not: but the
generation of God preserveth him and the wicked one toucheth him not.

5:19. We know that we are of God and the whole world is seated in
wickedness.

And the whole world is seated in wickedness... That is, a great part of
the world. It may also signify, is under the wicked one, meaning the
devil, who is elsewhere called the prince of this world, that is, of all
the wicked. John 12.31.

5:20. And we know that the Son of God is come. And he hath given us
understanding that we may know the true God and may be in his true Son.
This is the true God and life eternal.

And may be in his true Son. He is, or this is the true God, and life
eternal... Which words are a clear proof of Christ's divinity, and as
such made use of by the ancient fathers.

5:21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Keep yourselves from idols... An admonition to the newly converted
Christians, lest conversing with heathens and idolaters, they might fall
back into the sin of idolatry, which may be the sin unto death here
mentioned by St. John.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE

The Apostle commends Electa and her family for their steadfastness in
the true faith and exhorts them to persevere, lest they lose the reward
of their labours. He exhorts them to love one another. But with heretics
to have no society, even not to salute them. Although this Epistle is
written to a particular person, yet its instructions may serve as a
lesson to others, especially to those who, from their connections,
situation, or condition in life, are in danger of perversion.

2 John Chapter 1

He recommends walking in truth, loving one another and to beware of
false teachers.

1:1. The Ancient to the lady Elect and her children, whom I love in the
truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,

The ancient... That is, the ancient bishop St. John, being the only one
of the twelve apostles then living. To the lady Elect... Some
conjecture that Electa might be the name of a family, or of a particular
church; but the general opinion is, that it is the proper name of a
lady, so eminent for her piety and great charity, as to merit this
Epistle from St. John.

1:2. For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us and shall be with us
for ever.

1:3. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father and from
Christ Jesus the Son of the Father: in truth and charity.

1:4. I was exceeding glad th