 nemo vos seducat4 ,qui facit iustitiam1 1 iustus est1 4 sicut et ille iustus est3 qui facit peccatum1 ex 1 diabolo est quoniam ' ab initio diabolus 4 peccat4 ,in hoc apparuit ,filius ,dei1 ut 1 dissolvat opera diaboli4 4 ,omnis qui natus est ex ,deo peccatum non 1 facit1 quoniam semen ipsius in eo manet1 et non potest peccare1 1 quoniam ex ,deo natus est4 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,if ye know that ,he ,if ye know that ,he is righteous1 ye know is righteous1 ye know that every one that that every one also doeth righteousness is that doeth righteousness born of ,him4 ,behold1 is begotten of what manner of love ,him4 ,behold1 what the ,father hath bestowed manner of love the upon us1 that ,father hath bestowed we should be called upon us1 that we the sons of ,god3 should be called children therefore the world of ,god3 and such knoweth us not1 because we are4 ,for this cause it knew ,him not4 the world knoweth us ,beloved1 now are we not1 because it knew the sons of ,god1 and it ,him not4 ,beloved1 doth not yet appear now are we children what we shall be3 but of ,god1 and it is not we know that1 when yet made manifest ,he shall appear1 we what we shall be4 ,we shall be like ,him2 for know that1 if ,he shall we shall see ,him as ,he be manifested1 we shall is4 ,and every man be like ,him2 for we that hath this hope in shall see ,him even as ,him purifieth himself1 ,he is4 ,and every one even as ,he is pure4 that hath this hope set ,whosoever committeth on ,him purifieth himself1 sin transgresseth also even as ,he is the law3 for sin is the pure4 ,every one that transgression of the doeth sin doeth also law4 ,and ye know lawlessness3 and sin that ,he was manifested is lawlessness4 ,and to take away our sins2 ye know that ,he was and in ,him is no sin4 manifested to take ,whosoever abideth in away sins2 and in ,him sinneth not3 whosoever ,him is no sin4 ,whosoever sinneth hath abideth in ,him not seen ,him1 neither sinneth not3 whosoever known ,him4 ,little sinneth hath not children1 let no man seen ,him1 neither deceive you3 he that knoweth ,him4 ,my doeth righteousness is little children1 let no righteous1 even as ,he man lead you astray3 is righteous4 ,he that he that doeth righteousness committeth sin is of the is righteous1 devil2 for the devil even as ,he is righteous2 sinneth from the beginning4 he that doeth sin ,for this purpose is of the devil2 for the the ,son of ,god devil sinneth from the was manifested1 that beginning4 ,to this ,he might destroy the end was the ,son of works of the devil4 ,god manifested1 that ,whosoever is born of ,he might destroy the ,god doth not commit works of the devil4 sin3 for ,his seed remaineth ,whosoever is begotten in him3 and of ,god doeth no sin1 he cannot sin1 because because ,his seed he is born of ,god4 abideth in him2 and he cannot sin1 because he is begotten of ,god4 ,,another ,,version4 ,if ye know that ,he is righteous1 ye are aware that every one who is doing righteousness is born of ,him4 ,behold what manner of love the ,father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called children of ,god2--and we are4 ,because of this the world knoweth us because it knew not ,him4 ,beloved1 now are we children of ,god1 and it never yet was manifested what we shall be2 but we know that if it shall be manifested we shall be like ,him2 for we shall see ,him as ,he is4 ,and everyone that hath this hope fixed on ,him is ever purifying himself even as ,he is pure4 ,every one that is doing sin1 is also doing lawlessness2 and1 indeed1 sin is lawlessness4 ,and ye know that ,he was manifested that ,he should take away sins2 and sin in ,him is not4 ,whosoever abideth in ,him is not sinning2 every one that is sinning hath not seen ,him neither hath known ,him4 ,little children1 let no man mislead you2 he that is doing righteousness is righteous1 even as ,he is righteous3 he that is doing sin is of the devil1 because the devil is continually sinning from the beginning4 ,unto this end the ,son of ,god was manifested that ,he might destroy the works of the devil4 ,whosoever is born of ,god is not doing sin for his seed abideth in ,him1 and he is not able to be sinning1 because he is born of ,god4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 ii4 #bi1 iii4 #i4 ,,iii4 ver4 #b4 ,hope fixed in ,him or on ,him4 ,the ,english reader should note the capital letter2 not hope in our hearts1 but hope unfastened from self4 1 is the ,,lxx4 translation of ,psalm xxx4 #a4 ,is ever purifying himself4 ,see how he does not do away with freewill2 for he says purifies himself4 ,who purifies us but ,god8 ,yet ,god does not purify you when you are unwilling2 therefore in joining your will to ,god you purify yourself4 7,st4 ,augustine in loc47 ,we shall be like ,him2 for we shall see ,him as ,he is4 ,so then we are about to see a certain sight1 excelling all beauties of the earth2 the beauty of gold1 silver1 forest1 fields--the beauty of sea and air1 sun and moon--the beauty of stars--the beauty of angels4 ,aye1 excelling all these1 because all these are beautiful only for it4 ,what1 therefore1 shall we be when we shall see all these8 ,what is promised8 ,we shall be like ,him2 for we shall see ,him as ,he is4 ,the tongue hath spoken as it could2 let the rest be thought over by the heart 7,st4 ,augustine in loc474 ,cf4 #b ,cor4 iii4 #ah4 ,as the whole body1 face1 above all eyes of those who look towards the sun are sunnied 7insolantur74--,bengel4 ,ver4 #c4 ,the ample stores of ,english divinity contain two sermons1 one excellent1 one beautiful1 upon this verse4 ,the first is by ,paley2 it is founded upon the leading thought1 which he expresses with his usual manly common sense4 ,there are a class of ,christians to whom the admonition of the text is peculiarly necessary4 ,finding it an easier thing to do good than to expel sins which cleave to their hearts1 their affections1 or their imaginations2 they set their endeavours more towards beneficence than purity4 ,doing good is not the whole of our duty1 nor the most difficult part of it4 ,in particular it is not that part of it which is insisted upon in our text4 7,paley1 ,sermon ,,xliii47 ,but the second sermon is perhaps the finest which ever came from the pen of ,south1 and he throws into it the full power of his heart and intellect4 ,the bare analysis is this3-- ,is it indeed possible for a man to purify himself8 ,there is a twofold work of purification4 7#a7 ,the infusing of the habit of purity into the soul 7regeneration or conversion74 ,in this respect1 no man can purify himself4 7#b7 ,the other work of purification is exercising that habit or grace of purity4 ,god who made1 and since new made us1 without ourselves1 will not yet save us without ourselves4 ,but again1 how can a man purify himself to that degree even as ,christ is pure8 ,even as denotes similitude of kind1 not equality of degree4 ,we are to purify ourselves from the power of sin1 and from the guilt of sin4 ,purification from the power of sin consists in these things4 7#a7 ,a continually renewed repentance4 ,every day1 every hour1 may afford matter for penitential sorrow4 ,a fountain of sin may well require a fountain of sorrow4 ,converting repentance must be followed by daily repentance4 7#b7 ,purifying ourselves consists in vigilant prevention of acts of sin for the future4 ,the means of effecting this are these4 7a7 ,opposing the very first risings of the heart to sin4 ,the bees may be at work1 and very busy within1 though we see none of them fly abroad4 7b7 ,severe mortifying duties1 such as watchings and fastings4 7c7 ,frequent and fervent prayer4 ,a praying heart naturally turns into a purified heart4 ,we are to purify ourselves1 also1 from the guilt of sin4 7#a7 ,negatively4 ,no duty or work within our power to perform can take away the guilt of sin4 ,those who think so1 understand neither the fiery strictness of the law1 nor the spirituality of the ,gospel4 7#b7 ,that which alone can purify us from the guilt of sin is applying the virtue of the blood of ,christ to the soul by renewed acts of faith4 ,it is that alone that is able to wash away the deep stain1 and to change the hue of the spiritual ,ethiopian4 ,the last consideration is--how the life of heaven and future glory has such a sovereign influence upon this work8 ,this portion of the sermon falls far below the high standard of the rest1 and entirely loses the spirit of ,st4 ,john's thought4 ,south's ,sermons4 7,sermon #gb1 pp4 #eid-faf47 ,ver4 #f4 ,that ,he might destroy the works of the devil4 ,the word here used for ,satan 77 is found in ,john vii4 #gj1 viii4 #dd1 xiii4 #b2 ,apoc4 ii4 #aj1 xii4 #i1 #ab1 xx4 #b1 #aj4 ,one class of miracles is not specifically recorded by ,st4 ,john in his ,gospel--the dispossession of demoniacs4 ,probably this terrible affliction was less common in ,jerusalem than in ,galilee4 ,but the idea of possession is not foreign to his mode of thought4 ,john vi4 #gj1 viii4 #dd1 #dh1 x4 #bj1 xiii4 #bg4 ,he here points to the dispossessions1 so many of which are recorded by the ,synoptics4 ,,iii4 ver4 #i4 ,his seed abideth in him4 ,of these words only two interpretations appear to be fairly possible4 7#a7 ,the first would understand ,his seed as ,god's seed1 the stock or family of ,his children who are the true 1 seed of ,god 7,mal4 ii4 #ae74 ,in favour of this interpretation it may be urged3 first1 that seed in the sense of children1 posterity1 any one's entire stock and filiation1 in perhaps nearly two hundred passages of the ,,lxx41 is the ,greek rendering of many different ,hebrew words4 7,see in ,num4 xxiv4 #bj2 ,deut4 xxv4 #a2 ,jer4 l4 #af2 ,gen4 iii4 #ae2 ,isa4 xiv4 #bj1 #cj1 xv4 #i2 ,num4 xxiii4 #aj2 #b ,chron4 xiv4 #bg47 ,secondly1 no inapt meaning is given in the present text by so understanding the word4 ,he is unable to go on in sin1 for ,god's true stock and family 7they who are true to the majesty of their birth7 abide in ,him4 7#b7 ,but a second meaning appears preferable4 ,seed 77 would then be understood as a metaphorical application of the grain in the vegetable world which contains the possible germ of the future plant or tree2 and would signify the possibility1 or germinal principle1 given by the ,holy ,spirit to the soul in regeneration4 ,for this signification in our passage there is a strong argument1 which we have not seen adverted to1 in ,st4 ,john's mode of language and of thought4 ,his seed abideth in him 7 7 is really a quotation from the ,,lxx4 7 --note the repetition of the words ,gen4 i4 #aa1 #ab74 ,now the ,book of ,genesis seems to have been the part of the ,old ,testament which 7with the ,psalms7 was chiefly in ,st4 ,john's mind in the ,epistle4 7,cf4 #a ,john i4 #a1 ,gen4 i4 #a4--;iii4 #h1 ,gen4 ii4--iii4 #ab1 ,gen4 iv4 #h--;iii4 #ae1 ,gen4 xxvii4 #da47 ,st4 ,john1 also1 connects the new birth of the sons of ,god1 as did our ,lord1 with the birth of the creation1 whose first germ was the ,spirit of ,god moving upon the face of the waters 7,gen4 i4 #b2 ,john iii4 #e74 ,this parallel between the first creation and the second1 between creation and regeneration1 has always commended itself to profound ,christian exegesis as being deeply set in the mind of ,scripture4 ,witness the magnificent lines4 ,plebs ut sacra renascatur1 ,per ,hunc unda consecratur1 ,cui super ferebatur ,in rerum exordium4 ,fons1 origo pietatis1 ,fons emundans a peccatis1 ,fons de fonte ,deitatis1 ,fons sacrator fontium6 ,adam of ,st4 ,victor1 ,seq4 xx41 ,pentecoste4 ,it is instructive1 to study the treatment of our ,lord's words 7,john iii4 #e7 by a commentator so little mystical as ,professor ,westcott4 ,st4 ,john1 then1 might point at this as another hint of regeneration in the parable of creation1 viewed spiritually4 ,the world of vegetation in ,genesis is divided into two classes4 7#a7 ,herbs all grasses and plants which yield seed4 7#b7 ,trees shrubs and arboreous plants which have their seed enclosed in their fruit 7,gen4 i4 #aa1 #ab7 ,such are the plants of ,god's planting in ,his garden4 ,of each the seed from which he sprung1 and which he will reproduce unless he becomes barren and blighted1 is in him4 ,he cannot sin4 ,it is against the basis of his new nature4 ,of the new creation as of the old1 the law is--his seed is in him4 ,the rest of this verse is interpreted in the ,discourse upon #a ,john v4 #d4 ,,section ,,vi4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,in hoc manifesti sunt filii ,dei et filii diaboli4 4 ,omnis qui non est iustus non est ex ,deo1 et qui non diligit 1 fratrem suum2 quoniam hc est adnuntiatio quam audistis ab ' 1 initio1 ut diligamus alterutrum1 non sicut ,cain ex maligno erat1 et occidit fratrem suum4 ,et propter quid occidit eum8 quoniam opera 2 eius maligna erant1 1 fratris autem eius iusta4 ,nolite mirari 4 1 fratres si odit nos 1 mundus4 ,nos scimus 4 quoniam translati sumus de morte in vitam1 quoniam diligimus 1 fratres3 qui non diligit1 manet in morte4 4 ,omnis qui odit fratrem suum homicida est1 et scitis quoniam omnis homicida non habet vitam ternam in se manentem4 ,in hoc 4 cognovimus caritatem ,dei1 quoniam ille pro 1 nobis animam suam posuit3 et nos debemus pro fratribus animas ponere4 ,qui habuerit substantiam mundi et 4 ' viderit fratrem suum necesse habere et clauserit viscera sua ab eo1 quomodo caritas ,dei manet in eo8 ' 1 ,filioli non diligamus verbo nec lingua sed 2 opere et veritate4 ,in hoc cognovimus quoniam 1 ' ex veritate 4 sumus3 et in conspectu eius suademus corda 1 nostra1 quoniam si reprehenderit nos cor nostrum1 major est ,deus corde nostro 1 et novit omnia4 ,carissimi si cor nostrum 1 non reprehenderit nos1 4 1 fiduciam habemus ad 1 ,deum1 et quodcumque petierimus accipiemus 1 abeo1 quoniam mandata 1 eius custodemus et ea 1 qu sunt placita coram ' 1 eo facimus4 ,et hoc 1 est mandatum eius ut credamus in nomine 4 filii eius ,iesu ,christi et diligamus alterutrum 1 sicut dedit mandatum nobis4 ,et qui servat 1 mandata eius1 in illo 1 manet et ipse in eo3 et 4 in hoc scimus quoniam manet in nobis1 de 1 spiritu quem dedit 1 4 nobis4 1 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,in this the children ,in this the children of ,god are manifest1 of ,god are manifest1 and the children of the and the children of the devil3 whosoever doeth devil3 whosoever doeth not righteousness not righteousness is is not of ,god1 neither not of ,god1 neither he he that loveth not his that loveth not his brother4 ,for this is brother4 ,for this is the message that ye the message which ye heard from the beginning1 heard from the beginning1 that we should that we should love one another4 ,not love one another3 not as ,cain1 who was of as ,cain was of the evil that wicked one1 and one1 and slew his slew his brother4 ,and brother4 ,and wherefore wherefore slew he slew he him8 him8 ,because his own ,because his works works were evil1 and were evil1 and his his brother's righteous4 brother's righteous4 ,marvel not1 my brethren1 ,marvel not1 brethren1 if the world hate if the world hateth you4 ,we know that you4 ,we know that we have passed from we have passed out of death unto life1 because death into life1 because we love the brethren4 we love the brethren4 ,he that loveth not his ,he that loveth not brother abideth in abideth in death4 death4 ,whosoever ,whosoever hateth his hateth his brother is a brother is a murderer3 murderer3 and ye know and ye know that no that no murderer hath murderer hath eternal eternal life abiding in life abiding in him4 him4 ,hereby perceive ,hereby know we love1 we the love of ,god1 because ,he laid down because ,he laid down ,his life for us3 and we ,his life for us3 and ought to lay down our we ought to lay down lives for the brethren4 our lives for the ,but whoso hath the brethren4 ,but whoso world's goods1 and beholdeth hath this world's good1 his brother in and seeth his brother need1 and shutteth up have need1 and shutteth his compassion from up his bowels him1 how doth the love of compassion from him1 of ,god abide in him8 how dwelleth the love of ,my little children1 let ,god in him8 ,my little us not love in word1 children1 let us not love neither with the in word1 neither in tongue2 but in deed tongue2 but in deed and truth4 ,hereby and in truth4 ,and shall we know that we hereby we know that are of the truth1 and we are of the truth1 shall assure our heart and shall assure our before him1 whereinsoever hearts before ,him4 our heart condemn ,for if our heart condemn us2 because ,god us1 ,god is greater is greater than our than our heart1 and heart1 and knoweth all knoweth all things4 things4 ,beloved1 if ,beloved1 if our heart our heart condemn us condemn us not1 then not1 we have boldness have we confidence toward ,god2 and toward ,god4 ,and whatsoever we ask1 whatsoever we ask1 we receive of ,him1 we receive of ,him1 because we keep ,his because we keep ,his commandments1 and commandments1 and do the things that are do those things that pleasing in ,his sight4 are pleasing in ,his ,and this is ,his commandment1 sight4 ,and this is ,his that we commandment1 ,that should believe in the we should believe on name of ,his ,son ,jesus the name of ,his ,son ,christ1 and love one ,jesus ,christ1 and love another1 even as ,he one another1 as ,he gave us commandment4 gave us commandment4 ,and he that keepeth ,and he that keepeth ,his commandments ,his commandments abideth in ,him1 and dwelleth in ,him1 and ,he in him4 ,and hereby ,he in him4 ,and hereby we know that ,he we know that ,he abideth in us1 by the abideth in us1 by the ,spirit which ,he gave ,spirit which ,he hath us4 given us4 ,,another ,,version4 ,in this the children of ,god are manifest and the children of the devil3 every one who is not doing righteousness is not of ,god1 neither he that is not loving his brother4 ,for this is the message that ye heard from the beginning that ye should love one another4 ,not as ,cain was of the wicked one and slew his brother 7shall we be74 ,and wherefore slew he him8 because his works were evil1 but those of his brother righteous4 ,brethren1 marvel not if the world hate you4 ,we know that we have passed over from the death unto the life because we love the brethren4 ,he who loveth not abideth in the death4 ,every one who hateth his brother is a murderer3 and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him4 ,hereby know we ,the ,love because ,he laid down ,his life for us3 and we are bound to lay down our lives for the brethren4 ,but whoso hath the living of the world and gazes on his brother having need and shuts out his heart from him1 how doth the love of ,god abide in him8 ,children let us not love in word1 nor with the tongue1 but in work and truth4 ,hereby shall we know that we are of the truth and shall persuade our hearts before ,him4 ,for if our heart condemn us ,god is greater than our heart and knoweth all things4 ,beloved1 if our heart condemn us not then have we boldness toward ,god1 and whatsoever we ask we receive of ,him1 for we observe ,his commandments1 and are doing those things that are pleasing in ,his sight4 ,and ,his commandment is this1 that we should believe the name of ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ and love one another as ,he gave commandment4 ,and he who is observing ,his commandments abideth in ,him1 and ,he in him4 ,and hereby we know that ,he abideth in us--out of the fulness of the ,spirit whereof ,he gave us4 ,,discourse ,,ix4 ,,lofty ,,ideals ,,perilous ,,unless ,,applied4 ,hereby perceive we the love of ,god1 because ,he laid down ,his life for us3 and we ought to lay down1 our lives for the brethren4 ,but whoso hath this world's good1 and seeth his brother have need1 and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him1 how dwelleth the love of ,god in him8 ,my little children1 let us not love in word1 neither in tongue1 but in deed and in truth4--#a ,,john iii4 #af-ah4 ,even the world sees that the ,incarnation of ,jesus ,christ has very practical results4 ,even the ,christmas which the world keeps is fruitful in two of these results--forgiving and giving4 ,how many of the multitudinous letters at that season contain one or other of these things--either the kindly gift1 or the tender of reconciliation2 the confession ,i was wrong1 or the gentle advance we were both wrong4 ,love1 charity 7as we rather prefer to say71 in its effects upon all our relations to others1 is the beautiful subject of this section of our ,epistle4 ,it begins with the message of love#bcj itself--yet another asterisk referring to the ,gospel1#bca to the very substance of the teaching which the believers of ,ephesus had first received from ,st4 ,paul1#bcb and which had been emphasized by ,st4 ,john4 ,this message is announced not merely as a sounding sentiment1 but for the purpose of being carried out into action4 ,as in moral subjects virtues and vices are best illustrated by their contraries2#bcc so1 beside the bright picture of the ,son of ,god1 the ,apostle points to the sinister likeness of ,cain4#bcd ,after some brief and parenthetic words of pathetic consolation1 he states as the mark of the great transition from death to life1 the existence of love as a pervading spirit effectual in operation4#bce ,the dark opposite of this is then delineated#bcf in consonance with the mode of representation just above4#bcg ,but two such pictures of darkness must not shadow the sunlit gallery of love4 ,there is another--the fairest and brightest4 ,our love can only be estimated by likeness to it2 it is imperfect unless it is conformed to the print of the wounds1 unless it can be measured by the standard of the great ,self-sacrifice4#bch ,but if this may be claimed as the one real proof of conformity to ,christ1 much more is the limited partial sacrifice of this world's good required4#bci ,this spirit1 and the conduct which it requires in the long run1 will be found to be the test of all solid spiritual comfort1#bdj of all true self-condemnation or self-acquittal4#bda ,we may say of the verses prefixed to this discourse1 that they bring before us charity in its idea1 in its example1 in its characteristics--in theory1 in action1 in life4 ,i4 ,we have here love in its idea1 hereby know we love4 ,rather hereby know we ,the ,love4#bdb ,here the idea of charity in us runs parallel with that in ,christ4 ,it is a subtle but true remark1#bdc that there is here no logical inferential particle4 ,because ,he laid down ,his life for us1 is not followed by its natural correlative therefore we1 but by a simple connective and we4 ,the reason is this1 that our duty herein is not a mere cold logical deduction4 ,it is all of one piece with ,the ,love4 ,we know ,the ,love because ,he laid down ,his life for us2 and we are in duty bound for the brethren to lay down our lives4 ,here1 then1 is the idea of love1 as capable of realisation in us4 ,it is continuous unselfishness1 to be crowned by voluntary death1 if death is necessary4 ,the beautiful old ,church tradition shows that this language was the language of ,st4 ,john's life4 ,who has forgotten how the ,apostle in his old age is said to have gone on a journey to find the young man who had fled from ,ephesus and joined a band of robbers2 and to have appealed to the fugitive in words which are the pathetic echo of these--if needs be ,i would die for thee as ,he for us8 ,,ii4 ,the idea of charity is then practically illustrated by an incident of its opposite4 ,but whoso hath this world's good1 and gazes upon his brother in need1 and shuts up his heart against him1 how doth the love of ,god abide in him8#bdd ,the reason for this descent in thought is wise and sound4 ,high abstract ideas expressed in lofty and transcendent language1 are at once necessary and dangerous for creatures like us4 ,they are necessary1 because without these grand conceptions our moral language and our moral life would be wanting in dignity1 in amplitude1 in the inspiration and impulse which are often necessary for duty and always for restoration4 ,but they are dangerous in proportion to their grandeur4 ,men are apt to mistake the emotion awakened by the very sound of these magnificent expressions of duty for the discharge of the duty itself4 ,hypocrisy delights in sublime speculations1 because it has no intention of their costing anything4 ,some of the most abject creatures embodied by the masters of romance never fail to parade their sonorous generalizations4 ,one of such characters1 as the world will long remember1 proclaims that sympathy is one of the holiest principles of our common nature1 while he shakes his fist at a beggar4#bde ,every large speculative ideal then is liable to this danger2 and he who contemplates it requires to be brought down from his transcendental region to the test of some commonplace duty4 ,this is the latent link of connection in this passage4 ,the ideal of love to which ,st4 ,john points is the loftiest of all the moral and spiritual emotions which belong to the sentiments of man4 ,its archetype is in the bosom of ,god1 in the eternal relations of the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost4 ,god is love4 ,its home in humanity is ,christ's heart of fire and flesh2 its example is the ,incarnation ending in the ,cross4 ,now of course the question for all but one in thousands is not the attainment of this lofty ideal--laying down his life for the brethren4 ,now and then1 indeed1 the physician pays with his own death for the heroic rashness of drawing out from his patient the fatal matter4 ,sometimes the pastor is cut off by fever contracted in ministering to the sick1 or by voluntarily living and working in an unwholesome atmosphere4 ,once or twice in a decade some heart is as finely touched by the spirit of love as ,father ,damien1 facing the certainty of death from a long slow putrefaction1 that a congregation of lepers may enjoy the consolations of faith4 ,st4 ,john here reminds us that the ordinary test of charity is much more commonplace4 ,it is helpful compassion to a brother who is known to be in need1 manifested by giving to him something of this world's good--of the living#bdf of this world which he possesses4 ,,iii4 ,we have next the characteristics of love in action4 ,my sons2 let us not love in word nor with the tongue2 but in work and truth4 ,there is love in its energy and reality2 in its effort and sincerity--active and honest1 without indolence and without pretence4 ,we may well be reminded here of another familiar story of ,st4 ,john at ,ephesus4 ,when too old to walk himself to the assembly of the ,church1 he was carried there4 ,the ,apostle who had lain upon the breast of ,jesus2 who had derived from direct communication with ,him those words and thoughts which are the life of the elect2 was expected to address the faithful4 ,the light of the ,ephesian summer fell upon his white hair2 perhaps glittered upon the mitre which tradition has assigned to him4 ,but when he had risen to speak1 he only repeated--little children1 love one another4 ,modern hearers are sometimes tempted to envy the primitive ,christians of the ,ephesian ,church1 if for nothing else1 yet for the privilege of listening to the shortest sermon upon record in the annals of ,christianity4 ,when ,christian preachers have behind them the same long series of virgin years1 within them the same love of ,christ and knowledge of ,his mysteries2 when their very presence evinces the same sad1 tender1 smiling1 weeping1 all-embracing sympathy with the wants and sorrows of humanity2 they may perhaps venture upon the perilous experiment of contracting their sermons within the same span as ,st4 ,john's4 ,and when some1 who like the hearers at ,ephesus1 are not prepared for the repetition of an utterance so brief1 begin to ask--why are you always saying this8--the answer may well be in the spirit of the reply which the aged ,apostle is said to have made--because it is the commandment of the ,lord1 and sufficient1 if it only be fulfilled indeed4 ,,iv4 ,this passage supplies an argument 7capable1 as we have seen in the ,introduction1 of much larger expansion from the ,epistle as a whole7 against mutilated views1 fragmentary versions of the ,christian life4 ,there are four such views which are widely prevalent at the present time4 7#a7 ,the first of these is emotionalism2 which makes the entire ,christian life consist in a series or bundle of emotions4 ,its origin is the desire of having the feelings touched1 partly from sheer love of excitement2 partly from an idea that if and when we have worked up certain emotions to a fixed point we are saved and safe4 ,this reliance upon feelings is in the last analysis reliance upon self4 ,it is a form of salvation by works2 for feelings are inward actions4 ,it is an unhappy anachronism which inverts the order of ,scripture2 which substitutes peace and grace 7the compendious dogma of the heresy of the emotions7 for grace and peace1 the only order known to ,st4 ,paul and ,st4 ,john4#bdg ,the only spiritual emotions spoken of in this ,epistle are joy1 confidence1 assuring our hearts before ,him3#bdh the first as the result of receiving the history of ,jesus in the ,gospel1 the ,incarnation1 and the blessed communion with ,god and the ,church which it involves2 the second as tried by tests of a most practical kind4 7#b7 ,the second of these mutilated views of the ,christian life is doctrinalism--which makes it consist of a series or bundle of doctrines apprehended and expressed correctly1 at least according to certain formulas1 generally of a narrow and unauthorised character4 ,according to this view the question to be answered is--has one quite correctly understood1 can one verbally formulate certain almost scholastic distinctions in the doctrine of justification8 ,the well-known standard--the ,bible only--must be reduced by the excision of all within the ,bible except the writings of ,st4 ,paul2 and even in this selected portion faith must be entirely guided by certain portions more selected still1 so that the question finally may be reduced to this shape--am ,i a great deal sounder than ,st4 ,john and ,st4 ,james1 a little sounder than an unexpurgated ,st4 ,paul1 as sound as a carefully expurgated edition of the ,pauline ,epistles8 7#c7 ,the third mutilated view of the ,christian life is humanitarianism--which makes it a series or bundle of philanthropic actions4 ,there are some who work for hospitals1 or try to bring more light and sweetness into crowded dwelling-houses4 ,their lives are pure and noble4 ,but the one article of their creed is humanity4 ,altruism is their highest duty4 ,their object1 so far as they have any object apart from the supreme rule of doing right1 is to lay hold on subjective immortality by living on in the recollection of those whom they have helped1 whose existence has been soothed and sweetened by their sympathy4 ,with others the case is different4 ,certain forms of this busy helpfulness--especially in the laudable provision of recreations for the poor--are an innocent interlude in fashionable life2 sometimes1 alas6 a kind of work of supererogation1 to atone for the want of devotion or of purity--possibly an untheological survival of a belief in justification by works4 7#d7 ,the fourth fragmentary view of the ,christian life is observationism1 which makes it to consist in a bundle or series of observances4 ,frequent services and communions1 perhaps with exquisite forms and in beautifully decorated churches1 have their dangers as well as their blessings4 ,however closely linked these observances may be1 there must still in every life be interstices between them4 ,how are these filled up8 ,what spirit within connects together1 vivifies and unifies1 this series of external acts of devotion8 ,they are means to an end4 ,what if the means come to interpose between us and the end--just as a great political thinker has observed that with legal minds the forms of business frequently overshadow the substance of business1 which is their end1 and for which they were called into existence4 ,and what is the end of our ,christian calling8 ,a life pardoned2 in process of purification2 growing in faith1 in love of ,god and man1 in quiet joyful service4 ,certainly a rage for ceremonials and statistics1 a long list of observances1 does not infallibly secure such a life1 though it may often be not alone the delighted and continuous expression1 but the constant food and support of such a life4 ,but assuredly if men trust in any of these things--in their emotions1 in their favourite formulas1 in their philanthropic works1 in their religious observances--in anything but ,christ1 they greatly need to go back to the simple text--,his name shall be called ,jesus1 for ,he shall save ,his people from their sins4 ,now1 as we have said above1 in distinction from all these fragmentary views1 ,st4 ,john's ,epistle is a survey of the completed ,christian life1 founded upon his ,gospel4 ,it is a consummate fruit ripened in the long summers of his experience4 ,it is not a treatise upon the ,christian affections1 nor a system of doctrine1 nor an essay upon works of charity1 nor a companion to services4 ,yet this wonderful ,epistle presupposes at least much that is most precious of all these elements4 7#a7 ,it is far from being a burst of emotionalism4 ,yet almost at the outset it speaks of an emotion as being the natural result of rightly received objective truth4#bdi ,st4 ,john recognises feeling1 whether of supernatural or natural origin2#bej but he recognises it with a certain majestic reserve4 ,once only does he seem to be carried away4 ,in a passage to which reference has just been made1 after stating the dogma of the ,incarnation1 he suffuses it with a wealth of emotional colour4 ,it is ,christmas in his soul2 the bells ring out good tidings of great joy4 ,these things write we unto you1 that your joy may be full4 7#b7 ,this ,epistle is no dogmatic summary4 ,yet combining its promium with the other of the fourth ,gospel1 we have the most perfect statement of the dogma of the ,incarnation4 ,as we read thoughtfully on1 dogma after dogma stands out in relief4 ,the divinity of the ,word1 the reality of ,his manhood1 the effect of ,his atonement1 ,his intercession1 ,his continual presence1 the personality of the ,holy ,spirit1 ,his gifts to us1 the relation of the ,spirit to ,christ1 the ,holy ,trinity--all these find their place in these few pages4 ,if ,st4 ,john is no mere doctrinalist he is yet the greatest theologian the ,church has ever seen4 7#c7 ,once more2 if the ,apostle's ,christianity is no mere humanitarian sentiment to encourage the cultivation of miscellaneous acts of good-nature1 yet it is deeply pervaded by a sense of the integral connection of practical love of man with the love of ,god4 ,so much is this the case1 that a large gathering of the most emotional of modern sects is said to have gone on with a ,bible reading in ,st4 ,john's ,epistle until they came to the words--we know that we have passed from death unto life1 because we love the brethren4 ,the reader immediately closed the book1 pronouncing with general assent that the verse was likely to disturb the peace of the children of ,god4 ,still ,st4 ,john puts humanitarianism in its right place as a result of something higher4 ,this commandment have we from ,him1 that he who loveth ,god love his brother also4 ,as if he would say--do not sever the law of social life from the law of supernatural life2 do not separate the human fraternity from the ,divine ,fatherhood4 7#d7 ,no one can suppose that for ,st4 ,john religion was a mere string of observances4 ,indeed1 to some his ,epistle has given the notion of a man living in an atmosphere where external ordinances and ministries either did not exist at all1 or only in almost impalpable forms4 ,yet in that wonderful manual1 ,the ,imitation of ,christ1 there is not more than the faintest trace of any of these external things2 while no one could possibly argue that the author was ignorant of1 or lightly esteemed1 the ordinances and sacraments amongst which his life must have been spent4 ,certainly the fourth ,gospel is deeply sacramental4 ,this ,epistle1 with its calm1 unhesitating conviction of the sonship of all to whom it is addressed2 with its view of the ,christian life as in idea a continuous growth from a birth the secret of whose origin is given in the ,gospel2 with its expressive hints of sources of grace and power and of a continual presence of ,christ2 with its deep mystical realisation of the double flow from the pierced side upon the cross1 and its thrice-repeated exchange of the sacramental order water and blood1#bea for the historical order blood and water2 unquestionably has the sacramental sense diffused throughout it4 ,the ,sacraments are not in obtrusive prominence2 yet for those who have eyes to see they lie in deep and tender distances4 ,such is the view of the ,christian life in this letter--a life in which ,christ's truth is blended with ,christ's love2 assimilated by thought1 exhaling in worship1 softening into sympathy with man's suffering and sorrow4 ,it calls for the believing soul1 for the devout heart1 for the helping hand4 ,it is the perfect balance in a saintly soul of feeling1 creed1 communion1 and work4 ,for of work for our fellow man it is that the question is asked half despairingly--whoso hath this world's good1 and seeth 7gazes at7#beb his brother have need1 and shutteth up his heart against him1 how doth the love of ,god#bec dwell in him8 ,some can quietly look at the poor brother2 they see him in need1 but they have not the thoughtful eyes that see his need4 ,they may belong to the sluggard ,pity's vision-weaving tribe1 who expend a sigh of sentiment upon such spectacles1 and nothing more4 ,or they may be hardened professors of the dismal science1 who have learned to consider a sigh as the luxury of ignorance or of feebleness4 ,but for all practical purposes both these classes interpose a too effectual barrier between their heart and their brother's need4 ,but true ,christians are made partakers in ,christ of the mystery of human suffering4 ,even when they are not actually in sight of brethren in want1 their ears are ever hearing the ceaseless moaning of the sea of human sorrow1 with a sympathy which involves its own measure of pain1 though a pain which brings with it abundant compensation4 ,their