Vse. This may serve to instruct us, seriously to examine our hearts, least through some deceitfulnesse thereof, there should lurke some vice, whereof we thinke our selves to be free.
Doctrine 4. We should have a singular care to lay aside those vices, that are contrary to those duties, to which we are in a speciall manner called; and to that disposition, which is especially required in Christians, that they may profit by the word of God.
This is gathered herence, that the Apostle, when in the last place, he had exhorted unto unfained love of the brethren at the 21. verse of the former Chapter, doth here marke out those vices, that are most of all contrary to this love; & when he would commend the simplicitie of infants, as a disposition requisite to receive the word of God with profit, he casts aside those vices which are directly opposed to that simplicity.
Doctrine 5. To make a good use of the word, besides the laying aside of those evill affections, that we spake of before, it is required that we should stirre up that good affection in our hearts, which is called appetite or desire.
This is gathered from the 2. verse. Now this desire is expressed in other places of the Scripture, by a spirituall hunger and thirst. Isaiah 55.1. Apocalypse 21.6. And the degree thereof is set downe, that it should be the highest. Psalms 119.20,81,82. which containes in it, 1. a high esteeme of Gods word. Psalms 119.2. 2. An earnest endeavour, answerable thereunto, to use it and enjoy it. Iohn 6.27. 3. A delight, whereby we are well pleased in the sweetnesse thereof, Psalms 119.103.
Reason 1. Because the word is absolutely necessary for us; without it we cannot live; for it is our milk or spirituall food, as it is in the text. 2. Because we alwayes want something that may begotten: this is also signified in the text, when we are called new borne babes; whereby it is intimated that our imperfection is so great, that by reason of it, we should earnestly desire the helpe of the word. 3. Because the excellency and perfection of the word is so great, that it should of it selfe delight us, though we stood in no need of it our selves; this is also intimated in the text, when there is mention made of the sincerity of the word, and of the goodnesse of God that appeares therein.
Vse 1. This may serve to condemne that satiety and loathing of the word, that appeares too evidently in too too many.
2. To admonish us, not to suffer our affections to be taken up with the things of this world, thereby to lessen that desire, which we should have to the word of God. 3. To exhort us, to use the utmost of our endeavours to stir up and increase these pious affections in our selves.
Doctrine 6. This affection and desire that wee ought to have to Gods word, should have respect to the sincerity thereof.
This is gathered from that, desire the sincere milke of the word: that is, the nature it selfe of the word and of the things proposed therein, as they are pure, and [♦]afford nourishment fit for our Soules.