An Exposition

of the

First Epistle General of John,

Comprised in Ninety-Three Sermons.

forming a series on each of the chapters; and on each of the verses of the same: some of the verses united; and that in perfect conformity with their proper connection.

by

Samuel Eyles Pierce,

late minister of the gospel, london.

“Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”—Ps. 119:140

VOL. II

LONDON:

James Nisbet and Co., 21, Berners street;

Richard Baynes, 28, Paternoster Row;

and may be had of

mr. hore, 13, copthall court, throgmorton street.

mdcccxxxv.

Index

To the General CONTENTS of the Epistle,

Divided into Three Parts.

In Two Volumes

Volume I

PART I.—Contains the First and Second Chapters;

Or, 33 Sermons, No. i. to xxxiii. inclusive.

PART II.—Contains the Third Chapter;

Or, 18 Sermons, No. xxxiv. to li. inclusive.

Volume II

PART III.—Contains the Fourth and Fifth Chapters;

Or, 42 Sermons, No. lii. to xciii. inclusive.

N. B.—See a summary of the Subjects in each of the Three respective Parts specified in the “Prefatory Address” by the Author, to the Reader.

An Exposition

of the

First Epistle General of John

In a Series of Sermons

volume the second

Sermon LII

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.—1 John 4:1.

In this Epistle a variety of subjects are contained and set before us. Some of these are dropped, and afterwards resumed. It is necessary to observe this: because this is the case here. It was in the second chapter, the apostle gave an account that there were then, at that time in which he wrote, many antichrists. This was what might most certainly give evidence, that it was the last hour, or very close of the apostolic church state. It had been foretold antichrist should come; and these his forerunners were now come before him, and would most assuredly introduce him: they being the very spawn out of which he was to be produced. These had been members in the churches: they went out of them, with a design to spread their then new-fangled heresies, far and wide: they were many in number: by their leaving the churches to which they had been united, it fully appeared they were never one in heart, soul, faith and practice with them. The heresy of these heretics very particularly consisted in denying that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah: and in corrupting the true doctrine of the Persons in God; hence the apostle says, “He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” chap. 2:18, 19, 22, 23. These were the seducers in the then present day; and these are those of whom he is here speaking; Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

In which words we have the following particulars; in the opening the same, we shall it is to be hoped, have ...