Commentary on Peter and Jude, Jude
❧ THE GENERALL Epiſtle of S. Iude.
IVDE a ſeruaunt of Ieſus Chriſt, and brother of Iames, to theim whiche are called and ſanctified of God the Father, and reſerued to Ieſus Chriſt:
MercieMercy vntounto you, and peace and louelove bee multiplied.
Beloued, when I gaue all diligence, to write vntounto you of the common Saluation, it was needefull for me to write vntounto you, to exhorte you, that ye ſhould earneſtly contende for the maintenaunce of the Faithe, whiche was once giuen vntounto the Sainctes.
For there are certaine men crept in, whiche were before of old ordained to this condemnation: vngodlie men thei are whiche tourne the grace of our God into wantonneſſe, and deny God the onelyonly Lorde, and our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt.
I will therefore putt you in remembraunce, foraſmuche as ye once knewe this, how that the Lorde, after that he had deliuered the people out of Egypt, deſtroied them afterward whiche beleeued not.
The Angelles alſo whiche kept not their firſt eſtate, but lefte their owne habitation, he hath reſerued in euerlaſtyng chaines vnderunder darkeneſſe, vntounto the Iudgement of the greate daie.
As Sodom and Gomorrhe, and the Cities about theim, which in like maner as thei did, cōmitted fornicatiō & followed ſtraūge Fleſh, are ſet forth for an enſample, & ſuffer the vengeance of eternall Fier.
Likewiſe notwithſtādyng theſe dreamers alſo defile the Fleſhe, and deſpiſe Gouernement, and ſpeake euill of theim that are in aucthoritie.
Yet Michaell the Archangell, when he ſtroue againſt the Deuill, and diſputed aboute the bodie of Moſes, durſte not blame hym with curſed ſpeakyng, but ſaieth, The Lorde rebuke thee.
But theſe ſpeake euill of thoſe thynges, whiche thei knowe not: and whatſoeuer thynges thei knowe naturallie, as beaſtes, whiche are without …eaſon, in thoſe thynges thei corrupt themſelues.
Wo bee vntounto: them for thei hauehave followed the waie of Cain, and are caſte awaie by the deceipt of Balaams wages, and periſheil… the gainſaiyng of Core.
Theſe are ſpottes in your feaſtes of Charitie when thei feaſt with you, without all feare, feedyng themſelues: cloudes thei are without water, caried about of windes: corrup…trees and without fruit, …wiſe dead, and plucked vp by the rootes.
The late the ragyng waues of the Sea, fomyng out their owne ſhame: Thei are wand…yng Staires, to whom it reſerued the blackneſſe of darkeneſſe for euer:
And Enoch a ſo the ſeuenth from Adam, propheſied of ſuche, ſaiyng, Behold, the Lorde commeth with thouſandes of his Sainctes,
To giuegive Iudgement againſt all men, and to rebuke all the vngodlie emong them of all their wicked deedes, whiche thei hauehave vngodlie committed, and of all their cruell ſpeakynges, whiche wicked ſynners hauehave ſpoken againſt hym.
Theſe are murmurer…, complainers, walkyng after their owne luſtes: whoſe mouthes ſpeake proude thynges, hauing mennes perſones in admiration, becauſe of avantage.
But, ye beloued, remember the woordes whiche were ſpoken before of the Apoſtles of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt,
How that thei told you that there ſhould bee mockers in the laſte tyme, whiche ſhould walke after their owne vngodlie luſtes.
Theſe are makers of ſectes, Fleſhely, hauyng not the Spirite.
But, ye beloued, edifie your ſelues in your moſte holie Faithe, praiyng in the holie Ghoſte,
And keepe your ſelues in the louelove of God. lookyng for the merciemercy of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, vntounto eternall life.
And hauehave compaſſion of ſome, in puttyng difference.
And other ſaue with feare, pullyng them out of the fier, and hate euen the Garment ſpotted by the fleſhe.
Now, vntounto him that is able to keepe you, that ye fal not, and to preſente you faultleſſe before the preſence of his glorie with ioye,
That is, to God onelyonly wiſe, our Sauiour, bee glorie, and Maieſtie, and Dominion, and Power, bothe now and for euer, Amen.
IVDE a ſeruaunt of Ieſus Chriſt, and brother of Iames, to them whiche are called and ſanctified of God the Father, and reſerued to Ieſus Chriſt:
MercieMercy vntounto you and peace & louelove be multiplied.
THis Epiſtle is attributed vntounto S. Iude the Apoſtle, brother of Iames the leſſe, and Symon: Mark. vj. Luk. vj. Whoſe mother was Marie the wife of Cleopas, and Siſter of the bleſſed Virgin Marie the mother of Chriſt: Ioh. xvj. But it appeareth not expreſſely to bee written by that Iude who was the Apoſtle, becauſe heerein hee ſpeaketh and maketh mention of the Apoſtles, as though hee were but one of their Diſciples, and had written certaine yeares after them. Neither conteineth it any ſpeciall or peculiar matter in it, other then that maie well and fullie bee gathered out of the afore going ſecond Epiſtle of S. Peter: vntounto the which it hath entier reference, and out of which, al his reaſons and ſaiynges are in a maner taken. To conclude, this is nothing els, but an: Epiſtle directly painetyng and poinctyng out the abuſes, fleightes and treacheries of our Papiſticall Clergie.
Beloued, when I gaue all diligence to write vntounto you, of the common ſaluation, it was needefull for mee to write vntounto you to exhorte you, that ye ſhould earneſtly contend for the maintenaunce of the faith which was once giuen vntounto the Sainctes.
