John 1:2

John doth here repeat and conjoyne the two first assertions concerning the eternity and coexistence of the Son with the Father; which is no idle repetition, but teacheth, 1. How little able we are to comprehend this great mystery, which we can but take in by little and little, and must put that together, as children do letters, syllables, and words, till we attaine a more full understanding thereof, for our comfort and salvation; Therefore doth John repeat and conjoyne these two parts of the description. 2. The knowledge of Christ as God, is a truth to be much and often inculcate upon believers, and which they ought to study again and again, and dwell upon, as having more in it then will be seene at first view; and when they have found most in it, yet there is infinitely more to be found in that inexhaustible fountain; for, so much also doth this repetition teach. 3. It is but a robbing of Christ of his glory, to attribute unto him the name of God under any notion, or acknowledge any glory to belong unto him; unlesse his subsistence from all eternity, and his eternal Godhead, one in essence, with, and a distinct person from the Father, be acknowledged; for John repeats and conjoynes his eternity with the other, The same was in the beginning with God, to shew that this assertion of his eternity is to be joyned with all the rest; and that from all eternity he was God with the Father, one in essence, and a distinct person. 4. Christ who is God over all, blessed for ever, Amen, was in himself perfectly blessed, and infinitely happy and glorious from all eternity with his Father, before the world was made; Which he needed not to make, but onely it pleased him so to do, that he might let his glory shine therein, and communicate of his fulnesse thereunto; and especially to the children of men; for, so much also doth this assertion, that he was in the beginning with God, before he made all things, ver. 3. import, as is also expounded, Prov. 8. from v. 22. to 32. 5. The eternity of the Son of God is a subject worthy of serious meditation to believers; that so they may read all that tender-heartedness, these bowels of compassion, that mercifulnesse and sympathy which is in him, to be not a mans onely, and in our kinsman; but in him who is also the eternal God, whose thoughts and purposes are eternal and immutable like himself; so much also may this repeated assertion teach us, The same was in the beginning, by repeating whereof he puts us in minde to study it often, that we may reap more and more of the comforts thereof. 6. The Sons coexistence with the Father, is also a matter seriously to be considered by beleevers, wherein they may see the deep wisdome and rich love of God, who hath found a way of reconciliation of lost man, by the same in nature and essence who is the party offended; and that the unity of the Divine essence, and the distinction of persons should contribute to make the redemption and reconciliation of lost man effectual by him; Wherein also believers, who have fled to Christ for refuge, may not onely finde him to be true God, able to supply all wants, and to save to the uttermost; but may also finde the Father in the Mediatour, as being one in essence with him, 2 Cor. 5.19. and so, what he willeth, the Father also willeth; This also the repetition of his being with God may teach us, and that we should study it, till we draw these or the like encouragements from it. ver 3.