The Argument of S. John's Three Epistles

Of S. John was said in the Argument before his Gospel. Now here follow his three Epistles: one to all Catholics (though some ancients do call it, Ad Parthos:) the other two being very short, unto a certain Lady, and to one Gaius. The effect of all is, to witness unto them the certainty of the Catholic faith, and to exhort them to continue still in it: also to love the Catholic Church, and so, neither to become heretics, nor Schismatics: but rather to avoid all such, as the forerunners of Antichrist, and to remember, that Catholics need not to go to school to any such Masters, having at home in the Catholic Church, the doctrine of the holy Ghost himself, who was given to the Church visibly in the beginning, to lead her into all truth, and to continue with her for ever. Therefore he saith: That which you have heard from the beginning, let it abide in you. Likewise a little after, v. 17, and ep. 2, v. 6. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you walk in the same, because many seducers are gone out into the world; and v. 8 and 9.

And not only thus in general, but also in particular he expresseth the points which the heretics did then call in question. Some were about Christ himself, for they denied that JESUS Christ, that he is the very son of God, that is incarnate. Ep. 1, c. 2, v. 22, and Ep. 2, v. 7. And again such it was that he wrote his Gospel also, as he there signifieth. John 20, v. 31. Other points are about our justification, against only faith, and for good works, as also S. Augustine noted, De fide et operibus, c. 14, whose words were cited before. Hereupon he saith: If we say we have society with God, and walk in darkness, we lie. Ep. 1, c. 1. That saith he knoweth God, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar. Again, This is the charity of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not heavy. Finally, Children, let no man seduce you; he that doth justice, is just, even as he is just. Ep. 1, c. 3, v. 7, 8, 9; likewise c. 2, v. 29; and indeed in all the three Epistles throughout, he doth inculcate good works and keeping the commandments, against the heresy of only faith.