metrius, who in character and conduct was the direct reverse of Diotrephes, and therefore was highly praised by all good men, and among the rest by the apostle himself.

5 2. He who doth good is of God. Ex T8 018 $51v. Is begotten of God. For so this phrase signifies 1 John iii. 10. See 1 John iii. 12. note 1.

Ver. 12.-1. Testimony is borne to Demetrius by all men. By bearing testimony to a person, the Jews meant the praising of him for his good qualities and actions. Thus it is said of Jesus, Luke iv. 22. All bare him witness, that is, praised him. In like manner Paul speaking of David saith, Acts xii. 22. To whom God bare witness saying, I have found David, &c.See what is said concerning Demetrius, Pref. Sect. 3. last paragr.

2. And ye know that our witness is true. This expression is twice used by John in his gospel, chap. xix. 35. xxi. 24. which is a clear internal evidence that this epistle was written, not by John the presbyter, but by John the apostle.

Ver. 13.-1. I have many things to write, &c. John said the same to the elect lady and her children, 2 Ep. ver. 12. See the note on that verse.

14 But I trust I shall

shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

14 Ελπιζω δε ευθεως ίδειν σε, και ςομα προς ςομα λα λησομεν.

15 Ειρηνη σοι. Ασπαζονται σε οἱ φιλοι. Ασπαζου τους φιλους κατ' ονομα.

Ver. 14.-1. I hope straightway to see thee. Lardner conjectures that John did actually visit Caius, and adds; "1 please myself with the supposition "that his journey was not in vain. I imagine that Diotrephes submitted " and acquiesced in the advices and admonitions of the apostle. Of this I “ have no assurance. However I may add, neither doth any one else know "the contrary." Canon vol. iii. p. 312.

2. The friends salute thee. Our translators have inserted the word our, in this clause without any authority.-'Or çıxdı, The friends. This appellation is singular, being no where else found in scripture. But it applieth excellently to the primitive Christians, as it denoteth in the strongest manner the

14 For I hope straightway to see thee, (xas, 212.) and so we shall speak face to face. 1 Peace BE to thee. The friends HERE salute thee. 2 Salute the friends by name.

3

14 Besides, it is needless to write these things, for I hope soon to see thee. And so we shall speak face to face freely concerning them. Peace be to thee, which is my apostolical benediction. The Christians with me wish thee health and happiness, In my name wish health and happi

ness to the Christians with thee, as if I named them particularly.

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love which, in the first ages, subsisted among the true disciples of Christ. Let it not then be pretended that the gospel does not recommend private friendship.

3. Salute the friends by name. The apostle, by sending a salutation to the faithful disciples of Christ, who were in the church of which John was a member, and who were living together in great love, shewed his affection for them, and encouraged them to persevere in the truth.

A NEW

LITERAL TRANSLATION

OF THE

EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE JUDE.

PREFACE.

SECTION I.

The History of Jude the Apostle, and Brother of James.

In the catalogue which Luke gives of the apostles, chap. vi. 14, 15. James the Son of Alpheus, Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, are mentioned. In the catalogue, Acts i. 13. we have the same persons named, and in the same order. But in the catalogue, Matt. x. 3. in the place of Judas, there is Lebbeus whose sirname was Thaddeus; and in Mark iii. 18. Thaddeus simply. Wherefore, as all the evangelists agree that there were only twelve apostles, we must suppose that Judas the brother of James, was sirnamed Lebbeus and Thaddeus.-The appellation of the brother of James was given to Judas, probably because James was the elder brother, and because, after our Lord's ascension, James became a person of considerable note among the apostles, and was highly esteemed by the Jewish believers.

In the preface to the epistle of James, sect. 1. we have shewn that James the son of Alpheus was our Lord's brother or cousingerman. From this it follows, that Judas the brother of James stood in the same relation to Christ. Accordingly we find James and Joses, and Simon and Judas, expressly called the brethren of Jesus, Matt. xiii. 55. Mark vi. 3.-We have no account of the time and manner, in which Judas the brother of James became Christ's disciple. But the history of his election to the apostleship is given, Luke vi. 13. Perhaps, like some others of the apostles, he was originally a follower of the Baptist, on whose testimony to Jesus, he believed him to be the Messiah.