THE effect of his meanyng is this. I could not chooſe but write vntounto you, to admoniſhe and exhorte you to perſiſt and manfully gooe forwarde in that Faithe, whiche hath now once been preached vntounto you. As if he ſhould ſaie, It is needefull and neceſſarie that I ſhould put you in remembraunce, to ſtriue and with al your endeuour to continue and perſeuere in the right waie. The cauſe why it is ſo needefull and neceſſarie, here followeth.
For there are certaine men crept in, whiche were before of olde ordained to this condemnation:
THis is the cauſe why I hauehave taken in hande to admoniſh you, to perſeuere and continue in that Faith whiche ye hauehave heard: becauſe euen now there are creepyng in, and alreadie are entred, certaine falſe ſeducers and deceiptfull Preachers, whiche goe about to teache and ſowe among you other counterfaite Doctrines, contrarie to thoſe rules of Faith whiche ye hauehave ſoundly learned: take ye heede therfore, for they be ſuche a miſchieuous and flye generation, that thei will ſuttlie and ſodainly ſteale a waye mens conſciences, and with their erroneous tromperie ſeduce and eatie them out of the right waie of truthe, before they can perceiue it or bee a ware of their fetchyng colluſions. So ſaied S. Peter afore. There ſhalbee among you falſe teachers &c. And S. Iude here ſaieth, they were long agoe foreordained to this cōdemnation & iudgement. Which thing is eaſie for vsus to vnderſtande, which knowe that no man is iuſtified by any of his owne Woorkes, but by Faithe onelyonly in Chriſte: in whom who ſo aſſuredly and faithfully beleeueth, and ſtaieth, as vponupon his chief buttreſſe and onelyonly piller of ſafetie, is made partaker of al his benefites: & all Chriſtes Workes, by Faith are become his. After this ſure groundworke of Faith once layed: all our workes that wee are able to doe, ought to tende to the benefite and commoditie of our Neighbour. What workes ſo euer are wrought to any other ende then this, are Deuiliſhe and damnable. Let a man therefore diligentlie take heede how he dealeth, and lette hym direct his woorkes as fruictes of his liuely Faith, to the helpe and benefite of his Neighbour: for al other be odious and abhominable in the ſight of God, of which ſorte are theſe vowed Profeſſions, and meriting Woorkes of Maſſyng Prieſtes and mumbling Munkes. He therfore that carieth men from the ankerholde of faithe to the …ſhe bables and lowſie Ceremonies of theſe greaſie Votaries, and their woorkes, is a deceiuer and a ſeducer, and draweth men with them into the like daunger of condemnation.
Vngodlymen they are, whiche turne the grace of our God into wantonneſſe,
THE preachyng whiche is opened vntounto vsus of the grace of God, and wherein Chriſt is ſet foorth and commended vntounto vsus, and how hee with all his good benefites is exhibited and freely giuen vntounto vsus, ſo that wee are now cleerely freed and deliuered from Sinne, Death, Hell and all miſerie: This free grace and gift (I ſaie) thus offred vntounto vsus in the Goſpell, theſe ſeducyng and falſe deceiptfull Hypocrites dooe abuſe, to the maintenaunce of themſelues in all laſciuious wantonneſſe. That is, they beare themſelues bolde vnderunder the name of Chriſtians, and they b…aſt and prate muche of the Goſpell but they liue ſo diſſolutelie and diſorderlie, that they dooe all thynges accordyng to the pitche of their owne wilfull affections and lawleſſe luſtes, ſpendyng the tyme in ry…t, banquettyng, carowſing and Gluttonie. They vaunt and bragge, ſaiyng, that thei hauehave taken vponupon them in a ſpirituall kinde of life, and vtterly renoūed the delightes of the ſeculer ſtate, and worldly dealynges: whereas vnderunder the vizarde of this pretended ſimplicitie, thei hauehave inuaded and raked into their handes (in a maner) all the wealthe, delites and dignities in the Worlde. This is alreadie (ſaieth Iude) begunne to bee put in practiſe. For wee reade, that this miſchiefe of Biſhoppes ſeeking Lordly authoritie, and higher prerogatiue then other Chriſtians, beganne aboue a thouſande yeares agoe, whiche thyng in the Epiſtles of Hierome is euidently to bee ſeen.
And deny GOD the onelyonly Lorde, and our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt.
SO alſo writeth Sainct Peter in his Chriſts▪ But that Deniyng (as it is there and here in …) is not with the mouthe, (for outwardly in woordes thei confeſſe that GOD is the Lords) but in their woorkes and dealynges: thei flatly deny the Lorde Chriſt, not acknowledgyng hym to bee their Lorde, but chalenge rather a Lordineſſe and predenimation vntounto themſelues.
For when as thei Preache, that Faſtyng, Pilgrimage, buildyng of Abbaies, Chaſtitie, Obedience, Pouertie, and ſuche like, is the right high waie to felicitie, thei th…re… miſerablie ſeduce, and drawe men from the truthe, to them wretched Workes, vtterly ſuppreſſyng, concealyng, and keepyng Chriſt, doune. Which is no leſſe, then if thei ſhould ſaie: Chriſt auaileth that nothyng, neither can his woorkes and … fires any whitte helpe thee. Thou muſt needes truſt to thy ſelf, and merite Heauen with thyne owne Workes. And thus thei … ny the Lorde, who hath bought and redeemed vsus with his owne precious bloud, as S. Peter afore declared.
