in the error of Balaam for hire." (1) Their guide-Balaam. (a) Ho was a fal&u prophet; he iR called both a prophot (2 Pet. ii. 16) anrl a soothsayer (Josh. xiii. 22) (/,) 'l'he devil uses the 11blest instruments to serve his ends. (c) God often endows wicked persons with high gifts. Great, accordingly, is their responsibility. (2) The error of Ilo.laam. (a) 'l'his does not refer to his being deceived in the expectation of reward for his wicked work. (b) It refers rather to his deviation from God's will and commandment in the whole history of hid relations with Balak. "His way was lJerverse before the Lord." He made the Israelites to err from the way of righteousness by teaching Balak to cast a stumbling-block before them-to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication (Rev. ii. 14). (c) It was a deviation in doctrine that led to a deviation from holiness. 'l'hus false teachers are usually evil-worker~ (Phil. iii. 2). Their "minds are defiled, they are reprobate to every good work." "Truth reforms as well as informe." (3) '!'he motive of Balaam's conduct. "For hire." (a) '!'here was profanity in such conduct. Covetousness is idolatry; but it is something like blasphemy in a religious guiue. The guide to heaven ought to be above the base love of lucre. (b) '!'here was hypocrisy in such conduct. There was an apparent concern for God's honour and the good of man ; but under all was the eager lust for reward. (4) The impetuous and eager pace of seducers. "They ran rioto1L~ly." (a) They are not checked by God's judgments. (b) The desire for gain hurries men forward to many an act of wickedness and sin. "He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent" (Prov. :x:xviii. 20). (c) Sinners pursuing a downward course know not where they may stop. (a) There is a Divine hand to punish the greatest sinners. (e) How sad that the saints of God should not run as eagerly in the way of God as sinners in the way of wickedness and folly ! '!'hey ought, surely, to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God." 3. There is a contempt for sacred ordinances which brings its own retribution.. "And perished in the gainsaying of Korah." (1) The history of Korab. He was a Levite of the tribe of Levi, and cousin-german of Moses. He was, therefore, employed in an honourable department of the ecclesias- tical service-" to wait upon the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord." (2) His insurrection. "'l'he gainsaying of Korab." He opposed the exclusive privileges of Moses and Aaron, saying that they" took too much upon them," and he claimed the privileges of the priesthood for himself and others. "And seek ye the priesthood also?" says Moses. The conduct of Korab finds its counterpart in the seducers of Jude's day, who despieed ecclesiastical ordinances, and set at nought the order of the Church. Their conduct showed (a) contempt for Divine order and appointment; (b) discontent with their existing privileges; (c) envy at the rulers of the Church; (d) ingratitude to God for his privileges. (3) His punishment. "Perished in the gain- saying of Korab." The facts of Kora.h's destruction are familiar to all. Tbey suggest: (a) That seducers ordinarily involve others in their own dP.struction. So it was with ;Korab. 'l'wo hundred and fifty-" famous in the congregaiion, and men of renown"- were drawn into the c::onspiracy. ·.,,He would neither be alone in woe nor in wicked- ness." (b) God opposes those who oppose his ordinances. "An evil man seeketh onl_v rebellion, therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him" (Prov. xxi,. 22). (c) We are bound to accept thankfully the privileges which God has provided for us.-T. C.
Vers. 12, 13.-.A vivid picture of the moml co1·ruption of the ungodly seducers. I. 'l'BEIB SELFISH AND SINFUL PERVERSION OF THE CHURCH'S FELLOWSHIP. .. These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves." 1. They, like sunken rocks, wrecked those who unsuspectingly approached them. (1) Their profession of religion was so belied by their immoral ways, tliat men, taking them to be Christians, abhorred the true gospel and iurneu away from it to their destruction. (2) Their evil example led others into unchristian courses to their eternal ruin, 2. They mingled, without/ear or misgiuing, in the loving fellowships of the Church. (1) 'l'he love-feasts were connected with the Lord's Supper, which is itself, indeed, a love-feast. 'l'hey were designed to maintain brotherly love, and especially to refresh the poor saints. 'l'hey always began and ended with prayer. They were no places for self-indulgence or gluttony. (2) These godless persons attended the love-feasts, with no fear of the Divine displeasure, with no reverence for the holy society into which they intruded themselves. (a) It is not 28 THE GENERAL EP!S'l'L~ OF JUDE.