Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Ver. 7. I write no new commandment] The apostle studiously declineth the suspicion of novelty. We should ever set a jealous eye upon that which is new, and stand in the old way, Jeremiah 6:16, in the ancient paths, Jeremiah 18:15. God's people are called the ancient people, Isaiah 44:7. And idolaters are said to sacrifice to new gods, that came newly up,Deuteronomy 32:17. Truth, as wine, is better with age, Luke 5:39. And of witnesses, Aristotle well saith, the older they are, the more credible, because less corrupted, πιστοτατοι οι παλαιοι, αδιαφθοροι γαρ (Rhet. i.). As we prefer the newest philosophy, so the ancientest divinity; and we may justly suspect them of falsehood and delusions, who arrogate to themselves to utter oracles, to bring to light new truths, &c.