I will therefore putte you in remembraune, for as muche as ye onto knewe this, how that the Lorde after that he had deliuered the people out of Aegipt deſtroied them afterward whiche beleeued not.
The Angels alſo whiche kept not their firſt eſtate, but left their owne habitation, he hath reſerued in euerlaſtyng chaines vnderunder darkneſſe, vntounto the iudgement of the greate daie.
As Sodome and Gomorrhe, and the Cities aboute them, whiche in like maner as thei did committed Fornication, and followed ſtrange fleſhe, are ſett forthe for an enſample, and … the vengeaunce of eternall Fier.
HEre he inferreth three ſeuerall examples, whereof the two laſt are mētioned why S. Peter. One onelyonly he here addeth more, and … it of the children of Iſral, whom God by many wonders brought out of the Lande of Egipt, and who for their vnbelief dyed in the Wilderneſſe and were deſtroyed: ſo that of ſixe hundreth thouſande men, beſide women and children vnderunder twentie yeares, that came out of Egipt; there were left no moe but onelyonly twaine. Num. xj. This example he bringeth for an admonition and terrour: as if hee ſhould ſaie, let thoſe that are called by the name of Chriſtians▪ and vnderunder colour thereof turne the grace of God into wantonneſſe, take heede and looke well to themſelues, leaſt that happen vntounto them, whiche light vppon the Iſraelites. And truely, ſince the tyme that blind Poperie beganne, and the clere light of the Goſpell was couered and reſtrained from beeing publiquely preached, one plague hath ſtill fallen in the necke of an other, whereby GOD hath ſtill from tyme to tyme taken reuenge of the vnbeleeuers, and giuen them ouer into the very Iawes of Sathan.
Likewiſe notwithſtandyng theſe Dreamers alſo defile the fleſhe,
THeſe Doctors & Teachers he calleth Dreamers, becauſe that as when one dreameth, he thynketh himſelf to hauehave ſomewhat, and to ſee many thynges, whiche in truth are but vaine phantaſies: and when he awaketh and ſeeth himſelf to hauehave nothyng, then perceiueth he all to bee but a dreame, & ſo maketh he no accoumpt thereof. So, whatſoeuer theſe iuggling Rabbines and Lordly maiſters doe ſaie, is nothyng but mere dreames: whiche they ſhall one daie, when their eyes ſhalbee opened, well finde and know to hauehave been nothyng at all. And namely, when thei goe about to perſwade men that their ſhauen crounes, their forked Cappes, their wilfull Pouertie, their counterfaite Chaſtitie, their vowed Obedience, & ſuche like traſhe and guegawes are thinges very acceptable vntounto God Herein they merueilouſlie blea… themſelues in their owne imaginations, and thinke themſelues to ſee that, whiche in deede is but falſe and phantaſticall, and no better then a very fonde and fooliſhe dreame: as in truthe, all this their traſhe and tromperie is before God nothyng els but mere dreames and lyes. Therefore, in callyng them Dreamers, he did very wel, and hit them home with their right name, for that, with their dreames they ſeduce and beguile bothe themſelues and the Worlde.
This vice of liuyng looſelie and wantonlie, the Apoſtles doe peculiarly attribute and aſcribe to thoſe whiche bee greazed Prieſtes and marked Baalamites. God long agoe foretolde vsus, that they ſhould bee a Sect liuyng without Wiues. And Daniell alſo prophecying of the kyngdome of the Pope, foretolde long agoe, that, their luſt ſhould be vponupon women, Dan. xj. becauſe he foreſawe that thei would be ſuche, as could not abide to bee linked in lawfull mariage with any women, but burne in luſt and wicked concupiſcence. And this is one of the outwarde iolie vertues, not muche vnlike to that their other inwarde properties, namely that they are dreamyng Sleepers.
And deſpiſe gouernemente, and ſpeake euill of thē that are in aucthoritie.
THeir third qualitie is, that thei refuſe to bee ſubiecte to the Temporall Sworde, and Ciuile Magiſtrate. But wee knowe, and ſo teache, that ſo long as wee liue vppon Earth, wee are bounde by the Worde of GOD, to yeeld our obedience vntounto Magiſtrates. For the Faithe of Chriſte doeth not violate, infringe, and diſanull externall Pollicie: and therefore it is not lawfull for any man to exempt hymſelf from his obedience toward them. Wherevpon we ſee it plainly and conſequently prooued, that the Popes Canons and Decrees, touchyng Eccleſiaſticall Immunitie, bee nothyng but verie deuiſes and inuentions of Sathan.
Yet Michael the Archangell, whē he ſtroue againſt the Deuill, and diſputed about the bodie of Moſes durſt not blame hym with curſed ſpeakyng, but ſaied, The Lorde rebuke thee.
