men. Ancl how abundant is the scope afforded in the teachings of the 1Vord for th'l nbandonmont of all their energies to the noblest objects ! 3. He writes to the" fathers," bccnuso they have" known him that is from the be;..'inning;" i.e. in the ripeness of their attainment they have learnt tho glory of Christ as the Eternal Word, and have come to soo how tho whole course of hnman history is bound up in him. Note: The fathers in Christ havo gone on learning of Christ ever since they were little ones; the "little ones," consequently, should never be pressed too hard, nor be expected to see all that they will como to see by-and-by. Loyalty and docility should be expected of them ; but not maturity of knowledge and of wisdom. In the Blble there is milk for the babes, as well as strong meat for those of full age. IIJ. THE APOSTLE REPEATEDLY PUTS THE DIVINE TRUTH DOWN IN WRITING, THAT IT MAY DE A PERMANENT DIRECTORY 'L'O ALL. rp&cp,,, . . . l')'pa,/,a. "I am writing . . . I wrote." (For the varied possible hypotheses on these words, i.e. whether John refers to a previous letter, etc., see Exposition; also Westcott, in lac.) The point here worthy of being dwelt upon is the gracious foresight, which, seeing the danger of the future ages to the faith of men, arranged that the truth should be repeate<lly committed to writing, and so committed that in the after-years there should be something for all-for the little ones, the young men, and the fathers-to which, in all perils, seductions, and bewilder- meuts, whether of doctrine or of practice, they may perpetually appeal, as the standard alike for truth and for duty (cf. Phil. ii4. 1; 2 Pet. iii. 1, 2; ver. 26). IV. THE TRUTH THUS PERMANENTLY RECORDED IS SUCH, AS WHEN RIGHTLY USED, WILL LEAD ON TO FURTHER ADVANCES IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 1. Are there those who are but babes in Christ, and who are just taking their first feeble steps in Zion's pathway? In the glorious fact of which they are here reminded there is the noblest inspiration to progress. They are addressed (1) because their sins are forgiven ; and (2) because they can rejoice in the Father's love as theirs. How great the achievement expressed in the first 1 How vast the possession pointed out in the second! Enough for them to rejoice iil even at the outset of their Christian life with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. A treasure indeed to start with. 'l'hey may well "sing in the ways of the Lord," hold on their way, and pass from more to more. 2. There are the young men, who glory in their energy, in whom the Word abideth, and who have in Divine might overcome the wicked one. They are addressed in the book, and a grand field is opened up for their energies and a trial ground for all their valour, as they are bidden to fight the good fight of faith and are cautioned against the antichrists of every age. Here may they learn how to bear the shield and to wield the sword; to step forth to war, having their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, sure to overcome in the strength of the great Captain of salvation. 3. There are the fathers, too, who in their maturity of life and love are learning the glory of their Redeemer as the l!'irst and the Last, as over the creation of God, "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." Here are disclosures of the Redeemer's glory in which they too may luxuriate; so that, let them become as ripe as they may, they wiH still find the teachings of the book far ahead of them. Yes; it is even so. As ,John thought of all in writing this Epistle; so, through the Spirit, in both Old and New 'l'estaments there will be found simple teachings for the little ones, manlier words for robust energy, riper truths for those in the fulness of grace and knowledge. .Ail, all may go to the hook. It will give pictures for the child to look at, a shield and sword which the warrior may wield, and a pillow on which the aged and worn-out veteran may peacefully breathe his last.
Vere. 15-11.-Love of the world forbidden. Connecting link: Having paused for a moment in his theme to survey lovingly the believers of various ages to whom he is writing, the apostle now resumes the tbemo of love and life. Inasmuch as love is no merely benevolent sentimentalism disregarding moral distinctions, it must needs follow that the duty of loving in ono direction must involve the corresponding duty of not loving in an opposite and alien direction. In the negative as well as the positive nspects of duty believers need instruction. Hence our theme-The ngion in which love is prohibited, and why. I. IlEnE 1s AN EARNJIS'L' rnomnITION. "Love not the world." Owing to th.:i poverty of lanouago, it may be, one word has to serve several purposes. It is so with this term ,f' worlJ." Sometimes it means the globe itself(Ps, xcvi.10). Sometimes the race 8G THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF JOHN. [on. n.1-29.