A Paraphrase on the New Testament, 2 John
The Second Epiſtle of JOHN (the Apoſtle, 'tis moſt commonly thought, but not certain.)
1. THe elder unto the elect lady, and her children whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but alſo all they that have known the truth: 2. For the truth's ſake which dwelleth in us, and ſhall be with us for ever.
1, 2. Note; It ſeems this was ſome choice Woman, that was a great ſupport and helper to the Chriſtians, and eminent in Piety, and ſtedfaſtneſs in the Faith; Though ſome few groundleſly think, that it was ſome Church that he calleth Lady.
3. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
3. Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father, and Chriſt the Son, are the true, unvaluable Bleſſings I wiſh you, to confirm you in the two great parts of Religion, Truth and Love.
4. I rejoyced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
4. I greatly rejoyced, that I found thy Children both holding faſt the Chriſtian Truth, and living in the practice of it, as the Father commanded us to preach and do.
5. And now I beſeech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee: but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
5. The ſum of my writing to thee is, not any Novelty, but the old, great Law of Chriſt: Be ſure that we keep up true Chriſtian Love (which Satan is an Enemy to.)
6. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye ſhould walk in it.
6. And the Love, in which we all muſt live, is our Union and Concord in keeping his Commandments; even the ſame Goſpel which, from the beginning, was committed to us: (For both new and falſe Doctrines, and a ſinful life, do break the Union and Peace of Chriſtians.)
7. For many deceivers are entred into the world, who confeſs not that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh. This is deceiver and an antichriſt.
7 For there are many Hereticks now come to that deceiving paſs, that they deny Chriſt himſelf; either his Godhead, or Manhood, or Office, or Work; yea, his Incarnation; as if his Body were but a Fantaſm. Theſe are Deceivers and Antichriſts.
8. Look to your ſelves, that we loſe not thoſe things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
8. Look to your ſelves with watchful care, that no temptation draw you to back-ſl…de, and you loſe all your former belief and labour, nor we our miniſterial labour on you: but hold on, that you and we may attain that full Reward that we ſeek.
9. Whoſoever tranſgreſſeth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Chriſt, hath not God: He that abideth in the doctrine of Chriſt, he hath both the Father and the Son.
9. As it was by the Doctrine of Chriſt, that you were brought into your bleſſed Knowledge and Relation to the Father and the Son, ſo, if you fall from that Doctrine, you will fall from God himſelf, to whom, by Chriſt, you are reconciled. But if you abide in Chriſt's Doctrine, you will continue your Relation to the Father and the Son.
10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your houſe, neither bid him God ſpeed. 11. For he that biddeth him God ſpeed, is partaker of his evil deeds.
10, 11. As for thoſe Hereticks and Apoſtates that deny the Goſpel, or any Eſſential Part of Chriſtianity, ſhew them no encouraging Countenance, Familiarity or Communion: otherwiſe you will be guilty, as Partners in their ſin.
12. Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink, but I truſt to come unto you, and ſpeak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13. The children of thy elect ſiſter greet thee. Amen.
12, 13. Note, 1. Preſence maketh friendly Converſe the more comfortable. 2. By Elect Siſter, here again, ſome think he meaneth another Church; but it cannot be proved.