THis is one of the places, for the whiche, this Epiſtle was of the old Fathers not allowed and receiued for Canonicall: becauſe he here alledgeth an example, whiche is not read els where in any place within the whole bodie of the Bible: Namely, that Michaell the Archangell contended with the Deuill, about the bodie of Moſes. This contention ſome thinke grewe herevpon, becauſe there are ſo many notable ſtories written of Moſes, namelie, in the laſte of Deuter: where wee reade that the Angell of God buried hym, but that no man knoweth of his Sepulchre where it is vntounto this daie. Againe, becauſe the Scripture teſtifieth of hym, in the ſame Chapter, that there aroſe not a Prophete in Iſraell like vntounto Moſes, whom the Lorde knewe face to face. &c. Seyng therefore in what greate eſtimation and reuerence Moſes was among the Iewes: ſome of the Interpreters and Expoſitors, that write vponupon that ſame laſte Chapter of Deut. ſaie, that Moſes was buried by God, and that his Sepulchre was neuer hitherto knowen, or founde by any man. Whiche God did, to the intente the Iewes ſhould bee kept from all occaſion of committyng Idolatrie, whereinto thei might eaſily and quickly hauehave ſlipped, if thei had had the bodie of ſo noble and renoumed a Prophete emong theim, as Moſes was. Wherevpon thei gather, that this contention (here mentioned by S. Iude) aroſe: becauſe the Deuill would gladly hauehave had the bodie of Moſes to bee manifeſtly knowen where it was, to the intent the people might hauehave had occaſion to committe Idolatrie, thereby miniſtred vntounto them. Now, albeit Michael were an Archangell, yet durſt be not (ſaieth S. Iude) rebuke hym with curſed ſpeakyng, and railyng Sentence. But theſe blaſphemous mouthes and peruerſe perſones, are not aſhamed to deſpiſe, treade vnderunder foote, and ſpeake euill of the Powers, whiche are ordained by God, and to curſe theim to the eight and ninth generation. And whereas thei themſelues are nothyng els then wretched Caitifes, and ſeelie fraile Creatures: yet ſee thei here, that Michael one of the chiefeſt Angelles, was afraied to curſe and raile vponupon the Deuill, beyng a moſte wicken Spirite: Not daryng to ſaie any farther, then, The Lorde rebuke thee.
But theſe ſpeake euill of thoſe thinges whiche thei knowe not: and what ſoeuer thynges thei knowe naturallie, as beaſtes, whiche are without reaſon, in thoſe thynges thei corrupt themſelues.
THeſe kinde of perſones be curſed ſpeakers, and blaſphemous railers, becauſe thei hauehave ſkill of nothing but of Excommunicatyng, Accur…ng & deliuering ouer to Sathā, not onelyonly Kinges, Princes, Potentates, and Powers, but euen GOD hymſelf, and his bleſſed Sainctes: as in the Bull of the Supper of the Lorde is to be ſeen. Thei knowe not, that their Saluation conſiſteth in Faithe and Charitie: Thei can not abide to hauehave their Woorkes diſpraiſed, reiected, and condemned: Neither will thei ſuffer any to preache to the people, that wee muſte onelyonly looke for our Saluation by the Merites, Death, and Workes of Chriſt: And therfore thei condemne, Accurſe, Reuile, and Blaſpheme all true Chriſtian doctrine: wherein thei plainly diſcouer themſelues▪ how vtterly blinde and ignoraunt thei bee. But thoſe thynges whiche thei knowe by their owne naturall vnderſtanding, as Trentalles, Maſſes and ſuche like Legierdemaine, whiche filleth bothe their pouches and their paunches, and bryngeth in ſtore of pelfe, m…n…y and wealth, thereto thei whollie emploie themſelues, and therby carie bothe themſelues and others into perdition.
Woe bee vntounto them: for the hauehave followed the waie of Cain.
CAin killed his brother for none other cauſe, but for that his brother was iuſter and godlier then hymſelf: and for that God had more reſpect and greater delight in his brothers Sacrifice, then he had in his. Therefore the waie of Cain, is to truſt in our owne Workes, and to renounce and reiecte thoſe Workes that bee true, and good Workes in deede: Finallie, to murther and ſlaie all thoſe that walke in the truthe, and in the tight waie. Whiche nature and practiſe wee ſee the Papiſtes moſt earneſtly with tooth and naile, daiely to put in vre.
And are caſt awaie by the deceit of Balaams wages.
THei ſhould bee inwardly hidden with Chriſt, in an aſſured truſt and confidence of Gods diuine grace: but thei licentiouſly breake out, and actually diſpoſe themſelues into ſundrie ſortes of externall and outward Workes: and doe all thinges for greedineſſe of gaine, and pecuniarie reward, to fill their beallies, after the example of the Prophete Balaam, as was declared in the ſeconde Chapter of the ſecond Epiſtle of S. Peter aforegoyng.
And periſhe in the gainſaiyng of Core.
OF the ſedicious rebellion of Core, and how he with his wicked confederates, was ſwallowed into the Earth, wee reade in the fourth Booke of Moſes, Chapt. xvj. Moſes was appoincted and called of God to this ende, that he ſhould bryng and conducte the people of Iſraell out of Egypt: and his brother Aaron, to bee the high Prieſt. This Core beyng alſo of the ſame Tribe and Familie and ambielouſly aſpiryng to cary ſome high aucthoritie, adioyned vntounto hym twoo hundred and fiftie Captaines, of the beſte and moſte renoumed emong all the people: with whom he raiſed vp ſuche a mutinous faction, and ſeditious Tumulte, that brought all the companie into an vprore, and welnere cauſed Moſes and Aaron to flee, and giuegive place to their furie. But Moſes fallyng doune vppon his face, praied vntounto the Lorde, that hee ſhould not looke vntounto their offryng and Sacrifice: and when he had ſpoken to the people, that thei ſhould ſeparate themſelues, and departe from the companie of thoſe wicked conſpiratours, he ſaied: Hereby ye ſhal knowe, whether the Lord hath ſent me, or no. If theſe men dye the common death of all men, or if they bee viſited after the viſitation of all men, the Lorde hath not ſent me. But if the Lorde make a newe thyng, and the Earth open her mouthe, and ſwallowe downe theſe men quicke into the pitte, then ye ſhall vnderſtande that theſe men hauehave blaſphemed, and prouoked the Lorde. And aſſoone as he had made an ende of ſpeakyng all theſe woordes, euen the grounde claue aſunder thas was vnderunder them, and the Earth opened her mouthe, and ſwallowed them vp with their families, and all the men that were with Core, and all their goodes. So thei and al that thei had, went doune aliue into the pitte, and the Earth couered them. And there came out a Fier frō the Lorde, whiche conſumed the twoo hundred and fiftie men, that had adioyned themſelues to Core, and offred Incenſe.
