Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 John 4:1

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

I. e. Not every one pretending to Inspiration, or a Revelation; Spirit, whether good or bad, being put for the Person acted thereby.

There being a Iudgment of Discretion or Discerning, common to Christians, de Iure, and which they ought to endeavour for, and to use upon such occasions. Acts 17.11. Phil. 1.9, 10. 1 Thess. 5.21. And the Attainment and Exercise whereof is, in reference to the great Essentials of Religion, more facile and sure: As when heretofore among the Jews, any should attempt the drawing them off from the true God, as Deut. 13.1, 2. and so when with Christians it should be endeavoured to tempt them away from Christ, as the false Prophets or Teachers did, now gone out into the World.

Marginal references: Jer. 29.8. Mat. 24.4.; Rev. 2.2.; Mat. 24.5, 24. 2 Pet. 2.1. 2 John 7.