inner life has not merely won for itself the partly selfish satisfaction of personal escape from punishment1 great as that blessing may be4 ,they have caught something of the meaning of the secret of all love--we love because ,he first loved us4#bed ,in those words is the romance 7if we may dare to call it so7 of the divine love-tale4 ,under its influence the face once hard and narrow often becomes radiant and softened2 it smiles1 or is tearful1 in the light of the love of ,his face who first loved4 ,it is this principle of ,st4 ,john which is ever at work in ,christian lands4 ,in hospitals it tells us that ,christ is ever passing down the wards2 that ,he will have no stinted service2 that ,he must have more for ,his sick more devotion1 a gentler touch1 a finer sympathy2 that where ,his hand has broken and blessed1 every particle is a sacred thing1 and must be treated reverently4 ,are there any who are tempted to think that our text has become antiquated2 that it no longer holds true in the light of organised charity1 of economic science8 ,let them listen to one who speaks with the weight of years of active benevolence1 and with consummate knowledge of its method and duties4#bee ,there are men who1 in their detestation of roguery1 forget that by a wholesale condemnation of charity1 they run the risk of driving the honest to despair and of turning them into the very rogues of whom they desire so ardently to be quit4 ,these men are unconsciously playing into the hands of the ,socialists and the ,anarchists1 the only sections of society whose distinct interest it is that misery and starvation should increase4 ,no doubt indiscriminate almsgiving is hurtful to the ,state as well as to the individual who receives the dole1 but not less dangerous would it be to society if the principles of these stern political economists were to be literally accepted by any large number of the rich1 and if charity ceased to be practised within the land4 ,we cannot yet afford to shut ourselves up in the castle of philosophic indifference1 regardless of the fate of those who have the misfortune to find themselves outside its walls4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 iii4 #ab-ba4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,a second reference to the ,book of ,genesis within a few lines 7see ver4 #h74 ,it is characteristic of the historical spirit of ,st4 ,john that he does not entangle himself with the luxuriant upgrowth of wild fable in which traditional ,judaism has ever enveloped the simple narrative of ,cain and ,abel in ,genesis4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,st4 ,john may refer to another passage in ,genesis4 ,and ,esau said in his heart1 ,the days of mourning for my father are at hand2 then will ,i slay my brother ,jacob 7,gen4 xxvii4 #aa-da74 ,ver4 #ag4 ,a ,rabbinical saying is worth recording as an illustration of the spirit in which the living of this world should be held4 ,he that saith1 ,mine is thine1 and thine is mine1 is an idiot2 he that saith1 ,mine is mine1 and thine is thine1 is moderate2 he that saith1 ,mine is thine1 and thine is thine1 is charitable2 but he that saith1 ,thine is mine1 and mine is mine1 is wicked2 even though it be only saying it in his heart1 to wish it were so4 ,paulus ,fagius4 ,sentent4 ,heb4 ,vers4 #ai1 #bj1 #ba4 ,these verses probably present more difficulties than any other portion of this ,epistle4 7#a7 ,for their construction4 ,the following note from a fasciculus 7now no longer to be procured7 written by a master of sacred studies seems to us to say all that can be said for a rendering different from that of the ,r4 ,v4 and our own4 ,ver4 #bj3 1 4 ,the difficulty is in the second 1 which is ignored by the ,vulgate and ,a4 ,v4 ,the ,revisers 7after ,hoogeveen1 ,de ,partic4 p4 #ehi1 ed4 ,schtz4 and others7 point 1 in the first clause1 which they join with the preceding verse3 'and shall assure our heart before him1 whereinsoever our heart condemn us2 because ,god' etc4 ,but this is quite inadmissible1 since nothing can be plainer than that 7ver4 #bj7 and 7ver4 #ba7 are both in protasi1 and in strict correlation with each other4 ,dean ,alford suggests an ellipsis of the verb substantive before the second 1 and would translate3 ',because if our heart condemn us1 7it is7 because ,god' etc4 ,he instances such cases as 1 7he is7 1 which are quite dissimilar2 but the following from ,st4 ,chrysostom 7,t4 ,x4 p4 #abb ,b7 fully bears out this construction2 444 1 2 where ,i have expunged before on the authority of three out of four ,,mss4 collated for these ,homilies1 the fourth1 with the old ,latin version1 for reading 1 4 ,in my note on that place ,i have pointed out that the ellipsis is not of 1 but of 1 causa est1 quia4 ,so in the present instance we might translate3 ',for if our heart condemn us1 7the reason is7 because ,god is greater1' etc41 were it not for the difficulty of explaining how the fact of ,god's being greater than our heart can be a valid reason for our heart condemning us4 ,i would1 therefore1 take the second for quod1 not quia1 and suppose an ellipsis of 1 as in #a ,tim4 vi4 #g1 where see note4--,otium ,norvicense1 by ,frederic ,field1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 7pp4 #aec1 #ae74 ,dr4 ,field s rendering then is3 ,for if our heart condemn us1 7it is evident7 that ,god is greater than our heart4 7#b7 ,for the meaning of these verses4 ,all interpretations appear to fall into two classes2 as ,st4 ,john is supposed to aim at 7a7 soothing conscience1 or 7b7 awakening it4 ,but may he not really intend to leave people to think over a something which he has purposely omitted1 and to apply it as required8 ,the saying ,god is greater than our hearts1 and knoweth all things1 probably cuts two ways4 ,if my heart condemn me justly1 and with truth1 much more so does ,god who is greater than my heart4 ,but1 if my conscience is tenderly sensitive1 scrupulous because full of love1 ,god's knowledge of my heart tells in this case on the brighter side1 as truly as in the other case it told on the darker side4 ,we may lull our heart4 ,a tranquil ,god tranquillises all things1 and to see ,his peacefulness is to be at peace4 7,st4 ,bernard in ,cant47 ,,footnotes3 #bcj ,ver4 #aa4 #bca ,john xv4 #ab-ag4 ,see also the stress laid upon the unity of believers2 surely including love as well as doctrine in the great ,high-,priestly prayer1 ,john xvii4 #ba-bc4 #bcb ,the message that ye heard from the beginning1 conf4 #a ,john ii4 #bd4 #bcc ,contrariorum eadem est scientia4 #bcd ,this is one of the few references to the ,old ,testament history in ,st4 ,john's ,epistle 7,gen4 iv4 #a-h74 ,to the theology of the ,old ,testament there are many references2 e4g41 light and life4 #a ,john i4 #a-e2 ,john i4 #d2 ,ps4 xxxvi4 #i4 ,there is1 however1 another historical reference a few verses above 7#a ,john iii4 #h7--;a passage of primary importance because it recognises the whole narrative of the ,fall in ,genesis1 and affords a commentary upon the words of ,christ 7,john viii4 #dd74 ,the writer has somewhere seen an interesting suggestion that ver4 #ab may contain some allusion to the visit of ,apollonius of ,tyana to ,ephesus4 ,apollonius incited the mob to kill a beggar-man for the purpose of placing himself on a level with ,chalcas and others who caused the sacrifice of human victims4 ,the date of this incident would apparently coincide with the closing years of ,st4 ,john's life 7,philostrat4 vita ,apollon41 ,act4 ii41 ,s4 #e74 #bce ,ver4 #ad4 #bcf ,vers4 #ad1 #ae4 #bcg ,ver4 #ab4 #bch ,ver4 #af4 #bci ,ver4 #ag4 #bdj ,vers4 #ah1 #ai4 #bda ,vers4 #bj1 #ba4 #bdb ,for ,the ,love ,i rather beseech thee 7,phil4 v4 #i74 ,the addition in the ,a4,v4 7of ,god7 rather impairs the sweetness and power1 the reverential reserve of the original4 #bdc ,of ,prof4 ,westcott4 #bdd ,ver4 #ag4 #bde ,it is suggestive that on ,quinquagesima ,sunday1 when #a ,cor4 xiii4 is the ,epistle1 ,st4 ,luke xviii4 #ca sqq41 is the ,gospel4 ,the lyric of love is joined with a fragment of its epic4 ,that fragment tells us of a love which not only proclaimed itself ready to be sacrificed 7,luke xviii4 #ca-cc71 but condescended individually to the blind importunate mendicant who sat by the wayside begging 7vers4 #ce-dc74 #bdf ,the word here is not 4 period of life2 hence the means by which it is sustained1 means of life4 7,archbp4 ,trench47 ,it is to be wished that the ,r4 ,v4 had either kept the good of the ,a4 ,v41 or adopted the word living--the translation of in ,mark xii4 #dd2 ,luke xxi4 #d4 #bdg #b ,john #c4 #bdh #a ,john i4 #d1 ii4 #bh1 iii4 #ba1 iv4 #ag1 v4 #ad1 iii4 #ai4 #bdi #a ,john i4 #d4 #bej 7ver4 #ag74 ,this however is the only occurrence of the word in ,st4 ,john's writings4 ,the substantive emotions1 is found in classical poets4 ,but the verb occurs only in ,,lxx4 and ,new ,testament--and thus1 like 1 is almost born within the circle of revealed truth4 ,the new dispensation so rich in the mercy of ,god 7,luke i4 #gh71 so fruitful in mercy from man to man1 may well claim a new vocabulary in the department of tenderness and pity4 #bea #a ,john v4 #f1 conf4 ,john xix4 #cd4 #beb 1 ver4 #ag4 #bec ,the love of which ,god is at once the object1 and the author1 and the pattern4 7,prof4 ,westcott47 #bed #a ,john iv4 #ai4 #bee ,lord ,meath4 ,,section ,,vii4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 1 ,carissimi1 nolite omni 1 spiritui credere1 sed probate spiritus si ex 1 ,deo sint1 quoniam multi pseudoprophet exierunt in mundum4 ,in 4 hoc cognoscitur spiritus ,dei4 ,omnis spiritus qui confitetur ,iesum ,christum in carne venisse1 ex ,deo est3 1 et omnis spiritus qui 4 solvit ,iesum ,christum ex ,deo non est2 et his est ,antichristus quod 1 audistis quoniam venit et nunc iam in mundo est4 ,vos ex ,deo estis1 1 filioli1 et vicistis eum1 1 quoniam maior est qui 4 in vobis est quam qui 1 in mundo4 ,ipsi de 1 mundo sunt3 ideo de mundo locuntur1 et mundus eos audit4 ,nos 4 ex ,deo sumus3 qui novit ,deum audit nos2 1 qui non est ex ,deo1 non audit nos4 ,in hoc 4 cognoscimus spiritum veritatis et spiritum 1 erroris4 1 4 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,beloved1 believe not ,beloved1 believe not every spirit1 but try the every spirit1 but prove spirits whether they the spirits whether are of ,god3 because they are of ,god2 because many false prophets many false prophets are gone out into the are gone out into world4 ,hereby know the world4 ,hereby ye the ,spirit of ,god3 know ye the ,spirit ,every spirit that confesseth of ,god3 every spirit that ,jesus which confesseth that ,christ is come in the ,jesus ,christ is come flesh is of ,god3 and in the flesh is of ,god3 every spirit that confesseth and every spirit which not that ,jesus confesseth not ,jesus is ,christ is come in the not of ,god3 and this flesh is not of ,god3 and is the spirit of the this is that spirit of antichrist1 whereof ye have antichrist1 whereof ye heard that it cometh2 have heard that it and now it is in the should come2 and even world already4 ,ye are now already is it in the of ,god1 my little world4 ,ye are of ,god1 children1 and have overcome little children1 and have them3 because overcome them3 because greater is ,he that is greater is ,he that in you1 than he that is is in you1 than he that in the world4 ,they is in the world4 ,they are of the world1 therefore are of the world3 therefore speak they as of speak they of the the world1 and the world1 and the world world heareth them4 heareth them4 ,we are ,we are of ,god3 he that of ,god3 he that knoweth knoweth ,god heareth ,god heareth us3 us3 he who is not of he that is not of ,god ,god heareth us not4 heareth not us4 ,hereby ,by this we know the know we the spirit spirit of truth and the of truth1 and the spirit spirit of error4 of error4 ,,another ,,version4 ,beloved1 believe not any spirit1 but try the spirits whether they are of ,god3 because many false prophets are gone out into the world4 ,hereby know ye the ,spirit of ,god3 every spirit that confesseth ,jesus ,christ come in the flesh is of ,god3 and every spirit which confesseth not ,jesus is not of ,god3 and this is that power of the antichrist whereof ye have heard that it cometh1 and even now it is in the world already4 ,ye are of ,god1 children1 and have conquered them3 because greater is ,he that is in you1 than he that is in the world4 ,they are of the world1 therefore of the world is their manner of speech1 and the world heareth them4 ,we are of ,god2 he that knoweth ,god heareth us1 he who is not of ,god heareth not us4 ,from this we know the spirit of ,the ,truth1 and the spirit of the error4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 iv4 #a1 #g4 ,ver4 #a4 ,believe not any spirit 4 ,the different constructions of in ,st4 ,john must be carefully noted4 7a7 ,with dative as here--believe not such an one2 take him not upon trust1 at his own word2 credit him not with veracity4 ,so in the ,gospel1 our ,lord continually complains that the ,jews did not even believe ,him on ,his word--strong and clear as that word was with all the freshness of ,heaven1 and all the transparency of truth4 ,john v4 #ch1 #df1 viii4 #de1 #df1 x4 #cg4 7b7 to make an act of faith in1 to repose in as divine4 ,john iii4 #cf1 iv4 #ci1 vi4 #ce1 xi4 #be2 #a ,john v4 #aj4 7c7 ,with an accusative to be persuaded of the thing--to believe it with an implied conviction of permanence in the persuasion--as in the beautiful verse 7iv4 #af7--we are fully persuaded of the love of ,god1 we make it the creed of our heart4 4 ,,section ,,viii4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 1 ,carissimi1 diligamus 1 invicem1 quoniam caritas 1 ex ,deo est1 et omnis qui diligit ex ,deo natus est et cognoscit ,deum4 ,qui non diligit non novit ,deum1 quoniam ,deus caritas 4 est4 ,in hoc apparuit caritas ,dei in nobis1 1 quoniam ,filium ,suum unigenitum misit ,deus in mundum1 ut vivamus 1 per ,eum4 ,in hoc 4 est caritas1 non quasi 1 nos dilexerimus ,deum1 sed quoniam ipse dilexit 1 ' nos et misit ,filium suum propitionem pro peccatis nostris4 ,carissimi1 si sic ,deus 4 dilexit nos1 et nos debemus 1 alterutrum diligere4 1 ,deum nemo vidit unquam3 si diligamus 4 invicem1 ,deus in nobis manet1 et 1 caritas eius in nobis 1 perfecta est4 ,in hos intellegimus quoniam in eum manemus et 4 ipse in nobis1 quoniam de ,spiritu ,suo dedit nobis4 ,et nos vidimus 1 et testificamur quoniam 4 ,pater misit ,filium salvatorem mundi4 ,quicunque confessus fuerit quoniam ,iesus 4 est ,filius ,dei1 ,deus in eo manet1 et ipse in ,deo4 ,et nos cognovimus 1 et credimus1 caritati ,dei quam habet 4 ,deus in nobis4 ,deus caritas est1 et qui manet in caritate in ,deo manet1 4 et ,deus in eo4 ,in 1 hoc perfecta est nobiscum caritas ut fiduciam 1 habeamus in die iudicii 4 quia sicut ille est et ' nos sumus in hoc 1 mundo4 ,timor non est in caritate1 sed perfecta caritas foras mittit timorem2 quoniam timor pnam 4 habet1 qui autem timet 1 ' non est perfectus in caritate4 ,nos ergo 1 diligamus invicem quoniam 1 ,deus prior dilexit nos4 ,si quis dixerit 4 quoniam diligo ,deum1 1 et fratrem suum oderit1 mendax est3 qui enim 4 4 non diligit fratrem 1 suum quem videt1 ,deum quem non videt 1 quomodo potest diligere8 ,et hoc mandatum habemus a ,deo1 ut qui diligat ,deum 2 diligat et fratrem suum4 ' 1 ,omnis qui credit quoniam ,iesus est ,christus1 ex ,deo natus 4 est2 et omnis qui diligit eum qui genuit1 diligit eum qui natus est ex eo4 ,in hoc cognoscimus quoniam diligimus natos ,dei1 cum ,deum diligamus et mandata eius faciamus4 4 ,hc est enim caritas ,dei1 ut mandata eius 1 custodiamus4 4 1 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,beloved1 let us love ,beloved1 let us love one another3 for love one another3 for love is of ,god2 and every is of ,god2 and every one that loveth is born one that loveth is begotten of ,god1 and knoweth of ,god1 and ,god4 ,he that loveth knoweth ,god4 ,he not knoweth not ,god2 that loveth not knoweth for ,god is love4 ,in not ,god2 for ,god this was manifested is love4 ,herein was the love of ,god toward the love of ,god manifested us1 because that in us1 that ,god ,god sent ,his only begotten hath sent ,his only begotten ,son into the ,son into the world1 that we might world1 that we might live through ,him4 live through ,him4 ,herein is love1 not ,herein is love1 not that we loved ,god1 that we loved ,god1 but that ,he loved us1 but that ,he loved us1 and sent ,his ,son to be and sent ,his ,son to be the propitiation for our the propitiation for our sins4 ,beloved1 if ,god sins4 ,beloved1 if ,god so loved us1 we ought so loved us1 we also also to love one another4 ought to love one another4 ,no man hath ,no man hath seen ,god at any time4 beheld ,god at any ,if we love one another1 time3 if we love one ,god dwelleth in us1 another1 ,god abideth and ,his love is perfected in us1 and ,his love is in us4 ,hereby perfected in us3 hereby know we that we dwell know we that we in ,him1 and ,he in us1 abide in ,him1 and ,he because ,he hath given in us1 because ,he hath us of ,his ,spirit4 ,and given us of ,his ,spirit4 we have seen and do ,and we have beheld testify that the ,father and bear witness that sent the ,son to be the the ,father hath sent ,saviour of the world4 the ,son to be the ,whosoever shall confess ,saviour of the world4 that ,jesus is the ,whosoever shall confess ,son of ,god1 ,god dwelleth that ,jesus is the in him1 and he in ,son of ,god1 ,god abideth ,god4 ,and we have in him1 and he in known and believed ,god4 ,and we know the love that ,god hath and have believed the to us4 ,god is love3 love which ,god hath and he that dwelleth in us4 ,god is love2 in love dwelleth in and he that abideth in ,god1 and ,god in him4 love abideth in ,god1 ,herein is our love and ,god abideth in made perfect1 that we him4 ,herein is love may have boldness in made perfect with us1 the day of judgment3 that we may have boldness because as ,he is1 so in the day of are we in this world4 judgment2 because as ,there is no fear in ,he is1 even so are we love2 but perfect love in this world4 ,there casteth out fear3 because is no fear in love3 but fear hath torment4 perfect love casteth out ,he that feareth fear1 because fear hath is not made perfect punishment2 and he in love4 ,we love that feareth is not ,him1 because ,he made perfect in love4 first loved us4 ,if a ,we love1 because ,he man say1 ,i love ,god1 first loved us4 ,if a and hateth his brother1 man say1 ,i love ,god1 he is a liar3 for he and hateth his brother1 that loveth not his he is a liar3 for he brother whom he hath that loveth not his seen1 how can he love brother whom he hath ,god whom he hath not seen1 cannot love ,god seen8 ,and this commandment whom he hath not seen4 have we ,and this commandment from ,him1 ,that he have we from who loveth ,god love ,him1 that he who his brother also4 loveth ,god love his brother also4 ,whosoever believeth that ,jesus is the ,christ ,whosoever believeth is born of ,god3 and that ,jesus is the ,christ every one that loveth is begotten of ,god3 ,him that begat loveth and whosoever loveth ,him also that is begotten ,him that begat loveth of ,him4 ,by this we ,him also that is begotten know that we love the of ,him4 ,hereby children of ,god1 when we know that we we love ,god1 and keep love the children of ,his commandments4 ,god1 when we love ,for this is the love of ,god1 and do ,his commandments4 ,god1 that we keep ,for this ,his commandments4 is the love of ,god1 that we keep ,his commandments4 ,,another ,,version4 ,beloved1 let us love one another1 for love is of ,god1 and every one that loveth is born of ,god1 and knoweth ,god4 ,he that loveth not knoweth not ,god1 for ,god is love4 ,in this was manifested the love of ,god in us1 because that ,god hath sent ,his ,son ,his only begotten ,son into the world that we might live through ,him4 ,in this is ,the ,love1 not that we loved ,god1 but that ,he loved us1 and sent ,his ,son as propitiation for our sins4 ,beloved1 if ,god so loved us1 we also are bounden to love one another4 ,god no one hath ever yet beholden3 if we love one another ,god abideth in us and ,his love is perfected in us4 ,herein know we that we abide in ,him1 and ,he in us1 because ,he hath given us out of the fulness of ,his ,spirit4 ,and we have beheld and are bearing witness that the ,father hath sent the ,son as the ,saviour of the world4 ,whosoever shall confess that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god1 ,god abideth in him and he in ,god4 ,and we know and have believed the love which ,god hath in us4 ,god is love2 and he that abideth in love1 abideth in ,god1 and ,god in him4 ,herein hath ,the ,love been perfected with us that we may have boldness in the ,day of the ,judgment3 because as ,he is so are we in this world4 ,fear is not in love3 but the perfect love casteth out fear1 because fear bringeth punishment with it4 ,he that is fearing is not made perfect in his love4 ,we love ,him because ,he first loved us4 ,if a man say1 ,i love ,god1 and hateth his brother1 he is a liar3 for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen1 ,god whom he hath not seen how can he love8 ,and this commandment have we from ,him1 that he who loveth ,god love his brother also4 ,whosoever believeth that ,jesus is the ,christ is born of ,god1 and every one who loveth ,him that begat loveth also ,him that is begotten of ,him4 ,herein we know that we love the children of ,god1 when we love ,god and do ,his commandments3 for this is the love of ,god1 that we observe ,his commandments4 ,,discourse ,x4 ,,boldness ,,in ,,the ,,day ,,of ,,judgment4 ,herein is our love made perfect1 that we may have boldness in the ,day of ,judgment3 because as ,he is1 so are we in this world4--#a ,,john iv4 #ag4 ,it has been so often repeated that ,st4 ,john's eschatology is idealized and spiritual1 that people now seldom pause to ask what is meant by the words4 ,those who repeat them most frequently seem to think that the idealized means that which will never come into the region of historical fact1 and that the spiritual is best defined as the unreal4 ,yet1 without postulating the ,johannic authorship of the ,apocalypse--where the ,judgment is described with the most awful accompaniments of outward solemnity#bef--there are two places in this ,epistle which are allowed to drop out of view1 but which bring us face to face with the visible manifestations of an external ,advent4 ,it is a peculiarity of ,st4 ,john's style 7as we have frequently seen7 to strike some chord of thought1 so to speak1 before its time2 to allow the prelusive note to float away1 until suddenly1 after a time1 it surprises us by coming back again with a fuller and bolder resonance4 ,and now1 my sons1#beg 7had the ,apostle said7 abide in ,him1 that if ,he shall be manifested1 we may have confidence1 and not be ashamed shrinking from ,him#beh at ,his coming4#bei ,in our text the same thought is resumed1 and the reality of the ,coming and ,judgment in its external manifestation as emphatically given as in any other part of the ,new ,testament4#bfj ,we may here speak of the conception of the ,day of the ,judgment3 of the fear with which that conception is encompassed2 and of the sole means of the removal of that fear which ,st4 ,john recognises4 ,i4 ,we examine the general conception of the ,day of the ,judgment1 as given in the ,new ,testament4 ,as there is that which with terrible emphasis is marked off as the ,judgment1#bfa the ,parousia1 so there are other judgments or advents of a preparatory character4 ,as there are phenomena known as mock suns1 or haloes round the moon1 so there are fainter reflections ringed round the ,advent1 the ,judgment4#bfb ,thus1 in the development of history1 there are successive cycles of continuing judgment2 preparatory advents2 less completed crises1 as even the world calls them4 ,but against one somewhat widely-spread way of blotting the ,day of the ,judgment from the calendar of the future--so far as believers are concerned--we should be on our guard4 ,some good men think themselves entitled to reason thus--,i am a ,christian4 ,i shall be an assessor in the judgment4 ,for me there is1 therefore1 no judgment day4 ,and it is even held out as an inducement to others to close with this conclusion1 that they shall be delivered from the bugbear of judgment4 ,the origin of this notion seems to be in certain universal tendencies of modern religious thought4 ,the idolatry of the immediate--the prompt creation of effect--is the perpetual snare of revivalism4 ,revivalism is thence fatally bound at once to follow the tide of emotion1 and to increase the volume of the waters by which it is swept along4 ,but the religious emotion of this generation has one characteristic by which it is distinguished from that of previous centuries4 ,the revivalism of the past in all ,churches rode upon the dark waves of fear4 ,it worked upon human nature by exaggerated material descriptions of hell1 by solemn appeals to the throne of ,judgment4 ,certain schools of biblical criticism have enabled men to steel themselves against this form of preaching4 ,an age of soft humanitarian sentiment--superficial1 and inclined to forget that perfect ,goodness may be a very real cause of fear--must be stirred by emotions of a different kind4 ,the infinite sweetness of our ,father's heart--the conclusions1 illogically but effectively drawn from this1 of an ,infinite good-nature1 with its easy-going pardon1 reconciliation all round1 and exemption from all that is unpleasant--these1 and such as these1 are the only available materials for creating a great volume of emotion4 ,an invertebrate creed2 punishment either annihilated or mitigated2 judgment1 changed from a solemn and universal assize1 a bar at which every soul must stand1 to a splendid1 and--for all who can say ,i am saved--a triumphant pageant in which they have no anxious concern2 these are the readiest instruments1 the most powerful leverage1 with which to work extensively upon masses of men at the present time4 ,and the seventh article of the ,apostles' ,creed must pass into the limbo of exploded superstition4 ,the only appeal to ,scripture which such persons make1 with any show of plausibility1 is contained in an exposition of our ,lord's teaching in a part of the fifth chapter of the fourth ,gospel4#bfc ,but clearly there are three ,resurrection scenes which may be discriminated in those words4 ,the first is spiritual1 a present awakening of dead souls1#bfd in those with whom the ,son of ,man is brought into contact in ,his earthly ministry4 ,the second is a department of the same spiritual resurrection4 ,the ,son of ,god1 with that mysterious gift of ,life in ,himself1#bfe has within ,him a perpetual spring of rejuvenescence for a faded and dying world4 ,a renewal of hearts is in process during all the days of time1 a passage for soul after soul out of death into life4#bff ,the third scene is the general ,resurrection and general ,judgment4#bfg ,the first was the resurrection of comparatively few2 the second is the resurrection of many2 the third will be the resurrection of all4 ,if it is said that the believer cometh not into judgment1 the word in that place plainly signifies condemnation4#bfh ,clear and plain above all such subtleties ring out the awe-inspiring words3 it is appointed unto men once to die1 but after this the ,judgment2 we must all appear before the judgment-seat of ,christ4#bfi ,reason supplies us with two great arguments for the ,general ,judgment4 ,one from the conscience of history1 so to speak2 the other from the individual conscience4 #a4 ,general history points to a general judgment4 ,if there is no such judgment to come1 then there is no one definite moral purpose in human society4 ,progress would be a melancholy word1 a deceptive appearance1 a stream that has no issue1 a road that leads nowhere4 ,no one who believes that there is a ,personal ,god1 ,who guides the course of human affairs1 can come to the conclusion that the generations of man are to go on for ever without a winding-up1 which shall decide upon the doings of all who take part in human life4 ,in the philosophy of nature1 the affirmation or denial of purpose is the affirmation or denial of ,god4 ,so in the philosophy of history4 ,society without the ,general ,judgment would be a chaos of random facts1 a thing without rational retrospect or definite end--i4e41 without ,god4 ,if man is under the government of ,god1 human history is a drama1 long-drawn1 and of infinite variety1 with inconceivably numerous actors4 ,but a drama must have a last act4 ,the last act of the drama of history is ,the ,day of the ,judgment4 #b4 ,the other argument is derived from the individual conscience4 ,conscience1 as a matter of fact1 has two voices4 ,one is imperative2 it tells us what we are to do4 ,one is prophetic1 and warns us of something which we are to receive4 ,if there is to be no ,day of the ,general ,judgment1 then the million prophecies of conscience will be belied1 and our nature prove to be mendacious to its very roots4 ,there is no essential article of the ,christian creed like this which can be isolated from the rest1 and treated as if it stood alone4 ,there is a solidarity of each with all the rest4 ,any which is isolated is in danger itself1 and leaves the others exposed4 ,for they have an internal harmony and congruity4 ,they do not form a hotchpot of credenda4 ,they are not so many beliefs but one belief4 ,thus the isolation of articles is perilous4 ,for1 when we try to grasp and to defend one of them1 we have no means left of measuring it but by terms of comparison which are drawn from ourselves1 which must therefore be finite1 and by the inadequacy of the scale which they present1 appear to render the article of faith thus detached incredible4 ,moreover1 each article of our creed is a revelation of the ,divine attributes1 which meet together in unity4 ,to divide the attributes by dividing the form in which they are revealed to us is to belie and falsify the attribute2 to give a monstrous development to one by not taking into account some other which is its balance and compensation4 ,thus1 many men deny the truth of a punishment which involves final separation from ,god4 ,they glory in the legal judgment which dismisses hell with costs4 ,but they do so by fixing their attention exclusively upon the one dogma which reveals one attribute of ,god4 ,they isolate it from the ,fall1 from the ,redemption by ,christ1 from the gravity of sin1 from the truth that all whom the message of the ,gospel reaches may avoid the penal consequences of sin4 ,it is impossible to face the dogma of eternal separation from ,god without facing the dogma of ,redemption4 ,for ,redemption involves in its very idea the intensity of sin1 which needed the sacrifice of the ,son of ,god2 and further1 the fact that the offer of salvation is so free and wide that it cannot be put away without a terrible wilfulness4 ,in dealing with many of the articles of the creed1 there are opposite extremes4 ,exaggeration leads to a revenge upon them which is1 perhaps1 more perilous than neglect4 ,thus1 as regards eternal punishment1 in one country ghastly exaggerations were prevalent4 ,it was assumed that the vast majority of mankind are destined to everlasting punishment2 that the floor of hell is crawled over by hosts of babies a span long4 ,the inconsistency of such views with the love of ,god1 and with the best instincts of man1 was victoriously and passionately demonstrated4 ,then unbelief turned upon the dogma itself1 and argued1 with wide acceptance1 that with the overthrow of this conception goes the whole redemption-plan1 the ,incarnation1 the ,atonement1 the ,resurrection1 and the grand climax of the ,church-scheme1 the ,general ,judgment4 ,but the alleged article of faith was simply an exaggeration of that faith1 and the objections lay altogether against the exaggeration of it4 ,,ii4 ,we have now to speak of the removal of that terror which accompanies the conception of the ,day of the ,judgment1 and of the sole means of that emancipation which ,st4 ,john recognises4 ,for terror there is in every point of the repeated descriptions of ,scripture--in the surroundings1 in the summons1 in the tribunal1 in the trial1 in one of the two sentences4 ,god is love1 writes ,st4 ,john1 and he that abideth in love abideth in ,god3 and ,god abideth in him4 ,in this abiding1 love stands perfected with us1#bgj and the object is nothing less than this1 not that we may be exempted from judgment1 but that we may have boldness in the ,day of the ,judgment4 ,boldness6 ,it is the splendid word which denotes the citizen's right of free speech1 the masculine privilege of courageous liberty4#bga ,it is the tender word which expresses the child's unhesitating confidence1 in saying all out to the parent4 ,the ground of the boldness is conformity to ,christ4 ,because as ,he is1 with that vivid idealizing sense1 frequent in ,st4 ,john when he uses it of our ,lord--as ,he is1 delineated in the fourth ,gospel1 seen by the eye of the heart#bgb with constant reverence in the soul1 with adoring wonder in heaven1 perfectly true1 pure1 and righteous--even so 7not1 of course1 with any equality in degree to that consummate ideal1 but with a likeness ever growing1 an aspiration ever advancing#bgc7--so are we in this world1 purifying ourselves as ,he is pure4 ,let us draw to a definite point our considerations upon the ,judgment1 and the ,apostle's sweet encouragement for the day of wrath1 that dreadful day4 ,it is of the essence of the ,christian faith to believe that the ,son of ,god1 in the ,human ,nature which ,he assumed1 and which ,he has borne into heaven1 shall come again1 and gather all before ,him1 and pass sentence of condemnation or of peace according to their works4 ,to hold this is necessary to prevent terrible doubts of the very existence of ,god2 to guard us against sin1 in view of that solemn account2 to comfort us under affliction4 ,what a thought for us1 if we would but meditate upon it6 ,often we complain of a commonplace life1 of mean and petty employment4 ,how can it be so1 when at the end we1 and those with whom we live1 must look upon that great1 overwhelming sight6 ,not an eye that shall not see ,him1 not a knee that shall not bow1 not an ear that shall not hear the sentence4 ,the heart might sink and the imagination quail under the burden of the supernatural existence which we cannot escape4 ,one of two looks we must turn upon the ,crucified--one willing as that which we cast on some glorious picture1 or on the enchantment of the sky2 the other unwilling and abject4 ,we should weep first with ,zechariah's mourners1 with tears at once bitter because they are for sin1 and sweet because they are for ,christ4 ,but1 above all things1 let us hear how ,st4 ,john sings us the sweet low hymn that breathes consolation through the terrible fall of the triple hammer-stroke of the rhyme in the ,dies ir4 ,we must seek to lead upon earth a life laid on the lines of ,christ's4 ,then1 when the ,day of the ,judgment comes2 when the cross of fire 7so1 at least1 the early ,christians thought7 shall stand in the black vault2 when the sacred wounds of ,him who was pierced shall stream over with a light beyond dawn or sunset2 we shall find that the discipline of life is complete1 that ,god's love after all its long working with us stands perfected1 so that we shall be able1 as citizens of the kingdom1 as children of the ,father1 to say out all4 ,a ,christlike character in an un-,christlike world--this is the cure of the disease of terror4 ,any other is but the medicine of a quack4 ,there is no fear in love2 but the perfect love casteth out fear1 because fear brings punishment2 and he that feareth is not made perfect in love4#bgd ,we may well close with that pregnant commentary on this verse which tells us of the four possible conditions of a human soul--without either fear or love2 with fear1 without love2 with fear and love2 with love1 without fear4#bge ,,notes4 ,ch4 iv4 #g1 v4 #c4 ,ver4 #c4 ,this verse should divide about the middle4 ,,footnotes3 #bef ,apoc4 xx4 #ab1 #ac4 #beg #a ,john ii4 #bh4 #beh ' 1 see ,jerem4 xii4 #ac 7for 74 ,prof4 ,westcott happily quotes1 as a guilty thing surprised4 #bei ,coming1 4 ,the word is not found elsewhere in the ,johannic group of writings4 ,but by his use of it here1 ,st4 ,john falls into line with the whole array of apostolic witnesses--with ,st4 ,matthew 7xxiv4 #c-bg1 #cg1 #ci72 with ,st4 ,paul 7passim72 with ,st4 ,james 7v4 #g1 #h72 with ,st4 ,peter 7#b ,peter i4 #af1 iii4 #d-ab74 ,this fact may well warn critics of the precarious character of theories founded upon the negative phenomena of the books of the ,new ,testament4 7,see ,professor ,westcott's excellent note1 ,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,john1 #hj47 #bfj 7 7--in the ,day of the ,judgment--cf4 ,apoc4 xiv4 #g4 ,we have in ,,the ,judgment 7,matt4 xii4 #da1 #db2 ,luke x4 #ad1 xi4 #ca1 #cb7--the indefinite day of judgment 7,matt4 x4 #ae1 xi4 #bb1 #bd2 ,mark vi4 #aa74 #bfa #b ,pet4 ii4 #i1 iii4 #g--;but ,the ,day of ,the ,judgment1 here only4 #bfb ,cf4 our ,lord's words--henceforth 7' 7 ye shall see the ,son of ,man coming4 7,matt4 xxvi4 #fd47 #bfc ,john v4 #ba1 #bi4 #bfd ,ver4 #ba4 #bfe ,ver4 #bf4 #bff ,ver4 #bd4 #bfg ,ver4 #bh1 #bi4 #bfh ,the writer ventures to lament the substitution of judgment for condemnation1 ver4 #bd4 ,r4,v4 ,it is a verbal consistency1 or minute accuracy1 purchased at the heavy price of a false thought1 suggested to many readers who are not scholars4 ,in ,john's language is1 7a7 that judgment which came in pain and misery to those who rejected the salvation offered to mankind by ,christ1 iii4 #ai1 4441 1 to fall into the state of one thus condemned1 v4 #bd4 7b7 ,judgment of condemnation to the wicked1 with ensuing rejection1 v4 #bi4 ,grimm4 ,lex4 ,n4,t4 #bdg4 ,between this passage of the fourth ,gospel and ,apoc4 xx41 there is a marvellous inner harmony of thought4 ,the first resurrection 7ver4 #f7 ,john v4 #ba1 #bf2 then vv4 #aa1 #ab1 #ac ,john v4 #bh1 #bi4 #bfi ,heb4 ix4 #bg2 #b ,cor4 v4 #aj1 cf4 ,rom4 xiv4 #aj2 ,apoc4 xx4 #aa1 #ab1 #ac4 #bgj ' --,god's love in itself is perfected4 ,it might be made as perfect as man's nature will admit by an instantaneous act2 but ,god works jointly1 in companionship with us4 ,the grace of ,god preventing us that we may will1 works with us when we will4 ,the essential idea of is companionship or connexion4 7,see ,donaldson1 ,gr4 ,gr41 #ej1 #eb a47 #bga 4 7,plat41 ,rep41 #eeg ,b74 ,the word is derived from and 4 #bgb ,ephes4 i4 #ah4 #bgc ,cf4 ,matt4 v4 #dh4 #bgd ,ver4 #ah4 #bge ,bengel4 ,the writer must acknowledge his obligation to ,professor ,westcott1 whose exposition gives us a peculiar conception of the depth of ,st4 ,john's teaching here4 7,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,john1 #adi-aec74 ,,section ,,ix4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,et mandata eius gravia non sunt4 ,quoniam omne quod natum est ex ,deo vincit mundum3 et hc est victoria qu vincit mundum1 1 4 fides nostra4 ,quis est qui vincit mundum nisi 1 qui credit quoniam ,iesus est ,filius ,dei8 2 ,hic est qui venit per aquam et sanguinem1 1 ,iesus ,christus3 non in aqua solum1 sed in 1 ' aqua et sanguine4 ,et ,spiritus est qui testificatur 1 quoniam ,christus est veritas4 ,quia 4 tres sunt qui testimonium 1 dant1 ,spiritus 1 et aqua et sanguis1 et 1 tres unum sunt4 ,si testimonium hominum 4 accipimus1 testimonium 1 ,dei maius est3 quoniam hoc est testimonium ,dei quod maius est1 quia testificatus 1 est de ,filio suo4 ,qui credit in ,filio ,dei1 4 habet testimonium ,dei 1 in se3 qui non credit 4 mendacem facit eum3 quoniam non credidit 1 in testimonio quod 1 testificatus est ,deus 1 de ,filio suo4 ,et hoc est testimonium1 quoniam 4 vitam eternam dedit nobis ,deus1 et hc vita in ,filio eius4 ,qui habet ,filium habet vitam3 qui non habet 4 filium vitam non habet4 1 ,hc scripsi vobis ut sciatis quoniam vitam 1 4 habetis ternam1 qui creditis in nomine ,filii ,dei4 ,et hc est 1 fiducia quam habemus ad eum quia quodcumque 4 petierimus secundum voluntatem 1 eius audit nos4 ,et scimus quoniam audit 1 nos quicquid petierimus1 scimus quoniam habemus petitiones 1 quas postulamus ab eo4 ,qui scit fratrem suum ' 4 peccare peccatum non ad mortem1 petit1 et dabit ei vitam1 peccantibus 1 non ad mortem4 1 ,est peccatum ad mortem3 non pro illo dico 4 ut roget quis4 ,omnis iniquitas peccatum est3 et est peccatum ad mortem4 1 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,and ,his commandments ,and ,his commandments are not grievous4 are not grievous4 ,for whatsoever is born ,for whatsoever is begotten of ,god overcometh the of ,god overcometh world3 and this is the the world3 and victory that overcometh this is the victory that the world1 even our hath overcome the faith4 ,who is he that world1 even our faith4 overcometh the world1 ,and who is he that but he that believeth overcometh the world1 that ,jesus is the ,son but he that believeth of ,god8 ,this is ,he that ,jesus is the ,son that came by water of ,god8 ,this is ,he and blood1 even ,jesus that came by water ,christ2 not by water and blood1 even ,jesus only1 but by water and ,christ2 not with the blood4 ,and it is the water only1 but with ,spirit that beareth witness1 the water and with the because the ,spirit blood4 ,and it is the is truth4 ,for there ,spirit that beareth are three that bear witness1 because the record in heaven1 the ,spirit is the truth4 ,father1 the ,word1 and ,for there are three the ,holy ,ghost3 and who bear witness1 the these three are one4 ,spirit1 and the water1 ,and there are three and the blood3 and the that bear witness in three agree in one4 ,if earth1 the spirit1 and we receive the witness the water1 and the of men1 the witness of blood3 and these three ,god is greater3 for the agree in one4 ,if we witness of ,god is this1 receive the witness of that ,he hath borne men1 the witness of witness concerning ,his ,god is greater3 for ,son4 ,he that believeth this is the witness of on the ,son of ,god hath ,god which ,he hath the witness in him3 he testified of ,his ,son4 that believeth not ,god ,he that believeth on hath made ,him a liar3 the ,son of ,god hath because he hath not the witness in himself3 believed in the witness he that believeth not that ,god hath borne ,god hath made ,him a concerning ,his ,son4 liar2 because he believeth ,and the witness is not the record this1 that ,god gave that ,god gave of ,his unto us eternal life1 ,son4 ,and this is the and this life is in ,his record1 that ,god hath ,son4 ,he that hath the given to us eternal life1 ,son hath the life2 he and this life is in ,his that hath not the ,son ,son4 ,he that hath the of ,god hath not the life4 ,son hath life2 and he ,these things have ,i that hath not the ,son written unto you1 that of ,god hath not life4 ye may know that ye ,these things have ,i have eternal life1 even written unto you that unto you that believe believe on the name of on the name of the ,son the ,son of ,god2 that of ,god4 ,and this is ye may know that ye the boldness which we have eternal life1 and have toward ,him1 that1 that ye may believe on if we ask any thing the name of the ,son of according to ,his will1 ,god4 ,and this is the ,he heareth us3 and if confidence that we we know that ,he heareth have in ,him1 that1 if us whatsoever we ask any thing according ask1 we know that to ,his will1 ,he we have the petitions heareth us3 and if we which we have asked know that ,he hear us1 of ,him4 ,if any man whatsoever we ask1 see his brother sinning we know that we have a sin not unto death1 the petitions that we he shall ask1 and ,god desired of ,him4 ,if will give him life for any man see his brother them that sin not unto sin a sin which is death4 7,there is a sin not unto death1 he shall unto death74 ,there ask1 and ,he shall give is sin unto death2 not him life for them that concerning this sin am sin not unto death4 ,i saying that he should ,there is a sin unto make request4 ,all death3 ,i do not say unrighteousness is sin1 that he shall pray for and there is sin not it4 ,all unrighteousness unto death4 is sin3 and there is a sin not unto death4 ,,another ,,version4 ,and ,his commandments are not heavy1 for whatsoever is born of ,god conquereth the world3 and this is the conquest that hath conquered the world--the ,faith of us4 ,who is he that is conquering the world1 but he that is believing that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god8 ,this is ,he that came by water and blood--,jesus ,christ3 not with the water only1 but with the water and with the blood4 ,and the ,spirit is that which is ever witnessing that the ,spirit is the truth4 ,for three are they who are ever witnessing1 the ,spirit and the water and the blood3 and the three agree in one4 ,if we receive the witness of men the witness of ,god is greater2 because the witness of ,god is this1 because 7,i say7 ,he hath witnessed concerning ,his ,son4 ,he that is believing on the ,son of ,god hath the witness in him1 he that is not believing ,god hath made ,him a liar3 because he is not a believer in the witness that ,god witnessed concerning ,his ,son4 ,and this is the witness1 that ,god gave unto us eternal life1 and this life is in ,his ,son4 ,he that hath the ,son hath the life1 he that hath not the ,son of ,god hath not the life4 ,these things have ,i written unto you that ye may know that ye have eternal life--ye that are believing in the name of the ,son of ,god6 ,and this is the boldness which we have to ,himward1 that if we ask any thing according to ,his will1 ,he is hearing us3 and if we know that ,he is hearing us1 we know that we have the desires that we have desired from ,him4 ,if any man see his brother sinning sin not unto death1 he shall ask1 and ,god shall give him life--7,i mean for those who are not sinning unto death74 ,not concerning this sin am ,i saying that he should make request4 ,all unrighteousness is sin1 and there is sin not unto death4 ,,discourse ,,xi4 ,,birth ,,and ,,victory4 ,and ,his commandments are not grievous4 ,for whatsoever is born of ,god overcometh the world3 and this is the victory that overcometh the world1 even our faith4 ,who is he that overcometh the world1 but he that believeth that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god8--#a ,,john v4 #c1 #d1 #e4 ,st4 ,john here connects the ,christian birth with victory4 ,he tells us that of the supernatural life the destined and 7so to speak7 natural end is conquest4 ,now in this there is a contrast between the law of nature and the law of grace4 ,no doubt the first is marvellous4 ,it may even1 if we will1 in one sense be termed a victory2 for it is the proof of a successful contest with the blind fatalities of natural environment4 ,it is in itself the conquest of a something which has conquered a world below it4 ,the first faint cry of the baby is a wail no doubt2 but in its very utterance there is a half triumphant undertone4 ,boyhood1 youth1 opening manhood--at least in those who are physically and intellectually gifted--generally possess some share of the rapture of the strife with nature and with their contemporaries4 ,youth hath triumphal mornings2 its days bound ,from night as from a victory4 ,but sooner or later that which pessimists style the martyrdom of life sets in4 ,however brightly the drama opens1 the last scene is always tragic4 ,our natural birth inevitably ends in defeat4 ,a birth and a defeat is thus the epitome of each life which is naturally brought into the field of our present human existence4 ,the defeat is sighed over1 sometimes consummated1 in every cradle2 it is attested by every grave4 ,but if birth and defeat is the motto of the natural life1 birth and victory is the motto of every one born into the city of ,god4 ,this victory is spoken of in our verses as a victory along the whole line4 ,it is the conquest of the collective ,church1 of the whole mass of regenerate humanity1 so far as it has been true to the principle of its birth#bgf--the conquest of the ,faith which is ,the ,faith of us1#bgg who are knit together in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of the ,son of ,god1 ,christ our ,lord4 ,but it is something more than that4 ,the general victory is also a victory in detail4 ,every true individual believer shares in it4#bgh ,the battle is a battle of soldiers4 ,the abstract ideal victory is realised and made concrete in each life of struggle which is a life of enduring faith4 ,the triumph is not merely one of a school1 or of a party4 ,the question rings with a triumphant challenge down the ranks--who is the ever-conqueror of the world1 but the ever-believer that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god8 ,we are thus brought to two of ,st4 ,john's great master-conceptions1 both of which came to him from hearing the ,lord who is the ,life--both of which are to be read in connection with the fourth ,gospel--the ,christian's ,birth and his victory4 ,i4 ,the ,apostle introduces the idea of the birth which has its origin from ,god precisely by the same process to which attention has already been more than once directed4 ,st4 ,john frequently mentions some great subject2 at first like a musician who with perfect command of his instrument1 touches what seems to be an almost random key1 faintly1 as if incidentally and half wandering from his theme4 ,but just as the sound appears to be absorbed by the purpose of the composition1 or all but lost in the distance1 the same chord is struck again more decidedly2 and then1 after more or less interval1 is brought out with a music so full and sonorous1 that we perceive that it has been one of the master's leading ideas from the very first4 ,so1 when the subject is first spoken of1 we hear--every one that doeth righteousness is born of ,him4#bgi ,the subject is suspended for a while2 then comes a somewhat more marked reference4 ,whosoever is born of ,god is not a doer of sin2 and he cannot continue sinning1 because of ,god he is born4 ,there is yet one more tender recurrence to the favourite theme--every one that loveth is born of ,god4#bhj ,then1 finally here at last the chord1 so often struck1 grown bolder since the prelude1 gathers all the music round it4 ,it interweaves with itself another strain which has similarly been gaining amplitude of volume in its course1 until we have a great ,te ,deum1 dominated by two chords of ,birth and ,victory4 ,this is the conquest that has conquered the world--the ,faith which is of us4 ,we shall never come to any adequate notion of ,st4 ,john's conception of the ,birth of ,god1 without tracing the place in his ,gospel to which his asterisk in this place refers4 ,to one passage only can we turn--our ,lord's conversation with ,nicodemus4 ,except a man be born again1 he cannot see the kingdom of ,god--except a man be born of water and of the ,spirit1 he cannot enter into the kingdom of ,god4#bha ,the germ of the idea of entrance into the city1 the kingdom of ,god1 by means of a new birth1 is in that storehouse of theological conceptions1 the psalter4 ,there is one psalm of a ,korahite seer1 enigmatical it may be1 shadowed with the darkness of a divine compression1#bhb obscure from the glory that rings it round1 and from the gush of joy in its few and broken words4 ,the #hgth ,psalm is the psalm of the font1 the hymn of regeneration4 ,the nations once of the world are mentioned among them that know the ,lord4 ,they are counted when ,he writeth up the peoples4 ,glorious things are spoken of the ,city of ,god4 ,three times over the burden of the song is the new birth by which the aliens were made free of ,sion4 ,this one was born there1 ,this one and that one was born in her1 ,this one was born there4#bhc ,all joyous life is thus brought into the city of the new-born4 ,the singers1 the solemn dances1 the fresh and glancing springs1 are in thee4#bhd ,hence1 from the notification of men being born again in order to see and enter into the kingdom1 our ,lord1 as if in surprise1 meets the ,pharisee's question--how can these things be8--with another--art thou that teacher in ,israel1#bhe and understandest not these things8 ,jesus tells ,his ,church for ever that every one of ,his disciples must be brought into contact with two worlds1 with two influences--one outward1 the other inward2 one material1 the other spiritual2 one earthly1 the other heavenly2 one visible and sacramental1 the other invisible and divine4 ,out of these he must come forth new-born4 ,of course it may be said that the water here coupled with the ,spirit is figurative4 ,but let it be observed first1 that from the very constitution of ,st4 ,john's intellectual and moral being things outward and visible were not annihilated by the spiritual transparency which he imparted to them4 ,water1 literal water1 is everywhere in his writings4 ,in his ,gospel more especially he seems to be ever seeing1 ever hearing it4 ,he loved it from the associations of his own early life1 and from the mention made of it by his ,master4 ,and as in the ,gospel water is1 so to speak1 one of the three great factors and centres of the book2#bhf so now in the ,epistle1 it still seems to glance and murmur before him4 ,the water is one of the three abiding witnesses in the ,epistle also4 ,surely1 then1 our ,apostle would be eminently unlikely to express the ,spirit of ,god without the outward water by water and the ,spirit4 ,but above all1 ,christians should beware of a licentious and deluding alchemy of interpretation which maketh of anything whatsoever it listeth4 ,in immortal words--when the letter of the law hath two things plainly and expressly specified1 water and the ,spirit2 water1 as a duty required on our part1 the ,spirit1 as a gift which ,god bestoweth2 there is danger in so presuming to interpret it1 as if the clause which concerneth ourselves were more than needed4 ,we may by such rare expositions attain perhaps in the end to be thought witty1 but with ill advice4#bhg ,but1 it will further be asked1 whether we bring the ,saviour's saying--except any one be born again of water and the ,spirit--into direct connection with the baptism of infants8 ,above all1 whether we are not encouraging every baptised person to hold that somehow or other he will have a part in the victory of the regenerate8 ,we need no other answer than that which is implied in the very force of the word here used by ,st4 ,john--all that is born of ,god conquereth the world4 ,that is born is the participle perfect4#bhh ,the force of the perfect is not simply past action1 but such action lasting on in its effects4 ,our text1 then1 speaks only of those who having been born again into the kingdom continue in a corresponding condition1 and unfold the life which they have received4 ,the ,saviour spoke first and chiefly of the initial act4 ,the ,apostle's circumstances1 now in his old age1 naturally led him to look on from that4 ,st4 ,john is no idolater of the immediate4 ,has the gift received by his spiritual children worn long and lasted well8 ,what of the new life which should have issued from the ,new ,birth8 ,regenerate in the past1 are they renewed in the present8 ,this simple piece of exegesis lets us at once perceive that another verse in this ,epistle1 often considered of almost hopeless perplexity1 is in truth only the perfection of sanctified 7nay1 it may be said1 of moral7 common-sense2 an intuition of moral and spiritual instinct4 ,whosoever is born of ,god doth not commit sin3 for his seed remaineth in him2 and he cannot sin1 because he is born of ,god4 ,we have just seen the real significance of the words he that is born of ,god--he for whom his past birth lasts on in its effects4 ,he doeth not sin1 is not a sin-doer1 makes it not his trade1 as an old commentator says4 ,nay1 he is not able to be 7to keep on7 sinning4 ,he cannot sin4 ,he cannot6 ,there is no physical impossibility4 ,angels will not sweep him away upon their resistless pinions4 ,the ,spirit will not hold him by the hand as if with a mailed grasp1 until the blood spirts from his finger-tips1 that he may not take the wine-cup1 or walk out to the guilty assignation4 ,the compulsion of ,god is like that which is exercised upon us by some pathetic wounded-looking face that gazes after us with a sweet reproach4 ,tell the honest poor man with a large family of some safe and expeditious way of transferring his neighbour's money to his own pocket4 ,he will answer1 ,i cannot steal3 that is1 ,i cannot steal1 however much it may physically be within my capacity1 without a burning shame1 an agony to my nature worse than death4 ,on some day of fierce heat1 hold a draught of iced wine to a total abstainer1 and invite him to drink4 ,i cannot1 will be his reply4 ,cannot6 ,he can1 so far as his hand goes2 he cannot1 without doing violence to a conviction1 to a promise1 to his own sense of truth4 ,and he who continues in the fulness of his ,god-given ,birth does not do sin1 cannot be sinning4 ,not that he is sinless1 not that he never fails1 or does not sometimes fall2 not that sin ceases to be sin to him1 because he thinks that he has a standing in ,christ4 ,but he cannot go on in sin without being untrue to his birth2 without a stain upon that finer1 whiter1 more sensitive conscience1 which is called spirit in a son of ,god2 without a convulsion in his whole being which is the precursor of death1 or an insensibility which is death actually begun4 ,how many such texts as these are practically useless to most of us6 ,the armoury of ,god is full of keen swords which we refrain from handling1 because they have been misused by others4 ,none is more neglected than this4 ,the fanatic has shrieked out--sin in my case6 ,i cannot sin4 ,i may hold a sin in my bosom2 and ,god may hold me in ,his arms for all that4 ,at least1 ,i may hold that which would be a sin in you and most others2 but to me it is not sin4 ,on the other hand1 stupid goodness maunders out some unintelligible paraphrase1 until pew and reader yawn from very weariness4 ,divine truth in its purity and plainness is thus discredited by the exaggeration of the one1 or buried in the leaden winding-sheet of the stupidity of the other4 ,in leaving this portion of our subject we may compare the view latent in the very idea of infant baptism with that of the leader of a well-known sect upon the beginnings of the spiritual life in children4 ,may not children grow up into salvation1 without knowing the exact moment of their conversion8 asks ,general ,booth4 ,his answer is--yes1 it may be so2 and we trust that in the future this will be the usual way in which children may be brought to ,christ4 ,the writer goes on to tell us how the ,new ,birth will take place in future4 ,when the conditions named in the first pages of this volume are complied with--when the parents are godly1 and the children are surrounded by holy influences and examples from their birth1 and trained up in the spirit of their early dedication--they will doubtless come to know and love and trust their ,saviour in the ordinary course of things4 ,the ,holy ,ghost will take possession of them from the first4 ,mothers and fathers will1 as it were1 put them into the ,saviour's arms in their swaddling clothes1 and ,he will take them1 and bless them1 and sanctify them from the very womb1 and make them ,his own1 without their knowing the hour or the place when they pass from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light4 ,in fact1 with such little ones it shall never be very dark1 for their natural birth shall be1 as it were1 in the spiritual twilight1 which begins with the dim dawn1 and increases gradually until the noonday brightness is reached2 so answering to the prophetic description1 ',the path of the just is as the shining light1 that shineth more and more unto the perfect day4'#bhi ,no one will deny that this is tenderly and beautifully written4 ,but objections to its teaching will crowd upon the mind of thoughtful ,christians4 ,it seems to defer to a period in the future1 to a new era incalculably distant1 when ,christendom shall be absorbed in ,salvationism1 that which ,st4 ,john in his day contemplated as the normal condition of believers1 which the ,church has always held to be capable of realization1 which has been actually realized in no few whom most of us must have known4 ,further2 the fountain-heads of thought1 like those of the ,nile1 are wrapped in obscurity4 ,by what process grace may work with the very young is an insoluble problem in psychology1 which ,christianity has not revealed4 ,we know nothing further than that ,christ blessed little children4 ,that blessing was impartial1 for it was communicated to all who were brought to ,him2 it was real1 otherwise ,he would not have blessed them at all4 ,that ,he conveys to them such grace as they are capable of receiving is all that we can know4 ,and yet again2 the ,salvationist theory exalts parents and surroundings into the place of ,christ4 ,it deposes ,his sacrament1 which lies at the root of ,st4 ,john's language1 and boasts that it will secure ,christ's end1 apparently without any recognition of ,christ's means4 ,,ii4 ,the second great idea in the verses at the head of this discourse is ,victory4 ,the intended issue of the new birth is conquest--all that is born of ,god conquers the world4 ,the idea of victory is almost#bij exclusively confined to ,st4 ,john's writings4 ,the idea is first expressed by ,jesus--be of good cheer3 ,i have conquered the world4#bia ,the first prelusive touch in the ,epistle1 hints at the fulfilment of the ,saviour's comfortable word in one class of the ,apostle's spiritual children4 ,i write unto you1 young men1 because ye have conquered the wicked one4 ,i have written unto you1 young men1 because ye have conquered the wicked one4#bib ,next1 a bolder and ampler strain--ye are of ,god1 little children1 and have conquered them3 because greater is ,he that is in you1 than he that is in the world4#bic ,then with a magnificent persistence1 the trumpet of ,christ wakens echoes to its music all down and round the defile through which the host is passing--all that is born of ,god conquereth the world3 and this is the conquest that has conquered the world--the ,faith which is ours4#bid ,when1 in ,st4 ,john's other great book1 we pass with the seer into ,patmos1 the air is1 indeed1 full of noises and sweet sounds4 ,but dominant over all is a storm of triumph1 a passionate exultation of victory4 ,thus each epistle to each of the seven ,churches closes with a promise to him that conquereth4 ,the text promises two forms of victory4 #a4 ,a victory is promised to the ,church universal4 ,all that is born of ,god conquereth the world4 ,this conquest is concentrated in1 almost identified with the ,faith4 ,primarily1 in this place1 the term 7here alone found in our ,epistle7 is not the faith by which we believe1 but the ,faith which is believed--as in some other places2#bie not faith subjective1 but ,the ,faith objectively4#bif ,here is the dogmatic principle4 ,the ,faith involves definite knowledge of definite principles4 ,the religious knowledge1 which is not capable of being put into definite propositions1 we need not trouble ourselves greatly about4 ,but we are guarded from over-dogmatism4 ,the word of us which follows the ,faith is a mediating link between the objective and the subjective4 ,first1 we possess this ,faith as a common heritage4 ,then1 as in the ,apostle's creed we begin to individualise this common possession by prefixing ,i believe to every article of it4 ,then the victory contained in the creed1 the victory which the creed is 7for more truly again than of ,duty may it be said of ,faith1 thou who art victory#big71 is made over to each who believes4 ,each1 and each alone1 who in soul is ever believing1 in practice is ever victorious4 ,this declaration is full of promise for missionary work4 ,there is no system of error1 however ancient1 subtle1 or highly organised1 which must not go down before the strong collective life of the regenerate4 ,no less encouraging is it at home4 ,no form of sin is incapable of being overthrown4 ,no school of anti-,christian thought is invulnerable or invincible4 ,there are other apostates besides ,julian who will cry--,galile1 vicisti6 #b4 ,the second victory promised is individual1 for each of us4 ,not only where cathedral-spires lift high the triumphant cross2 on battle-fields which have added kingdoms to ,christendom2 by the martyr's stake1 or in the arena of the ,coliseum1 have these words proved true4 ,the victory comes down to us4 ,in hospitals1 in shops1 in courts1 in ships1 in sick-rooms1 they are fulfilled for us4 ,we see their truth in the patience1 sweetness1 resignation1 of little children1 of old men1 of weak women4 ,they give a high consecration and a glorious meaning to much of the suffering that we see4 ,what1 we are sometimes tempted to cry--is this ,christ's ,army8 are these ,his soldiers1 who can go anywhere and do anything8 ,poor weary ones6 with white lips1 and the beads of death-sweat on their faces1 and the thorns of pain ringed like a crown round their foreheads2 so wan1 so worn1 so tired1 so suffering1 that even our love dares not pray for them to live a little longer yet4 ,are these the elect of the elect1 the vanguard of the regenerate1 who carry the flag of the cross where its folds are waved by the storm of battle2 whom ,st4 ,john sees advancing up the slope with such a burst of cheers and such a swell of music that the words--this is the conquest--spring spontaneously from his lips8 ,perhaps the angels answer with a voice which we cannot hear--whatsoever is born of ,god conquereth the world4 ,may we fight so manfully that each may render if not his pure yet his purified soul unto his captain ,christ1 ,under whose colours he hath fought so long3 --that we may know something of the great text in the ,epistle to the ,romans1 with its matchless translation--we are more than conquerors through ,him who loved us#bih--that arrogance of victory which is at once so splendid and so saintly4 ,,footnotes3 #bgf ,this is expressed1 after ,st4 ,john's fashion1 by the neuter1 4 ver4 #d4 #bgg 1 ver4 #d4 #bgh 1 1 ver4 #e4 #bgi #a ,john ii4 #bi4 #bhj #a ,john iv4 #g4 #bha ,john iii4 #e4 #bhb 4 ,euseb4 #bhc 4 ,ver4 #d4 4 ,ver4 #e4 4 ,ver4 #f4 ,psalm lxxxvii4 #bhd ,both they who sing and they who dance1 ,with sacred song are there2 ,in thee fresh brooks and soft streams glance1 ,and all my fountains clear4 ,,milton1 ,paraphrase ,ps4 lxxxvii4 #g4 ,this1 on the whole1 seems to be considered the most tenable interpretation4 #bhe 2 ,john iii4 #aj4 #bhf ,john i4 #bf1 ii4 #f1 #i1 iii4 #e-bb1 iv4 #f-af1 v4 #c1 vii4 #cg1 #ci1 ix4 #g1 xiii4 #a-e1 xix4 #cd4 #bhg ,hooker1 ,e4 ,p41 ,v4 lix4 7#d74 #bhh ,so the perfect is used throughout4 4 ii4 #bi1 iii4 #i1 iv4 #g4 4 v4 #d4 ,very remarkably below1 -- 2 the first of the regenerate man who continues in that condition of grace1 the second of the ,begotten ,son of ,god who keeps ,his servant4 #a ,john v4 #ah4 #bhi ,training of children2 or ,how to ,make the ,children into ,saints and ,soldiers of ,jesus ,christ4 ,by the ,general of the ,salvation ,army4 ,london3 ,salvation ,army ,book ,stores1 pp4 #afb1 #afc4 #bij ,not quite1 cf4 ,rom4 viii4 #cg1 xii1 #ba2 #a ,cor4 xv4 #ee1 #eg4 ,the substantive occurs only #a ,john v4 #d4 ,a slightly different form 77 is in ,matt4 xii4 #bj2 #a ,cor4 xv4 #ed1 #ee1 #eg4 #bia ,john xvi4 #cc4 #bib ,john ii4 #ac1 #ad4 #bic #a ,john iv4 #d4 #bid ,it does not seem possible to convey to the ,english reader the fourfold harping upon the word 7#a ,john v4 #d1 #e7 by any other rendering4 ,the victory that hath overcome the world 7,r4,v47 fails in this4 ,the noble translation of 7,rom4 viii4 #cg71 happily retained by the ,revisers1 is rendered consistent by the translation here proposed4 #bie ,apoc4 ii4 #ac1 xiv4 #ab4 #bif ,fides qu creditur1 not qu creditur4 #big ,thou who art victory6 ,,wordsworth1 ,ode to ,duty4 #bih 4 ,rom4 viii4 #cg4 ,,discourse ,,xii4 ,,the ,,gospel ,,as ,a ,,gospel ,,of ,,witness2 ,,the ,,three ,,witnesses4 ,it is the ,spirit that beareth witness1 because the ,spirit is truth4 ,for there are three that bear witness1 the ,spirit1 and the water1 and the blood2 and these three agree in one4 ,if we receive the witness of men1 the witness of ,god is greater1 for this is the witness of ,god which ,he hath testified of ,his ,son4 ,he that believeth on the ,son of ,god hath the witness in himself4--#a ,,john v4 #f-aj4 ,it has been said that ,apostles and apostolic men were as far as possible removed from common-sense1 and have no conception of evidence in our acceptation of the word4 ,about this statement there is scarcely even superficial plausibility4 ,common-sense is the measure of ordinary human tact among palpable realities4 ,in relation to human existence it is the balance of the estimative faculties2 the instinctive summary of inductions which makes us rightly credulous and rightly incredulous1 which teaches us the supreme lesson of life1 when to say yes1 and when to say no4 ,uncommon sense is superhuman tact among no less real but at present impalpable realities2 the spiritual faculty of forming spiritual inductions aright4 ,so ,st4 ,john among the three great canons of primary truth with which he closes his ,epistle writes--we know that the ,son of ,god hath come and is present1 and hath given us understanding1 that we know ,him who is true4#bii ,so with evidences4 ,apostles did not draw them out with the same logical precision1 or rather not in the same logical form1 which the modern spirit demands4 ,yet they rested their conclusions upon the same abiding principle of evidence1 the primary axiom of our entire social life--that there is a degree of human evidence which practically cannot deceive4 ,if we receive the witness of men4 ,the form of expression implies that we certainly do4#cjj ,peculiar difficulty has been felt in understanding the paragraph4 ,and one portion of it remains difficult after any explanation4 ,but we shall succeed in apprehending it as a whole only upon condition of taking one guiding principle of interpretation with us4 ,the word witness is ,st4 ,john's central thought here4 ,he is determined to beat it into the minds of his readers by the most unsparing iteration4 ,he repeats it ten times over1 as substantive or verb1 in six verses4#cja ,his object is to turn our attention to his ,gospel1 and to this distinguishing feature of it--its being from beginning to end a ,gospel of witness4 ,this witness he declares to be fivefold4 7#a7 ,the witness of the ,spirit1 of which the fourth ,gospel is pre-eminently full4 7#b7 ,the witness of the ,divine ,humanity1 of the ,god-,man who is not man deified1 but ,god humanified4 ,this verse is no doubt partly polemical1 against heretics of the day1 who would clip the great picture of the ,gospel1 and force it into the petty frame of their theory4 ,this is ,he 7the ,apostle urges7 who came on the stage of the world's and the ,church's history#cjb as the ,messiah1 under the condition1 so to speak1 of water and blood2#cjc bringing with ,him1 accompanied by1 not the water only1 but the water and the blood4#cjd ,cerinthus separated the ,christ1 the divine on1 from ,jesus the holy but mortal man4 ,the two1 the divine potency and the human existence1 met at the waters of ,jordan1 on the day of the ,baptism1 when the ,christ united ,himself to ,jesus4 ,but the union was brief and unessential4 ,before the crucifixion1 the divine ideal ,christ withdrew4 ,the man suffered4 ,the impassible immortal potency was far away in heaven4 ,st4 ,john denies the fortuitous juxta-position of two accidentally-united existences4 ,we worship one ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 attested not only by ,baptism in ,jordan1 the witness of water1 but by the death on ,calvary1 the witness of blood4 ,he came by water and blood1 as the means by which ,his office was manifested2 but with the water and with the blood1 as the sphere in which ,he exercises that office4 ,when we turn to the ,gospel1 and look at the pierced side1 we read of blood and water1 the order of actual history and physiological fact4 ,but here ,st4 ,john takes the ideal1 mystical1 sacramental order1 water and blood--cleansing and redemption--and the sacraments which perpetually symbolise and convey them4 ,thus we have ,spirit1 water1 blood4 ,three are they who are ever witnessing4#cje ,these are three great centres round which ,st4 ,john's ,gospel turns4#cjf ,these are the three genuine witnesses1 the trinity of witness1 the shadow of the ,trinity in heaven4 7#c7 ,again the fourth ,gospel is a ,gospel of human witness1 a tissue woven out of many lines of human attestation4 ,it records the cries of human souls overheard and noted down at the supreme crisis-moment of life1 from the ,baptist1 ,philip1 and ,nathanael1 to the everlasting spontaneous creed of ,christendom on its knees before ,jesus1 the cry of ,thomas ever rushing molten from a heart of fire--my ,lord and my ,god4 7#d7 ,but if we receive1 as we assuredly must and do receive1 the overpowering and soul-subduing mass of attesting human evidence1 how much more must we receive the ,divine witness1 the witness of ,god so conspicuously exhibited in the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john6 ,the witness of ,god is greater1 because this 7even the history in the pages to which he adverts7 is the witness2 because 7,i say with triumphant reiteration7 ,he hath witnessed concerning ,his ,son4#cjg ,this witness of ,god in the last ,gospel is given in four forms--by ,scripture1#cjh by the ,father1#cji by the ,son ,himself1#caj by ,his works4#caa 7#e7 ,this great volume of witness is consummated and brought home by another4 ,he who not merely coldly assents to the word of ,christ1 but lifts the whole burden of his belief on to the ,son of ,god1#cab hath the witness in him4 ,that which was logical and external becomes internal and experimental4 ,in this ever-memorable passage1 all scholars know that an interpolation has taken place4 ,the words--in heaven the ,father1 the ,word1 and the ,holy ,ghost2 and these three are one4 ,and there are three that bear witness in earth--are a gloss4 ,a great sentence of one of the first of critics may well reassure any weak believers who dread the candour of ,christian criticism1 or suppose that it has impaired the evidence for the great dogma of the ,trinity4 ,if the fourth century knew that text1 let it come in1 in ,god's name2 but if that age did not know it1 then ,arianism in its height was beaten down without the help of that verse2 and1 let the fact prove as it will1 the doctrine is unshaken4#cac ,the human material with which they have been clamped should not blind us to the value of the heavenly jewels which seemed to be marred by their earthly setting4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is constantly said--as we think with considerable misapprehension--that in his ,epistle ,st4 ,john may imply1 but does not refer directly to any particular incident in1 his ,gospel4 ,it is our conviction that ,st4 ,john very specially includes the ,resurrection--the central point of the evidences of ,christianity--among the things attested by the witness of men4 ,we propose in another discourse to examine the ,resurrection from ,st4 ,john's point of view4 ,,footnotes3 #bii 444 #a ,john v4 #bj4 ,n4 ,t4 lexicographers give as its meaning intelligentia 7einsicht74 ,see ,grimm4 ,bretschn41 s4v4 ,prof4 ,westcott remarks that generally nouns which express intellectual powers are rare in ,st4 ,john's writings4 ,but is the word by which the ,,lxx4 translate the ,hebrew 1 and has thus a moral and emotional tinge imparted to it4 ,we may compare the sense in which ,aristotle uses it in his ,poetics for the cast of thought1 or general sentiment4 7,poet41 vi47 #cjj 4 #a ,john v4 #i4 #cja ,the ,a4 ,v4 7very unhappily7 tried to minimise this reiteration by the introduction of synonyms in four places--bear record1 record 7vv4 #g1 #aj1 #aa71 hath testified 7ver4 #i74 #cjb 4 #cjc 4 #cjd 1 ' 4 #cje 1 ver4 #g4 #cjf ,the ,water1 ,john iii4 #e1 cf4 i4 #bf-cc1 ii4 #i1 iii4 #bc1 iv4 #ac1 v4 #d1 ix4 #g4 ,the ,blood1 vi4 #ec1 #ed1 #ef1 xix4 #cd4 ,the ,spirit1 vii4 #ci1 xiv41 xv41 xvi41 xx4 #bb4 ,the water centres in ,baptism 7iii4 #e72 the blood is symbolised1 exhibited1 in ,holy ,communion 7vi472 the ,spirit is perpetually making them effective1 and especially by the appointed ministry 7xx4 #bb74 #cjg 1 1 ver4 #i4 #cjh v4 #ci1 #df1 etc4 #cji viii4 #ah4 #caj viii4 #ag1 #ah4 #caa ver4 #cf1 x4 #be4 #cab 1 ver4 #aj4 7,see ,bihs ,ellicott on the force of various prepositions with 4 ,comment1 on ,pastoral ,epistles47 #cac ,bentley4 ,letter of ,january #ast1 #agag4 ,,discourse ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,witness ,,of ,,men 7,,applied ,,to ,,the ,,resurrection74 ,if we receive the witness of men4--#a ,,john v4 #i4 ,at an early period in the ,christian ,church the passage in which these words occur1 was selected as a fitting ,epistle for the ,first ,sunday after ,easter1 when believers may be supposed to review the whole body of witness to the risen ,lord and to triumph in the victory of faith4 ,a consideration of the unity of essential principles in the narratives of the ,resurrection will afford the best illustration of the comprehensive canon--if we receive the witness of men4--if we consider the unity of essential principles in the narratives of the ,resurrection1 and draw the natural conclusions from them4 ,i4 ,let us note the unity of essential principles in the narratives of the ,resurrection4 ,st4 ,matthew hastens on from ,jerusalem to the appearance in ,galilee4 ,behold6 ,he goeth before you into ,galilee1 is1 in some sense1 the key of the #bhth chapter4 ,st4 ,luke1 on the other hand1 speaks only of manifestations in ,jerusalem or its neighbourhood4 ,now ,st4 ,john's ,resurrection history falls in the #bjth chapter into four pieces1 with three manifestations in ,jerusalem4 ,the #bast chapter 7the appendix-chapter7 also falls into four pieces1 with one manifestation to the seven disciples in ,galilee4 ,st4 ,john makes no profession of telling us all the appearances which were known to the ,church1 or even all of which he was personally cognisant4 ,in the treasures of the old man's memory there were many more which1 for whatever reason1 he did not write4 ,but these distinct continuous specimens of a permitted communing with the eternal glorified life 7supplemented on subsequent thought by another in the last chapter7 are as good as three or four hundred for the great purpose of the ,apostle4 ,these are written that ye might believe that ,jesus is the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4#cad ,throughout ,st4 ,john's narrative every impartial reader will find delicacy of thought1 abundance of matter1 minuteness of detail4 ,he will find something more4 ,while he feels that he is not in cloudland or dreamland1 he will yet recognise that he walks in a land which is wonderful1 because the central figure in it is ,one whose name is ,wonderful4 ,the fact is fact1 and yet it is something more4 ,for a short time poetry and history are absolutely coincident4 ,here1 if anywhere1 is ,herder's saying true1 that the fourth ,gospel seems to be written with a feather which has dropped from an angel's wing4 ,the unity in essential principles which has been claimed for these narratives taken together is not a lifeless identity in details4 ,it is scarcely to be worked out by the dissecting-maps of elaborate harmonies4 ,it is not the imaginative unity which is poetry2 nor the mechanical unity1 which is fabrication2 nor the passionless unity1 which is commended in a police-report4 ,it is not the thin unity of plain-song2 it is the rich1 unity of dissimilar tones blended into a fugue4 ,this unity may be considered in two essential agreements of the four ,resurrection histories4 #a4 ,all the ,evangelists agree in reticence on one point--in abstinence from one claim4 ,if any of us were framing for himself a body of such evidence for the ,resurrection as should almost extort acquiescence1 he would assuredly insist that the ,lord should have been seen and recognised after the ,resurrection by miscellaneous crowds--or1 at the very least1 by hostile individuals4 ,not only by a tender ,mary ,magdalene1 an impulsive ,peter1 a rapt ,john1 a ,thomas through all his unbelief nervously anxious to be convinced4 ,let ,him be seen by ,pilate1 by ,caiaphas1 by some of the ,roman soldiers1 of the priests1 of the ,jewish populace4 ,certainly1 if the ,evangelists had simply aimed at effective presentation of evidence1 they would have put forward statements of this kind4 ,but the apostolic principle--the apostolic canon of ,resurrection evidence--was very different4 ,st4 ,luke has preserved it for us1 as it is given by ,st4 ,peter4 ,him ,god raised up the third day1 and gave ,him to be made manifest after ,he rose again from the dead1 not to all the people1 but unto witnesses chosen before of ,god1 even to us4#cae ,he shall1 indeed1 appear again to all the people1 to every eye2 but that shall be at the great ,advent4 ,st4 ,john1 with his ideal tenderness1 has preserved a word of ,jesus1 which gives us ,st4 ,peter's canon of ,resurrection evidence1 in a lovelier and more spiritual form4 ,christ as ,he rose at ,easter should be visible1 but only to the eye of love1 only to the eye which life fills with tears and heaven with light--yet a little while1 and the world seeth ,me no more2 but ye see ,me 444 ,he that loveth ,me shall be loved of ,my ,father1 and ,i will manifest ,myself to ,him4#caf ,round that ideal canon ,st4 ,john's ,resurrection-history is twined with undying tendrils4 ,those words may be written by us with our softest pencils over the #bjth and #bast chapters of the fourth ,gospel4 ,there is--very possibly there can be--under our present human conditions1 no manifestation of ,him who was dead and now liveth1 except to belief1 or to that kind of doubt which springs from love4 ,that which is true of ,st4 ,john is true of all the ,evangelists4 ,they take that ,gospel1 which is the life of their life4 ,they bare its bosom to the stab of ,celsus1#cag to the bitter sneer plagiarised by ,renan--why did ,he not appear to all1 to ,his judges and enemies8 ,why only to one excitable woman1 and a circle of ,his initiated8 ,the hallucination of a hysterical woman endowed ,christendom with a risen ,god4#cah ,an apocryphal ,gospel unconsciously violates this apostolic1 or rather divine canon1 by stating that ,jesus gave ,his grave-clothes to one of the ,high ,priest's servants4#cai ,there was every reason but one why ,st4 ,john and the other ,evangelists should have narrated such stories4 ,there was only one reason why they should not1 but that was all-sufficient4 ,their ,master was the ,truth as well as the ,life4 ,they dared not lie4 ,here1 then1 is one essential accordance in the narratives of the ,resurrection4 ,they record no appearances of ,jesus to enemies or to unbelievers4 #b4 ,a second unity of essential principle will be found in the impression produced upon the witnesses4 ,there was1 indeed1 a moment of terror at the sepulchre1 when they had seen the angel clothed in the long white garment4 ,they trembled1 and were amazed2 neither said they anything to any man2 for they were afraid4 ,so writes ,st4 ,mark4#cbj ,and no such word ever formed the close of a ,gospel6 ,on the ,easter ,sunday evening there was another moment when they were terrified and affrighted1 and supposed that they had seen a spirit4#cba ,but this passes away like a shadow4 ,for man1 the ,risen ,jesus turns doubt into faith1 faith into joy4 ,for woman1 ,he turns sorrow into joy4 ,from the sacred wounds joy rains over into their souls4 ,he showed them ,his hands and ,his feet 444 while they yet believed not for joy and wondered4 ,he showed unto them ,his hands and ,his side4 ,then were the disciples glad when they saw the ,lord4#cbb ,each face of those who beheld ,him wore after that a smile through all tears and forms of death4 ,come1 cried the great ,swedish singer1 gazing upon the dead face of a holy friend1 come and see this great sight4 ,here is a woman who has seen ,christ4 ,many of us know what she meant1 for we too have looked upon those dear to us who have seen ,christ4 ,over all the awful stillness--under all the cold whiteness as of snow or marble--that strange soft light1 that subdued radiance1 what shall we call it8 wonder1 love1 sweetness1 pardon1 purity1 rest1 worship1 discovery4 ,the poor face often dimmed with tears1 tears of penitence1 of pain1 of sorrow1 some perhaps which we caused to flow1 is looking upon a great sight4 ,of such the beautiful text is true1 written by a sacred poet in a language of which so many verbs are pictures4 ,they looked unto ,him1 and were lightened4#cbc ,that meeting of lights without a name it is which makes up what angels call joy4 ,there remained some of that light on all who had seen the ,risen ,lord4 ,each might say--have ,i not seen ,jesus ,christ our ,lord8 ,this effect1 like every effect1 had a cause4 ,scripture implies in the ,risen ,jesus a form with all heaviness and suffering lifted off it--with the glory1 freshness1 elasticity1 of the new life1 overflowing with beauty and power4 ,he had a voice with some of the pathos of affection1 making its sweet concession to human sensibility3 saying1 ,mary1 ,thomas1 ,simon1 son of ,jonas4 ,he had a presence at once so majestic that they durst not question ,him1 yet so full of magnetic attraction that ,magdalene clings to ,his feet1 and ,peter flings himself into the waters when he is sure that it is the ,lord4#cbd ,now let it be remarked that this consideration entirely disposes of that afterthought of critical ingenuity which has taken the place of the base old ,jewish theory--,his disciples came by night1 and stole ,him away4#cbe ,that theory1 indeed1 has been blown into space by ,christian apologetics4 ,and now not a few are turning to the solution that ,he did not really die upon the cross1 but was taken down alive4 ,there are other1 and more than sufficient refutations4 ,one from the character of the august ,sufferer1 who would not have deigned to receive adoration upon false pretences4 ,one from the minute observation by ,st4 ,john of the physiological effect of the thrust of the soldier's lance1 to which he also reverts in the context4 ,but here1 we only ask what effect the appearance of the ,saviour among ,his disciples1 supposing that ,he had not died1 must unquestionably have had4 ,he would only have been taken down from the cross something more than thirty hours4 ,his brow punctured with the crown of thorns2 the wounds in hands1 feet1 and side1 yet unhealed2 the back raw and torn with scourges2 the frame cramped by the frightful tension of six long hours--a lacerated and shattered man1 awakened to agony by the coolness of the sepulchre and by the pungency of the spices2 a spectral1 trembling1 fevered1 lamed1 skulking thing--could that have seemed the ,prince of ,life1 the ,lord of ,glory1 the ,bright and ,morning ,star8 ,those who had seen ,him in ,gethsemane and on the cross1 and then on ,easter1 and during the forty days1 can scarcely speak of ,his ,resurrection without using language which attains to more than lyrical elevation4 ,think of ,st4 ,peter's anthemlike burst4 ,blessed be the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who hath begotten us again to a lively hope1 by the ,resurrection of ,jesus ,christ from the dead4 ,think of the words which ,st4 ,john heard ,him utter4 ,i am the ,first and the ,living1 and behold6 ,i became dead1 and ,i am1 living unto the ages of ages4#cbf ,let us1 then1 fix our attention upon the unity of all the ,resurrection narratives in these two essential principles4 7#a7 ,the appearances of the ,risen ,lord to belief and love only4 7#b7 ,the impression common to all the narrators of glory on ,his part1 of joy on theirs4 ,we shall be ready to believe that this was part of the great body of proof which was in the ,apostle's mind1 when pointing to the ,gospel with which this ,epistle was associated1 he wrote of this human but most convincing testimony--if we receive1 as assuredly we do1 the witness of men--of evangelists among the number4 ,,ii4 ,too often such discussions as these end unpractically enough4 ,too often ,when the critic has done his best1 ,the pearl of price at reason's test ,on the ,professor's lecture table ,lies1 dust and ashes levigable4 ,but1 after all1 we may well ask3 can we afford to dispense with this well-balanced probability8 ,is it well for us to face life and death without taking it1 in some form1 into the account8 ,now at the present moment1 it may safely be said that1 for the best and noblest intellects imbued with the modern philosophy1 as for the best and noblest of old who were imbued with the ancient philosophy1 external to ,christian revelation1 immortality is still1 as before1 a fair chance1 a beautiful perhaps1 a splendid possibility4 ,evolutionism is growing and maturing somewhere another ,butler1 who will write in another1 and possibly more satisfying chapter1 than that least convincing of any in the ,analogy--of a ,future ,state4 ,what has ,darwinism to say on the matter8 ,much4 ,natural selection seems to be a pitiless worker2 its instrument is death4 ,but1 when we broaden our survey1 the sum-total of the result is everywhere advance--what is mainly worthy of notice1 in man the advance of goodness and virtue4 ,for of goodness1 as of freedom1 ,the battle once begun ,though baffled oft1 is always won4 ,humanity has had to travel thousands of miles1 inch by inch1 towards the light4 ,we have made such progress that we can see that in time1 relatively short1 we shall be in noonday4 ,after long ages of strife1 of victory for hard hearts and strong sinews1 goodness begins to wipe away the sweat of agony from her brow2 and will stand1 sweet1 smiling1 triumphant in the world4 ,a gracious life is free for man2 generation after generation a softer ideal stands before us1 and we can conceive a day when the meek shall inherit the earth4 ,do not say that evolution1 if proved outrance1 brutalises man4 ,far from it4 ,it lifts him from below out of the brute creation4 ,what theology calls original sin1 modern philosophy the brute inheritance--the ape1 and the goat1 and the tiger--is dying out of man4 ,the perfecting of human nature and of human society stands out as the goal of creation4 ,in a sense1 all creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of ,god4 ,nor need the true ,darwinian necessarily fear materialism4 ,livers secrete bile--brains secrete thought1 is smart and plausible1 but it is shallow4 ,brain and thought are1 no doubt1 connected--but the connection is of simultaneousness1 of two things in concordance indeed1 but not related as cause and effect4 ,if cerebral physiology speaks of annihilation when the brain is destroyed1 she speaks ignorantly and without a brief4 ,the greatest thinkers in the ,natural ,religion department of the new philosophy seem then to be very much in the same position as those in the same department of the old4 ,for immortality there is a sublime probability4 ,with man1 and man's advance in goodness and virtue as the goal of creation1 who shall say that the thing so long provided for1 the goal of creation1 is likely to perish8 ,annihilation is a hypothesis2 immortality is a hypothesis4 ,but immortality is the more likely as well as the more beautiful of the two4 ,we may believe in it1 not as a thing demonstrated1 but as an act of faith that ,god will not put us to permanent intellectual confusion4#cbg ,but we may well ask whether it is wise and well to refuse to intrench this probability behind another4 ,is it likely that ,he who has so much care for us as to make us the goal of a drama a million times more complex than our fathers dreamed of2 who lets us see that ,he has not removed us out of his sight2 will leave ,himself1 and with ,himself our hopes1 without witness in history8 ,history is especially human2 human evidence the branch of moral science of which man is master--for man is the best interpreter of man4 ,the primary axiom of family1 of social1 of legal1 of moral life1 is1 that there is a kind and degree of human evidence which we ought not to refuse2 that if credulity is voracious in belief1 incredulity is no less voracious in negation2 that if there is a credulity which is simple1 there is an incredulity which is unreasonable and perilous4 ,is it then safe to grope for the keys of death in darkness1 and turn from the hand that holds them out2 to face the ugly realities of the pit with less consolation than is the portion of our inheritance in the faith of ,christ8 ,the disciples1 ,john tells us1 went away again unto their own home4 ,but ,mary was standing without at the sepulchre weeping4#cbh ,weeping6 ,what else is possible while we are outside1 while we stand--what else until we stoop down from our proud grief to the sepulchre1 humble our speculative pride1 and condescend to gaze at the death of ,jesus face to face8 ,when we do so1 we forget the hundred voices that tell us that the ,resurrection is partly invented1 partly imagined1 partly ideally true4 ,we may not see angels in white1 nor hear their why weepest thou8 ,but assuredly we shall hear a sweeter voice1 and a stronger than theirs2 and our name will be on it1 and ,his name will rush to our lips in the language most expressive to us--as ,mary said unto ,him in ,hebrew1#cbi ,rabboni4 ,then we shall find that the grey of morning is passing2 that the thin thread of scarlet upon the distant hills is deepening into dawn2 that in that world where ,christ is the dominant law the ruling principle is not natural selection which works through death1 but supernatural selection which works through life2 that because ,he lives1 we shall live also4#ccj ,with the reception of the witness of men then1 and among them of such men as the writer of the fourth ,gospel1 all follows4 ,for ,christ1 ,earth breaks up--time drops away2-- ,in flows ,heaven with its new day ,of endless life1 when ,he who trod1 ,very ,man and very ,god1 ,this earth in weakness1 shame1 and pain1 ,dying the death whose signs remain ,up yonder on the accursd tree2 ,shall come again1 no more to be ,of captivity the thrall-- ,but the true ,god all in all1 ,king of kings1 and ,lord of lords1 ,as ,his servant ,john received the words-- ',i died1 and live for evermore4' ,for us there comes the hope in ,paradise--the connection with the living dead--the pulsation through the isthmus of the ,church1 from sea to sea1 from us to them--the tears not without smiles as we think of the long summer-day when ,christ who is our life shall appear--the manifestation of the sons of ,god1 when them that sleep in ,jesus will ,god bring with ,him4 ,our resurrection shall be a fact of history1 because ,his is a fact of history2 and we receive it as such--partly from the reasonable motive of reasonable human belief on sufficient evidence for practical conviction4 ,all the long chain of manifold witness to ,christ is consummated and crowned when it passes into the inner world of the individual life4 ,he that believeth on the ,son of ,god1 hath the witness in him1 i4e41 in himself6#cca ,correlative to this1 stands a terrible truth4 ,he of whom we must conceive that he believes not ,god1#ccb has made ,him a liar--nothing less1 because his time for receiving ,christ came and went1 and with this crisis his unbelief stands a completed present act as the result of his past2#ccc unbelief stretching over to the completed witness of ,god concerning ,his ,son2#ccd--;human unbelief co-extensive with divine witness4 ,but that sweet witness in a man's self is not merely in books or syllogisms4 ,it is the creed of a living soul4 ,it lies folded within a man's heart1 and never dies--part of the great principle of victory#cce fought and won over again in each true life#ccf--until the man dies1 and ceasing then only because he sees that which is the object of its witness4 ,,footnotes3 #cad ,the writer is entirely persuaded that ,st4 ,john in chap4 xx4 #cj1 #ca1 refers to the ,resurrection signs1 and not to miracles generally4 #cae ,acts x4 #da1 #db4 ,it is to be regretted that the ,r4 ,v4 has not boldly given us such an arrangement of the words in this important passage as would at once connect made manifest with after ,he rose again from the dead1 and avoid making the ,apostle state that the chosen witnesses ate and drank with ,christ after the ,resurrection4 ,st4 ,peter mentions that particular characteristic of the ,apostles which made them judges not to be gainsayed of the identity of the ,risen ,one with ,him with whom they used to eat and drink4 #caf ,john xiv4 #ai-ba4 #cag 2 1 4 7freely1 without restraint7 1 7adepts1 initiated7 444 4 ,celsus1 ap4 ,orig41 #b1 #ee1 #ei1 #gj1 #fc4 ,the passage is given in ,rudolph ,anger's invaluable ,synopsis ,evang4 cum locis qui supersunt parallelis litterarum et traditionum ,evang4 ,ireno4 antiquiorum4 p4 #bed4 #cah 1 ,celsus4 ,moments sacrs ou la passion d'une hallucine donne au monde un ,dieu ressuscit4 ,renan1 ,vie de ,jesus1 #dcd4 #cai ,post ,resurrectionem 444 ,dominus quum dedisset sindonem servo sacerdotis--,evang4 ad ,heb4--,matt4 xxvii4 #ei4--,r4 ,anger1 ,synopsis ,evang41 #bhh4 #cbj ,mark xvi4 #h4 #cba ,luke xxiv4 #cg4 #cbb ,luke xxiv4 #da2 ,john xx4 #bj4 #cbc ,ps4 xxxiv4 #ae4 #cbd ,john xxi4 #ab1 cf4 #g4 #cbe ,matt4 xxviii4 #ac4 #cbf #a ,peter i4 #c1 #d2 ,apoc4 i4 #ag1 #ah4 #cbg ,see ,the ,destiny of ,man1 viewed in the light of his origin1 by ,john ,fiske1 especially the three remarkable chapters pp4 #if-aai4 #cbh ,john xx4 #aj1 #aa4 #cbi ,the word had unfortunately dropped out of the ,t4 ,r4 ,john xx4 #af4 #ccj ,john xiv4 #ai4 #cca 1 ver4 #aj4 #ccb 1 ,ibid4 #ccc 1 ,ibid4 #ccd 4 ,ibid4 #cce 4 ver4 #d4 #ccf ,with the neuter in ver4 #d1 contrast the individualising masculine in ver4 #e1 4 ,,discourse ,,xiv4 ,,sin ,,unto ,,death4 ,there is a sin unto death4--#a ,,john v4 #ag4 ,the ,church has ever spoken of seven deadly sins4 ,here is the ugly catalogue4 ,pride1 covetousness1 lust1 envy1 gluttony1 hatred1 sloth4 ,many of us pray often from fornication and all other deadly sin1 ,good ,lord deliver us4 ,this language rightly understood is sound and true2 yet1 without careful thought1 the term may lead us into two errors4 #a4 ,on hearing of deadly sin we are apt instinctively to oppose it to venial4 ,but we cannot define by any quantitative test what venial sin may be for any given soul4 ,to do that we must know the complete history of each soul2 and the complete genealogy1 conception1 birth1 and autobiography of each sin4 ,men catch at the term venial because they love to minimise a thing so tremendous as sin4 ,the world sides with the casuists whom it satirises2 and speaks of a white lie1 of a foible1 of an inaccuracy1 when the 'white lie' may be that of ,st4 ,peter1 the foible that of ,david1 and the inaccuracy that of ,ananias6 #b4 ,there is a second mistake into which we often fall in speaking of deadly sin4 ,our imagination nearly always assumes some one definite outward act2 some single individual sin4 ,this may partly be due to a seemingly slight mistranslation in the text4 ,it should not run there is a sin1 but there is sin unto 7i4e41 in the direction of1 towards7 death4 ,the text means something deeper and further-reaching than any single sin1 deadly though it may be justly called4 ,the author of the fourth ,gospel learned a whole mystic language from the life of ,jesus4 ,death1 in the great ,master's vocabulary1 was more than a single action4 ,it was again wholly different from bodily death by the visitation of ,god4 ,there are two realms for man's soul co-extensive with the universe and with itself4 ,one which leads towards ,god is called ,life2 one which leads from ,him is called ,death4 ,there is a radiant passage by which the soul is translated from the death which is death indeed1 to the life which is life indeed4 ,there is another passage by which we pass from life to death2 i4e41 fall back towards spiritual 7which is not necessarily eternal7 death4 ,there is then a general condition and contexture2 there is an atmosphere and position of soul in which the true life flickers1 and is on the way to death4 ,one who visited an island on the coast of ,scotland has told how he found in a valley open to the spray of the north-west ocean a clump of fir trees4 ,for a time they grew well1 until they became high enough to catch the prevalent blast4 ,they were still standing1 but had taken a fixed set1 and were reddened as if singed by the breath of fire4 ,the island glen might be swept on starry nights by balms of spring2 the summer sun as it sank might touch the poor stems with a momentary radiance4 ,the trees were still living1 but only with that cortical vitality which is the tree's death in life4 ,their doom was evident2 they could have but a few more seasons4 ,if the traveller cared some years hence to visit that islet set in stormy waters1 he would find the firs blanched like a skeleton's bones4 ,nothing remained for them but the sure fall1 and the fated rottenness4 ,the analogy indeed is not complete4 ,the tree in such surroundings must die2 it can make for itself no new condition of existence2 it can hear no sweet question on the breeze that washes through the grove1 why will ye die8 ,it cannot look upward--as it is scourged by the driving spray1 and tormented by the fierce wind--and cry1 ,o ,god of my life1 give me life4 ,it has no will2 it cannot transplant itself4 ,but the human tree can root itself in a happier place4 ,some divine spring may clothe it with green again4 ,as it was passing from life toward death1 so by the grace of ,god in prayers and sacraments1 through penitence and faith1 it may pass from death to life4 ,the ,church then is not wrong when she speaks of deadly sin4 ,the number seven is not merely a mystic fancy4 ,but the seven deadly sins are seven attributes of the whole character2 seven master-ideas2 seven general conditions of a human soul alienated from ,god2 seven forms of aversion from true life1 and of reversion to true death4 ,the style of ,st4 ,john has often been called senile2 it certainly has the oracular and sententious quietude of old age in its almost lapidary repose4 ,yet a terrible light sometimes leaps from its simple and stately lines4 ,are there not a hundred hearts among us who know that as years pass they are drifting further and further from ,him who is the ,life8 ,will they not allow that ,st4 ,john was right when1 looking round the range of the ,church1 he asserted that there is such a thing as sin unto death8 ,it may be useful to take that one of the seven deadly sins which people are the most surprised to find in the list4 ,how and why is sloth deadly sin8 ,there is a distinction between sloth as vice and sloth as sin4 ,the deadly sin of sloth often exists where the vice has no place4 ,the sleepy music of ,thomson's ,castle of ,indolence does not describe the slumber of the spiritual sluggard4 ,spiritual sloth is want of care and of love for all things in the spiritual order4 ,its conceptions are shallow and hasty4 ,for it the ,church is a department of the civil service2 her worship and rites are submitted to1 as one submits to a minor surgical operation4 ,prayer is the waste of a few minutes daily in concession to a sentiment which it might require trouble to eradicate4 ,for the slothful ,christian1 saints are incorrigibly stupid2 martyrs incorrigibly obstinate2 clergymen incorrigibly professional2 missionaries incorrigibly restless2 sisterhoods incorrigibly tender2 white lips that can just whisper ,jesus incorrigibly awful4 ,for the slothful1 ,god1 ,christ1 death1 judgment have no real significance4 ,the ,atonement is a plank far away to be clutched by dying fingers in the article of death1 that we may gurgle out yes1 when asked are you happy8 ,hell is an ugly word1 ,heaven a beautiful one which means a sky or an ,utopia4 ,apathy in all spiritual thought1 languor in every work of ,god1 fear of injudicious and expensive zeal2 secret dislike of those whose fervour puts us to shame1 and a miserable adroitness in keeping out of their way2 such are the signs of the spirit of sloth4 ,and with this a long series of sins of omission--slumbering and sleeping while the ,bridegroom tarries--unprofitable servants4 ,we have said that the vice of sloth is generally distinct from the sin4 ,there is1 however1 one day of the week on which the sin is apt to wear the drowsy features of the vice--,sunday4 ,if there is any day on which we might be supposed to do something towards the spiritual world it must be ,sunday4 ,yet what have any of us done for ,god on any ,sunday8 ,probably we can scarcely tell4 ,we slept late1 we lingered over our dressing1 we never thought of ,holy ,communion2 after ,church 7if we went there7 we loitered with friends2 we lounged in the ,park2 we whiled away an hour at lunch2 we turned over a novel1 with secret dislike of the benevolent arrangements which give the postman some rest4 ,such have been in the main our past ,sundays4 ,such will be those which remain1 more or fewer1 till the arrival of a date written in a calendar which eye hath not seen4 ,the last evening of the closing year is called by an old poet1 the twilight of two years1 nor past1 nor next4 ,what shall we call the last ,sunday of our year of life8 ,turn to the first chapter of ,st4 ,mark4 ,think of that day of our ,lord's ministry which is recorded more fully than any other4 ,what a day6 ,first that teaching in the ,synagogue1 when men were astonished1 not at ,his volubility1 but at ,his doctrine1 drawn from depths of thought4 ,then the awful meeting with the powers of the world unseen4 ,next the utterance of the words in the sick room which renovated the fevered frame4 ,afterwards an interval for the simple festival of home4 ,and then we see the sin1 the sorrow1 the sufferings crowded at the door4 ,a few hours more1 while yet there is but the pale dawn before the meteor sunrise of ,syria1 ,he rises from sleep to plunge ,his wearied brow in the dews of prayer4 ,and finally the intrusion of others upon that sacred solitude1 and the work of preaching1 helping1 pitying1 healing closes in upon ,him again with a circle which is of steel1 because it is duty--of delight1 because it is love4 ,o the divine monotony of one of those golden days of ,god upon earth6 ,and yet we are offended because ,he who is the same for ever1 sends from heaven that message with its terrible plainness--because thou art lukewarm1 ,i will spue thee out of my mouth4 ,we are angry that the ,church classes sloth as deadly sin1 when the ,church's ,master has said--thou wicked and slothful servant4 ,,discourse ,,xv4 ,,the ,,terrible ,,truism ,,which ,,has ,,no ,,exception4 ,all unrighteousness is sin3 and there is a sin not unto death4-- #a ,,john v4 #ag4 ,let us begin by detaching awhile from its context this oracular utterance3 all unrighteousness is sin4 ,is this true universally1 or is it not8 ,a clear consistent answer is necessary1 because a strange form of the doctrine of indulgences 7long whispered in the ears7 has lately been proclaimed from the housetops1 with a considerable measure of apparent acceptance4 ,here is the singular dispensation from ,st4 ,john's rigorous canon to which we refer4 ,three such indulgences have been accorded at various times to certain favoured classes or persons4 7#a7 ,the moral law does not exist for the elect4 ,this was the doctrine of certain ,gnostics in ,st4 ,john's day2 of certain fanatics in every age4 7#b7 ,things absolutely forbidden to the mass of mankind1 are allowable for people of commanding rank4 ,accommodating ,prelates1 and accommodating ,reformers have left the burden of defending these ignoble concessions to future generations4 7#c7 ,a yet baser dispensation has been freely given by very vulgar casuists4 ,the chosen of ,fortune--the men at whose magic touch every stock seems to rise--may be allowed unusual forms of enjoying the unusual success which has crowned their career4 ,such are1 or such were1 the dispensations from ,st4 ,john's canon permitted to themselves1 or to others1 by the elect of ,heaven1 by the elect of station1 and by the elect of fortune4 ,another election hath obtained the perilous exception now--the election of genius4 ,those who endow the world with music1 with art1 with romance1 with poetry1 are entitled to the reversion4 ,all unrighteousness is sin--except for them4 7#a7 ,the indulgence is no longer valid for those who affect intimacy with heaven 7partly perhaps because it is suspected that there is no heaven to be intimate with74 7#b7 ,the indulgence is not extended to the men who apparently rule over nations1 since it has been discovered that nations rule over them4 7#c7 ,it is not accorded to the constructors of fortunes2 they are too many1 and too uninteresting1 though possibly figures could be conceived almost capable of buying it4 ,but 7generally speaking7 men of these three classes must pace along the dust of the narrow road by the signpost of the law1 if they would escape the censure of society4 ,for genius alone there is no such inconvenient restriction4 ,many men1 of course1 deliberately prefer the primrose path1 but they can no more avoid indignant hisses by the way than they can extinguish the everlasting bonfire at the awful close of their journey4 ,with the man of genius it seems that it is otherwise4 ,he shall walk in the ways of his heart1 and in the sight of his eyes2 but1 for all these things the tribunals of certain schools of a delicate criticism 7delicate criticism can be so indelicate67 will never allow him to be brought into judgment4 ,some literary oracles1 biographers1 or reviewers1 are not content to keep a reverential silence1 and to murmur a secret prayer4 ,they will drag into light the saddest1 the meanest1 the most selfish doings of genius4 ,not the least service to his generation1 and to ,english literature1 of the true poet and critic lately taken from us1#ccg was the superb scorn1 the exquisite wit1 with which his indignant purity transfixed such doctrines4 ,a strange winged thing1 no doubt1 genius sometimes is2 alternately beating the abyss with splendid pinions1 and eating dust which is the serpent's meat4 ,but for all that1 we cannot see with the critic when he tries to prove that the reptile's crawling is part of the angel's flight2 and the dust on which he grovels one with the infinite purity of the azure distances4 ,the arguments of the apologists for moral eccentricity of genius may be thus summed up3--,the man of genius bestows upon humanity gifts which are on a different line from any other4 ,he enriches it on the side where it is poorest2 the side of the ,ideal4 ,but the very temperament in virtue of which a man is capable of such transcendent work makes him passionate and capricious4 ,to be imaginative is to be exceptional2 and these exceptional beings live for mankind rather than for themselves4 ,when their conduct comes to be discussed1 the only question is whether that conduct was adapted to forward the superb self-development which is of such inestimable value to the world4 ,if the gratification of any desire was necessary for that self-development1 genius itself being the judge1 the cause is ended4 ,in winning that gratification hearts may be broken1 souls defiled1 lives wrecked4 ,the daintiest songs of the man of genius may rise to the accompaniment of domestic sobs1 and the music which he seems to warble at the gates of heaven may be trilled over the white upturned face of one who has died in misery4 ,what matter6 ,morality is so icy1 and so intolerant2 its doctrines have the ungentlemanlike rigour of the ,athanasian ,creed4 ,genius breaks hearts with such supreme gracefulness1 such perfect wit1 that they are arrant ,philistines who refuse to smile4 ,we who have the text full in our mind answer all this in the words of the old man of ,ephesus4 ,for all that angel-softness which he learned from the heart of ,christ1 his voice is as strong as it is sweet and calm4 ,over all the storm of passion1 over all the babble of successive sophistries1 clear and eternal it rings out--all unrighteousness is sin4 ,to which the apologist1 little abashed1 replies--of course we all know that--quite true as a general rule1 but then men of genius have bought a splendid dispensation by paying a splendid price1 and so their inconsistencies are not sin4 ,there are two assumptions at the root of this apology for the aberrations of genius which should be examined4 7#a7 ,the temperament of men of genius is held to constitute an excuse from which there is no appeal4 ,such men indeed are sometimes not slow to put forward this plea for themselves4 ,no doubt there are trials peculiar to every temperament4 ,those of men of genius are probably very great4 ,they are children of the sunshine and of the storm2 the grey monotony of ordinary life is distasteful to them4 ,things which others find it easy to accept convulse their sensitive organisation4 ,many can produce their finest works only on condition of being sheltered where no bills shall find their way by the post2 where no sound1 not even the crowing of cocks1 shall break the haunted silence4 ,if the letter comes in one case1 and if the cock crows in the other1 the first may possibly never be remembered1 but the second is never forgotten4 ,for this1 as for every other form of human temperament--that of the dunce1 as well as of the genius--allowance must in truth be made4 ,in that one of the lives of the ,english ,poets1 where the great moralist has gone nearest to making concessions to this fallacy of temperament1 he utters this just warning4 ,no wise man will easily presume to say1 had ,i been in ,savage's condition ,i should have lived better than ,savage4 ,but we must not bring in the temperament of the man of genius as the standard of his conduct unless we are prepared to admit the same standard in every other case4 ,god is no respecter of persons4 ,for each1 conscience is of the same texture1 law of the same material4 ,as all have the same cross of infinite mercy1 the same judgment of perfect impartiality1 so have they the same law of inexorable duty4 7#b7 ,the necessary disorder and feverishness of high literary and artistic inspiration is a second postulate of the pleas to which ,i refer4 ,but1 is it true that disorder creates inspiration2 or is a condition of it8 ,all great work is ordered work2 and in producing it the faculties must be exercised harmoniously and with order4 ,true inspiration1 therefore1 should not be caricatured into a flushed and dishevelled thing4 ,labour always precedes it4 ,it has been prepared for by education4 ,and that education