This Example doeth ſainct Iude bryng againſt theſe our horrible and blaſphemous Popelynges: who charge vsus to bee the Aucthours of Sedicion and mutinie, when wee preache againſt theim: whereas in deede, it is thei that are the cauſers of all garboile and trouble. For Chriſt is our Aaron and high Prieſt: whom onelyonly we ought to heare, and acknowledge for the Biſhoppe of our Soules. But that can not the Pope and his greazed Biſhoppes abide: for thei aduaunce themſelues alofte, and chalenge to theim all domination and power: and flatly oppoſe themſelues againſt Chriſte. Theſe beeyng altogether drouned and buried in Earthly conuerſation and pleaſure, and beeyng the verie worlde it ſelf, doeth S. Iude compare and reſemble to Core and his companions, whom God ſtraungely puniſhed, ſo that the grounde opened and ſwallowed them vp aliue.
Theſe are Spottes in your feaſtes of Charitie whē thei feaſt with you, without all feare, feedyng them ſelues: Clouds thei are without water, caried about of windes: corrupt Trees and without fruite, twiſe dead, and plucked vp by the rootes.
Thei are the ragyng waues of the Sea, fomyng out their owne ſhame: Thei are wand…yng Staires, to whom is reſerued the blackeneſſe of darkeneſſe for euer.
ALL this wee hauehave alreadie heard largelie diſcourſed in the Epiſtle of S. Peter. The greater parte of Chriſtendome, hath trained and brought vp their children to the order of Prieſthoode, and for none other cauſe, but to liue idlie and delicately without any labour of their owne handes, or trouble of preachyng: Voluptuouſlie enioiyng and ſpendyng at their owne eaſe and pleaſure thoſe goodes, whiche poore men painfullie gotte in the ſweate of their browes. Thei are among the common people reputed and taken for the worthieſt Pillers, & (as it were) the Iewelles, and ornamentes of the Chriſtian Congregation: whereas in deede thei be but the Spotts and Wennes of the Common wealth, the Skumme and Filthe of the people, and the deteſtable vizardes of hypocriticall holineſſe: thei keepe iolie cheare, and fare moſte deliciouſly, accordyng to the old Adage or Prouerbe, whiche calleth delicate and daintie cates, morſelles for a Prieſt. Finallie thei are without feare and care, verily thinkyng that Sathan hymſelf is not able to ouerthrowe them. The flocke thei feede nothyng at all, but are rather themſelues the rauenous Wolues, that deuoure and eate vp the Sheepe. Thei are Cloudes that are caried on high, and ſwaied alofte in the Aire. For thei hauehave enſtalled themſelues in the chiefeſt places, and beſte roumes, and carie all the credite and countenance in the Churche: thei ought to teache others, but thei care nothing at al for that: ſuffryng them to bee caried hither and thither into the Foggie miſte of errour and ignoraunce by the Deuill, the profeſſed enemie of mankinde. Thei are alſo fruitleſſe and naked Trees, ſuch as are in the beginning of Winter, bearing neither fruite nor leaues, yet thei occupie a roume as other Trees doe. Thei beare a ſhewe of the Biſhopps of Chriſt, but thei hauehave in them no peece nor parte neither of hym, nor yet of his Woordes or Workes, but are dead at the rootes.
They are alſo ragyng waues of the Sea, that is, euen as the windes in the Sea do toſſe and ſtirre the waues this waie and that waie: ſo are thei alſo caried whither ſoeuer Sathan driueth them. They foame out their owne ſhame, euen as a pot, that hath a greate heate vnderunder it: thei are ſo full of malice, that it runneth ouer at the brim, thei are ſo nozzeled in ſpightfulneſſe and crueltie, that their ſwellyng and cankered ſtomackes can not holde it, but muſt needes caſt vp and vomite out all their beaſtly filthineſſe, and therwith alſo defile and pollute others. They are wandryng Starres, ſuch as they call planetes retrograde hauyng their motion backwarde: in like maner theſe fellowes, whoſe life and doctrine is nothyng but errour, ſeduce and beguile bothe themſelues and all thoſe that followe them. And therefore there is reſerued for them, the miſt of darkeneſſe for euer.
In theſe wordes and examples, Iude hath depaincted and ſet out our Maſſyng mates and pollſhorne Prelates, who vnderunder the name of Chriſt and of the Churche, doe bring in a Sea of moſte lewde and execrable maners: and yet neuertheleſſe vnderunder pretence thereof dooe catche and rake vntounto themſelues all the wealth of the Worlde, and bryng all mens heades vnderunder their girdles.
