who &re membe!1l of his mystical body, has endured reproach, accus11tion, and calumny -will come to be glorified in his saints, and take vengeance upon them thnt know not God, and that obey not the gospel, of which he is the Centre and the Glory. In view of the ¥Mt corruption of these men,and the fea.rfol prospects which await them, the llllusion to believers being" preserved in Christ Jesus" acquires a power and depth of meaning which could scarcely fail to awaken the ardou!1l of gratitude to him who had kept them in times of fiery tempt.&tion.--J. S. B.
V ers. 1 i-21.-Believers ur_qed to remember the prophecies of the apostles, and to note their fulfilment. Jude acknowledges the truth that the apostles spako under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as re.ally as Isaiah and Jeremiah; and their predictions of the working of Satan and his serva.nts were delivered pa.rtly by word of mouth, and partly by writings addressed to the Churches, and to evangelists like Timothy. Paul affirms that there would be many whose characters resembled those described in this Epistle (~ee 2 Tim. iii. 1-6). These offenders would "mock" sacred things and sacred persons; and in the spirit of scorn would exclude themselves from saving knowledae, and repe.at the experience of Herod, before whom the Son of God would work ~o miracle and utter no word; no, not even of reproof. The life of these men would be impure, their spirit factious and schismatic; and they would prove that they were in their natural state-for "that which is horn of the flesh is flesh "-and were therefore deprived of the life-giving and purifying presence of the Divine Spirit. These believers were to observe the inspired predictions of the apostles; and then mark how the prophecy corresponded with the facts. If they remembered these things they would find their memory a means of grace, and, instead of being shaken in mind, they might from these sad examples draw reasons for firmer faith and more steady profession of the gospel. Here we have SPECIAL DUTIBS AND PRIVILEGES OF BELIEVERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OFFICES A1'"D GRACE OF THE HoLY TRINITY. They are first encouraged to pursue the work of building up their spiritual life and character, which assumes that a foundation h11S been laid by faith in Christ; and that the fabric is to be carried up, by the addition of similar materials, to visibility and permanence. To realize this blessing there must~ be prayer in association with the help of the Divine Spirit, who will unfold the work of new covenant blessings, and prompt the suppliant to seek the "fruits of the Spirit" in all their variety and inexpressible value. Christians are then exhorted to keep themselves in the circle of the Father's love, that they may realize all the benefits of adoption, and maintain a becoming confidence in the aim of all his discipline which is to prepare them for eternal life. However diversified his methods may be, his purpose is unchangeable and gracious ; obedience to his will is the way to rest in his love, and to be in the way of his gracious manifestations to his children. All these counsels are concluded by an exhortation to look for eternal life through Christ. His mercy begins this spiritual life-and the same mercy is seen in patience with our slowness-the revival and strengthening of spiritual convictions, and supplies of Divine grace. The Lord Jesus often directed the minds uf his disciples to the future life, in which would be found the consummation of his purposes in the peace, security, joy, and perfection of his followers. The completeness of these counsels is worth our observation. 'l'he greatness of the work of edification leads to prayer in the Spirit. Prayer in the Spirit will conduce to growing impressions of the Father's love; and all will tend to promote anticipation and desire of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.-J. S. B.
Vere. 22, ~3.-Believers who enjoy the blessing of mercy from Christ are required to ahow '!T.ercy to otliers. It is probable that there were many in the circle of the Church whose spiritual condition required judicious and compassionate treatment; and all who were strong in faith were here, as in many other parts of the New Testament, counselled t.o help and restore others to peace and spiritual strength. There must be merciful consideration of such as are perplexed with doubts and anxieties; for, according to the original, the phrase, "making a difference," seems t-0 refer to such as were troubled by a liCl'llpulous conscience. To such Paul refers when he writes, "But him that is weak in the faith receive ye, yet not to doubtful disputations." Others are to be snatched like a half-burnt brand from the fire, lest they be entirely lost by being "swallowed up with overmuch grief;" or some earnest cautions were to be given to those who stood 1-25.) THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JUDE. 37