(16) (n) Little children, (17) it is the last time: (18) and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
(16) Now, he turns himself to little children, which nonetheless are well instructed in the sum of religion, and wills them by various reasons to shake off laziness, which is too familiar with that age.
(n) He uses this word "Little" not because he speaks to children, but to allure them the more by using such sweet words.
(17) First, because the last time is at hand, so that the matter suffers no delay.
(18) Secondly, because antichrists, that is, such as fall from God, are already come, even as they heard that they would come. And it was necessary to warn that careless and fearless age of the danger.