And Enoch alſo the ſeuenth from Adam, prophecyed of ſuche, ſaiyng, Behold the Lorde commeth with thouſandes of his Sainctes, to giuegive iudgment againſt all men:
THis place is not any where read in the Scripture: which is an other reaſon why ſome of the auncient Fathers would not admitt & receiue this Epiſtle as canonicall: howbeit this is no ſufficient cauſe, whereby to diſallowe or reiect any Booke: for S. Paule alſo ij. Timot. iij. nameth Iannes and Iambres, two aduerſaries of Moſes, whoſe names (notwithſtandyng) are not read in the whole Byble beſide. Howſoeuer mens iudgements hauehave béen or bee, we will not preſently ſtande vponupon that poinct. But this is true, that God from the beginnyng of the Worlde hath euer reueiled his Woorde to ſome, wherein to the beleeuers grace and ſaluation is promiſed, but to the vnbeleeuers, iudgement and damnation is threatened, and ſo it ſtill continued euen till the Aſcenſion of Chriſt: from whiche tyme, the Word of God hath been openly and generally preached ouer all the Worlde. But before the natiuitie of Chriſt, GOD ſtill choſe ſome to himſelf whom he vſed as it were a certaine threede, from hande to hande to deliuer the manifeſtation and publication of his Word: firſt from Adam to Abrahā: then from him to Dauid, and ſo to the Virgin Marie, the mother of Chriſte, and others moe to whom he reueiled and deliuered his truth.
The Goſpell therfore was alwaies preached in the world, but neuer ſo openly as now in theſe latter daies. After this ſorte did this Patriarch Enoch preache and publiſh the Word of the Lorde: whiche (vndoubtedly) he had learned of his Father Adam, by influence from the holy Ghoſt.
For it is recorded of hym in the Scriptures, Gen. v. that he led an vpright and godly life, and therefore was taken vp of God and was no more ſeen. Wherevppon ſprong that fable, that hee ſhould come againe before the daye of Iudgement: whiche thing is not to bee looked for, vnleſſe wee will vnderſtand it in this ſenſe, that he ſhall come againe in ſpirite: namelie, for that, his preachyng dooeth fitly iumpe and agree to the tyme next afore the generall Iudgement: as here this preſent place very truely agreeth thereto: wherein he ſpeaketh ſo certainly of the laſte Daie, as if he had preſently ſeene it with his eyes. The Lorde (ſaieth he) commeth with thouſandes of his Sainctes: that is, with an infinite multitude. For, theſe words muſt needes be vnderſtood, onelyonly of the laſt Daie, wherein the Lorde will come to Iudgement with all his Saintes. For when he firſt came into the Worlde, he came not with many thouſandes of his Sainctes, but alone: and that, not to iudge, but to giuegive Grace.
And to rebuke all the vngodlie among them of all their wicked deedes, whiche they hauehave vngodlie committed,
THis place doth Iude not vnaptly here inferre, directly ſounding againſt falſe Guides and counterfaite Teachers, whiche he knewe in greate ſwarmes ſhould come a little afore the laſt Daie: but it ſeemeth alſo very aptly to beare this interpretation and ſignification, that the Lorde at his comming will firſt deſtroye and quight ouerthrowe the Pope with al his imperious Pōtificalitie. For, to ſuch a great miſchieuous euill there is none other helpe or remedie, for the vtter aboliſhyng and quite takyng of hym awaie. For ſo long as the Worlde endureth, there will neither bee ende of hym, neither can there any reformation and amendment in hym be hoped for. And truely, this place can not bee vnderſtoode of any other then of our Papiſtes, who ſo miſerably and lamentablie ſeduce the Worlde. For a more forlorne, deſperate and wicked life, then that of the Papiſtes, can not poſſiblie be imagined: wherein as thei impiouſly alreadie wallowe, ſo wil thei ſtill continue worſe and worſe, pretending (notwithſtanding) greate ſanctimonie and holineſſe vnderunder the name of Chriſte, whom thei vſe as a cloke to contriue and hide all their villaynous treacherie. VnderUnder the name of Papiſtes wee may vnderſtande both them and all the rable of ſeducyng Impoſters and deceiuers beſide, which ſhal come a little before the laſt Daie, and all ſuche as embrace and follow… their godleſſe impietie. This place therfore that he here alle…geth, is to be vnderſtood of the laſt daie of Iudgement. Wee ſee, of whom he ſpeciallie meaneth that the ſaied Iudgement is to be looked for. Whervpon wee conclude that our tyrannous Shauelinges and ſhauen. Tyrauntes are with tremblyng expectation reſerued ſorthe laſt daie and commyng of the Lorde, whether the ſame come and approche with ſpeede, or ſtaie yet ſomewhat longer.
And of all their cruell ſpeakynges, whiche wicked ſynners hauehave ſpoken againſt hym.
IN theſe wordes he both reprooueth their life, and reprehendeth their ſaiynges: and it is as much as if he ſhould ſaie: Thei ſpeake preſumptuouſly and malapertly againſt the Lord, and againſt his commyng, they bee impudent and tooto arrogant, thei deryde and blaſpheme hym, as S. Peter alſo in his Epiſtle writeth of them. He ſpeaketh not here, of their life, as it is defiled and deformed with ſinnes and iniquities, but as it is giuen ouer and entierly addicted to woorke all impietie. I call that Impietie, when the life is led without Faith, although the outwarde conuerſation bee not altogether flagitious and damnable . Euill works be in deede the fruictes of Impietie: but Impietie it ſelf is properly called that life, whiche glittereth outwardly with a gaie ſhew of hypocriticall workes, whereas the harte is vtterly voyde of Faithe. Suche impious perſons (ſaieth he) the Lord will reproue, becauſe the preſumptuous doctrine whiche thei boldly teache, thei ſtiflie defende and obſtinately maintaine: leanyng alwaies to their owne brainſicke gloſſes and conſtructions, and not ſufferyng themſelues to bee conuerted and turned to the truthe: but are harder then the Flint, and will neuer deſiſt from condemnyng and blaſphemyng the doctrine of true godlineſſe! Here we ſee, how liuely theſe wordes of Enoch paint out and deſcribe theſe kinde of perſons that are and ſhould foyſt themſelues into the Churche towarde the latter ende of the Worlde, whiche vndoubtly are ye Papiſtes, as to eueryevery man euidently appeareth.