would have been painful but for the glorious efflorescence of materials collected and assimilated1 which is the compensation for any toil4 ,the very dissatisfaction with its own performances1 the result of the lofty ideal which is inseparable from genius1 is at once a stimulus and a balm4 ,the man of genius apparently writes1 or paints1 as the birds sing1 or as the spring colours the flowers2 but his subject has long possessed his mind1 and the inspiration is the child of thought and of ordered labour4 ,destroying the peace of one's own family or of another's1 being flushed with the preoccupation of guilty passion1 will not accelerate1 but retard the advent of those happy moments which are not without reason called creative4 ,thus1 the inspiration of genius is akin to the inspiration of prophecy4 ,the prophet tutored himself by a fitting education4 ,he became assimilated to the noble things in the future which he foresaw4 ,isaiah's heart grew royal2 his style wore the majesty of a king1 before he sang the ,king of sorrow with ,his infinite pathos1 and the ,king of righteousness with ,his infinite glory4 ,many prophets attuned their spirits by listening to such music as lulls1 not inflames passion4 ,others walked where beauty born of murmuring sound might pass into their strain4 ,think of ,ezekiel by the river of ,chebar1 with the soft sweep of waters in his ear1 and their cool breath upon his cheek4 ,think of ,st4 ,john with the shaft of light from heaven's opened door upon his upturned brow1 and the boom of the gean upon the rocks of ,patmos around him4 ,the note of the heathen seer 7said the greatest preacher of the ,greek ,church7 is to be contorted1 constrained1 excited1 like a maniac2 the note of a prophet is to be wakeful1 self-possessed1 nobly self-conscious4#cch ,we may apply this test to the distinction between genius1 and the dissipated affectation of genius4 ,let us then refuse our assent to a doctrine of indulgences applied to genius on the ground of temperament or of literary and artistic inspiration4 ,why1 we are often asked1 why force your narrow judgment upon an angry or a laughing world8 ,what have you to do with the conduct of gifted men8 ,genius means exuberance4 ,why blame the ,niagara ,river because it will not assume the pace and manner of a ,dutch canal8 ,never indeed should we force that judgment upon any1 unless they force it upon us4 ,let us avoid as far as we may posthumous gossip over the grave of genius4 ,it is an unwholesome curiosity which rewards the blackbird for that bubbling song of ecstasy in the thicket1 by gloating upon the ugly worm which he swallows greedily after the shower4 ,the pen or pencil has dropped from the cold fingers4 ,after all its thought and sin1 after all its toil and agony1 the soul is with its ,judge4 ,let the painter of the lovely picture1 the writer of the deathless words1 be for us like the priest4 ,the washing of regeneration is no less wrought through the unworthy minister2 the precious gift is no less conveyed when a polluted hand has broken the bread and blessed the cup4 ,but if we are forced to speak1 let us refuse to accept an ex post facto morality invented to excuse a worthless absolution4 ,especially so when the most sacred of all rights is concerned4 ,it is not enough to say that a man of genius dissents from the received standard of conduct4 ,he cannot make fugitive inclination the only principle of a connection which he promised to recognise as paramount4 ,a passage in the ,psalms1#cci has been called ,the catechism of ,heaven4 ,the catechism of ,fame differs from the catechism of ,heaven4 ,who shall ascend unto the hill of ,fame8 ,he that possesses genius4 ,who shall ascend unto the hill of the ,lord8 ,he that hath clean hands1 and a pure heart2 ,he that hath sworn to his neighbour and disappointeth him not 7or disappointeth her not7 though it were to his own hindrance--aye1 to the hindrance of his self-development4 ,strange that the rough ,hebrew should still have to teach us chivalry as well as religion6 ,in ,st4 ,john's ,epistle we find the two great axioms about sin1 in its two essential aspects4 ,sin is the transgression of the law3 there is its aspect chiefly ,godward4 ,all unrighteousness 7mainly injustice1 denial of the rights of others7 is sin3 there is its aspect chiefly manward4 ,yes1 the principle of the text is rigid1 inexorable1 eternal4 ,nothing can make its way out of those terrible meshes4 ,it is without favour1 without exception4 ,it gives no dispensation1 and proclaims no indulgences1 to the man of genius1 or to any other4 ,if it were otherwise1 the righteous ,god1 the ,author of creation and redemption1 would be dethroned4 ,and that is a graver thing than to dethrone even the author of ,queen ,mab1 and of ,the ,epipsychidion4 ,here is the jurisprudence of the great white ,throne summed up in four words3 all unrighteousness is sin4 ,so far1 in the last discourse1 and in this1 we have ventured to isolate these two great principles from their context4 ,but this process is always attended with peculiar loss in ,st4 ,john's writings4 ,and as some may think perhaps that the promise#cdj just succeeding is falsified we must here run the risk of bringing in another thread of thought4 ,yet indeed the whole paragraph#cda has its source in an intense faith in the efficacy of prayer1 specially as exercised in intercessory prayer4 7#a7 ,the efficacy of prayer4#cdb ,this is the very sign of contrast with1 of opposition to1 the modern spirit1 which is the negation of prayer4 ,what is the real value of prayer8 ,very little1 says the modern spirit4 ,prayer is the stimulant1 the ,dutch courage of the moral world4 ,prayer is a power1 not because it is efficacious1 but because it is believed to be so4 ,a modern ,rabbi1 with nothing of his ,judaism left but a rabid antipathy to the ,founder of the ,church1 guided by ,spinoza and ,kant1 has turned fiercely upon the ,lord's prayer4#cdc ,he takes those petitions which stand alone among the liturgies of earth in being capable of being translated into every language4 ,he cuts off one pearl after another from the string4 ,let us look at two specimens4 ,our ,father which art in ,heaven4 ,heaven6 the very name has a breath of magic1 a suggestion of beauty1 of grandeur1 of purity in it4 ,it moves us as nothing else can4 ,we instinctively lift our heads2 the brow grows proud of that splendid home1 and the eye is wetted with a tear and lighted with a ray1 as it looks into those depths of golden sunset which are full for the young of the radiant mystery of life1 for the old of the pathetic mystery of death4#cdd ,yes1 but for modern science ,heaven means air1 or atmosphere1 and the address itself is contradictory4 ,forgive us4 ,but surely the guilt cannot be forgiven1 except by the person against whom it is committed4 ,there is no other forgiveness4 ,a mother 7whose daughter went out upon the cruel ,london streets7 carried into execution a thought bestowed upon her by the inexhaustible ingenuity of love4 ,the poor woman got her own photograph taken1 and a friend managed to have copies of it hung in several halls and haunts of infamy with these words clearly written below--come home1 ,i forgive you4 ,the tender subtlety of love was successful at last2 and the poor haggard outcast's face was touched by her mother's lips4 ,but the heart of ,god1 says this enemy of prayer1 is not as a woman's heart4 7,pardon the words1 ,o loving ,father6 ,thou who hast said ,yea1 she may forget1 yet will ,i not forget thee4 ,pardon1 ,o pierced ,human ,love6 who hast graven the name of every soul on the palms of ,thy hands with the nails of the crucifixion47 ,repentance subjectively seems a reality when mother and child meet with a burst of passionate tears1 and the polluted brow feels purified by their molten downfall2 but repentance objectively is seen to be an absurdity by every one who grasps the conception of law4 ,the penitential ,psalms may be the lyrics of repentance1 the ,gospel for the third ,sunday after ,trinity its idyll1 the cross its symbol1 the wounds of ,christ its theology and inspiration4 ,but the course of ,nature1 the hard logic of life is its refutation--the flames that burn1 the waves that drown1 the machine that crushes1 the society that condemns1 and that neither can1 nor will forgive4 ,enough1 and more than enough of this4 ,the monster of ignorance who has never learnt a prayer1 has hitherto been looked upon as one of the saddest of sights4 ,but there is something sadder--the monster of over-cultivation1 the wreck of schools1 the priggish fanatic of godlessness4 ,alas6 for the nature which has become like a plant artificially trained and twisted to turn away from the light4 ,alas6 for the heart which has hardened itself into stone until it cannot beat faster1 or soar higher1 even when men are saying with happy enthusiasm1 or when the organ is lifting upward to the heaven of heavens the cry which is at once the creed of an everlasting dogma and the hymn of a triumphant hope--with ,thee is the well of ,life1 and in ,thy light shall we see light4 ,now having heard the answer of the modern spirit to the question what is the real value of prayer8 think of the answer of the spirit of the ,church as given by ,st4 ,john in this paragraph4 ,that answer is not drawn out in a syllogism4 ,st4 ,john appeals to our consciousness of a divine life4 ,that ye may know that ye have eternal life4 ,this knowledge issues in confidence1 i4e41 literally the sweet possibility of saying out all to ,god4 ,and this confidence is never disappointed for any believing child of ,god4 ,if we know that ,he hear us1 we know that we have the petitions that we desired of ,him4#cde ,on the #afth verse we need only say1 that the greatness of our brother's spiritual need does not cease to be a title to our sympathy4 ,st4 ,john is not speaking of all requests1 but of the fulness of brotherly intercession4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one question and one warning in conclusion2 and that question is this4 ,do we take part in this great ministry of love8 ,is our voice heard in the full music of the prayers of intercession that are ever going up to the ,throne1 and bringing down the gift of life8 ,do we pray for others8 ,in one sense all who know true affection and the sweetness of true prayer do pray for others4 ,we have never loved with supreme affection any for whom we have not interceded1 whose names we have not baptized in the fountain of prayer4 ,prayer takes up a tablet from the hand of love written over with names2 that tablet death itself can only break when the heart has turned ,sadducee4 ,jesus 7we sometimes think7 gives one strange proof of the love which yet passeth knowledge4 ,now ,jesus loved ,martha and her sister and ,lazarus2 when ,he had heard therefore ,o that strange therefore6 that ,lazarus was sick1 ,he abode two days still in the same place where ,he was4 ,ah6 sometimes not two days1 but two years1 and sometimes evermore1 ,he seems to remain4 ,when the income dwindles with the dwindling span of life2 when the best beloved must leave us for many years1 and carries away our sunshine with him2 when the life of a husband is in danger--then we pray2 ,o ,father1 for ,jesu's sake spare that precious life2 enable me to provide for these helpless ones2 bless these children in their going out and coming in1 and let me see them once again before the night cometh1 and my hands are folded for the long rest4 ,yes1 but have we prayed at our ,communion because of that ,holy ,sacrament in it1 and with it1 that ,he would give them the grace which they need--the life which shall save them from sin unto death8 ,round us1 close to us in our homes1 there are cold hands1 hearts that beat feebly4 ,let us fulfil ,st4 ,john's teaching1 by praying to ,him who is the life that ,he would chafe those cold hands with ,his hand of love1 and quicken those dying hearts by contact with that wounded heart which is a heart of fire4 ,,notes ,ch4 v4 #c-ag4 ,ver4 #c4 ,this section should begin with the words ,and ,his commandments are not heavy--and should not be separated from what follows1 because they give one reason of the victory whereof he proceeds to speak4 ,his commandments are not heavy1 for all that is born of ,god conquereth the world4 ,what a picture of the sweetness of a life of service6 ,what a gentle smile must have been on the old man's face as he said1 ,his commandments are not grievous6 ,vers4 #g1 #h4 ,this passage with its apparent obscurity1 and famous interpolation1 demands some additional notice4 ,as to criticism and interpretation4 7#a7 ,critically4 ,since the publication of ,j4 ,j4 ,griesbach's celebrated work 7,diatribe in locum #a ,john v4 #g1 #h1 ,tom4 ii41 ,n4,t4 ,halle3 #ahjf71 first ,german1 and latterly ,english1 opinion has become absolutely unanimous in agreeing with ,griesbach that the words included between brackets are spurious1 and should therefore be eliminated from the ,sacred ,text4 ,even the famous ,roman ,catholic scholar1 ,scholts1 in his great critical edition of the ,new ,testament1 in two volumes 7,bonn3 #ahcf71 boldly dropped the disputed passage from the text4 ,the interpolated passage has certainly no support in any uncial manuscript1 or ancient version1 or ,greek ,father of the four first centuries4 7#b7 ,as to interpretation1 the faith has lost nothing by the honesty of her wisest defenders4 ,the whole of the genuine passage is intensely ,trinitarian4 ,the interpolation is nothing but an exposition written into the text4 ,the three genuine witnesses do really point to the ,three ,witnesses in ,heaven4 ,bengel's saying expresses the permanent feeling of ,christendom1 which no criticism can do away with3 ,this trine array of witnesses on earth is supported by1 and has above and beneath it the ,trinity1 which is ,heavenly1 archetypal1 fundamental1 everlasting4 ,the whole context recognizes three special works of the ,three ,persons of the ,blessed ,trinity4 ,this is the witness of ,god1 i4e4 of the ,father 7ver4 #i72 this is ,he that came by water and blood1 i4e4 the ,son 7ver4 #f72 it is the ,spirit that witnesseth1 i4e4 the ,holy ,ghost 7ibid474 ,a fuller examination of this passage1 from a polemical point of view1 will be found in the third of the introductory discourses4 ,it will be well1 however1 to indicate here the immediate controversial reference in the ,spirit1 the water1 and the blood4 ,there is abundant proof that the popular heretical philosophy of ,asia ,minor struck ,christianity precisely in three vital places4 ,it denied-- 7#a7 ,the ,incarnation--consequently 7#b7 ,the ,redemption--consequently 7#c7 ,the ,sacraments4 ,but the mention of the water and the blood in connection with the ,person of the ,son ,incarnate and ,crucified established exactly these three points4 ,narrated as it was by an eye-witness1 it established3-- 7#a7 ,the reality of the ,incarnation--consequently 7#b7 ,the reality of ,redemption--for the blood of ,jesus cleanses from all sin 7#a ,john i4 #g7--;consequently 7#c7 ,the reality of ,sacraments4 ,we have articulate evidence of the denial of the two sacraments by the ,docetic idealists of ,asia ,minor4 ,the ,philosophumena tells us of the view of baptism held by one of their principal sects4 ,according to them the promise of the laver of regeneration is nothing more than the introduction into the 'unfading pleasure' of him that is washed 7as they say7 with living water1 and anointed with 'chrism that speaketh not4'#cdf ,the testimony of ,ignatius is express as to the other sacrament4 ,from ,eucharist and prayer they abstain on account of not confessing that the ,eucharist is flesh of our ,saviour ,jesus ,christ which suffered for our sins4 ,water and blood should be noted in ,heb4 ix4 #ai4 ,water is not mentioned in ,exod4 xxiv4 #f4--7;,ep4 ad ,smyrn4 vii47 ,,footnotes3 #ccg ,mr4 ,matthew ,arnold4 #cch ,this is true as a general rule2 but there were exceptions4 #cci ,see ,ps4 xv4 ,cf4 ,ps4 xxiv4 #c-g4 #cdj #a ,john v4 #ae4 #cda #a ,john v4 #ad1 #ah4 #cdb ,vv4 #ad1 #ae4 #cdc ,historical and ,critical ,commentary on ,leviticus4 ,by ,m4 ,m4 ,kalisch4 ,part #a4 ,theology of the ,past and ,future1 #dca1 #dch4 #cdd ,this is denied by ,de ,wette 7,ueber die ,religion1 ,vorlesungen1 #ajf74 #cde ,the form of expression indicates not necessarily the very things asked1 but the spiritual essence and substance4 #cdf ' 1 ' 4--7,philosoph41 p4 #adj1 de ,naassenis47 ,,section ,x4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,scimus quoniam omnis qui natus est ex 1 ,deo non peccat1 sed ' generatio ,dei conservat 1 eum et malignus non tangit eum4 ,scimus 4 quoniam ex ,deo sumus 1 et mundus totus in maligno positus est4 4 ,et scimus quoniam ,filius ,dei venit1 et 1 dedit nobis sensum ut 1 cognoscamus verum ,deum et simus in vero1 1 ,filio eius2 hic est 4 verus et vita terna4 ,filioli custodite vos a 4 simulachris4 1 4 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,we know that whosoever ,we know that whosoever is born of ,god is begotten of sinneth not2 but he ,god sinneth not2 but that is begotten of ,god ,he that was begotten keepeth himself1 and of ,god keepeth him1 that wicked one toucheth and the evil one toucheth him not4 ,and we him not4 ,we know know that we are of that we are of ,god1 ,god1 and the whole and the whole world world lieth in wickedness4 lieth in the evil one4 ,and we know ,and we know that the that the ,son of ,god is ,son of ,god is come1 come1 and hath given and hath given us an us an understanding1 understanding that we that we may know ,him know ,him that is true1 that is true1 and we and we are in ,him that are in ,him that is true1 is true1 even in ,his even in ,his ,son ,jesus ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,this ,christ4 ,this is the is the true ,god1 and true ,god1 and eternal eternal life4 ,my little life4 ,little children1 children1 guard yourselves keep yourselves from from idols4 idols4 ,amen4 ,,another ,,version4 ,we know that whosoever is born of ,god sinneth not3 but the ,begotten of ,god keepeth him1 and the evil one toucheth him not4 ,we know that we are from ,god and the world lieth wholly in the evil one4 ,we know moreover that the ,son of ,god hath come and is here1 and hath given us understanding that we know ,him that is the ,very ,god3 and in ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ 7this is the ,very ,god and eternal life71 we are in the ,very 7,god74 ,children1 guard yourselves from the idols4 ,,notes4 ,ch4 v4 #ah-ba4 ,ver4 #ah1 #ai1 #bj4 ,three seals are affixed to the close of this ,epistle--three postulates of the spiritual reason2 three primary canons of spiritual perception and knowledge4 ,each is marked by the emphatic we know1 which is stamped at the opening its first line4 ,the first we know1 is of a sense of purity made possible to the ,christian through the keeping by ,him ,who is the one ,begotten of ,god4 ,the evil one cannot touch him with the contaminating touch which implies connection4 ,the second we know involves a sense of privilege2 the true conviction that by ,god's power1 and love1 we are brought into a sphere of light1 out of the darkness in which a sinful world has become as if cradled on the lap of the evil one4 ,the third we know is the deep consciousness of the very ,presence of the ,son of ,god in and with ,his ,church4 ,and with this comes all the inner life--supremely a new way of looking at things1 a new possibility of thought1 a new cast of thought and sentiment1 understanding 774 ,words denoting intellectual faculties and processes are rare in ,st4 ,john4 ,this word is used in the sense just given in ,plat41 ,rep41 #eaa1 and ,arist41 ,poet41 vi4 7in the last1 however1 rather of the sentiment of the piece than of the author71 ,he hath given us understanding that we know continuously the very ,god4 ,and in ,his ,son ,jesus ,christ this is the very ,god and eternal life we are in the very ,god4 ,this interpretation of the passage is supported by the position of the pronoun which cannot be referred naturally to any subject but ,jesus ,christ4 ,waterland quotes ,irenus4 ,no man can know ,god unless ,god has taught him2 that is to say1 that without ,god1 ,god cannot be known4#cdg ,ver4 #ba4 ,the ,epistle closes with a short1 sternly affectionate exhortation4 ,children1 guard yourselves 7the aorist imperative of immediate final decision7 from the idols4 ,these words are natural in the atmosphere of ,ephesus 7,acts xix4 #bf1 #bg74 ,the ,author of the ,apocalypse has a like hatred of idols4 7,apoc4 ii4 #ad1 #ae1 ix4 #bj1 xx4 #a-h1 xxii4 #ae47 ,it would appear that the ,gnostics allowed people to eat freely things sacrificed to idols4 ,modern1 like ancient unbelief1 has sometimes attributed to ,st4 ,john a determination to exalt the ,master whom he knew to be a man to an equality with ,god4 ,but this is morally inconsistent with the ,apostle's unaffected shrinking from idolatry in every form4 7,see ,speaker's ,commentary1 ,n4 ,t41 iv41 #cdg74 ,,footnote3 #cdg ,moyer ,lecture1 vi4 ,,the ,,second ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,,ii4 ,,epistle4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,senior elect domin et natis eius1 quos ego 1 diligo in veritate1 et 1 non ego solus sed et omnes qui cognoverunt 1 veritatem1 propter veritatem qu permanet 1 in nobis et nobis cum ' erit in ternum4 ,sit 4 ' nobiscum gratia misericordia 1 1 1 pax a ,deo ,patre et ,christo ,iesu ,filio ,patris in veritate et caritate4 ,gavisus sum 1 valde quoniam inveni 4 de filii tuis ambulantes in veritate sicut mandatum accepimus a 1 ,patre4 ,et nunc rogo te1 domina1 non tamquam 4 mandatum novum scribens 1 1 tibi1 sed quod 1 habuimus ab initio1 ut ' 1 diligamus alterutrum4 4 ,et hc est caritas1 ut 1 ambulemus secundum mandata eius4 ,hoc 4 mandatum est ut quemadmodum 1 audistis ab ' 1 initio in eo ambuletis4 ,quoniam multi seductores exierunt in mundum 1 qui non confitentur ,iesum ,christum venientem in carne4 ,hic est seductor et antichristus4 ,videte vosmet 1 ipsos1 ne perdatis 1 qu operati estis1 sed ut mercedam plenum 4 accipiatis4 ,omnis qui prcedit et non manet in doctrina ,christi1 ,deum non habet3 qui permanet in doctrina1 hic et ,filium et ,patrem 4 habet4 ,si quis venit ad vos1 et hanc doctrinam non adfert1 nolite recipere 1 eum in domumnec 1 ave ei dixeritis3 qui enim dicit illi ave1 communicat operibus illius malignis4 ,plura habens 4 vobis scribere1 nolui per cartam et atramentum3 spero enim me futurum apud vos et os ad os loqui1 ut gaudium vestrum sit 1 plenum4 ,salutant te 4 filii sororis tu elect4 4 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,the elder unto the ,the elder unto the elect lady and her children1 elect lady and her children1 whom ,i love in whom ,i love in the truth2 and not ,i truth2 and not ,i only1 only1 but also all they but also all they that that have known the know the truth2 for truth2 for the truth's the truth's sake which sake1 which dwelleth abideth in us1 and it in us1 and shall be with shall be with us for us for ever4 ,grace be ever3 ,grace1 mercy1 with you1 mercy1 and peace shall be with us1 peace1 from ,god the from ,god the ,father1 ,father1 and from the and from ,jesus ,christ1 ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the the ,son of the ,father1 ,son of the ,father1 in in truth and love4 ,i truth and love4 ,i rejoiced rejoice greatly that ,i greatly that ,i have found certain of found of thy children thy children walking walking in truth1 as we in truth1 even as we have received a commandment received commandment from the from the ,father4 ,father4 ,and now ,i ,and now ,i beseech beseech thee1 lady1 not thee1 lady1 not as as though ,i wrote a though ,i wrote to thee new commandment a new commandment1 unto thee1 but that but that which we had which we had from the from the beginning1 beginning1 that we love that we love one one another4 ,and this another4 ,and this is is love1 that we walk love1 that we should after ,his commandments4 walk after ,his commandments4 ,this is the ,this is commandment1 ,that1 the commandment1 as ye have heard from even as ye heard from the beginning1 ye the beginning1 that ye should walk in it4 ,for should walk in it4 ,for many deceivers are many deceivers are entered into the world1 gone forth into the who confess not that world1 even they that ,jesus ,christ is come in confess not that ,jesus the flesh4 ,this is a ,christ cometh in the deceiver and an antichrist4 flesh4 ,this is the ,look to yourselves1 deceiver and the antichrist4 that we lose ,look to yourselves1 not those things which that ye lose not we have wrought1 but the things which we that we receive a have wrought1 but that full reward4 ,whosoever ye receive a full reward4 transgresseth1 and ,whosoever abideth not in the doctrine goeth onward and of ,christ1 hath abideth not in the not ,god4 ,he that teaching of ,christ1 hath abideth in the doctrine not ,god3 he that of ,christ1 he hath both abideth in the teaching1 the ,father and the ,son4 the same hath both the ,if there come any unto ,father and the ,son4 you1 and bring not this ,if any one cometh unto doctrine1 receive him you1 and bringeth not not into your house1 this teaching1 receive neither bid him ,god him not into your house1 speed3 ,for he that and give him no greeting3 biddeth him ,god speed for he that giveth is partaker of his evil him greeting partaketh deeds4 ,having many in his evil works4 things to write unto ,having many things you1 ,i would not write to write unto you1 ,i with paper and ink3 would not write them but ,i trust to come with paper and ink3 unto you1 and speak but ,i hope to come face to face1 that our unto you1 and to speak joy may be full4 ,the face to face1 that your children of thy elect joy may be fulfilled4 sister greet thee4 ,the children of thine ,amen4 elect sister salute thee4 ,,another ,,version4 ,the ,elder unto the excellent ,kyria and her children whom ,i love in truth1 7and not ,i only1 but also all they that know the truth7 for the truth's sake which abideth in us--yea1 and with us it shall be for ever4 ,there shall be with you grace1 mercy1 peace from ,god the ,father1 and from ,jesus ,christ the ,son of the ,father1 in truth and love4 ,i was exceeding glad that ,i found of thy children walking in truth even as we received commandment from the ,father4 ,and now ,i beseech thee ,kyria1 not as though writing a fresh commandment unto thee1 but that which we had from the beginning1 that we love one another4 ,and this is the love1 that we should walk according to ,his commandments4 ,this is the commandment as ye heard from the beginning that ye should walk in it4 ,for many deceivers are gone out into the world1 even they who are not confessing ,jesus ,christ coming in the flesh4 ,this the deceiver1 and the antichrist4 ,look to yourselves that ye lose not the things which ye have worked1 but that ye receive reward in full4 ,every one leading forward and not abiding in the doctrine which is ,christ's hath not ,god3 he that abideth in the doctrine1 the same hath both the ,son and the ,father4 ,if there come unto you any and bringeth not the doctrine1 receive him not into your house1 and no good speed wish him4 ,for he that wisheth him good speed partaketh in his works which are evil4 ,having many things to write unto you ,i would not write with paper and ink1 but ,i hope to be with you and to speak face to face1 that our joy may be fulfilled4 ,the children of thine elect sister greet thee4 ,,discourse ,,xvi4 ,,theology ,,and ,,life ,,in ,,kyria',s ,,letter4 ,the elder unto the elect lady and her children1 whom ,i love in the truth 444 ,grace be with you1 mercy and peace1 from ,god the ,father and from the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of the ,father1 in truth and love4--#b ,,john1 #c4 ,of old ,god addressed men in tones that1 were so to speak1 distant4 ,sometimes ,he spoke with the stern precision of law or ritual2 sometimes in the dark and lofty utterances of prophets2 sometimes through the subtle voices of history1 which lend themselves to different interpretations4 ,but in the ,new ,testament ,he whom no man hath seen at any time1 interpreted1#cdh ,himself with a sweet familiarity4 ,it is of a piece with the dispensation of condescension1 that the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven should come to us in such large measure through epistles4 ,for a letter is just the result of taking up one's pen to converse with one who is absent1 a familiar talk with a friend4 ,of the epistles in our ,new ,testament1 a few are addressed to individuals4 ,the effect of three of these letters upon the ,church1 and even upon the world1 has been great4 ,the ,epistles to ,timothy and ,titus1 according to the most prevalent interpretation of them1 have been felt in the outward organization of the ,church4 ,the ,epistle to ,philemon1 with its eager tenderness1 its softness as of a woman's heart1 its chivalrous courtesy1 has told in another direction4 ,with all its freedom from the rashness of social revolution2 its almost painful abstinence 7as abolitionists have sometimes confessed to feeling7 from actual invective against slavery in the abstract2 that letter is yet pervaded by thoughts whose issue can only be worked out by the liberty of the slave4 ,the word emancipation may not be pronounced1 but it hovers upon the ,apostle's lips4 ,the second ,epistle is1 in our judgment1 a letter to an individual4 ,certainly we are unable to find in its whole contents any probable allusion to a ,church personified as a lady4#cdi ,it is1 as we read it1 addressed to ,kyria1 an ,ephesian lady1 or one who lived in the circle of ,ephesian influence4 ,it was sent by the ,apostle during an absence from ,ephesus4 ,that absence might have been for the purpose of one of the visitations of the ,churches of ,asia ,minor1 which 7as we are told by ancient ,church writers7 the ,apostle was in the habit of holding4 ,possibly1 however1 in the case of a writer so brief and so reserved in the expression of personal sentiment as ,st4 ,john1 the gush and sunshine of anticipated joy at the close of this note might tempt us to think of a rift in some sky that had been long darkened2 of the close of some protracted separation1 soon to be forgotten in a happy meeting4 ,having many things to write unto you1 ,i would not do so by means of paper and ink2 but ,i hope to come unto you1 and to speak face to face that our joy may be fulfilled4#cej ,the expression might not seem unsuitable for a return from exile4 ,several touches of language and feeling in the latter point to the conclusion that ,kyria was a widow4 ,there is no mention of her husband1 the father of her children4 ,in the case of a writer who uses the names of ,god with such subtle and tender suitability1 the association of ,kyria's children walking in truth with even as we received commandment from the ,father1 may well point to ,him who was for them the ,father of the fatherless4 ,we need not with some expositors draw the sad conclusion that ,st4 ,john affectionately hints that there were others of the family who could not be included in this joyful message4 ,but it would seem highly probable from the language used that there were several sons1 and also that ,kyria had no daughters4 ,over these sons who had lost one earthly parent1 the ,apostle rejoices with the heart of a father in ,god4 ,he bursts out with his eureka1 the eureka not of a philosopher1 but of a saint4 ,i rejoiced exceedingly that ,i found#cea certain of the number of thy children walking in truth4 ,while we may not trace in this little ,epistle the same fountain of wide-spreading influence as in others to which we have referred2 while we feel that1 like its author1 its work is deep and silent rather than commanding1 reflection will also lead us to the conclusion that it is worthy of the ,apostle who was looked upon as one of the pillars of the faith4#ceb #a4 ,let us reflect that this letter is addressed by the aged ,apostle to a widow1 and concerns her family4 ,it is significant that ,kyria was1 in all probability1 a widow of ,ephesus4 ,too many of us have more or less acquaintance with one department of ,french literature4 ,a ,parisian widow is too often the questionable heroine of some shameful romance1 to have read which is enough to taint the virginity of the young imagination4 ,ephesus was the ,paris of ,ionia4 ,petronius was the ,daudet or ,zola of his day4 ,an ,ephesian widow is the heroine of one of the most cynically corrupt of his stories4 ,but where sin abounded1 grace did more than abound4 ,strange that first in an epistle to a ,bishop of the ,church of ,ephesus1 ,st4 ,paul should have presented us with that picture of a ,christian widow--she that is a widow1 indeed1 and desolate1 who hath her hope set on ,god1 and continueth in prayer night and day--yet who1 if she has the devotion1 the almost entire absorption in ,god1 of ,anna1 the daughter of ,phanuel1#cec leaves upon the track of her daily road to heaven the trophies of ,dorcas--having brought up children well1 used hospitality to strangers1 washed the saints' feet1 relieved the afflicted1 diligently followed every good work4#ced ,such widows are the leaders of the long procession of women1 veiled or unveiled1 with vows or without them1 who have ministered to ,jesus through the ages4 ,christ has a beautiful art of turning the affliction of ,his daughters into the consolation of suffering4 ,when life's fairest hopes are disappointed by falsehood1 by cruel circumstances1 by death2 the broken heart is soothed by the love of ,christ1 the only love which is proof against death and change4 ,the consolation thus received is the most unselfish of gifts4 ,it overflows1 and is lavishly poured out upon the sick and weary4 ,with ,st4 ,paul's picture of a widow of this kind1 contrast another by the same hand which hangs close beside it4 ,the younger ,ephesian widow1 such as ,petronius described1 was known by ,st4 ,paul also4 ,if any count the ,apostle as a fanatic1 destitute of all knowledge of the world because he lived above it1 let them look at those lines1 which are full of such caustic power1 as they hit on the characteristics of certain idle and wanton affecters of a sorrow which they never felt4#cee ,what a distance between such widows and ,kyria1 beloved for the truth's sake which abideth in us6#cef ,but the short letter of ,st4 ,john is addressed to ,kyria's family as well as to herself4 ,the elder to the excellent ,kyria and her children4#ceg ,there is one question which we naturally ask about every school and form of religion4 ,it is the question which a great ,english ,professor of ,divinity used to ask his pupils to put in a homely form about every religious scheme and mode of utterance--will it wash well8 ,is it an influence which seems to be productive and lasting8 ,does it abide through time and trials8 ,is it capable of being passed on to another generation8 ,are plans1 services1 organizations1 preachings1 classes1 vital or showy8 ,are they fads to meet fancies1 or works to supply wants8 ,is that which we hold such sober1 solid truth1 that wise piety can say of it1 half in benediction1 half in prophecy#ceh--the truth which abideth in us2 yea1 and with us it shall be for ever8 #b4 ,we turn to the contents of the ,epistle4 ,we shall be better able to appreciate the value of these1 if we consider the state of ,christian literature at that time4 ,what had ,christians to read and carry about with them8 ,the excellent work of the ,bible ,society was physically impossible for long centuries to come4 ,no doubt the ,,lxx4 version of the ,old ,testament was widely spread4 ,in every great city of the ,roman ,empire there was a vast population of ,jews4 ,many of these were baptized into the ,church1 and carried into it with them their passionate belief in the ,old ,testament4 ,the ,christians of the time and place to which we refer could1 probably1 with little trouble1 if not read1 yet hear the ,old ,covenant and able expositions of it4 ,but they had not copies of the entire ,new ,testament4 ,indeed1 if all the ,new ,testament was then written1 it certainly was not collected into one volume1 nor constituted one supreme authority4 ,many barbarous nations1 says a very ancient ,father1 believe in ,christ without written record1 having salvation impressed through the ,spirit in their hearts1 and diligently preserving the old tradition4#cei ,possibly a ,church or single believer had one synoptical ,gospel4 ,at ,ephesus ,christians had doubtless been catechised in1 and were deeply imbued with1 ,st4 ,john's view of the ,person1 work1 and teaching of our ,lord4 ,this had now been moulded into shape1 and definitely committed to writing in that glorious ,gospel1 the ,church's ,holy of ,holies1 ,st4 ,john's ,gospel4 ,for them and for their contemporaries there was a living realization of the ,gospel4 ,they had heard it from eye-witnesses4 ,they had passed into the wonderland of ,god4 ,the earth on which ,jesus trod had blossomed into miracle4 ,the air was haunted by the echoes of ,his voice4 ,they had1 probably1 also a certain number of the ,epistles of ,st4 ,paul4 ,the ,christians of ,ephesus would have a special interest in their own ,epistle to the ,ephesians1 and in the two which were written to their first ,bishop1 ,timothy4 ,they had also 7whether written or not7 impressed upon their memories by their weekly ,eucharist1 the liturgical ,canon of consecration according to the ,ephesian usage--from which1 and not from the ,roman1 the ,spanish and ,gallican seem to be derived4 ,the ,ephesian ,christians had also the first ,epistle of ,st4 ,john1 which in some form accompanied the ,gospel1 and is1 indeed1 a picture of spiritual life drawn from it4 ,but let us remember that the ,epistle is not of a character to be very quickly or readily learned by heart4 ,its subtle1 latent links of connection do not present many grappling hooks for the memory to fasten itself to4 ,copies also must have been comparatively few4 ,now let us see how the second ,epistle may well have been related to the first4 ,supremely1 and above all else1 the first ,epistle contained three warnings1 very necessary for those times4 7#a7 ,there was a danger of losing the true ,christ1 the ,word made ,flesh1 ,who for the forgiveness of our