The apostolical history containing the acts, labours, travels, sermons, discourses, miracles, successes, and sufferings of the Holy Apostles from Christ's ascention to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus : a brief description whereof is here inserted : also, a narration of the particular times and occasions upon which the apostolical epistles were written, together with a brief analytical paraphrase of them : to which is added (for the better understanding of this history) a map of the Apostle Paul's travels ... / by Samuel Cradock.

SECT. XVIII.

THE Second Epistle of John was written to an eminent Religious Matron* 1.1, and one (as it seems) of great Estate, and a great Reliever and Supporter of the Members of the Church in her days.

* 1.2The Parts are,

• 1. The Preface.
• 2. The Contents of the Epistle.
• 3. The Conclusion.

IN the Preface he stiles himself the Elder, in respect of his great age and office in the Church. He addresses his Epistle to an eminent Gentlewo∣man (whom, for those eminent graces and virtues that shined in her, be judges elect of God); and to her children, who had been religiously educated by her, all whom he professes sincerely to love, as did all others also thereabout, who had been brought to a saving-knowledg of the Gospel, and had effectually en∣tertained it. And the ground of his sincere and cordial love to them, he shews was this, That they had embraced the same Gospel-truth with himself, and other faithful Christians; and he was confident they would always abide and remain in the sincere belief and profession thereof. To this Lady and her chil∣dren he heartily wishes an encrease of grace, and an abundance of mercy and peace from God the Father, the Fountain of all blessings, and from Je∣sus Christ his Son, the Conduit-pipe by which they are conveyed; and par∣ticularly, that they may continue constant in the profession of the Truth, and in the exercise of Love to one another. From Ver. 1, to 4.

2. He comes to the Contents of the Epistle; and in the first place he tells her, it was matter of great joy to him, that he had found of her chil∣dren that had not only taken on them a profession of the truth, but walked in it, so that their conversation was framed according to the commandment which they had received from the Father, by the Son [1 Joh. 15.15.]. And this is his command, That we believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, 1 Joh. 3.23. He tells her, the main thing he had to request of her was, That with the profession of the Gospel she would constantly join the practice of Christian charity, that so they may all live in unity, peace, and concord. Which was no new(a) 1.3 commandment of his, but that which him∣self and the other Apostles had in charge from Christ strictly to enjoin, and to oblige all Christians unto, even from the beginning of their call to be Apostles and Preachers of the Gospel. And by this, says he, shall we make it appear that there is a true love of God in us, if we endeavour to frame our lives

according to his commandments ••ow this, he tel••s them, is the great com∣mandment, wh•••• they ••••••rd fr•••• the beginning, when the Gosp••l was first preached unto 〈…〉〈…〉 s••••••ld believe in Christ, and love one ano∣ther, and should ••on••••••••••••ly pers•••••• in the pr••ctise of these duties, walking in the truth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 love. He shews he had reason to press them to con∣stancy herein; for ma••y Im••os••ors were come abroad [see 1 Joh. 4.3.], who will not own or ••••knowl••dg that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, and so subvert the very foundation of Chri••••ianity: And whos••••ver doth so, he tells them is a deceiver, and one of those Antichrists of whom he spake, 1 Joh. 2.18. Therefore he advises them to look to themselves, that they con∣stantly persevere i•• the true faith, and in sincere obe∣dience to the Gospel, that so they may not lose(b) 1.4 the fruit of the faith they have hitherto prof••ssed, or of the affli∣ctions which for Christ's sake th••y have suffered, or of the works of piety and charity which they have per∣formed; but continuing faithful to the end, may receive a competent reward and crown. He further declares, That whosoever transgresseth by teaching or receiving a doctrine contrary to the Gospel, or apost••tizeth or fall••th off from the Orthodox prof••ssion, not abiding in the do∣ctrine of Christ, hath not the Spirit of God in him, nor is in his favour, nor shall partake of his glory. Wh••reas he that abideth stedfastly and constantly in the belief and profession of the doctrine of Christ, he hath the Spirit of the Father and the Son dwelling in him, and remaining in their savour and love; see 1 Joh. 2.24. He forbids them therefore all familiarity and fellow∣ship with such Seducers, and not to entertain them when they come to their houses under pretence to instruct them, nor so much as courteously to salute them, or shew them any respect; that so they may manifest a dislike and dis∣approving of their Errors. For he that doth not discountenance them in their errors (whereby others are seduced to their great p••ril••, doth in a sort encourage them, and so partakes with them in their sins. From Ver. 4, to 12.

In Conclusion, he excuses the shortness of his Epistle, telling this Lady, That he hoped to come shortly and s••e her. And though he had many things to write, yet all things were not fit to be written, and besides, a lively Voice affects more than a Letter. And he hoped at their meeting they should be fill'd with mutual joy at their s••eing one another, and c nferring together. And so with salu••ations from the Children of h••r gracious Sister (who manifested her election by her holy conversation) he shuts up his Epistle. Ver. 12, 13.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This is the only Epistle in the Scrip∣ture directed to a Woman.
• * 1.2

  The Second Epistle of Iohn.
• (a) 1.3

  'Twas an old Command∣ment ratione substantiae, Lev. 19.18. New, ratio∣ne circum∣stantiae. New, because purged from the corrupt glosses of the Pharises, and (as it were) made new by Christ, because by him further extended, and carried up to a higher pitch. 2. Because pressed by a new example, even his own, As I have loved you, &c. Joh. 18.34 3. New, because it was never to wax old, but to be always fresh in memory and practice. 4. New, because new-delivered, and more plainly and apertly set forth to the world; as a picture done over with new colours, may be call'd a new picture.
• (b) 1.4

  Ne perdamus pro ne perdatis. Enallage personae per 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Pisc.

  We may lawfully look at the re∣compence of reward, yet non tantum & praecipuè, but that God also may be gl••rified by our works.

  Mercedem intelligit non meritam, quia omnes samus peccatores, & debitores; & fides nostra ut & charitas imperfecta est, sed mercedem immeritam E•• ex gratiâ, propter Christum promissam, nobis{que} debitam ob gratuitam Dei promissionem, Gom.