Theſe are murmurers, complainers, walkyng after their owne luſtes: whoſe mouthes ſpeake proude thynges,
IF a man finde fault with their dealynges, and reproue them as vnlawful and diſſonaunt to the Worde of God, he ſhalbee ſure to bryng himſelf thereby into a pecke of troubles: they will murmure, repine and gnaſhe their teeth at him. As for example: if a man ſhould but leaue out or omit any peece or parte of the Biſhoppes ordinarie ſtyle and wonted tytle, they ſtraightwaies with open throates crye out, (Contempt and Diſobedience.) There is no waie left, to withſtand their lawleſſe luſtes and ſelfwilled dealinges, for thei bragge that they hauehave power bothe ouer our bodies & ouer our ſoules: thei hauehave gotten into their handes bothe the Swordes: ſo that they can not bee compelled by Lawe to dooe that is iuſt and right: and that any man ſhould preache againſt them, that can thei not at any hand abide. They hauehave exempted thēſelues and all theirs, from all maner of taxe, tribute and impoſition, ſo that no man dare once touche any thing that belongeth vntounto them: finallie, thei are growen to that degree of tyrannie, that no man dare preſume to preache a worde contrarie to the order of their peeuiſh Proceedings. To alledge any Scriptures againſt them, it is altogether booteleſſe: for they ſaie, that none maie expoūd or enterprete the ſame, ſauing thei themſelues. By which meanes it is come to paſſe that in all places and in all thinges they liue as licentiouſly as thei liſt. For theſe ſaiynges can not bee wreſted or applied againſt vsus profeſſours of the true Goſpell, for that wee reuerently and dutifully ſubmitt our ſelues, and yeeld our obedience aſwell to the Scriptures, as to the ciuile Power: from bothe whiche, thei wilbe free and not compellable by any. Laſt of al, their Decrees and Cannons be peſtered and thwacked full of proude, arrogant, and ſwellyng wordes, vtterly voyde of all good and godlineſſe.
Hauing mens perſones in admiration, becauſe of a vantage.
THis hitteth their natures and diſpoſitions very iumpe, for thei iudge all thinges accordyng to the perſon. In all the whole Popes. Canons, ye ſhall not once finde it commaunded, that the Biſſhoppe ſhould humble himſelf beneath the poore Pariſhe Prieſt, nor any of the fruictes of a Chriſtian life whatſoeuer. But al thinges rather ſounde thus. Let the Curate bee vnderunder the Prieſt, the Prieſt vnderunder the Biſſhoppe, the Biſſhoppe vnderunder the Archbiſhoppe, the Archbiſhoppe vnderunder the Patriarch, and the Patriarch vnderunder the Pope. Finallie, how eueryevery one ſhould weare his Habite, his Amyſe, his Weede and Cowle, after what faſhion he ſhould clippe his hayre, ſhaue his crowne, and beard, and make his apparaile, how many Benifices and how many Prebendes he might keepe &c. Thus, thei brought all thinges to certaine externall Ceremonies and traditions of their own makyng, and wholly occupied themſelues in mere, childiſhe, fooliſh, and friuolous trifles, which thei had in greate accoūpt and eſtimation: yea thei iudged it no leſſe then deadly ſinne, if any man ſhould refuſe to adore & reuerence theſe their boyiſhe toyes. And therefore very well ſaieth Iude in this place, Thei hauehave mens perſons in admiratiō, for thei lappe vp their lewd and loude lyes in vizardes of hypocriſie, and only admire thoſe gaie ſhewes that are viſiblie obiect to the eye. All this while thei neuer ſpeake woorde, neither knowe any thyng as they ſhould knowe, of Faith, of Charitie, or of the Croſſe. And yet the poore vulgare people ſuffer themſelues ſtill to be beeſotted with theſe Popiſhe Bugges, and thinke themſelues to doe very acceptable ſeruice to God, in giuing all their Goods, Subſtaunce and Patrimonie to feede theſe filthie Swine in the Stye of this their lewd ſenſualitie.
But, ye beloued, remember the woordes whiche were ſpoken before of the Apoſtles of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt,
How that thei told you that there ſhould be mockers in the laſte tyme, whiche ſhould walke after their owne vngodlie luſtes.
THis place alſo giueth ſome occaſion to thinke, that this Epiſtle was not written by Saincte Iude the Apoſtle, becauſe the Aucthour hereof reckeneth not hymſelf among the other Apoſtles, but ſpeaketh ſo of theim, as though thei had preached long before his tyme: whereby it maie well bee thought, that this was rather written by ſome other godlie man, that had read Sainct Peters Epiſtle, and out of it culled and gathered theſe woordes and Sentences. Who theſe mockers bee, wee hauehave afore declared, and who thei alſo bee, that walke after their owne luſtes: not onelyonly carnall and fleſhely luſtes, but thoſe rather that ſauour of horrible impietie, wherin thei liue in eche reſpect, accordyng to their owne inordinate deſires: neither reuerencyng the Ciuile Magiſtrate, nor obeiyng the Worde of God, but liue ſo looſely and contemptuouſly, that thei neither obediently acknowledge any externall, nor yet internal Gouernement. Al Lawes aſwell Diuine as Humaine, thei flatly deſpiſe and ſette at naught: and ſo flye in the Aire, in the middle betweene Heauen and Earth, euen as thei are hoiſed vp and caried aloft by their Maiſter the Deuill.
