THE DIFFERENT GROWTH AND PRIVILEGES OF GOD's
1 John ii. 12 — 14. / write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I ivrite unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto yon, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abide th in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
THE word of God is intended for every individual of mankind, that all, being acquainted with their own state, may know what God says respecting them. On this account it is the duty of ministers to mark with accuracy the discriminating features of every character, and, by " rightly dividing the word of truth," to " give to every one his portion in due season." St. John affords us a good example witli respect to this : for, not content with "separating the precious from the vile," he arranges the saints them- selves into distinct classes, according to their several attainments, and declares to each those peculiar marks wherein they differ from each other.
There is indeed a tautology in this place, such as does not occur in any other part of the inspired volume. Whether this was intended, or whether a considerable part of the thirteenth verse was inserted by the mistake of an early transcriber, we cannot say : but the whole of that verse, except the last clause, might be omitted without any loss, because every word in it is repeated afterwards.
Our intention is simply to address the several classes of Christians here specified ; first drawing their respective characters, and then setting before them their distinctive privileges and attainments.
I. We speak to " you, little children" —