VkK. 3.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 9-7
the toes were mixed of iron and clay, Dan. ii. Love may forbear the profession of some truths — there is a ' having faith to ourselves' — but must not yield to error. (4.) There are some so vile that they will scarce come within the circuit of our Christian respect, such as are the open enemies of Christ, and hold things destructive to the foundation of religion : 2 John 10, * If any one bring not this doctrine, bid him not God speed.' Vile wretches must know the ill sense the church hath of their practices. Elisha would not have looked upon Jehoram, had it not been for Jehoshaphat, 2 Kings iii. 14. When men break out into desperate rage and enmity to the ways of Christ, or run into damnable errors, it is a compliance to show them any countenance. Thus for the compellation.
(2d.) The next circumstance in the occasion is, a testification of the greatness of his love and care : iraarjv a7rov8r]v irotoviMevo^, ' When I gave all diligence.' He speaketh as if it were his whole care and thought to be helpful to their faith, and therefore did watch every occasion : he addeth to lurite to you, that is a further testimony of his love, that he would think of them absent ; to write, when he could not speak to them. So that here are two things : — (1.) The greatness of his love ; (2.) The way of expressing it, by writing.
Ohs. 1. From the first, I gave all diligence, observe, that offices of love are most commendable when they are dispensed with care and diligence : it is not enough to do good, but we must do good with labour, and care, and diligence. See Titus iii. 14, ' Let ours also learn to maintain good works ;' in the original, irpoLcrTaadai koXwv epycov, loatcli for good ivorks, hunt out occasions. So Heb. x. 24, ' Consider one another, to provoke to love and good works :' it is not enough to admonish one another, but we must consider, study one another's tempers, that we may be most useful in a way of spiritual communion. So Eom. xii. 17, ' Providing for things honest in the sight of God and men,' Trpovoov/j^evot, catering, contriving, as carnal men do for their lusts, Kom. xiii. 14. So for ministers ; it is not enough for them to press that wherein they are most versed, or what Cometh next to hand, but to study what will most conduce to the ends of their ministry with such a people : ' Study to approve thyself a good workman,' &c. Well, then, try your Christian respects by it. The spirit is most pure, not only when you do good, but when you do it with care and diligence. Wicked men may stumble vpon good, but they do not study to do good ; common spirits are moved to "pray, but they do not ivatch unto prayer, Eph, vi. 18 ; that is, make if their care to keep their hearts in order, and expressly to suit their prayer to their present necessities ; many may do that which is useful to the church, but they do not watch opportunities, and make it their design to be serviceable.
Again, let no care be grievous to you, so you may do good : ' I am willing to spend myself, and to be spent for you,' 2 Cor. xii. 15. We cannot be wasted in a better employment ; so we shine, no matter though we burn down to the socket, or, like silk-worms, die in our work : Phil. ii. 17, ' If I be offered upon the sacrifice of your faith, I rejoice with you,' &c. The greatest pains and care, even to a macera- tion of ourselves, should not be unpleasing to a gracious heart. Cer-
VOL. V. a
98 AN EXPOSITION-, WITH NOTES, [VeR. 3.
tainly this is an expression will shame us : I gave all diligence ; he sought all opportunities, when we will not take them. Love will put us upon searching out and devising ways of doing good.
Ohs. 2. This love he would express by writing when he could not come to them. Holy men take all opportunities to do good ; present or absent, they are still mindful of the saints, and write when they cannot speak : as Ambrose alludeth to Zacharias, writing when he was stricken dumb.^ A man would think that absence were a fair excuse, a writ of ease served upon us by providence ; yet godly men cannot be so satisfied, but must use all helps to promote the common benefits : a willing mind will never Avant an opportunity, and they that have a heart will be sure to find an occasion ; they ' give all diligence ' to promote others' welfare ; and therefore use all means, take all occasions. Which showeth — (1.) How far they are from this temper that do nothing but by constraint. ' A ready mind ' is a special qualification in an elder, 1 Peter v. 2, and a sure note of our reward, 1 Cor. ix. 17. But now when the awe of the magistrate pre- vaileth more than love of souls, everything is done grudgingly. It is Paul's advice, ' Be instant in season and out of season,' 2 Tim. iv. 2 ; not only at such seasons as are fairly offered, but where corruption and laziness would plead an excuse. Christ discoursed with the woman at the well when weary, John. iv. We have but a little while to live in the world, and we know not how soon we may be taken off from our usefulness ; that was Peter's motive to write, 2 Peter i. 12, 13. (2.) This showeth their sottishness that are not careful to redeem opportunities for themselves. Jude is studying which way to promote the salvation of others, and many do not look to the state and welfare of their own souls. Again observe : —