Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 John 1:5

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light i, and in him is no darkness at all.

It being the professed scope and design of his writing, to draw Men to a final participation and communion with God in his own Blessedness, he reckons nothing more necessary to it, than to settle in their Minds a right Notion of God. Which, that it might be the more regarded, he introduces with a solemn Preface▪ [illegible: 1 span] then is the Message, &c. (though the Word also signifies Promise, it here more fitly bears this tendering) to notify, 1. That this which follows was not and imagination of his own concerning God, but his true representation of himself. 2. That it was given him in Charge to be delivered and communicated to others; a Message a Man neither hath of himself, nor is to reserve to himself, we have heard it of him, and declare it to you, as (consonantly hereto) he speaks. 'Tis the Divine Pleasure it should be publisht to the World, and that all Men should know that as from him, i. e. that he is not a Being of [illegible: 1 letter]eer Power, a[illegible: 1 letter] some, or of meer Mercy, as others a[illegible: 1 letter]e ap[illegible: 1 letter] to fancy of him, either whereof were a very m[illegible: 1 letter]imed, and most disagreeable notion of the Deity; Power without Go[illegible: 2 letters]ness were apt to run into Fury; Goodness without Wisdom and Rightenousness would as naturally turn to a Supine indifferency, and neglect of distinguishing judicially between Good and Bad; things neither sutable to the Governor of the World, nor possible to the absolutely perfect Being. In God, all true Perfections and Excellencies must be understood eminently to concur; and of them more could not have been comprehended under one Word (especially that belong to him, considered relatively to his Creatures, of which Perfections it concerns us to have more distinct, formed, positive conceptions in all our applications to him) than are here someway represented or resembled by Light, viz. That he is a Being of most lively penetrative Vigour, absolute Simplicity, Immutability, Knowledg, Wisdom, Sincerity, Righteousness, Serenity, Benignity, Joy and Felicity, and especially of most bright and glorious Holiness and Purity; and in whom is no darkness at all; nothing contrary or repugnant hereto.

Marginal references: Chap. 3.11.; Joh. 1.9. and 8.12. and 9.[illegible: 1 letter]. and 12.35, 36.