sins did shed out of ,his most precious side both water and blood--in a false1 because shadowy and ideal ,christ4 7#b7 ,there was danger of losing true love1 and therefore spiritual life1 with truth4 7#c7 ,with the true ,christ and true love there was a danger of losing the true commandment--love of ,god and of the brethren4 ,now in the second ,epistle these very three warnings were written on a leaflet in a form more calculated for circulation and for remembrance4 7#a7 ,against the peril of faith1 of losing the true ,christ4 ,many deceivers are gone out into the world--they who confess not ,jesus ,christ coming in flesh4 ,this is the deceiver and the antichrist4#cfj ,with the true ,christ1 the true doctrine of ,christ would also vanish1 and with it all living hold upon ,god4 ,progress was the watchword2 but it was in reality regress4 ,every one who abideth not in the doctrine of ,christ hath not ,god4#cfa 7#b7 ,against the peril of losing love4 ,i beseech thee1 ,kyria 444 that we love one another4#cfb 7#c7 ,against the peril of losing the true commandment 7the great spiritual principle of charity71 or the true commandments#cfc 7that principle in the details of life74 ,and this is love1 that we walk after ,his commandments4 ,this is the commandment1 that even as ye heard from the beginning ye should walk in it4#cfd ,here then were the chief practical elements of the first ,epistle contracted into a brief and easily remembered shape4 ,easily remembered1 too1 was the stern1 practical prohibition of the intimacies of hospitality with those who came to the home of the ,christian1 in the capacity of emissaries of the antichrist above indicated4 ,receive him not into your house1 and good speed salute him not with4#cfe ,many are offended with this4 ,no doubt ,christianity is the religion of love--the epiphany of the sweet-naturedness and philanthropy of ,god4#cff ,we very often look upon heresy or unbelief with the tolerance of curiosity rather than of love4 ,at all events1 the ,gospel has its intolerance as well as tolerance4 ,st4 ,john certainly had this4 ,it is not a true conception in art which invests him with the mawkish sweetness of perpetual youth4 ,there is a sense in which he was a son of ,thunder to the last4 ,he who believes and knows must formulate a dogma4 ,a dogma frozen by formality1 or soured by hate1 or narrowed by stupidity1 makes a bigot4 ,in reading the ,church ,history of the first four centuries we are often tempted to ask1 why all this subtlety1 this theology-spinning1 this dogma-hammering8 ,the answer stands out clear above the mists of controversy4 ,without all this the ,church would have lost the conception of ,christ1 and thus finally ,christ ,himself4 ,st4 ,john's denunciations have had a function in ,christendom as well as his love4 #c4 ,there are two most precious indications of the highest ,christian truth with which we may conclude4 ,we have prefixed to this ,epistle that beautiful ,apostolic salutation which is found in two only among the ,epistles of ,st4 ,paul4#cfg ,after that simple1 but exquisite expression of blessing merged in prophecy--the truth which abideth in us--yes6 and with us it shall be for ever#cfh--there comes another verse set in the same key4 ,there shall be with us grace1 mercy1 peace1 from ,god the ,father1 and from ,jesus ,christ the ,son of the ,father1 in truth of thought1 and love of life4#cfi ,this rush and reduplication of words is not very like the usual reserve and absence of emotional excitement in ,st4 ,john's style4 ,can it be that something 7possibly the glorious death of martyrdom by which ,timothy died7 led ,st4 ,john to use words which were probably familiar to ,ephesian ,christians8 ,however this may be1 let us live by and learn from those lovely words4 ,our poverty wants grace1 our guilt wants mercy1 our misery wants peace4 ,let us ever keep the ,apostle's order4 ,do not let us put peace1 our feeling of peace1 first4 ,the emotionalists' is a topsy-turvy theology4 ,apostles do not say peace and grace1 but grace and peace4 ,one more--in an age which substitutes an ideal something called the spirit of ,christianity for ,christ1 let us hold fast to that which is the essence of the ,gospel and the kernel of our three creeds4 ,to confess ,jesus ,christ coming in flesh4#cgj ,couple with this a canon of the ,first ,epistle--confesseth ,jesus ,christ come in flesh4#cga ,the second is the ,incarnation fact with its abiding consequences2 the first1 the ,incarnation principle ever living in a ,person1 ,who will also be personally manifested4 ,this is the substance of the ,gospels2 this the life of prayers and sacraments2 this the expectation of the saints4 ,,notes4 ,ver4 #a4 ,the ,elder4 ,this word has played a great part in an important controversy4 ,it is argued that the ,elder of this and of the ,third ,epistle is the author indeed of the first ,epistle and of the ,gospel1 but cannot be the ,apostle ,st4 ,john1 who would not1 7it is alleged17 call himself 4 ,and ,eusebius 7,h4,e4 lib4 iii41 cap4 ult47 preserves a fragment from ,papias1 which he misunderstands to indicate that there were two ,johns 7see ,riggenbach1 ,leben ,jesu1 #ei1 #fj74 ,but even if the word be ,presbyter1 and points to an ecclesiastical title1 it might stand precisely on the same footing as ,st4 ,peter's language--the elders among you ,i exhort1 who am a fellow elder 7#a ,pet4 v4 #a74 ,the ,elder at the opening of the ,second and ,third ,epistles of ,st4 ,john1 may well signify the aged ,apostle1 the oldest of the company of ,jesus1 the one living representative of the traditions of ,galilee and ,jerusalem4 ,ver4 #g4 ,the seducer4 4 ,the almost technical force of this word would be adequately appreciated only by readers more or less imbued with ,jewish ideas4 ,it was indeed the really strong motive in the terrible game which the ,jewish priests played in bringing about the death of our ,lord4 ,the process against the ,mesith1 seducer1 is drawn out in the ,talmud with an effrontery at once puerile and revolting4 ,the man accused of seduction was to be drawn into conversation1 while two witnesses were hidden in the next room1--and candles were to be lighted1 as if accidentally1 close by him1 that the witnesses might be sure that they had seen1 as well as heard the heretic4 ,he was to be called upon to retract his heretical pravity4 ,if he refused1 he was to be brought before the ,council1 and stoned if the verdict was against him4 ,the ,talmudists add that this was the legal process carried out against ,jesus3 that ,he was condemned upon the testimony of two witnesses2 and that the crime of misleading was the only one which was thus formally dealt with4 7,see references to the ,talmud of ,jerusalem1 and that of ,babylon1 ,vie de ,jesus1 ,renan1 #cid1 ,n4 #a74 ,the ,gospels tell us that the accusation against our ,lord was misleading3 and the terrible word in the verse which we are examining was actually applied to ,him 7 1 ,matt4 xxvii4 #fc2 ,john vii4 #ab2 ,john vii4 #dg74 ,excepting some minuti which were the product of the ,rabbinical imagination1 the narrative of the ,evangelists answers1 point by point1 to the process actually laid down by the ,talmud 7,renan1 ut sup474 ,ver4 #i4 ,every one who leadeth forward4 is certainly the true reading here2 the commander himself pushing boldly onward1 and also carrying others with him4 ,the allusion is polemical to the vaunted progress of the ,gnostic teachers4 ,the doctrine which is ,christ's4 ,what is that8 ,john vii4 #af1 #ag4 ,the doctrine which ,christ emphatically called ,my doctrine1 the doctrine4 ,no doubt the word 77 sometimes means the act1 sometimes the mode1 of teaching 7,mark xii4 #ch2 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #f72 but it underwent a transformation which converted it into a term synonymous with dogmatic teaching1 with the body of faithful doctrine which was the ultimate type and norm to which all statements must be conformed4 7,acts vi4 #db2 ,tit4 i4 #i2 ,rom4 vi4 #ag1 xvi4 #ag2 see also ,matt4 xvi4 #ab2 ,acts v4 #bh1 xvii4 #ai2 ,heb4 xiii4 #i47 ,it is much to be regretted that in the ,r4,v4 the word doctrine has disappeared from all these passages1 ,romans xvi4 #ag alone excepted4 ,st4 ,john's language in this verse seems quite decisive4 ,,footnotes3 #cdh ,john i4 #ah4 #cdi ,there is no doubt a large amount of authority for this view that ,st4 ,john addresses a ,church personified4 ,it has the support of sacred critics so different as ,bishop ,wordsworth and ,bishop ,lightfoot4 7,ep4 to ,colossians and ,philemon1 #cje71 and ,professor ,westcott seems 7with some hesitation7 to lean to it4 ,but there is also a great body of support1 ancient and modern1 for the literal view4 7,clem4 ,alex41 ,adunbr4 ad ii4 ,joan41 ,op41 iii4 #ajaa47 ,so ,athanasius1 or the author of ,synopsis ,s4,s4 in ,athanasius1 ,opp41 iv4 #daj4 ,see also the heading of the ,a4 ,v4 7,he exhorteth a certain honourable matron1 with her children47 ,for reasons for accepting ,kyria rather than ,electa as the name1 see ,speaker's ,commentary1 iv4 #cce4 #cej ,ver4 #ab4 #cea 1 ver4 #d4 #ceb ,james1 ,cephas1 and ,,john1 who seemed to be pillars4 ,gal4 ii4 #i4 #cec ,luke ii4 #cf4 #ced #a ,tim4 v4 #c1 #e1 #aj4 #cee #a ,tim1 v4 #f-aa1 #ab1 #ac4 #cef #b ,john #b4 #ceg ,ver4 #a4 #ceh 1 ' 4 #b ,john ver4 #b4 #cei ,irenus1 ,hr41 iii4 #d4 #cfj ,ver4 #g4 #cfa ,ver4 #i4 #cfb ,ver4 #e4 #cfc ,commandments and commandment--,love strives to realise in detail every separate expression of the will of ,god4 7,prof4 ,westcott1 ,epistles of ,st4 ,john1 #bag74 #cfd ,ver4 #f4 #cfe ,it is1 probably1 the existence of these verses 7vv4 #aj1 #aa7 which acts as a stimulus to many liberal ,christian commentators in favour of the ultra-mystical view1 that the lady addressed in this ,epistle is a ,church personified4 ,it should be carefully noted that ,st4 ,john speaks of a formal summons1 so to speak1 from an emissary of antichrist as such4 7 1 ver4 #aj74 ,st4 ,john1 also1 must have detected a danger in the very gentleness of ,kyria's character1 or in the disposition of some of her children4 ,so much1 indeed1 might seem implied in the sudden1 solemn1 and rather startling warning1 which entreated constant continuous care 7 71 so that they should not in some momentary impulse1 under the charm of some deceiver1 lose what they had wrought1 and with it reward in fulness 7 1 ver4 #aj74 #cff ,titus iii4 #d4 #cfg #a ,tim4 i4 #a2 #b ,tim4 i4 #b4 #cfh ,the construction altered to bring out the meaning more strikingly than a uniform structure could have done4--,winer1 ,gr4 ,gr41 ,part ,,iii41 #c4 #cfi ' 1 1 1 444 #b ,john ver4 #c4 #cgj 4 #b ,john ver4 #g4 #cga 4 #a ,john iv4 #b4 ,,the ,,third ,,epistle ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,,iii4 ,,epistle4 ,,greek4 ,,latin4 ,senior ,gaio carissimo1 1 quem ego diligo 4 in veritate4 ,carissime1 1 de omnibus orationem facio prosper te ingredi 1 et valere1 sicut prospere 4 agit anima tua4 ,gavisus sum valde venientibus fratribus et testimonium perhibentibus 1 veritati tu1 sicut 4 tu in veritate ambulas4 ,maiorem horum non 1 habeo gratiam quam ut audiam filios meos in 4 1 veritate ambulantes4 ,carissime1 fideliter facias quidquid operaris in fratres1 et hoc 1 in peregrinos2 qui testimonium reddiderunt 1 caritati tu in conspectu ecclesi2 quos 4 bene facies ducens digna ,deo4 ,pro nomine enim profecti sunt nihil 4 accipientes a gentibus4 ,nos ergo debemus suscipere 1 huiusmodi ut cooperatores simus 4 veritatis4 ,scripsissem sitan ecclesi3 sedis ' qui amat primatum gerere in eis ,diotripes 4 non recipit nos4 ,propter 1 1 hoc1 si venero1 commoneam eius opera qu facit verbis malignis 1 garriens in nos1 et quasi non ei ista sufficiant1 nec ipse suscipit 1 fratres1 et eos quo cupiunt prohibet et de 4 ecclesia eicit4 ,carissime1 1 noli imitari malum1 1 sed quod bonum 4 est4 ,qui bene facit1 ex ,deo est3 qui male facit1 non videt ,deum4 4 ,demetrio testimonium redditur ab omnibus et ' ab ipsa veritate3 et nos testimonium perhibemus1 1 et nosti quoniam testimonium nostrum 4 verum est4 ,multa habui 1 scribere tibi1 sed nolui ' per atramentum et calamum scribere tibi3 spero autem protinus 1 te videre1 et os ad os loquimur4 ,pax tibi4 4 4 ,salutant te amici4 ,saluta amicos per nomen4 ' 4 ,,authorised ,,version4 ,,revised ,,version4 ,the elder unto the ,the elder unto ,gaius well beloved ,gaius1 the beloved1 whom ,i whom ,i love in the love in truth4 ,beloved1 truth4 ,beloved1 ,i wish ,i pray that in all things above all things that thou mayest prosper thou mayest prosper and be in health1 even and be in health1 as thy soul prospereth4 even as thy soul ,for ,i rejoiced greatly1 prospereth4 ,for ,i rejoiced when brethren came greatly1 when and bare witness unto the brethren came and thy truth1 even as thou testified of the truth walkest in truth4 that is in thee1 even ,greater joy have ,i as thou walkest in none than this1 to hear the truth4 ,i have no of my children walking greater joy than to hear in the truth4 ,beloved1 that my children walk thou doest a faithful in truth4 ,beloved1 thou work in whatsoever doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest toward them thou doest to that are brethren and the brethren1 and to strangers withal2 who strangers2 which have bare witness to thy borne witness of thy love before the church3 charity before the whom thou wilt do church3 whom if thou well to set forward on bring forward on their their journey worthily journey after a godly of ,god3 because that sort1 thou shalt do well3 for the sake of the because that for ,his ,name they went forth1 name's sake they went taking nothing of the forth1 taking nothing ,gentiles4 ,we therefore of the ,gentiles4 ,we ought to welcome therefore ought to receive such1 that we may be such1 that we fellow-workers with might be fellowhelpers the truth4 ,i wrote to the truth4 ,i wrote somewhat unto the unto the ,church3 but church3 but ,diotrephes1 ,diotrephes1 who loveth who loveth to have the to have the pre-eminence pre-eminence among among them1 them1 receiveth us not4 receiveth us not4 ,therefore1 if ,i come1 ,wherefore1 if ,i come1 ,i will bring to remembrance ,i will remember his his works which deeds which he doeth1 he doeth1 prating against prating against us with us with wicked malicious words3 and words3 and not content not content therewith1 therewith1 neither doth neither doth he himself he himself receive the receive the brethren1 brethren1 and them and forbiddeth them that would he forbiddeth1 that would1 and casteth and casteth them them out of the church4 out of the church4 ,beloved1 ,beloved1 follow not that imitate not that which is evil1 but that which is evil1 but that which is good4 ,he which is good4 ,he that doeth good is of that doeth good is of ,god3 but he that doeth ,god3 he that doeth evil hath not seen ,god4 evil hath not seen ,god4 ,demetrius hath good ,demetrius hath the report of all men1 and witness of all men1 and of the truth itself3 yea1 of the truth itself3 yea1 and we also bear we also bear witness2 record2 and ye know and thou knowest that that our record is true4 our witness is true4 ,i ,i had many things to had many things to write1 but ,i will not write unto thee1 but ,i with ink and pen write am unwilling to write unto thee3 but ,i trust them to thee with ink ,i shall shortly see thee1 and pen3 but ,i hope and we shall speak shortly to see thee1 and face to face4 ,peace be we shall speak face to to thee4 ,our friends face4 ,peace be unto salute thee4 ,greet the thee4 ,the friends salute friends by name4 thee4 ,salute the friends by name4 ,,another ,,version4 ,the ,elder unto ,gaius the beloved1 whom ,i love in truth4 ,beloved1 in all things ,i pray that thou mayest prosper1 and be in health1 even as thy soul prospereth4 ,for ,i was exceeding glad of brethren coming and witnessing to thy truth1 even as thou truly walkest4 ,greater joy than these joys ,i have not1 that ,i should hear of my own children walking truly4 ,beloved1 thou doest in faithful wise whatsoever thou art working towards the brethren who are moreover strangers2 which witness to thy charity before the ,church2 whom thou wilt do well to speed forward on their journey worthily of ,god3 because that for the sake of the ,name they went out taking nothing of the ,gentiles4 ,we therefore are bound to take up such that we may become fellow-workers with the truth4 ,i wrote somewhat unto the ,church3 but ,diotrephes who loveth to have primacy over them receiveth us not4 ,wherefore if ,i come ,i will bring to remembrance his works which he is doing1 prating against us with wicked words3 and not contented hereupon neither doth he himself receive the brethren1 and them that would he hindereth1 and casteth them out of the ,church4 ,beloved1 imitate not that which is evil1 but that which is good4 ,he who is doing good is from ,god2 he that is doing evil hath not seen ,god4 ,to ,demetrius witness stands given of all men and of the truth itself3 yea1 and we also are witnessing1 and ye know that our witness is true4 ,many things ,i had to have written1 but ,i am not willing to be writing unto thee with ink and pen3 but ,i am hoping straightway to see thee1 and we shall speak face to face4 ,peace unto thee4 ,the friends greet thee4 ,greet the friends by name4 ,,discourse ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,quietness ,,of ,,true ,,religion4 ,the elder unto the well beloved ,gaius4444 ,he that doeth good is of ,god2 but he that doeth evil hath not seen ,god4--#c ,,john #a1 #aa4 ,the mere analysis of this note must necessarily present a meagre outline4 ,there is a brief expression of pleasure at the tidings of the sweet and gracious hospitality of ,gaius which was brought by certain missionary brethren to ,ephesus1 coupled with the assurance of the truth and consistency of his whole walk4 ,the haughty rejection of ,apostolic letters of communion by ,diotrephes is mentioned with a burst of indignation4 ,a contrast to ,diotrephes is found in ,demetrius1 with the threefold witness to a life so worthy of imitation4 ,a brief greeting--and we have done with the last written words of ,st4 ,john which the ,church possesses4 ,i4 ,let us first see whether1 without passing over the bounds of historical probability1 we can fill up this bare outline with some colouring of circumstance4 ,to two of the three individuals named in this ,epistle we seem to have some clue4 ,the ,gaius addressed is1 of course1 ,caius in ,latin1 a very common prnomen1 no doubt4 ,three persons of the name appear in the ,new ,testament#cgb--unless we suppose ,st4 ,john's ,caius to be a fourth4 ,but the generous and beautiful hospitality adverted to in this note is entirely of a piece with the character of him of whom ,st4 ,paul had written1 ,gaius1 mine host1 and of the whole ,church4#cgc ,we know further1 from one of the most ancient and authentic documents of ,christian literature1 that the ,church of ,corinth 7to which this ,caius belonged7 was1 just at the period when ,st4 ,john wrote1 in a lamentable state of schismatic confusion4 ,diotrephes may1 at such a period1 have been aspiring to put forward his claim at ,corinth2 and may1 in his ambitious proceedings1 have rejected from communion the brethren whom ,st4 ,john had sent to ,caius4#cgd ,a yet more interesting reflection is suggested by a writing of considerable authority4 ,the writer of the ,synopsis of ,holy ,scripture1 which stands amongst the ,works of ,athanasius1 says--the ,gospel according to ,john was both dictated by ,john the ,apostle and beloved when in exile at ,patmos1 and by him was published in ,ephesus1 through ,caius the beloved and friend of the ,apostles1 of whom ,paul also writing to the ,romans saith1 ,caius mine host1 and of the whole ,church4#cge ,this would give a very marked significance to one touch in this ,third ,epistle of ,st4 ,john4 ,the phrase here and we bear witness also1 and ye know that our witness is true--clearly points back to the closing attestation of the ,gospel--and we know that his witness is true4#cgf ,he counts upon a quick recognition of a common memory4#cgg ,demetrius is1 of course1 a name redolent of the worship of ,demeter the ,earth-,mother1 and of ,ephesian surroundings4 ,no reader of the ,new ,testament needs to be reminded of the riot at ,ephesus1 which is told at such length in the history of ,st4 ,paul's voyages by ,st4 ,luke4 ,the conjecture that the agitator of the turbulent guild of silversmiths who made silver shrines of ,diana may have become the ,demetrius1 the object of ,st4 ,john's lofty commendation1 is by no means improbable4 ,there is a peculiar fulness in the narrative of the ,acts1 and an amplitude and exactness in the reports of the speeches of ,demetrius and of the town-clerk which betray both unusually detailed information1 and a feeling on the part of the writer that the subject was one of much interest for many readers4#cgh ,the very words of ,demetrius about ,paul evince that uneasy sense of the powers of fascination possessed by the ,apostle which is often the first timid witness of reluctant conviction4#cgi ,the whole story would be of thrilling interest to those who1 knowing well what ,demetrius had become1 were here told what he once had been4 ,in a very ancient document 7the so-called ,apostolic ,constitutions7#chj we read that ,demetrius was appointed ,bishop of ,philadelphia by me1 i4e41 by the ,apostle ,john4 ,to the ,bishop of a city so often shaken by the earthquakes of that volcanic soil came the commendation--,i know thy works that thou didst keep ,my word2 and the assuring promise that he should1 when the victory was won1 have the solidity and permanence of a pillar in a temple#cha that no convulsion could shake down4 ,the witness then1 which stands on record for the ,bishop of ,philadelphia1 is threefold2 the threefold witness of the ,first ,epistle on a reduced scale--the witness of the world2#chb the witness of the ,truth itself1 even of ,jesus2#chc the witness of the ,church--including ,john4#chd ,,ii4 ,we may now advert to the contents and general style of this letter4 #a4 ,as to its contents4 #a4 ,it supplies us with a valuable test of ,christian life1 in what may be called the ,christian instinct of missionary affection1 possessed in such full measure by ,caius4#che ,this1 indeed1 is an ingredient of ,christian character4 ,do we admire and feel attracted by missionaries8 ,they are knight-errants of the ,faith2 leaders of the forlorn hope of ,christ's cause2 bearers of the flag of the cross through the storms of battle4 ,do we wish to honour and to help them1 and feel ennobled by doing so8 ,he who has no almost enthusiastic regard for missionaries has not the spirit of primitive ,christianity within his breast4 #b4 ,the ,church is beset with different dangers from very different quarters4 ,the second ,epistle of ,st4 ,john has its bold unmistakable warning of danger from the philosophical atmosphere which is not only round the ,church1 but necessarily finds its way within4 ,those who assume to be leaders of intellectual and even of spiritual progress sometimes lead away from ,christ4 ,the test of scientific truth is accordance with the proposition which embodies the last discovery2 the test of religious truth is accordance with the proposition which embodies the first discovery1 i4e41 the doctrine of ,christ4 ,progress outside this is regress2 it is desertion first of ,christ1 ultimately of ,god4#chf ,as the second ,epistle warns the ,church of peril from speculative ambition1 so the third ,epistle marks a danger from personal ambition1#chg arrogating to itself undue authority within the ,church4 ,diotrephes in all probability was a bishop4#chh ,at ,rome there has been a permanent ,diotrephes in the office of the ,papacy2 how much this has had to say to the dislocation of ,christendom1 ,god knows4 ,but there are other smaller and more vulgar continuators of ,diotrephes1 who occupy no ,vatican4 ,priests6 ,but there are priests in different senses4 ,the priest who stands to minister in holy things1 the true ,leitourgos is rightly so-called4 ,but there is an arrogant priestship which would do violence to conscience1 and interpose rudely between ,god and the soul4 ,priests in this sense are called by different names4 ,they are clad in different dresses--some in chasubles1 some in frock-coats1 some in petticoats4 ,down with priestcraft1 is even the cry of many of them4 ,the priest who stands to offer sacrifice may or may not be a priest in the evil sense2 the priest 7who abjures the name7 who is a master of religious small-talk of the popular kind1 and winds people to his own ends round his little finger by using them deftly1 is often the modern edition of ,diotrephes4 #c4 ,this brief ,epistle contains one of those apparently mere spiritual truisms1 which make ,st4 ,john the most powerful and comprehensive of all spiritual teachers4 ,he had suggested a warning to ,caius1 which serves as the link to connect the example of ,diotrephes which he has denounced1 with that of ,demetrius which he is about to commend4 ,beloved6 he cries1 imitate not that which is evil1 but that which is good4 ,a glorious little ,imitation of ,christ1 a compression of his own ,gospel1 the record of the ,great ,example in three words6#chi ,then follows this absolutely exhaustive division1 which covers the whole moral and spiritual world4 ,he that doeth good1 7the whole principle of whose moral life is this17 is of1 has his origin from1 ,god2 he that doeth evil hath not seen ,god1 sees ,him not as a consequence of having spiritually looked upon ,him4 ,here1 at last1 we have the flight of the eagle's wing1 the glance of the eagle's eye4 ,especially valuable are these words1 almost at the close of the ,apostolic age and of the ,new ,testament ,scripture4 ,they help us to keep the delicate balance of truth2 they guard us against all abuse of the precious doctrines of grace4 ,several texts are mutilated2 more are conveniently dropped out4 ,how seldom does one see the whole context quoted1 in tracts and sheets1 of that most blessed passage--if we walk in the light1 as ,he is in the light1 the blood of ,jesus1 ,his ,son1 cleanseth us from all sin8 ,how often do we see these words at all--he that doeth good is of ,god1 but he that doeth evil hath not seen ,god8 ,perhaps it may be a lingering suspicion that a text which comes out of a very short ,epistle is worth very little4 ,perhaps doctrinalism outrance considers that the sentiment savours of works4 ,but1 at all events1 there is terrible decisiveness about these antithetic propositions4 ,for each life is described in section and in plan by one or other of the two4 ,the whole complicated series of thought1 actions1 habits1 purposes1 summed up in the words life and character1 is a continuous stream issuing from the man who necessarily is doing every moment of his existence4 ,the stream is either pure1 bright1 cleansing1 gladdening1 capable of being tracked by a thread of emerald wherever it flows2 or it carries with it on its course blackness1 bitterness1 and barrenness4 ,men must be plainly dealt with4 ,they may hold any creed1 or follow any round of religious practices4 ,there are creeds which are nobly true1 others which are false and feeble--practices which are beautiful and elevating1 others which are petty and unprofitable4 ,they may repeat the shibboleth ever so accurately2 and follow the observances ever so closely4 ,they may sing hymns until their throats are hoarse1 and beat drums until their wrists are sore4 ,but ,st4 ,john's propositions ring out1 loud and clear1 and syllable themselves in questions1 which one day or other the conscience will put to us with terrible distinctness4 ,are you one who is ever doing good2 or one who is not doing good8 ,god be merciful to me a sinner6 may well rush to our lips4 ,but that1 when opportunity is given1 must be followed by another prayer4 ,not only--wash away my sins4 ,something more4 ,fill and purify me with ,thy ,spirit1 that1 pardoned and renewed1 ,i may become good1 and be doing good4 ,it is sometimes said that the ,church is full of souls dying of their morality4 ,is it not at least equally true to say that the ,church is full of souls dying of their spirituality8 ,that is--souls dying in one case of unreal morality2 in the other of unreal spirituality1 which juggles with spiritual words1 making a sham out of them4 ,morality which is not spiritual1 is imperfect2 spirituality which is not moralized through and through is of the spirit of evil4 ,it is a great thing that in these last sentences1 written with a trembling hand1 which shrank from the labour of pen and ink1#cij the ,apostle should have lifted a word 7probably current in the atmosphere of ,ephesus among spiritualists and astrologers#cia71 from the low applications with which it was undeservedly associated2 and should have rung out high and clear the ,gospel's everlasting justification1 the final harmony of the teaching of grace--he that doeth good is of ,god4 ,,iii4 ,the style of the third ,epistle of ,st4 ,john is certainly that of an old man4 ,it is reserved in language and in doctrine4 ,god is thrice and thrice only mentioned4#cib ,jesus is not once expressly uttered4 ,but 444 ,they are not empty-hearted whose low sound ,reverbs no hollowness4 ,in religion1 as in everything else1 we are earnest1 not by aiming at earnestness1 but by aiming at an object4 ,religious language should be deep and real1 rather than demonstrative4 ,it is not safe to play with sacred names4 ,to pronounce them at random for the purpose of being effective and impressive is to take them in vain4 ,what a wealth of reverential love there is in that--for the sake of the ,name6#cic ,old copyists sometimes thought to improve upon the impressiveness of ,apostles by cramming in sacred names4 ,they only maimed what they touched with clumsy hand4 ,a deeper sense of the ,sacramental ,presence is in the hushed1 awful1 reverence of not discerning the ,body1 than in the interpolated not discerning of the ,lord's ,body4 ,even so ,the ,name1 perhaps1 speaks more to the heart1 and implies more than ,his ,name4 ,it is1 indeed1 the beautiful ,name1 by the which we are called4 ,and sometimes in sermons1 or in ,eucharistic ,gloria in ,excelsis1 or in hymns that have come from such as ,st4 ,bernard1 or in sick rooms1 it shall go up with our sweetest music1 and waken our tenderest thoughts1 and be as ointment poured forth4 ,but what an underlying ,gospel1 what an intense suppressed flame there is behind these quiet words6 ,this letter says nothing of rapture1 of prophecy1 of miracle4 ,it lies in the atmosphere of the ,church1 as we find it even now4 ,it has a word for friendship4 ,it seeks to individualise its benediction4#cid ,a hush of evening rests upon the note4 ,may such an evening close upon our old age6 ,,notes4 ,ver4 #b 444 thy soul4 ,strange difficulty seems to be felt in some quarters about the word 1 as used by our ,lord and the ,apostles4 ,the difficulty arises from a singular argument advanced by ,m4 ,renan4 ,he maintains that ,christ and ,his first followers knew nothing of the soul as the immortal principle in man--that in him which is capable of being saved or lost4 ,it was simply1 according to him1 either the animal natural life#cie 7,matt4 ii4 #bj2 ,john xii4 #be72 or at most the vague ,greek immortality of the shadows1 as opposed to the later ,hebrew ,resurrection-life4 ,but there are very numerous passages in the ,new ,testament where soul can only be used for life as created by ,god2 for the thinking substance1 different from the body and indestructible by death1 created with possibilities of eternal happiness or misery4 7,the following passages are decisive--,matt4 x4 #bh1 xi4 #bi2 ,acts ii4 #bg2 #b ,cor4 xii4 #ac2 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag2 #a ,pet4 i4 #i1 #bb1 ii4 #aa1 #be2 ,jas4 i4 #ba1 v4 #bj2 #c ,john #b2 ,apoc4 vi4 #i1 xx4 #d74 ,printed by ,hazell1 ,watson1 ,viney1 ,ltd41 ,london and ,aylesbury ,,footnotes3 #cgb ,caius1 a ,macedonian 7,acts xix4 #bi72 ,caius of ,derbe 7,acts xx4 #d72 ,caius of ,corinth 7,rom4 xvi4 #bc2 #a ,cor4 i4 #ad74 #cgc ,rom4 xvi4 #bc4 #cgd ,no doubt ver4 #aj presents some difficulty4 ,voyages between ,corinth were regularly and easily performed4 ,still it is scarcely probable that the aged ,apostle should have contemplated such a voyage4 ,but the form 7 7 purposely expresses possibility rather than probability--the smallest amount of presumption--if ,i shall come1 which is not quite impossible4 7,donaldson1 ,gr4 ,gr41 ,conditional ,propositions4 #eja47 ,the hope of seeing ,caius face to face 7ver4 #ad7 contains no objection1 as it may refer to a visit of ,caius to ,ephesus4 #cge ,synopsis ,s4,s4 '#gf4 7,s4 ,athanas41 ,opp41 iv4 #dcc4 ,edit4 ,migne47 #cgf ,read together #c ,john #ab1 and ,john xxi4 #bd4 #cgg ,the writer had worked out his conclusions about ,caius independently before he happened to read ,bengel's note4 ,caius ,corinthi de quo ,rom4 xvi4 #bc1 vel huic ,caio1 ,johannis amico1 fuit simillimus in hospitalite--vel idem2--si idem1 ex ,achaia in ,asiam migravit1 vel ,corinthum ,johannes hanc epistolam misit4 #cgh ,acts xix4 #bc-da4 #cgi ,almost throughout all ,asia this ,paul hath persuaded and turned away much people1 saying1 that they be no gods1 which are made with hands4--,acts xix4 #bf4 #chj vii4 #df4 #cha ,apoc4 iii4 #g1 #h1 #ab4 #chb ,all men4 #chc ' i4e41 ,jesus 7,apoc4 iii4 #g1 #ab74 ,this type of expression marks the ,asiatic school4 ,so ,papias2 ' 7,ap4 ,euseb4 ,h4 ,e41 iii4 #ci74 ,cf4 ,john xiv4 #f4 #chd ,and we also bear witness4 #c ,john #ab4 #che #c ,john #e1 #f1 #g4 #chf #b ,john #i4 #chg #c ,john #i1 #aj4 #chh ,see authorities quoted by ,archdeacon ,lee 7,speaker's ,commentary1 ,tom4 ii41 ,n4,t41 p4 #eab74 #chi 444 1 #c ,john #aa4 #cij #c ,john #ac4 #cia ,the verb is found in a few places in the ,,lxx and ,new ,testament4 ,amongst profane writers1 astrologers only used this verb4 ,they signified by it1 ,i offer a good omen4 ,so in ,proclus and others4 ,see ,bretsch4 and ,grimm1 s4 v4 4 #cib ,worthily of ,god ver4 #f2 is of ,god--hath not seen ,god ver4 #aa4 #cic ,ver4 #g4 #cid ,the friends salute thee3 salute the friends by name1 ver4 #ad ,the mention of friendship is not common in the ,new ,testament4 ,beautiful exceptions will be found in ,luke xii4 #d2 ,john xi4 #aa1 xv4 #ad1 #ae2 cf4 ,acts xxvii4 #c4 #cie ,as indicated by breathing--from #bg1 ,,paternoster ,,row1 ,,london4 ,,hodder ,,and ,,stoughton',s ,new and ,recent ,publications4 ,the ,expositor's ,bible4 ,,edited ,,by1 ,,rev4 ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 ,crown #hvo1 #gs4 #f;d4 each volume4 ,,the ,,old ,,testament4 ,,genesis4 ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,,exodus4 ,very ,rev4 ,,dean ,,chadwick1 ,d4,d4 ,,leviticus4 ,rev4 ,s4 ,h4 ,,kellogg1 ,d4,d4 ,,numbers4 ,rev4 ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,d4,d4 ,,deuteronomy4 ,rev4 ,professor ,a4 ,,harper1 ,b4,d4 ,,joshua4 ,rev4 ,professor ,w4 ,g4 ,,blaikie1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 ,,judges ,,and ,,ruth4 ,rev4 ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,d4,d4 #a ,,samuel4 ,rev4 ,professor ,w4 ,g4 ,,blaikie1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 #b ,,samuel4 ,by the same ,author4 #a ,,kings4 ,very ,rev4 ,,dean ,,farrar1 ,d4,d41 ,f4,r4,s4 #b ,,kings4 ,by the same ,author4 #a #b ,,chronicles4 ,rev4 ,prof4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,bennett1 ,m4,a4 ,,ezra--,,esther4 ,rev4 ,professor ,w4 ,f4 ,,adeney1 ,m4,a4 ,,job4 ,rev4 ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,d4,d4 ,,psalms4 ,rev4 ,,alex4 ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 #c ,vols4 ,,proverbs4 ,rev4 ,r4 ,f4 ,,horton1 ,m4,a4 ,,ecclesiastes4 ,rev4 ,,samuel ,,cox1 ,d4,d4 ,,isaiah4 ,rev4 ,professor ,g4 ,,adam ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 #b ,vols4 ,,jeremiah1 ,,the ,,prophecies ,,of4 ,rev4 ,c4 ,j4 ,,ball1 ,m4,a4 ,,jeremiah 7,chaps4 xxi4--lii474 ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,bennett1 ,m4,a4 ,,ezekiel4 ,rev4 ,professor ,,skinner1 ,m4,a4 ,,daniel4 ,very ,rev4 ,,dean ,,farrar1 ,d4,d41 ,f4,r4,s4 ,,the ,,twelve ,,prophets4 ,rev4 ,prof4 ,g4 ,a4 ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 #b ,vols4 ,the ,expositor's ,bible4 ,,edited ,,by ,,rev4 ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 ,crown #hvo1 #gs4 #f;d4 each volume4 ,,the ,,new ,,testament4 ,,st4 ,,matthew4 ,rev4 ,j4 ,,monro ,,gibson1 ,d4,d4 ,,st4 ,,mark4 ,very ,rev4 ,,dean ,,chadwick1 ,d4,d4 ,,st4 ,,luke4 ,rev4 ,,henry ,,burton1 ,m4,a4 ,,st4 ,,john4 ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 #b ,vols4 ,,the ,,acts4 ,rev4 ,professor ,g4 ,t4 ,,stokes1 ,d4,d4 #b ,vols4 ,,romans4 ,rev4 ,h4 ,c4 ,g4 ,,moule1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 #a ,,corinthians4 ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 #b ,,corinthians4 ,rev4 ,,james ,,denney1 ,d4,d4 ,,galatians4 ,rev4 ,professor ,g4 ,g4 ,,findlay1 ,b4,a4 ,,ephesians4 ,by the same ,author4 ,,philippians4 ,rev4 ,principal ,,rainy1 ,d4,d4 ,,colossians4 ,rev4 ,a4 ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,,thessalonians4 ,rev4 ,j4 ,,denney1 ,d4,d4 ,,pastoral ,,epistles4 ,rev4 ,a4 ,,plummer1 ,d4,d4 ,,hebrews4 ,rev4 ,principal ,t4 ,c4 ,,edwards1 ,d4,d4 ,,ss4 ,,james ,,and ,,jude4 ,rev4 ,a4 ,,plummer1 ,d4,d4 ,,epistles ,,of ,,st4 ,,peter4 ,rev4 ,professor ,,lumby1 ,d4,d4 ,,epistles ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,the ,right ,rev4 ,w4 ,,alexander1 ,d4,d4 ,,revelation4 ,rev4 ,professor ,w4 ,,milligan1 ,d4,d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,clerical ,,library4 ,complete in ,twelve ,volumes4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 each4 #a4 ,three ,hundred ,outlines of ,sermons on the ,new ,testament4 #b4 ,outlines of ,sermons on the ,old ,testament4 #c4 ,pulpit ,prayers4 ,by ,eminent ,preachers4 #d4 ,outline ,sermons to ,children4 ,with numerous ,anecdotes4 #e4 ,anecdotes ,illustrative of ,new ,testament ,texts4 #f4 ,expository ,sermons and ,outlines on the ,old ,testament4 #g4 ,expository ,sermons on the ,new ,testament4 #h4 ,platform ,aids4 #i4 ,new ,outlines of ,sermons on the ,new ,testament4 ,by ,eminent ,preachers4 ,hitherto unpublished4 #aj4 ,anecdotes ,illustrative of the ,old ,testament ,texts4 #aa4 ,new ,outlines of ,sermons on the ,old ,testament ,by ,eminent ,preachers4 ,hitherto unpublished4 #ab4 ,outlines of ,sermons for ,special ,occasions4 ,,st4 ,,paul ,,the ,,traveller ,,and ,,the ,,roman ,,citizen4 ,by ,w4 ,m4 ,,ramsay1 ,d4,c4,l41 ,,ll4,d41 ,professor of ,humanity1 ,aberdeen2 ,author of ,the ,church in the ,roman ,empire1 etc4 ,second ,thousand4 #hvo1 cloth1 with ,map1 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,professor ,ramsay brings not only his great experience as a traveller and archologist1 but the resources of an ingenious mind1 and a lively style4 ,the book is1 like everything ,professor ,ramsay does1 extraordinarily alive4 ,it shows everywhere personal learning1 personal impression2 it has the sharp touch of the traveller and the eye-witness4--,times4 ,his book is at once a critical reconstruction of the narrative in ',acts4' ,a new reading of the life of the ,apostle of the ,gentiles1 a fresh explanation of the relation between first-century ,christianity and the social and political conditions amid which it developed1 and an announcement of the discovery of an historical star of the first magnitude4 ,the light thrown by ,professor ,ramsay on the career of the ,apostle ,paul is often startling in its freshness4 ,there is1 indeed1 scarcely a single incident in the ,apostle's life upon which he has not something new to say4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,,the ,,church ,,in ,,the ,,roman ,,empire ,,before ,a4,d4 #agj4 ,by ,w4 ,m4 ,,ramsay1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,c4,l41 ,professor of ,humanity in the ,university of ,aberdeen4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,with ,maps and ,illustrations1 #hvo1 cloth1 #abs4 ,this volume is the most important contribution to the study of early ,church history which has bean published in this country since the great work of ,bishop ,lightfoot on the ,apostolic fathers4 ,it is1 too1 unless our memory fails us1 without a rival in any foreign country4--,guardian4 ,,the ,,historical ,,geography ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,land4 ,by ,,george ,,adam ,,smith1 ,d4,d41 ,professor of ,hebrew and ,old ,testament ,exegesis1 ,free ,church ,college1 ,glasgow4 ,with ,six ,maps1 specially prepared4 ,fifth ,thousand4 #hvo1 cloth1 #aes4 ,professor ,smith is well equipped at all points for this work4 ,he is abreast of the latest findings of ,scripture exegesis1 and of geographical survey1 and of archological exploration2 and he has himself travelled widely over ,palestine4 ,the value of the work is incalculably increased by the series of geographical maps1 the first of the kind representing the whole lift and the of the land by gradations of colour4--,scotsman4 ,a very noteworthy contribution to the study of sacred history1 based upon the three indispensable conditions of personal acquaintance with the land1 a study of the explorations1 discoveries1 and decipherments 444 and the employment of the results of ,biblical criticism4--,times4 ,,the ,,ascent ,,of ,,man4 ,by ,,henry ,,drummond4 ,twenty-first ,thousand4 ,net1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,worked out with characteristic ardour and courage4 ,the technical quality of the book is of a high order4 ,in none of his works is ,mr4 ,drummond's literary skill more strikingly manifested4 ,the style--metaphorical1 allusive1 picturesque--has even more of the writer's wonted grace and facility1 and his command of analogy has never been employed with better effect1 and productive of more varied and suggestive illustrations4--,saturday ,review4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,natural ,,law ,,in ,,the ,,spiritual ,,world4 ,thirty-second ,edition1 completing #aai1jjj4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,we have no hesitation in saying that this is one of the most able and interesting books on the relations which exist between natural science and spiritual life that has appeared4 ,mr4 ,drummond writes perfect ,english2 his ideas are fresh1 and expressed with admirable felicity4 ,his book is one to fertilise the mind1 to open it to fresh fields of thought1 and to stimulate its activity4--,literary ,churchman4 ,,tropical ,,africa4 ,seventh ,edition1 completing #cd1jjj4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,professor ,drummond is a clear and accurate observer1 and as he has had a sound scientific training1 and has a real interest in the human side of ,african life1 he is able to present us with pictures of a distinctness and originality not often met with in books of ,african travel4--,times4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,permanent ,,message ,,of ,,the ,,exodus2 or1 ,the ,mission of ,moses4 ,by ,rev4 ,,john ,,smith1 ,d4,d41 of ,broughton ,place ,church1 ,edinburgh4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,the discourses are of a high order2 their author is evidently a man thoroughly in earnest1 pulsing with a life which he is eager to communicate4 ,fresh1 fervent1 and eloquent1 full of interesting information and suggestive statement1 they must have produced a deep impression when they were delivered1 though for their true appreciation they require quiet1 careful1 and thoughtful perusal4--,scotsman4 ,,the ,,problem ,,of ,,the ,,ages4 ,a ,book for ,young ,men4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,b4 ,,hastings1 ,m4,a41 of ,edinburgh4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,he puts the main broad arguments in favour of belief in ,god and ,christianity with admirable lucidity1 and generally in a terse and telling fashion4 ,the book is well calculated to serve the purpose with which it has been written1 and contains in a handy form a great many modern arguments and evidences which can be got at only by a rather extended course of reading4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,,works ,,by ,,sir ,j4 ,w4 ,,dawson1 ,,ll4,d41 ,f4,r4,s4 #a4 ,,eden ,,lost ,,and ,,won4 ,studies of the ,early ,history and ,final ,destiny of ,man as taught in ,nature and ,revelation4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,sir ,william ,dawson1 in his exalted position as one of the ablest of our modern scientific teachers1 is a devout believer in ,holy ,scripture1 and a fearless student of evidence4 ,in these chapters he stands resolutely by the validity of the earlier books of the ,hebrew ,scriptures4444 ,we need scarcely say that these chapters are enriched by a great deal of special knowledge1 both scientific and antiquarian4--,methodist ,recorder4 #b4 ,,modern ,,science ,,in ,,bible ,,lands4 ,third ,edition4 ,with ,map and ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo1 #fs4 ,it is full of valuable and trustworthy information1 and copiously illustrated with maps and drawings1 thus constituting a useful part of a ,biblical student's equipment4--,church ,times4 #c4 ,,some ,,salient ,,points ,,in ,,the ,,science ,,of ,,the ,,earth4 ,with ,forty-six ,illustrations4 ,second ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,all that ,sir ,j4 ,william ,dawson writes is interesting and forcible1 but this1 his last work1 is by far the most forcible that he has written4--,athenum4 #d4 ,,fossil ,,men ,,and ,,their ,,modern ,,representatives4 ,with ,forty-four ,illustrations4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,it will be especially acceptable to those who refuse to accept the high estimate of man's antiquity which modern science has brought forth1 for they will find here their case stated with much ability1 and illustrated by a wealth of material drawn from sources not sufficiently known in this country4--,athenum4 #e4 ,,the ,,origin ,,of ,,the ,,world ,,according ,,to ,,revelation ,,and ,,science4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,any one who will study ,dr4 ,dawson's three recent volumes will not only gain much trustworthy information on matters of romantic interest1 but will make the acquaintance of a writer who is as vigorous as he is modest1 and as modest as he is vigorous2 who knows how to throw the air of genius around even the minuter facts and details of philosophical inquiry2 and who combines a true scientific independence of thought with a reverent faith in the ,scriptures and the ,gospel4--,london ,quarterly ,review4 #f4 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,earth ,,and ,,man4 ,with ,twenty ,illustrations4 ,eleventh ,edition1 ,revised4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,a geological treatise has rarely1 if ever1 been put into a more readable and popular form4 ,general readers1 who have been puzzled and perplexed by elementary text-books1 and who have found little satisfaction in the vague generalisation and unmethodical picturesqueness of other popular expositions1 will obtain in these pages a clear1 trustworthy1 and sufficiently panoramic version of the story of the earth and man4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,,the ,,days ,,of ,,auld ,,lang ,,syne4 ,by ,,ian ,,maclaren4 ,third ,edition1 completing #ej1jjj4 ,crown #hvo1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,there is1 we think1 a sense in which the new volume is not merely an addition but a supplement to its predecessor4 ,in ',beside the ,bonnie ,brier ,bush' were passages1 and indeed whole stories1 which were masterstrokes or masterpieces of a fine poignant pathos1 or a dry yet genial humour1 but the former preponderated1 and gave tone and expression to the book4 ,it may be doubted whether the humorous quality of that ,scots canniness which stands out most conspicuously in a difficult negotiation has ever been rendered with happier fineness of observation or intimacy of touch than in the opening study1 ',a ,triumph in ,diplomacy4'--,daily ,chronicle4 ,,beside ,,the ,,bonnie ,,brier ,,bush4 ,by the same ,author4 ,ninth ,edition1 completing #fj1jjj4 ,art linen1 crown #hvo1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,as an artist in ,scotch character of the sort that is found at its best in country villages he has no superior among his contemporaries1 ambitious and able as several of these are4--,spectator4 ,,strangers ,,at ,,lisconnel4 ,a second ,series of ,irish ,idylls4 ,by ,,jane ,,barlow4 ,second ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth4 #fs4 ,in ',strangers at ,lisconnel' ,miss ,barlow returns to her early love1 and has produced a second series of ',irish ,idylls' which are in every way as delightful as the sketches of peasant life that at one bound brought her into the very front rank of delineators of ,irish character4 ,the sketches possess in a high degree all the charm1 simplicity1 and tenderness of the original series1 while revealing the same fidelity to nature as well as the rich humour and pathos characteristic of the people which ,miss ,barlow so admirably describes4--,scotsman4 ,only the nature of a genuine artist1 combined with the skill of a master of language1 could lend so powerful and vivid an interest to the section of barren ,irish bogland where the scenes are laid1 and only one who had a tender interest and affection for the people could weave such a truthful yet fascinating web of romance around their simple lives4--,derry ,standard4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,irish ,,idylls4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,the ',irish ,idylls' are delightful reading1 and afford a truer insight into ,irish peasant character1 and ways of light and thought1 than any book that it has been our fortune to read for a long time4--,athenum4 #b4 ,,kerrigan',s ,,quality4 ,third ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 art linen1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,a book to touch the hearts of all who read it4 ,miss ,barlow's sketches of the ,irish peasantry are the work of close and sympathetic observation1 combined with great literary dexterity4--,the ,daily ,chronicle4 #c4 ,,bogland ,,studies4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,rarely has it been our fortune to find between a couple of covers more humanity wedded to such vivid lines4 ,miss ,barlow is remarkably observant2 she has a gift of concentration1 a power of showing us a scene in one line4--,literary ,world4 ,,literary ,,anecdotes ,,of ,,the ,,nineteenth ,,century3 ,contributions towards the ,literary ,history of the ,period4 ,edited by ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d41 and ,,thomas ,j4 ,,wise4 ,volume ,i41 #bjs4 net4 ,,preface4--,the work1 of which this is the first volume1 has been suggested by ,nichols's well-known ,literary ,anecdotes of the ,eighteenth ,century4 ,the editors hope to provide in it a considerable amount of fresh matter1 illustrating the ,life and work of ,british ,authors in the ,nineteenth ,century4 ,to a large extent they rely upon manuscript material1 but use will be made of practically inaccessible texts1 and of fugitive writings4 ,while leading authors will receive due attention1 much space will be devoted to the less-known writers of the period4 ,it is intended to supply ,biographies1 ,letters hitherto unpublished1 additions from ,manuscript sources to published works1 together with a series of full ,bibliographies of the writings of the greater authors4 ,every precaution has been taken to avoid the infringement of copyright1 and the editors hope that they will be forgiven any involuntary transgression4 ,illustrations and numerous fac-similes will be provided in each volume4 ,while only one thousand copies are to be printed1 of which two hundred and fifty are for ,america1 in no circumstances will a reprint be undertaken4 ,the editors1 however1 reserve the right to issue separately any section of the work4 ,it is hoped that the second volume will be published in ,october1 #ahif4 ,,songs ,,of ,,rest4 ,edited by ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 ,presentation ,edition4 ,second ,edition4 ,elegantly bound in ,buckram1 gilt top1 #es4 ,this volume includes the ,first and ,second ,series4 ,they have been thoroughly revised1 and increased by one-third4 ,the ,bijou ,edition is still on sale1 ,first and ,second ,series1 #as4 #f;d4 each4 ,he has collected many beautiful things4--,daily ,chronicle4 ,we are not surprised that this new and dainty edition1 in one handsome volume1 is demanded4444 ,some of the most exquisite verses in this book are by singers whose praise is certainly not in all the churches1 but there is1 nevertheless1 a deep and impressive unison in all the music4--,the ,speaker4 ,a ,,window ,,in ,,thrums4 ,by ,j4 ,m4 ,,barrie4 ,fourteenth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 buckram1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,we think that this is the very best of the many good sketches of ,scottish peasant life which we have ever read--,standard4 ,this remarkable little book4 ,we follow the homely record with an interest which the most sensational drama could not surpass4--,blackwood's ,magazine4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,my ,,lady ,,nicotine4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 buckram1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,humour refined1 irresistible1 characteristic4--,echo4 ,a very delightful book4 ,the book should be read straight through1 and then picked up at intervals and opened anywhere4 ,wherever it is opened it will please4--,speaker4 #b4 ,,auld ,,licht ,,idylls4 ,tenth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 buckram1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,racy1 humorous1 and altogether delightful4--,truth4 ,at once the most successful1 the most truly literary1 and the most realistic attempt that has been made for years--if not for generations--to reproduce humble ,scottish life4--,spectator4 ,an dition de ,luxe of ,,auld ,,licht ,,idylls4 ,with ,eighteen ,etchings by ,,william ,,hole4 ,r4,s4,a4 ,handsomely printed by ,messrs4 ,r4 ,r4 ,,clark1 ,edinburgh1 on ,english hand-made paper4 ,large post #dto1 #cas4 #f;d4 ,a few ,copies at #c #cs41 signed by ,author and ,artist1 with ,etchings printed on ,japanese ,paper4 #c4 ,,when ,a ,,man',s ,,single4 ,a ,tale of ,literary ,life4 ,ninth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 buckram1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,the best one-volume novel of the year4--,daily ,news4 ,mr4 ,barrie is a man with a style4 ,from one end to the other the story is bright1 cheerful1 amusing4--,saturday ,review4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,love ,,and ,,quiet ,,life4 ,somerset ,idylls4 ,by ,,walter ,,raymond1 ,author of ,gentleman ,upcott's ,daughter1 ,young ,sam and ,sabina1 etc4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 gilt top4 #fs4 ,,london ,,idylls4 ,by ,w4 ,j4 ,,dawson4 ,second ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,a collection of stories of much promise4 ,mr4 ,dawson has a pleasant style1 an easy command of effective expression1 and he passes lightly from pathos to humour1 or rather he can blend the two with no sensible transition4--,times4 ,in ',london ,idylls' ,w4 ,j4 ,dawson has written a book that will be treasured4 ,the poem1 in which the author seeks to express the indefinable poetry of ,london1 could only have been written by one very nearly attuned to the spirit1 to the loves and passions1 joys and sorrows of the world's greatest centre of romance4 ,of the idylls themselves little may be written to convey any real sense of their charm4 ,the themes on which they turn are such as only ,london could have supplied4 ,than the first exquisitely rendered story--infinitely simple and tender--it is not too much to say that nothing more heartsearching has been written since the historian of ,joe1 the crossing-sweeper1 laid down his pen4 ,dickens himself might have wept over it4--,dundee ,advertiser4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,the ,,redemption ,,of ,,edward ,,strahan3 ,a ,social ,story4 ,third ,edition4 ,paper covers1 #as4 ,a powerful story4--,times4 ,a powerful book1 with a pure and high aim4--,,right ,,hon4 ,w4 ,e4 ,,gladstone4 #b4 ,,quest ,,and ,,vision4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,the marks of wide reading pervade the volume1 and ,mr4 ,dawson is in the main singularly adroit in his allusions4--,speaker4 #c4 ,,the ,,makers ,,of ,,modern ,,english3 ,a ,popular ,handbook to the ,greater ,poets of the ,century4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 #d4 ,,the ,,making ,,of ,,manhood4 ,fourth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,there is a manly outspokenness in this book as well as vision and sympathy1 and an evident understanding of the needs and aspirations which determine the point of view in youth towards religion and literature1 work and play1 and the give and take of society4--,speaker4 #e4 ,,the ,,threshold ,,of ,,manhood4 ,a ,young ,man's ,words to ,young ,men4 ,eighth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,they are full of force1 penetrated with ,christian manliness1 unsparing in their denunciations of vice1 and throb with desire for the salvation of the young4 ,these are sermons for the times1 which should nerve many young soldiers for the good fight of faith4--,london ,quarterly ,review4 ,,works ,,by ,,dr4 ,,dale4 ,the ,lord ,bishop of ,winchester says3 ,i consider ,dr4 ,dale to be one of the most enlightened and profound theologians of the time4 ,my shelves contain nearly all--if not all--of his books1 and we are friends4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,of ,,james ,,and ,,other ,,discourses4 ,third ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,christ ,,and ,,the ,,future ,,life ,fourth ,thousand4 ,elegantly bound in cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,,christian ,,doctrine4 ,a ,series of ,discourses4 ,fifth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,fellowship ,,with ,,christ1 and ,other ,discourses ,delivered on ,special ,occasions4 ,fifth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,the ,,living ,,christ ,,and ,,the ,,four ,,gospels4 ,eighth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,laws ,,of ,,christ ,,for ,,common ,,life4 ,eighth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,nine ,,lectures ,,on ,,preaching4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,the ,,jewish ,,temple ,,and ,,the ,,christian ,,church4 ,a ,series of ,discourses on the ,epistle to the ,hebrews4 ,ninth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,ephesians4 ,its ,doctrines and ,ethics4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,week-,,day ,,sermons4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,ten ,,commandments4 ,seventh ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,a4 ,m4 ,,mackay1 ,pioneer ,missionary of the ,church ,missionary ,society to ,uganda4 ,by his ,,sister4 ,with ,etched ,portrait by ,h4 ,manesse4 ,fifteenth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,even for lay readers a fascinating book of ,african exploration and ,adventure4--,st4 ,james's ,gazette4 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,mackay ,,for ,,boys4 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,mackay ,,of ,,uganda4 ,told for ,boys4 ,by his ,,sister4 ,the whole of the matter in this volume is fresh1 and is not found in the larger book1 ,a4 ,m4 ,mackay4 ,with ,portrait and ,illustrations4 ,eleventh ,thousand4 ,handsomely bound in cloth1 #hvo1 gilt edges1 #es4 ,a4 ,,mackay ,,ruthquist2 ,or1 ,singing the ,gospel among the ,hindus and ,gonds4 ,by the ,author of ,a4 ,m4 ,mackay1 ,pioneer ,missionary of the ,c4,m4,s4 to ,uganda1 etc4 ,with ,portrait and ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,twenty ,,years ,,in ,,khama',s ,,country1 ,and ,pioneering among the ,batauana of ,lake ,ngami4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,d4 ,,hepburn4 ,with ,photographic ,illustrations4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,characteristics ,,and ,,characters ,,of ,,william ,,law4 ,selected and arranged with an ,introduction by ,,alexander ,,whyte1 ,d4,d4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #is4 ,w4 ,p4 ,,lockhart1 ,merchant and ,preacher4 ,his ,life and ,letters4 ,compiled by his ,,wife4 ,with an ,introduction by the ,rev4 ,,alexander ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d41 of ,manchester1 and ,portrait4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,brontes ,,in ,,ireland2 or1 ,facts ,stranger than ,fiction4 ,by ,dr4 ,,william ,,wright1 ,author of ,the ,hittites1 etc4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,charles ,g4 ,,finney4 ,an ,autobiography4 ,with ,steel ,portrait4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,letters ,,and ,,sketches ,,from ,,the ,,new ,,hebrides4 ,by ,,maggie ,,whitecross ,,paton 7,mrs4 ,john ,g4 ,paton of ,aniwa74 ,edited by her ,brother-in-,law1 ,rev4 ,,james ,,paton1 ,b4,a4 ,with ,portrait1 ,map1 and #bc ,illustrations4 ,third ,edition4 ,sixth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,a very attractive piece of missionary literature1 full of vivid descriptions of nature and life4--,times4 ,a peculiar charm undoubtedly characterises these letters4 ,they were written for members of ,mrs4 ,paton's family and personal friends1 without any thought of publication2 and their literary grace is evidently natural and of the uncommon kind4 ,they abound in homely touches and in hearty humour1 while the unrestrained personal and domestic allusions afford valuable illustrations of a side of missionary life the existence of which is sometimes strangely ignored1 and the value of which to the work is by some utterly denied4--,church ,missionary ,intelligencer4 ,,john ,g4 ,,paton1 ,d4,d41 ,missionary to the ,hebrides4 ,an ,autobiography4 ,edited by his ,brother1 the ,rev4 ,,james ,,paton1 ,b4,a4 ,popular ,edition4 ,complete in ,one ,volume4 ,twentieth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,one of the best autobiographies we have ever read4 ,it is candour itself1 and bears the impress of truth on every page4 ,it would take a very incorrigible ,agnostic all his time not to fall in love with ,dr4 ,paton and his noble work4--,daily ,chronicle4 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,john ,g4 ,,paton4 ,told for ,young ,folks4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,james ,,paton1 ,b4,a4 ,with ,forty-five ,full-page ,illustrations by ,j4 ,finnemore4 ,with ,map4 ,fifteenth ,thousand4 #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,in the record of thirty years' good work amongst the ,south ,sea cannibals1 we have before us one of those missionary enterprises which read almost more strangely than fiction itself4444 ,there are enough hairbreadth escapes and deeds of cool1 if unostentatious1 courage in these pages to stock half-a-dozen ordinary books1 and the forty-five graphic illustrations add much to the attraction of the text4--,daily ,telegraph4 ,,life ,,of ,,st4 ,,francis ,,of ,,assisi4 ,by ,,paul ,,sabatier4 ,translated from the ,french4 ,gilt top4 ,new ,edition4 ,price #is4 net4 ,m4 ,paul ,sabatier is one of those men of letters1 unhappily rare in ,france1 in whom ripe learning and fine critical sagacity are not divorced from a reasonable ,christian faith4 ,trained in the ',facult de ,thologie ,protestante de ,paris1' he has grown into the most brilliant scholar of his ,church4 ,no commentary on the ,didache1 for instance1 is more illuminating than the edition of that treasure-trove which he published in #ahhe4 ,and now he has given us a ',life of ,st4 ,francis' which may stand on the same shelf with ,villari's ',life of ,savonarola4'--,the ,expositor4 ,we may cordially commend this translation4 ,it is thoroughly well done1 fluent and accurate1 and nowhere betraying by idiomatic faultiness or even stiffness1 that insufficient mastery of one or the other language which mars too many versions4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,,the ,,people',s ,,bible4 ,discourses upon ,holy ,scripture1 forming a ,pastoral ,commentary4 ,by ,,joseph ,,parker1 ,d4,d4 ,demy #hvo1 each2 #hs4 ,,the ,,old ,,testament4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,,genesis4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,,exodus4 ,vol4 ,,iii4 ,,leviticus--,,numbers ,,xxvi4 ,vol4 ,,iv4 ,,numbers ,,xxvi4--,,deuteronomy4 ,vol4 ,v4 ,,joshua--,,judges ,v4 ,vol4 ,,vi4 ,,judges ,,vi4--#a ,,samuel ,,xviii4 ,vol4 ,,vii4 #a ,,samuel ,,xviii4--#a ,,kings ,,xiii4 ,vol4 ,,viii4 #a ,,kings ,,xv4--#a ,,chronicles ,,ix4 ,vol4 ,,ix4 #a ,,chronicles ,x4--#b ,,chronicles ,,xx4 ,vol4 ,x4 #b ,,chronicles ,,xxi4--,,esther4 ,vol4 ,,xi4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,job4 ,vol4 ,,xii4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,psalms4 ,vol4 ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,proverbs4 ,vol4 ,,xiv4 ,,ecclesiastes--,,isaiah ,,xxvi4 ,vol4 ,,xv4 ,,isaiah ,,xxvii4--,,jeremiah ,,xix4 ,vol4 ,,xvi4 ,,jeremiah ,,xx4--,,daniel4 ,vol4 ,,xvii4 ,,hosea--,,malachi4 ,,the ,,new ,,testament4 ,vol4 ,,xviii4 ,,st4 ,,matthew4 ,vol4 ,,xix4 ,vol4 ,,xx4 ,,st4 ,,mark and ,,st4 ,,luke4 ,vol4 ,,xxi4 ,,st4 ,,john4 ,vol4 ,,xxii4 ,,the ,,acts ,,of ,,the ,,apostles4 ,vol4 ,,xxiii4 ,vol4 ,,xxiv4 ,,romans--,,galatians4 ,vol4 ,,xxv4 ,,ephesians--,,revelation4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,unknown ,,god2 ,or1 ,inspiration ,among ,pre-,christian ,races4 ,by ,c4 ,,loring ,,brace4 ,in #hvo1 cloth1 #abs4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,gesta ,,christi3 ,a ,history of ,human ,progress under ,christianity4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,large crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,church ,,seasons4 ,now ,publishing by ,subscription4 ,,the ,,anglican ,,pulpit ,,library4 ,sermons1 ,outlines1 ,illustrations for the ,sundays and ,holy ,days of the ,year1 ,original and ,selected4 ,the most complete collection of materials for ,sermons on the ,church ,year1 providing an average of ,fifty ,sermons for every ,sunday of the ,church ,year1 the subjects being chosen from the ,epistle1 the ,gospel1 the ,lessons1 and from passages bearing on the subjects of the ,day4 ,vol4 ,i4--,advent to ,christmastide4 ,vol4 ,,ii4--,epiphany to ,septuagesima4 ,vol4 ,,iii4--,sexagesima to ,passiontide4 ,subscription #bds4 in advance for the first three volumes1 in large #hvo1 of about #ejj pages each4 ,to non-subscribers1 #aes4 each volume4 ,full ,prospectus1 with ,specimen pages1 may be had on application4 ,church ,bells says3--,a volume of the very highest use to preachers and teachers4 ,the ,expositor says3--,this work1 when complete1 will form not merely an aid to preachers1 but a repertory of all the best sermons in the language4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,old ,,farm ,,fairies4 ,a ,summer ,campaign in ,brownieland against ,king ,cobweaver's ,pixies4 ,by ,,henry ,,christopher ,,mccook1 ,d4,d4 ,with #aej ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,the story tells of a war between the ,brownies and the spiders1 and will interest a child by the oddity and strangeness 7greater than a purely imaginative writer could conceive7 of the devices of strategy and warfare to which the spiders resort4 ,the illustrations to the book are partly fanciful1 partly true to the nature of spider life4444 ,a story so fresh in its idea1 and so well worked out1 is sure to please a young reader1 and to lend a peculiar attraction to the study of natural history4--,scotsman4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,tenants ,,of ,,an ,,old ,,farm3 ,leaves from the ,note-,book of a ,naturalist4 ,with ,introduction by ,sir ,,john ,,lubbock1 ,m4,p4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,dr4 ,mc,cook deals with friends of mine--with insects1 and particularly ants1 to which ,i have paid special attention4 ,i have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the fidelity and skill which ,dr4 ,mc,cook has devoted to the study of these interesting atoms2 and those who read his work may safely depend on the accuracy of what he says4--,from the ,introduction by ,sir ,,john ,,lubbock1 ,m4,p41 ,d4,c4,l41 ,f4,r4,s4 #b4 ,,women ,,friends ,,of ,,jesus2 or1 ,lives and ,characters of the ,holy ,women of ,gospel ,history4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,,the ,,visions ,,of ,a ,,prophet4 ,studies in ,zechariah4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 ,third ,thousand4 ,elegantly bound in cloth1 price #as4 #f;d4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,the ,,parables ,,of ,,our ,,lord 7,,matthew74 ,ninth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 #b4 ,,the ,,parables ,,of ,,our ,,lord 7,,luke74 ,seventh ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 #c4 ,,israel',s ,,iron ,,age4 ,sketches from the ,period of the ,judges4 ,seventh ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 #d4 ,,erasmus ,,and ,,other ,,essays4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 #e4 ,,the ,,prayer ,,that ,,teaches ,,to ,,pray4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 #bs4 #f;d4 #f4 ,,mohammed1 ,,buddha1 ,,and ,,christ3 ,four ,lectures on ,natural and ,revealed ,religion4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,god-,,man4 ,by ,,thomas ,,charles ,,edwards1 ,d4,d41 of ,lincoln ,college1 ,oxford1 ,principal of ,theological ,college1 ,bala4 ,being the ,davies ,lecture for #ahie4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,a ,,commentary ,,on ,,the ,,first ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,corinthians4 ,second ,edition1 #hvo1 cloth1 #ads4 #b4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,hebrews4 ,crown #hvo1 #gs4 #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,is ,,god ,,knowable8 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,j4 ,,iverach1 ,d4,d4 ,fourth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,miracles ,,of ,,our ,,lord4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,laidlaw1 ,d4,d4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,christian ,,ministry3 ,its ,origin1 ,constitution1 ,nature1 ,work4 ,by the ,very ,rev4 ,,william ,,lefroy1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,norwich4 #hvo1 cloth1 #ads4 ,,little ,,books ,,on ,,religion4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,,ll4,d4 ,elegantly bound in cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 each4 #a4 ,christ and the ,future ,life4 ,by the ,rev4 ,r4 ,w4 ,,dale1 ,,ll4,d4 #b4 ,the ,seven ,words from the ,cross4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,,ll4,d4 #c4 ,the ,visions of a ,prophet3 ,studies in ,zechariah4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 #d4 ,the ,four ,temperaments4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,alexander ,,whyte1 ,d4,d4 #e4 ,the ,upper ,room4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,watson1 ,m4,a41 ,author of ,beside the ,bonnie ,brier ,bush4 ,,the ,,newberry ,,bible4 ,by ,,thomas ,,newberry4 ,comprising the ,english-,hebrew ,bible and the ,english-,greek ,testament1 designed to give1 as far as practicable1 the ,accuracy1 ,precision1 and ,certainty of the ,original ,hebrew and ,greek ,scriptures on the ,page of the ,authorised ,version4 ,large ,type ,handy ,reference ,edition1 ,gilt ,edges1 #bas41 #bes41 #ces41 #fjs42 ,bible ,marking ,edition1 #aes41 #bes41 #cjs42 ,new ,pocket ,edition1 #fs41 #is41 #abs4 #f;d41 #gs4 #f;d41 #aes41 #bjs4 ,,union ,,with ,,god4 ,a ,series of ,addresses4 ,by ,professor ,j4 ,,rendel ,,harris1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow of ,clare ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #ds4 #f;d4 ,,social ,,christianity4 ,west ,central ,mission ,sermons4 ,delivered in ,st4 ,james's ,hall1 ,london4 ,by ,,hugh ,,price ,,hughes1 ,m4,a4 ,eighth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,are ,,miracles ,,credible8 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,j4 ,,lias1 ,m4,a4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,tales ,,of ,,the ,,warrior ,,king4 ,life and ,times of ,david1 ,king of ,israel4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,macduff1 ,d4,d4 ,with ,eight ,illustrations4 ,second ,thousand4 ,large crown #hvo1 cloth1 gilt top1 #fs4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,thoughts ,,for ,,the ,,quiet ,,hour4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 #b4 ,,the ,,pillar ,,in ,,the ,,night4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,mystery ,,of ,,grace1 and other ,sermons4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,hugh ,,macmillan1 ,d4,d4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,earth',s ,,earliest ,,ages1 and their connection with ,modern ,spiritualism and ,theosophy4 ,by ,g4 ,h4 ,,pember1 ,m4,a4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,the ,,great ,,prophecies ,,of ,,the ,,centuries ,,concerning ,,israel ,,and ,,the ,,gentiles4 ,with ,two ,coloured ,diagrams4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 #b4 ,,the ,,anti-,,christ1 ,,babylon1 ,,and ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,tokiwa1 and other ,poems4 ,by ,mrs4 ,,ashley ,,carus-,,wilson1 ne ,,mary ,l4 ,g4 ,,petrie1 ,b4,a41 ,lond4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,clews ,,to ,,holy ,,writ2 or1 the ,chronological ,scripture ,cycle4 ,by the same ,author4 ,ninth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,key ,,words ,,of ,,the ,,bible4 ,by ,a4 ,t4 ,,pierson1 ,d4,d4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,the ,,divine ,,enterprise ,,of ,,missions4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #ds4 #f;d4 ,,lessons ,,in ,,the ,,school ,,of ,,prayer ,,as ,,taught ,,by ,,the ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ ,,himself4 ,crown #hvo1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,classified ,,gems ,,of ,,thought4 ,from the ,great ,writers of all ,ages4 ,in ,convenient ,form for ,use as a ,dictionary of ,ready ,reference on ,religious ,subjects4 ,by the ,rev4 ,f4 ,b4 ,,proctor1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,tadcaster4 ,cheap ,edition4 ,royal #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,apostle ,,paul3 a ,sketch of the ,development of his ,doctrine4 ,by ,m4 ,a4 ,,sabatier4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,divine ,,unity ,,of ,,scripture4 ,by ,dr4 ,,adolph ,,saphir4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,imperfect ,,angel1 and other ,sermons4 ,by ,rev4 ,t4 ,g4 ,,selby4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,the ,,lesson ,,of ,a ,,dilemma1 and other ,sermons4 ,third ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 #fs4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,saint ,,and ,,his ,,saviour4 ,the ,progress of the ,soul in the ,knowledge of ,jesus4 ,by ,c4 ,h4 ,,spurgeon4 ,with ,steel ,portrait4 ,a ,new ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,complete ,,in ,,christ ,,and ,,love',s ,,logic4 ,extracted from ,the ,saint and his ,saviour4 ,fourth ,thousand4 #cbmo1 #as4 ,,the ,,trial ,,and ,,death ,,of ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,a ,devotional ,history of our ,lord's ,passion4 ,by ,,james ,,stalker1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 ,seventh ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,imago ,,christi3 ,the ,example of ,jesus ,christ4 ,twenty-seventh ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,presentation ,edition1 handsomely bound in padded leather1 net1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,preacher ,,and ,,his ,,models4 ,yale ,lectures on ,preaching1 #ahia4 ,seventh ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,,the ,,four ,,men4 ,eighth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,garden ,,graith2 or1 ,talks among my flowers4 ,by ,,sarah ,f4 ,,smiley4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,who ,,is ,,he8 or1 the ,anxious ,inquiry ,answered4 ,third ,thousand4 ,choicely bound in cloth with gilt edges1 #i;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,new ,,era4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,josiah ,,strong1 ,d4,d4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,,the ,,limitations ,,of ,,life1 and other ,sermons4 ,by ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,,taylor1 ,d4,d41 ,author of ,the ,ministry of the ,word1 etc4 ,with ,portrait