1. THERE are three several names by which this Apostle is descri∣bed in the History of the Gospel, Jude, Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus, it being usual in the holy Volumes for the same person to have more proper names than one. For the first, it was a name common amongst the Jews, recommended to them as being the name of one of the great Patri∣archs of their Nation. This name he seems to have changed afterwards for Thaddaeus, a word springing from the same root, and of the very same import and signification, which might arise from a double cause: Partly from the superstitious veneration, which the Jews had for the name Jehova (the No∣men 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or name consisting of four letters) which they held un∣lawful to be pronounced by any but the High-Priest, and not by him nei∣ther, but at the most solemn times. Hence it was, that when any man had a name, wherein there was the major part of the letters of this ineffable title (and such was Jehudah or Juda) they would not rashly pronounce it in com∣mon usage, but chose rather to mould it into another like it, and of the same importance, or that which had a near affinity and resemblance with it: Partly from a particular dislike of the name of Judas among the Apostles, the bloudy and treasonable practices of Judas Iscariot having rendred that name very odious and detestable to them. To prevent therefore all possibility of mistake, and that they might not confound the righteous with the wicked, S. Matthew and Mark never call him by this, but by some other name; as no question for the same reason he both stiles himself, and is frequently called by others, Judas the brother of James; and that this was one great design of it, the Evangelist plainly intimates, when speaking of him, he says, Judas, not Iscariot. For his name Lebbaeus, it seems to have been derived either from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 an heart, whence S. Hierom renders it Corculum, probably to de∣note his wisdom and prudence, or else from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Lion, and therein to have respect to old Jacob's prophecy concerning Judah, That he should be as a Lion, an old Lion, and as a Lions whelp, which probably might have a main stroke in fastning this name upon S. Jude. From this Patriarchal prophecy, we are told, that one of the Schools or Synagogues of Learned men among the Jews (who to avoid confusion were wont to distinguish themselves by diffe∣rent appellations) took occasion to denominate themselves Labii, as ac∣counting themselves the Scholars and descendents of this Lion-like son of Ja∣cob; and that S. Jude was of this society, and because of his eminency among them retained the title of Labius, or as it was corruptly pronounced, Leb∣baeus. I confess I should have thought the conjecture of a Learned man ve∣ry probable, that he might have derived this name from the place of his na∣tivity, as being born at Lebba, a Town which, he tells us, Pliny speaks of in the Province of Galilee, not far from Carmel, but that it is not Lebba, but Jebba in all copies of Pliny that I have seen. But let the Reader please himself in which conjecture he likes best.
2. FOR his Descent and Parentage, he was of our Lord's kindred, Nicephorus truly making him the son of Joseph, and brother to James Bi∣shop of Jerusalem; that there was a Jude one of the number is very evident, Are not his brethren James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? which makes me the more to wonder at Scaliger, who so confidently denies that any of the Evangelists ever mention a Jude the brother of our Lord. S. Hierom seems of∣ten to confound him with Simon the Zealot, whose title he ascribes to him, though second thoughts set him right, as indeed common advertency could do no less, so plain is the account which the Evangelists give of this matter. When called to the Discipleship we find not, as not meeting with him, till