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SERMON VII.

OF THE SIN UNTO DEATH.

1 JOHN V. 16.

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he shall pray for it.

NOTWITHSTANDING the authenticity of the First Epistle of Saint John (if not of the two others) has been acknowledged from the earliest ages of the Church, it does not seem clear with what particular view it was written, or to whom addressed. It was at one time called the Epistle to the Parthians, and was supposed to be addressed to those Jewish Converts to Christianity who lived in the Countries beyond the Euphrates, under the dominion of the Parthians. But of this there is no sufficient proof: Saint John, as far as we know, having never preached the Gospel in Parthia, (which in

fact belonged to the Province of St. Thomas,*) nor, probably, in any parts of Asia not subject to the Roman Empire.

The Epistles of St. John, like those of St. James and St. Peter, have been designated by the title of Catholic, or General; but evidently this title can apply only to St. John's first Epistle; the second being addressed to some distinguished female Convert, and the third to a favourite Disciple, named Gaius, or Caius. This first Epistle, in the opinion of some Divines, was written with an intention to caution the Churches which Saint John had planted, against the pernicious doctrines of certain Heretics and Corrupters of the Faith; those in particular who regarded, as things indifferent, Offerings made to Idols, and those who denied the human nature of Christ, or (as expressed in Chap. iv. 2, of this Epistle, and 2 Epistle, v. 7,) "that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh." that any Heretics of this last description were to be found in so early an age of the Christian Church is at least dubious, if not improbable. I am disposed to concur in opinion with those who consider the expression,-"Jesus Christ come in the flesh," as referring to the humble and lowly character which Christ assumed, and which was the reason why many would not "confess him."

* See Lardner, Vol. 6, p. 590, Ed. 1788.

But

Leaving this, however, to every one's private judgment, I shall endeavour, in a few words, to lay before you the principal topics or contents of this Epistle. In the first place, the Apostle shews the divine nature and salutary tendency of the Christian Doctrines, as delivered to those whom he is addressing by their first Teachers; when "the darkness" which was in them "passed away," and the true light shined "in their hearts:" he then exhorts them to continue firm and stedfast in their adherence to these Doctrines, to "let that abide in them, which they had heard from the beginning:" to manifest their love of God by keeping his Commandments, and particularly that new Commandment which Christ had given to them, that "they should love one another;" and finally he cautions them against corrupting the purity of the true Religion by adopting erroneous principles, or idolatrous modes of worship.

But before I come to a discussion of the words of the Text, there is an expression in the 2nd Chapter (v. 18) of this Epistle, of which I think it right to take some notice." Little Children, it is the last time, and as you have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now there are many Antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." By an affectionate appellation, denoting paternal authority, St. John

several times calls those to whom he is writing, "little children;" and, though he probably intended to apply that term to Christians of all ages, yet it seems to intimate that the Apostle himself was then far advanced in years. "Little Children, it is the last time:" the last of what period of time? This is a question not easily answered, and on which there has been a great variety of opinions. That which appears to me most probable is, that the Apostle alludes to some prophecy concerning the coming of false Teachers, false pretenders to inspiration,* who are severally and collectively here distinguished by the title of Antichrist, or the adversary of Christ. Our Saviour himself had foretold the coming of such persons; though the precise time when they were to come, is not pointed out."There shall arise false Christs, and false Prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before." Saint Paul had also warned the people of Ephesus, that "after his departing there would arise amongst themselves men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." But that which throws

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+ Matthew xxiv. 24, 25; see also Matthew viii. 15, and

Mark xiii. 22, 23.

Acts xx. 29, 30.

most light on this expression of Saint John, is a similar caution and prediction contained in the second Epistle of Saint Peter:*—" But there were false Prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false Teachers† among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them." And afterward, speaking of scoffers,|| which should come, he says that this should be "in the last days." Here, then, is an evident connexion between the words of St. Peter and those of St. John. That event, which St. Peter mentions as about to take place, St. John describes as having already happened. He says that "many false prophets were gone out into the world. Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh," who denies the meek and lowly Jesus, the man of sorrows, of obscure and humble life, to be the Messiah, "the Lord that bought them," is not of God; "this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world." This, therefore, is that last time, to which those predictions refer which are confirmed by the event. You have heard that Antichrist should come; and already many Antichrists are in the world: consequently

* Chap. ii. 1.

† Ψευδοδιδασκολοι.

+ Chap. iii. 3.

|| Εμπαικται.

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