of the ,author4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,parables ,,of ,,our ,,saviour ,,expounded ,,and ,,illustrated4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,miracles ,,of ,,our ,,saviour ,,expounded ,,and ,,illustrated4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,sunlight ,,and ,,shadow2 or1 ,gleanings from my ,life ,work4 ,by ,j4 ,b4 ,,gough4 ,comprising--,personal ,experiences1 ,anecdotes1 ,incidents1 and ,reminiscences2 gathered from ,thirty-seven ,years' ,experience on the ,platform and among the ,people at ,home and ,abroad4 ,twelfth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,mr4 ,gough has gathered together a large number of most interesting and stirring incidents1 experiences1 and reminiscences from his thirty-seven years' work at home and abroad4--,record4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,platform ,,echoes4 ,leaves from my ,note ,book of ,forty ,years ,illustrated by ,anecdotes1 ,incidents1 ,personal ,experiences1 ,facts1 and ,stories1 drawn from the ,humour and ,pathos of ,life4 ,seventeenth ,thousand4 ,demy #hvo1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,these chapters abound in apt illustrations and in anecdotes both humorous and pathetic4--,daily ,news4 ,teeming with thrilling incidents1 experiences1 and facts4--,methodist ,times4 ,,works ,,by ,,dr4 ,,thain ,,davidson4 #a4 ,a ,,good ,,start4 ,sixth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,books which are confessedly and designedly 'improving' without being dull1 are not very common4 ,such books ,dr4 ,davidson has already proved his capacity to write1 and these 'homely talks' with young men are not inferior to his previous efforts4 ,earnest and plain1 and strictly adapted to the understanding of the ordinary man1 they are never careless or meaningless4--,academy4 #b4 ,,sure ,,to ,,succeed4 ,eighth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,an excellent present for a youth just going into business or coming up to ,london4 ,it consists of twenty pithy and practical lectures to young men4--,record4 #c4 ,,forewarned--,,forearmed4 ,eighth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,weighty counsels4 ,dr4 ,davidson is remarkably at home in talks with young men4 ,his words glow with an intense earnestness which demands and obtains attention from his readers4--,sword and ,trowel4 #d4 ,,the ,,city ,,youth4 ,seventh ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,a volume well worthy to rank with his previous works on kindred subjects4 ,dr4 ,davidson's matter and manner are alike excellent4 ,about the former there is no suspicion of what hasty people might call cant1 while the latter is serious but not heavy4 ,dr4 ,davidson aims at no impossible standard2 he is as sympathetic as he is acute1 as kind as he is firm4--,globe4 #e4 ,,talks ,,with ,,young ,,men4 ,fifteenth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,for sterling common-sense combined with true spiritual feeling1 they have not been surpassed for many a day4 ,the addresses bristle with telling metaphors and illustrations1 and the book can be read from cover to cover with profitable interest4--,literary ,world4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,catacombs ,,of ,,rome1 and their ,testimony ,relative to ,primitive ,christianity4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,withrow1 ,m4,a4 ,sixth ,edition4 #acd ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo2 cloth1 #fs4 ,mr4 ,withrow's account of the catacombs of ,rome is an exceedingly painstaking and thorough-going work1 and whether or not the writer may be correct in all his inferences1 they have evidently been founded upon diligent information4 ,he could not have very much that was absolutely new to tell on the subject2 but as a convenient account of the most remarkable and interesting monuments of primitive ,christianity1 of those excavations which furnished the persecuted ,church with refuges during life and in death1 which formed her places of worship in times of peril1 and received the remains of martyrs1 the present volume is perhaps inferior to none of its predecessors4--,saturday ,review4 ,,the ,,history ,,of ,,the ,,christian ,,church4 ,by ,,george ,p4 ,,fisher1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 ,with ,seven ,coloured ,maps4 ,new ,edition4 ,fifteenth ,thousand4 #hvo1 #gab pp41 #abs4 ,we are sincerely thankful to ,dr4 ,fisher for having collected with so much labour1 and sifted with so much clearness1 a perfectly overwhelming mass of facts1 and we are certain that his book will be frequently referred to by students of ,church ,history1 as a trustworthy compendium and outline of the main events in the history of the ,church4--,guardian4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,the ,,grounds ,,of ,,theistic ,,and ,,christian ,,belief4 #hvo1 cloth1 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,the book1 which we have frequently recommended1 is an able defence of both natural and supernatural religion1 and forms practically a modern appendix to ,butler's ',analogy4' ,the work is not merely an 'apology'2 it pursues the attack with considerable vigour1 and hence it provides an ample armoury whence to draw weapons for use against the arguments of unbelieving scientists and philosophers4--,church ,times4 ,,ireland ,,and ,,the ,,anglo-,,norman ,,church3 ,a ,history of ,ireland and ,irish ,christianity from the ,anglo-,norman ,conquest to the ,dawn of the ,reformation4 ,by ,rev4 ,preb4 ,g4 ,t4 ,,stokes1 ,d4,d41 ,professor of ,ecclesiastical ,history in the ,university of ,dublin4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,dr4 ,stokes's brilliant lectures4--,athenum4 ,his narrative1 enlivened by anecdotes1 and by information of a most recondite sort1 is throughout brimful of interest4--,academy4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,ireland ,,and ,,the ,,celtic ,,church3 ,a ,history of ,ireland from ,st4 ,patrick to the ,english ,conquest in #aagb4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,any one who can make the dry bones of ancient ,irish history live again may feel sure of finding an audience sympathetic1 intelligent1 and ever-growing4 ,dr4 ,stokes has this faculty in a high degree4--,westminster ,review4 ,,works ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,miller1 ,d4,d4 ,a ,,message ,,for ,,the ,,day4 ,a ,year's ,daily ,readings4 ,fourth ,thousand4 #afmo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,a beautiful little work1 from a pen which has been blessed to many4 ,each page is headed by a text of ,scripture1 and following this are illustrative remarks1 and words designed to press home the ,divine message4 ,in many cases poetical selections complete the helpful page4--,christian4 ,,dr4 ,j4 ,r4 ,,miller',s ,,new ,,year ,,booklets4 ,suitable for ,general ,circulation4 #a4 ,,secrets ,,of ,a ,,happy ,,home ,,life4 ,thirteenth ,thousand4 #f;d4 ,its counsels1 if heeded1 will heal many a sore1 and cement the bonds of family affection4--,the ,christian4 #b4 ,,the ,,blessing ,,of ,,cheerfulness4 ,eleventh ,thousand4 #f;d4 ,it can do nothing but good wherever it penetrates4--,the ,record4 ,dr4 ,miller's ,silent ,times ,series4 ,elegantly bound1 parchment cloth1 gilt top1 #cs4 #f;d4 each4 #a4 ,,making ,,the ,,most ,,of ,,life4 ,seventh ,edition4 ,they contain an abundance of pithy sentiment1 and the winning manner in which it is conveyed1 together with the tenderness of appeal which underlies all that is said1 rivets attention4 ,the many short stories and episodes which give point to the writer's observations are introduced with much skill and effect4--,rock4 #b4 ,,the ,,every-,,day ,,of ,,life4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,rich in suggestion and full of truth4--,dundee ,advertiser4 ,dr4 ,miller very fitly dedicates his new book to 'those who want to grow better4' ,by such his pages will be read with mingled delight and profit1 for they are full of apt quotation1 striking and abundant illustration1 and great knowledge of human nature4--,literary ,world4 #c4 ,,secrets ,,of ,a ,,beautiful ,,life4 ,third ,edition4 ,this charming and helpful book4--,church ,times4 ,he has a rare and sympathetic spirit1 he has also had singularly wide experience in the wants and workings of the human heart1 and is singularly gifted with the power of expression and happy illustration4--,presbyterian4 #d4 ,,silent ,,times4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,it overflows with useful and suggestive counsel1 illustrated by apt quotation and striking facts4--,methodist ,times4 ,the contents of the book well deserve their beautiful setting4 ,dr4 ,miller writes both sweetly and tenderly on a great variety of topics germane to the object he has in view4 ',silent ,times' deserves a welcome1 for it is a book of sunbeams4--,sword and ,trowel4 #e4 ,,week-,,day ,,religion4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,a series of bright1 sensible1 tender1 and interesting chapters on just the difficulties which beset all who are trying to be ,christians every day4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,,works ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,t4 ,l4 ,,cuyler1 ,d4,d4 #a4 ,,christianity ,,in ,,the ,,home4 ,second ,thousand4 ,handsomely bound1 half parchment cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,bright and helpful4--,london ,quarterly ,review4 ,the homely simplicity of ,dr4 ,cuyler's style1 his shrewdness1 and the inexhaustible abundance of fresh and familiar illustrations are strongly marked4--,literary ,world4 ,short1 terse1 practical papers4--,primitive ,methodist ,magazine4 ,the contents of this book are as beautiful and practical as the binding is tasteful4 ,herein is sound1 common-sense counsel on religious matters1 always thorough and always wise1 and given sometimes in the form of a brief and suggestive exposition of a ,scriptural phrase4--,methodist ,recorder4 #b4 ,,newly ,,enlisted4 ,a ,series of ,talks with ,young ,converts4 ,tenth ,thousand4 ,square #afmo1 #afj pp41 cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,stirring and stimulative2 444 wise and weighty4--,word and ,work4 ,it is brimful of good advice and sanctified common-sense4 ,there is a manly robustness about it which will make it acceptable to all readers4--,rock4 #c4 ,,wayside ,,springs ,,from ,,the ,,fountain ,,of ,,life4 ,sixth ,thousand4 ,square #afmo1 cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 #d4 ,,god',s ,,light ,,on ,,dark ,,clouds4 ,twenty-second ,thousand4 ,cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,a literary gem of rare utility and beauty4 ,it only requires to be known to be approved of1 and then sown broadcast4--,clergyman's ,magazine4 #e4 ,,heart ,,life4 ,nineteenth ,thousand4 ,fcap4 #hvo1 cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,a most delightful and experimental little volume4--,christian4 #f4 ,,heart ,,culture4 ,twelfth ,thousand4 ,fcap4 #hvo1 cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,the short and pithy papers are exceedingly good1 and ,dr4 ,cuyler's treatment of them is in every way admirable4--,rock4 #g4 ,,heart ,,thoughts4 ,fourteenth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 #as4 #f;d4 ,short1 pithy1 and persuasive4--,sunday ,school ,chronicle4 #h4 ,,thoughts ,,for ,,heart ,,and ,,life4 ,containing ,heart ,life1 ,heart ,culture1 and ,heart ,thoughts4 ,eighth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,romans4 ,by ,,handley ,c4 ,g4 ,,moule1 ,m4,a41 ,b4,d41 ,principal of ,ridley ,hall1 ,cambridge4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,mr4 ,moule has made a very careful study of ,paul's great doctrinal epistle1 and has entered thoroughly into its spirit4--,scotsman4 ,we do not hesitate to place it in the very front of the little group of volumes which are the best examples of this carefully edited work4 ,it would be pleasant to linger upon this commentary1 upon the clearness with which the great evangelical doctrines of the ,epistle are explained and enforced1 upon the earnestness of its personal appeal1 and the charm which often marks its language2 but the judicious student of the ,new ,testament will obtain the book for himself4--,record4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,veni ,,creator4 ,thoughts on the ,person and ,work of the ,holy ,spirit of ,promise4 ,sixth ,thousand4 ,cloth1 #es4 #b4 ,,to ,,my ,,younger ,,brethren4 ,chapters on ,pastoral ,life and ,work4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 #c4 ,,life ,,in ,,christ ,,and ,,for ,,christ4 ,fourteenth ,thousand4 #cbmo1 cloth1 red edges1 #as4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,new ,,christology4 ,,the ,,visible ,,god ,,and ,,his ,,relation ,,to ,,man ,,in ,,creation ,,and ,,redemption4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,,marshall4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,nature ,,as ,a ,,book ,,of ,,symbols4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,practical ,,commentary ,,on ,,the ,,gospel ,,according ,,to ,,st4 ,,matthew4 ,by ,,james ,,morison1 ,d4,d4 ,ninth ,edition4 #hvo1 cloth1 #ads4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,sheaves ,,of ,,ministry3 ,sermons and ,expositions4 #hvo1 cloth1 #ajs4 #f;d4 #b4 ,a ,,practical ,,commentary ,,on ,,the ,,gospel ,,according ,,to ,,st4 ,,mark4 ,seventh ,edition4 ,in ,one ,volume1 #hvo1 cloth1 #abs4 #c4 ,,st4 ,,paul',s ,,teaching ,,on ,,sanctification4 ,a ,practical ,exposition of ,romans vi4 #hvo1 cloth1 #ds4 #f;d4 #d4 ,,exposition ,,of ,,the ,,ninth ,,chapter ,,of ,,the ,,epistle ,,to ,,the ,,romans4 ,demy #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,turning ,,points ,,in ,,successful ,,careers4 ,by ,,william ,m4 ,,thayer1 ,author of ,from ,log ,cabin to ,white ,house4 ,second ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,for the rest we have little to say that is not in praise of a volume which is modelled somewhat on the lines of ,dr4 ,smiles' ',self-,help4' ,there is so much pernicious literature in circulation that it is always a pleasure to meet with books which confront the young ideas with golden deeds4 ,happily1 ,mr4 ,thayer writes with vivacity1 and knows how to select the picturesque and salient incidents1 and in the majority of instances he has likewise the good sense to let it speak for itself4--,speaker4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,the ,,way ,,to ,,succeed2 or1 the ,secret of ,success in ,life4 ,fifth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,tact1 ,,push1 ,,and ,,principle4 ,seventh ,edition1 completing #bj1jjj4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,theological ,educator4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d41 ,editor of the ,expositor4 ,fcap4 #hvo1 cloth1 price #bs4 #f;d4 each4 ,a ,,manual ,,of ,,christian ,,evidences4 ,by the ,rev4 ,prebendary ,c4 ,a4 ,,row1 ,m4,a4 ,thirteenth ,thousand4 ,a veritable multum in parvo1 clear1 cogent1 and concise1 without being sketchy or superficial4--,saturday ,review4 ,,an ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,textual ,,criticism ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,b4 ,b4 ,,warfield1 ,d4,d4 ,fifth ,thousand4 ,a masterly survey of the whole subject4--,expositor4 ,a ,,hebrew ,,grammar4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,lowe1 ,m4,a4 ,second ,thousand4 ,a brief and masterly sketch of the ,hebrew grammar4--,literary ,churchman4 ,a ,,manual ,,of ,,church ,,history4 ,by the ,rev4 ,a4 ,c4 ,,jennings1 ,m4,a4 ,in ,two ,volumes4 ,vol4 ,i4--,from the ,first to the ,tenth ,century4 ,third ,thousand4 ,vol4 ,,ii4--,from the ,eleventh to the ,nineteenth ,century4 ,third ,thousand4 ,the ,theological ,editor-continued4 ,,an ,,exposition ,,of ,,the ,,apostles' ,,creed4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,e4 ,,yonge1 ,m4,a4 ,second ,thousand4 ,an able treatise4--,church ,times4 ,,the ,,prayer ,,book4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,charles ,,hole1 ,b4,a41 ,professor at ,king's ,college1 ,london4 ,third ,thousand4 ,it is not overloaded with detail1 and yet supplies in an admirably compact shape all essential information4--,british ,weekly4 ,,an ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,new ,,testament4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,thirteenth ,thousand4 ,dr4 ,marcus ,dods has packed away an immense amount of information in a very small space4--,methodist ,recorder4 ,,the ,,writers ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament3 ,their ,style and ,characteristics4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,simcox1 ,m4,a4 ,second ,thousand4 ,one of the choicest productions of ,english scholarship in recent years4--,manchester ,examiner4 ,,the ,,language ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament4 ,by the ,same ,author4 ,third ,thousand4 ,a book which deserves and will well repay the attention of all students of the ,new ,testament4--,athenum4 ,,an ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,old ,,testament4 ,by the ,rev4 ,c4 ,h4 ,h4 ,,wright1 ,d4,d4 ,sixth ,thousand4 ,the work is of brief compass1 and covers a vast field of study1 but the necessary compression has been done with the skill of one experienced in the needs of students4--,scotsman4 ,,outlines ,,of ,,christian ,,doctrine4 ,by the ,rev4 ,h4 ,c4 ,g4 ,,moule1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d41 ,principal of ,ridley ,hall1 ,cambridge4 ,thirteenth ,thousand4 ,a compendium of ,christian doctrine of the very highest excellence4--,sword and ,trowel4 ,,the ,,theology ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,walter ,f4 ,,adeney1 ,m4,a4 ,third ,thousand4 ,the salient points of the subject are for the most part well seized1 and simply and effectively presented4--,methodist ,recorder4 ,,evolution ,,and ,,christianity4 ,by ,,james ,,iverach1 ,d4,d41 ,author of ,is ,god ,knowable8 etc4 ,fourth ,thousand4 ,a thoughtfully acute and well-reasoned little book4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,,the ,,theology ,,of ,,the ,,old ,,testament4 ,by the ,rev ,professor ,w4 ,h4 ,,bennett1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,household ,library of ,exposition4 ,,the ,,parables ,,of ,,our ,,lord4 ,,first ,,series4 ,as ,recorded by ,st4 ,matthew4 ,by ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,ninth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo2 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,there is certainly no better volume on the subject in our language4--,glasgow ,mail4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,the ,,parables ,,of ,,our ,,lord4 ,,second ,,series4 ,the ,parables ,recorded by ,st4 ,luke4 ,seventh ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,an original exposition1 marked by strong common sense1 and practical exhortation4--,literary ,churchman4 ,,isaac1 ,,jacob1 ,,and ,,joseph4 ,sixth ,thousand1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,the present volume is worthy of the writer's reputation4 ,he deals with the problems of human life and character which these biographies suggest in a candid and manly fashion4--,spectator4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,david1 as ,reflected in his ,psalms4 ,by ,,alexander ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d41 of ,manchester4 ,eighth ,edition4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,real gems of exposition4--,expositor4 ,just the book we should give to awaken a living and historical interest in the ,psalms4--,guardian4 ,,the ,,speeches ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,apostles4 ,by ,,donald ,,fraser1 ,d4,d4 ,second ,thousand4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,exceedingly well done4--,scottish review4 ,,the ,,lord',s ,,prayer4 ,by ,,charles ,,stanford1 ,d4,d4 ,fourth ,thousand4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,for spiritual grasp and insight1 for wealth of glowing imagery1 and for rare felicity of style1 it will hold a first place in this valuable series of expository monographs4-,christian4 ,,the ,,lamb ,,of ,,god4 ,expositions in the ,writings of ,st4 ,john4 ,by ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 ,second ,edition4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,replete with the richest thought and finest feeling4--,aberdeen ,free ,press4 ,,the ,,galilean ,,gospel4 ,by ,professor ,a4 ,b4 ,,bruce1 ,d4,d4 ,fourth ,edition4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,we heartily commend this little volume4--,spectator4 ,,the ,,law ,,of ,,the ,,ten ,,words4 ,by ,j4 ,,oswald ,,dykes1 ,d4,d41 ,author of ,the ,beatitudes1 ,from ,jerusalem to ,antioch1 etc4 ,fourth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,dr4 ,dykes' spiritual insight1 and his thorough sympathy with contemporary life1 enable him at once to catch the true application of the ,ten ,commandments to present-day needs2 his style is a singular combination of strength and beauty4--,literary ,world4 ,,the ,,parabolic ,,teaching ,,of ,,christ3 ,a ,systematic and ,critical ,study of the ,parables of our ,lord4 ,by ,,alexander ,,balmain ,,bruce1 ,d4,d41 ,professor of ,apologetics1 ,free ,church ,college1 ,glasgow4 ,sixth ,edition4 #hvo1 cloth1 #abs4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,the ,,miraculous ,,element ,,in ,,the ,,gospels4 ,third ,edition4 #hvo1 cloth1 #abs4 #b4 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,william ,,denny4 ,with ,portrait4 ,second ,edition4 #hvo1 cloth1 #abs4 #c4 ,,the ,,chief ,,end ,,of ,,revelation4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo2 cloth1 #fs4 #d4 ,,the ,,galilean ,,gospel4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,new ,,life ,,of ,,christ3 ,a ,study in ,personal ,religion4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,j4 ,,agar ,,beet1 ,d4,d4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 #f;d4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,through ,,christ ,,to ,,god4 ,a ,study in ,scientific ,theology4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 #fs4 #f;d4 ,,dr4 ,,beet',s ,,commentaries ,,on ,,st4 ,,paul',s ,,epistles4 #a4 ,romans4 ,eighth ,edition1 #gs4 #f;d4 #b4 ,corinthians4 ,sixth ,edition4 #ajs4 #f;d4 #c4 ,galatians4 ,fourth ,edition4 #es4 #d4 ,ephesians1 ,philippians1 and ,colossians4 ,third ,thousand4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,dr4 ,,maclaren',s ,,bible ,,text ,,books4 ,,bible ,,class ,,expositions4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 each volume4 #a4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,matthew4 #b ,volumes4 #b4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,mark4 #c4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,luke4 #d4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 #e4 ,the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,,the ,,critical ,,and ,,expository ,,bible ,,cyclop,,dia4 ,by the ,rev4 ,a4 ,r4 ,,fausset1 ,d4,d41 ,canon of ,york1 ,joint ,author of ,the ,critical and ,experimental ,commentary4 ,illustrated by #fjj ,woodcuts4 ,cheap ,edition1 ,unabridged4 ,eleventh ,thousand4 ,cloth1 red edges1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,this is a work of prodigious research1 labour1 and minute painstaking4 ,the book is a rich and full storehouse of ,scripture knowledge4--,guardian4 ,,studies ,,on ,,the ,,epistles4 ,by ,f4 ,,godet1 ,d4,d41 ,professor of ,theology1 ,neuchatel4 ,translated by ,mrs4 ,,annie ,,harwood ,,holmden4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,there is no other book in which the results of modern criticism are so conveniently accessible and so admirably sifted4--,expositor4 ,it maintains the level of careful scholarship1 critical sagacity1 and practical piety on which all the writer's work stands4 ,the mature and careful expression of his views on matters of such central importance1 by one of the most highly and justly respected of living orthodox exegetes1 will have great value for the theological student4--,glasgow ,herald4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 ,,studies ,,on ,,the ,,new ,,testament4 ,edited by the ,hon4 and ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,lyttelton1 ,m4,a41 ,canon of ,gloucester4 ,tenth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,when he ascends into the higher regions of theology1 as in the studies on the person and work of ,jesus ,christ1 his insight is always profound1 and his teaching weighty and suggestive4--,spectator4 ,,studies ,,on ,,the ,,old ,,testament4 ,edited by the ,hon4 and ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,lyttelton1 ,m4,a4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,unquestionably ,m4 ,godet is one of the first1 if not the very first of contemporary commentators4 ,we have no hesitation in advising all students of the ,scripture to procure and to read with careful attention these luminous essays4--,literary ,churchman4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,approaching ,,end ,,of ,,the ,,age1 ,viewed in the ,light of ,history1 ,prophecy1 and ,science4 ,by the ,rev4 ,h4 ,,grattan ,,guinness4 ,twelfth ,edition4 ,with ,diagrams4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,light ,,for ,,the ,,last ,,days4 ,a ,study1 ,historical and ,prophetical4 ,by ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,h4 ,,grattan ,,guinness4 ,third ,edition4 ,with ,diagrams4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,first ,,things ,,first4 ,addresses to ,young ,men4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,george ,,jackson1 ,b4,a4 ,sixth ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,these addresses are short1 full of force1 and effectual in the lessons they convey4444 ,he is no waster of words3 he points a truth1 in a few brief1 incisive phrases1 and preaches a sermon in a paragraph4 ,above all1 they are manly in tone1 and have the sterling ring of sincerity4--,dundee ,advertiser4 ,,david ,,livingstone4 ,the ,story of his ,life and ,labours2 or1 ,the ,weaver ,boy who became a ,missionary4 ,by ,h4 ,g4 ,,adams4 ,with ,portrait and numerous ,illustrations4 ,seventy-fourth ,thousand4 #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,a4,l4,o4,e4--,a ,,lady ,,of ,,england2 or1 ,life and ,letters of ,charlotte ,maria ,tucker4 ,by ,,agnes ,,giberne4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,third ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 gilt top1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,chronicles ,,of ,,uganda4 ,by the ,rev4 ,r4 ,p4 ,,ashe1 ,m4,a41 ,author of ,two ,kings of ,uganda4 ,with ,portrait and ,twenty-six ,illustrations4 ,second ,thousand4 #hvo1 cloth1 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,reminiscences ,,of ,,andrew ,a4 ,,bonar1 ,d4,d4 ,edited by his ,daughter1 ,,marjory ,,bonar4 ,with ,photogravure ,portrait1 ,fac-simile1 and ,illustration4 ,third ,thousand4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,andrew ,a4 ,,bonar1 ,d4,d4 ,,diary ,,letters4 ,transcribed and ,edited by his ,daughter1 ,,marjory ,,bonar4 ,with ,portrait4 ,third ,edition4 ,seventh ,thousand4 #fs4 ,,life ,,and ,,letters ,,of ,,john ,,cairns1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d41 ,principal of the ,u4 ,p4 ,college1 ,edinburgh4 ,by ,,alexander ,r4 ,,macewen1 ,d4,d4 ,with ,portrait4 ,second ,edition4 #hvo1 cloth1 #ads4 ,,christ1 ,,the ,,morning ,,star1 ,,and ,,other ,,sermons4 ,by ,,john ,,cairns1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d41 ,principal of the ,u4 ,p4 ,college1 ,edinburgh4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,great ,,missionaries4 ,by the ,rev4 ,c4 ,c4 ,,creegan1 ,d4,d4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,holy ,,men ,,of ,,god4 ,from ,st4 ,augustine to ,yesterday4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,,elder ,,cumming1 ,d4,d4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,,edward ,,hoare1 ,m4,a4 ,a ,record of ,his ,life based upon a ,brief ,autobiography4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,townsend1 ,d4,d41 ,vicar of ,broadwater ,down1 ,tunbridge ,wells4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,,spiral ,,stairs2 or1 ,the ,heavenward ,course of the ,church ,seasons4 ,devotional ,studies on the ,christian ,life4 ,by the same ,author4 ,crown #hvo1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,koheleth1 commonly called ,,ecclesiastes1 considered in ,relation to ,modern ,criticism1 and to the ,doctrines of ,modern ,pessimism1 with a ,critical and ,grammatical ,commentary and a ,revised ,translation4 ,by the ,rev4 ,c4 ,h4 ,h4 ,,wright1 ,d4,d41 ,ph4,d4 #hvo1 cloth1 #abs4 ,,eastern ,,customs ,,in ,,bible ,,lands4 ,by ,h4 ,b4 ,,tristram1 ,,ll4,d41 ,d4,d41 ,f4,r4,s41 ,canon of ,durham1 ,author of ,the ,great ,sahara1 etc4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 ,,studies ,,in ,,oriental ,,social ,,life1 and ,gleams from the ,east on the ,sacred ,page4 ,by the ,rev4 ,h4 ,,clay ,,trumbull1 ,d4,d41 ,author of ,kadesh-,barnea1 ,teaching and ,teachers1 etc4 ,with ,thirty ,illustrations from ,photographs4 ,large crown #hvo1 cloth1 #fs4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author4 #a4 ,,teaching ,,and ,,teachers2 or1 ,the ,sunday-,school ,teacher's ,teaching ,work1 and the other ,work of the ,sunday-,school ,teacher4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #es4 #b4 ,,hints ,,on ,,child ,,training4 ,crown #hvo1 cloth1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,the ,expositor's ,bible4 ,,edited ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,w4 ,robertson ,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 ,separate ,volumes1 #g_/f4 ,price to subscribers for any single series1 #bd_/- net1 except the ,eighth 7#g volumes71 the subscription price of which is #bh_/- net4 ,,first ,,series4 ,colossians and ,philemon4 ,by ,,alexander ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,gospel according to ,st4 ,mark4 ,by the ,very ,rev4 ,g4 ,a4 ,,chadwick1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,armagh4 ,the ,book of ,genesis4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,first ,book of ,samuel4 ,by ,professor ,w4 ,g4 ,,blaikie1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 ,the ,second ,book of ,samuel4 ,by the same ,author4 ,the ,epistle to the ,hebrews4 ,by ,principal ,t4 ,c4 ,,edwards1 ,d4,d4 ,,second ,,series4 ,the ,epistle to the ,galatians4 ,by ,professor ,g4 ,g4 ,,findlay1 ,b4,a4 ,the ,pastoral ,epistles4 ,by the ,rev4 ,a4 ,,plummer1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,isaiah i4-xxxix4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,by ,professor ,,george ,,adam ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,revelation4 ,by ,professor ,w4 ,,milligan1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians4 ,by ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,john4 ,by the ,right ,rev4 ,w4 ,,alexander1 ,d4,d41 ,d4,c4,l41 ,lord ,bishop of ,derry and ,raphoe4 ,,third ,,series4 ,judges and ,ruth4 ,by the ,rev4 ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,prophecies of ,jeremiah4 ,by the ,rev4 ,c4 ,j4 ,,ball1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,book of ,isaiah4 ,chaps4 xl4 to lxvi4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,by ,professor ,,george ,,adam ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,matthew4 ,by ,j4 ,,monro ,,gibson1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,exodus4 ,by the ,very ,rev4 ,g4 ,a4 ,,chadwick1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,armagh4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,luke4 ,by the ,rev4 ,h4 ,,burton1 ,m4,a4 ,,fourth ,,series4 ,ecclesiastes1 or the ,preacher4 ,by ,,samuel ,,cox1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,james and ,st4 ,jude4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,alfred ,,plummer1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,leviticus4 ,by the ,rev4 ,s4 ,h4 ,,kellogg1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,proverbs4 ,by the ,rev4 ,r4 ,f4 ,,horton1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,g4 ,t4 ,,stokes1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,expositor's ,bible--continued4 ,separate ,volumes1 #g_/f4 ,price to subscribers for any single series1 #bd_/- net1 except the ,eighth 7#g volumes71 the subscription price of which is #bh_/- net4 ,,fifth ,,series4 ,the ,epistles to the ,thessalonians4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,james ,,denney1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,gospel of ,st4 ,john4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,marcus ,,dods1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,psalms4 ,vol4 ,i4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,alexander ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,g4 ,t4 ,,stokes1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,job4 ,by the ,rev4 ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,epistle to the ,ephesians4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,g4 ,g4 ,,findlay1 ,b4,a4 ,,sixth ,,series4 ,the ,epistle to the ,philippians4 ,by the ,rev4 ,principal ,,rainy1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,first ,book of ,kings4 ,by the ,very ,rev4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,farrar1 ,f4,r4,s41 ,dean of ,canterbury4 ,the ,book of ,joshua4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,w4 ,g4 ,,blaikie1 ,d4,d41 ,,ll4,d4 ,ezra1 ,nehemiah1 and ,esther4 ,by the ,rev4 ,prof4 ,w4 ,f4 ,,adeney1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,book of ,psalms4 ,vol4 ,,ii4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,alexander ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,peter4 ,by the ,rev4 ,prof4 ,j4 ,,rawson ,,lumby1 ,d4,d4 ,,seventh ,,series4 ,the ,epistle to the ,romans4 ,by ,handley ,c4 ,g4 ,,moule1 ,m4,a41 ,d4,d4 ,the ,second ,book of ,kings4 ,by the ,very ,rev4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,farrar1 ,f4,r4,s41 ,dean of ,canterbury4 ,the ,second ,epistle to the ,corinthians4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,james ,,denney1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,books of ,chronicles4 ,by the ,rev4 ,prof4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,bennett1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,book of ,numbers4 ,by the ,rev4 ,r4 ,a4 ,,watson1 ,d4,d4 ,the ,book of ,psalms4 ,vol4 ,,iii4 ,by ,,alex4 ,,maclaren1 ,d4,d4 ,,eighth ,,and ,,final ,,series4 ,the ,book of ,daniel4 ,by the ,very ,rev4 ,f4 ,w4 ,,farrar1 ,f4,r4,s41 ,dean of ,canterbury4 ,the ,book of ,jeremiah4 ,chaps1 xxi4-lii4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,bennett1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,book of ,deuteronomy4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,andrew ,,harper1 ,b4,d4 ,the ,song of ,solomon and the ,lamentations of ,jeremiah4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,f4 ,,adeney1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,book of ,ezekiel4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,skinner1 ,m4,a4 ,the ,minor ,prophets4 ,by the ,rev4 ,professor ,,george ,,adam ,,smith1 ,d4,d4 ,in two vols4 ,the ,devotional ,library4 ,handsomely printed and bound1 price #cs4 #f;d4 each1 cloth4 #a4 ,,the ,,key ,,of ,,the ,,grave4 ,a ,book for the ,bereaved4 ,by ,w4 ,,robertson ,,nicoll1 ,m4,a41 ,,ll4,d4 ,third ,edition4 ,dr4 ,robertson ,nicoll has produced a unique1 exquisite1 and most edifying book4 ,we are much impressed by the delicate and profound spiritual insight manifested on every page of this beautiful little volume4 ,many a familiar passage in the ,bible shines with a new1 unexpected1 and immortal light4 ,it is difficult to know what to quote from a volume so full of delightful and memorable passages4 ,it is pre-eminently a book to put into the hands of the refined1 sensitive1 scholarly1 and devout1 when they feel the awful pressure of the greatest bereavement4--,methodist ,times4 #b4 ,,memoranda ,,sacra4 ,by ,professor ,j4 ,,rendel ,,harris1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow of ,clare ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,second ,edition4 ,two gifts1 both of the very highest1 are marvellously united in ,professor ,rendel ,harris1 and here we have the ripe fruits of one1 in most delicious flavour and most wholesome nourishment4 ,it is not possible to review such a book as this4 ,words about it do not tell us what it is4 ,nor will a selection of words from it half convey its incommunicable fragrance4--,expository ,times4 ,,the ,,general ,,gordon ,,edition4 #c4 ,,christ ,,mystical4 ,by ,,joseph ,,hall1 ,d4,d41 ,bishop of ,norwich4 ,reprinted1 with ,general ,gordon's marks1 from the ,original ,copy used by him1 and with an ,introduction on his ,theology by the ,rev4 ,h4 ,carruthers ,wilson1 ,m4,a4 ,hall's treatise is in itself an excellent example of the best kind of devotional literature1 and it will contribute to its appreciation by the modern reader that its sacred teachings and appeals formed part of the spiritual nourishment of the ,english #aith century hero and saint4--,christian ,world4 #d4 ,,ruysbroeck ,,and ,,the ,,mystics4 ,with selections from ,ruysbroeck4 ,by ,,maurice ,,maeterlinck4 ,authorised ,translation by ,jane ,t4 ,stoddart4 ,it does much to make intelligible and attractive a powerful religious thinker1 from whom most readers would turn aside on account of the perplexities and vagueness of his manner4--,scotsman4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,,hodder ,,stoughton1 #bg1 ,,paternoster ,,row4 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,obvious punctuation and spelling errors have been fixed throughout4 ,inconsistent hyphenation is as in the original4 ,the comparisons located on ,pages #gi1 #ajj-aja1 #aag1 #acc-ace1 #afd-afe1 #agi-ahj1 #ahe-ahg1 #bjd-bje1 #bjg-bji1 #bbj-bbb1 #bgd1 #bgi-bha and #big-bii1 have been reformatted to make them more readable4 ,footnote #aaf3 ,has no anchor1 left as in the orginal text4 ,footnote #abd3 ,has no opening parenthesis1 left as in the original4 444 ,tisch41 #bge74 ,page #bda3 ,paragraph was modified to match better scan4 ,ending of the paragraph was removed and replaced with a dash4 444 witness of men--if we consider 4444