A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

p. 1AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES On the EPISTLE of JUDE.

Jude the Servant of Jesus Christ, and Brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.

THis Epistle, as others, beginneth with usual Christian salutations; these are continued through the two first Verses, in which you have,

1. The person saluting, Jude, the Author of the Epistle.

2. The persons saluted, the Beleevers of that age.

3. The form of sal〈…〉tion, Vers. 2. Mercy, and peace, and love be multiplyed.

This first Verse presenteth us with the two first Circumstances, p. 2the Saluter, and the saluted. 1. The Saluter is described by his name, Judas; his office and condition of life, the servant of Jesus Christ; by his kindred and relation, and Brother of James. 2. The Saluted they are described, 1. By their condition, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 called, that is to be read first, as Beza. 2. By the effects and manifestations of it, which are two: 1. Sanctified by God the Father. 2. Preserved in Jesus Christ. These are the parts, I shall explain them branch by branch in the order propounded, with practical hints from each, which I shall handle in no fuller latitude then the present Text will allow.

1. The Saluter, and there his name Judas, called also Thaddeus, Mat. 10. 3. and Lebbaeus; these several names implying the same thing, and were given him either by the people or the Disciples, partly to distinguish him from Judas the Apostate, partly to note his constancy in confessing and praising God; for so it signifieth, as you may see Gen. 29. 35. Now Leah said, I will praise the Lord▪ therefore she called his name Judah. Divers note hence, 1. That Christian names should be significant, such as may remember us of duty. Again, [Observations.] 2. That it is lawsul to divulge or conceal our names in our writings, according as it may make for the glory of God, to do either the one or the other. Jude mentioneth his name, but Paul doth not, or whosoever was the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. 3. That godly men and wicked may both be called by the same name: So Judas the Apostle, and▪ Judas the Apostate: There was Enoch Cains son, Gen. 4. 17. and Enoch Seths son of the Church line, that walked with God, Gen▪ 5. 22. But to mention these things is more then enough; the next circumstance will afford us more.

p. 22. His office and condition, the Servant of Jesus Christ. It is a thing usual with the Apostles to prefix this among other their honorary titles; as Rom. 1. 1. Paul a Servant of Jesus Christ: so Phil. 1. 1. The greatest honour that he would put upon himself and Timothy, was this, Paul and Timotheus the Servants of Jesus Christ. This term, a servant of God or Christ, in the use of Scripture, is several ways applyed▪ 1. It may be understood of any kind of subserviency to p. 3Gods Will and secret Counsels, or instrumentality in the execution of his Decrees: so wicked men may be said to be Gods servants, so far forth as he serveth his designs of their endeavors: as Cyrus was Gods servant, because he should perform all his pleasure: so Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 27. 6. These things have I given into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar my servant. 2. It noteth a pious care to perform Gods revealed Will; they that out of a sense of his love resign up themselves to do his Will, are called his servants▪ so he that is called in the Lord, whether he be bond or free, is said to be Christs servant, 1 Cor. 7. 22. So godly Masters are said to have the Lord for their Master, Ephes. 6. 9. Knowing that your Master is also in Heaven: In the former place he saith, a servant is Gods freeman; and here, that a Master is Gods servant. 3. It noteth designation to any publique office for Gods glory; those that do more eminently or more nearly serve God in some peculiar office, are called his servants; as Magistrates. Rom. 12. 4. He is the Minister of God for thy God: And vers. 6. Gods Ministers attending continually for this thing. But yet more especially they are called Ministers and servants, who sustain the publique Offices of the Church; as 2 Tim. 2. 14. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all m◊n, apt to teach; patient; meaning one employed in the publique Ministry. So the Priests of the Old Testament were called the Lords servants, as Psal. 134. 1. Behold, bless ye the Lord all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord; He speaketh to the Priests that were to watch in the Temple: and in this sence it is said, Amos 3. 7. I have sent my servants the Prophets. But now among these Ministers and Officers of the Church, the Prophets and Apostles are stiled so by way of eminency: Yea yet further▪ Christ, because of his Office of Mediator, which is the highest Office, and proper to the Head of the Church, is called Gods Servant; as Isai. 49. 3. Thou art my Servant: and Isai. 53. 11. By his knowledg shall my righteous Servant justifie many. To apply all now to the case in hand; Jude is called a servant of Jesus Christ, not only as one that had given up himself to do his Will as a Christian, but as an Apostle [See my Exposition on Ja • ▪ 1. 1.] p. 4Let us now observe something hence.

p. 4Observe first, That Jude placeth his service among his Titles: [Observat. 1.] He might have urged other things to render himself honorable to the world, but he doth not stand upon those things, it is enough for him to say, Jude a servant: As Jude the Lords Cousin calleth himself his servant …