Theſe are makers of ſectes, Fleſhely, hauyng not the Spirite.
HEre he alludeth to that, whiche ſainct Peter in his Epiſtle ſaied, That there ſhould come falſe Teachers, whiche priuilie ſhould bryng in damnable hereſies. Theſe are thei that diſobediently breake aſunder the vnitie of Faithe: and beyng not contented with the common profeſſion, and generall appellation of Chriſtians, (wherein eche one is to ſerue and doe good to his neighbour) thei deuiſe and inuent certaine newe vpſtart Sectes of their owne, wherby thei feigne a falſe counterfaite ſeruice to Almightie God. Furthermore thei are Naturall, and fleſhly, as brute Beaſtes, hauyng no more Spirite and vnderſtandyng, then hath an Horſe or an Aſſe: thei followe the iudgement of Nature, and are caried awaie with the concupiſcence and luſte of the Fleſhe. Finallie, thei hauehave not the Worde of GOD, to direct and leade them, how to frame their liues and conuerſations.
But, ye beloued, edifie your ſelues in your moſte holie Faithe, praiyng in the holie Ghoſte,
And keepe your ſelues in the louelove of God,
IN theſe fewe woordes he hath briefly comprehended, the whole ſumme & effect of all true Chriſtianitie. Faith is the grounde worke and foundation, wherevpon wee muſte builde: and this buildyng or edifiyng is daiely and howrely, to profite and goe foreward in the knowledge of God, and of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt: whiche is not doen but by the operation of the holie Ghoſt. Beeyng in this ſort builded, wee are not to dooe any Worke, whereby to purchaſe and winne to our ſelues any Merite, or Saluation, but onelyonly to profite and doe good to our neighbours. And herein muſt wee hauehave a moſte diligent care, that wee continue and perſeuere in true and ſincere LoueLove, without any intermiſſion: not as dooe theſe fooliſhe people, whiche ſtaie themſelues vponupon their owne rotten Workes, and deuiſe certaine peculiar Sectes, wherewith they drawe awaie and ſeduce men from brotherly LoueLove and Charitie.
Lookyng forthe merciemercy of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, vntounto eternall life.
HEre is Hope taught, and the Croſſe commended. For our life ought ſo to bee framed and ledde, that it ſhould bee nothyng els, then a ſeruent ſighyng and a longyng deſire for the life to come. But yet ſo, that this our deſire and longyng muſte bee whollie ſtaied vppon the onelyonly merciemercy of Chriſte: vntounto whom wee muſte ardently praie, that it maie pleaſe hym, (euen of his owne merciemercy, and not for any Merite that is in vsus) to take and trāſlate vsus hence into the life to come, where endleſſe ioyes for euer abounde.
And hauehave cōpaſſion of ſome, in puttyng difference:
And other ſaue with feare, pullyng theim out of the fier:
THis place is ſomewhat darke and obſcure to bee vnderſtanded, but yet this is the true meanyng thereof: HaueHave ye compaſſion of ſome: and ſaue ſome. That is, ſo leade your liues, that it maie euen greeue you at the hart, to ſee ſome ſo miſerablie blinded, and wilfully obſtinate: Reioyce ye not at their miſerie, neither take ye any pleaſure or delite in their lamentable miſcreauncie. But meddle ye not with their Atheiſme, ſeparate your ſelues from theim, and hauehave no dealyng or companie with them. Other ſome, whom ye maie pull out of ſo greate a daunger, ſaue and deliuer by fearyng theim and holding them backe with godlie ſeueritie: deale with them courteouſly and gentlie, euen as God hath dealt with you: not roughly, not ragyngly and ſharpely, but mieldely and Charitablie. Dooe not with churliſhe ſterneſſe terrifie and ſo ſpoile theim: but deale with theim, as ye would with thoſe that lye in the Fier: whom ye ought with carefull diligence, wiſely to pul out and ſaue. If thei bee not contented to be pulled out and deliuered, thei are with gentle meanes and tender merciemercy to bee borne withall: not (as the Pope and his hereticall Rabbines vſe is) to bee burned and ſpoyled.
And hate euen the Garment ſpotted by the fleſhe.
WE hauehave receiued the holie Ghoſt by Faith, and thereby are wee purified: but yet neuertheleſſe, ſo long as wee here …tie, this rotten ſacke of Fleſhe and Bloud ſtill hangeth vponupon vsus, which is neuer without whoſe ſwarmes of euill luſtes. And this is that ſpotted Garment, which while wee here liue, wee ought to laie aſide and put of.
Now, vntounto him that is able to keepe you, that ye fal not, and to preſente you faultleſſe before the preſence of his glorie with ioye.
That is, to God onelyonly wiſe, our Sauiour, be glorie, and Maieſtie, and Dominion, and Power, bothe now and for euer, Amen.
THis is the concluſion and end of this Epiſtle. And thus are the Apoſtles wont in the ende of their Writynges, Preachynges, Exhortations & Prophecies, to praie, to wiſhe and to giuegive thankes. Wee ſee therefore in theſe two Epiſtles, aſwell this of Iude, as that ſeconde of S. Peter, what a true Chriſtian life is: and how wee maye diſcerne the ſinceritie of that Doctrine which is pure, Catholike, and Chriſtian, from that whiche is corrupt, counterfaite, and altogether Antichriſtian.
FINIS.
End of the text · Martin Luther, Commentary on Peter and Jude (1581)