Exposition of Jude, Verse 17
Vers. 17. But, ye beloued, remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Iesus Christ.
IN these words the Apostle goeth about to answere an obiection that might be made by the Church after this manner: We cannot bee resolued that these men against whom yee write, are so vngodly as you would make them: The answere whereto is framed in the 17.18. & 19. verses. The effect of which is, that in the last times there shall bee mockers, and these be no other than the men of whom he writeth: and lest they should yet doubt of the truth of that he spake, he bringeth in the testimonie of the Apostles in the confirmation of the same: so as his doctrine was no other than that which was before by them deliuered. Where three things are to be considered: first, a preface to the testimonie, vers. 17. Secondly, the testimonie it selfe, vers. 18. Thirdly, the amplifying of it, vers. 19.
For the Preface. But, yee beloued, remember &c.] First, the Apostle Iude setteth out his owne dutie and practise, in that whatsoeuer he speaketh it proceedeth of louelove: and he is not carried away in speaking or writing with sinister affections; and therefore he calleth them Beloued. This ought to be ye practise of al Teachers, who out of their inward louelove to Gods people committed vntounto them, are to vtter whatsoeuer they teach: yea and no man in any other calling may lay aside this affection in the discharge of the duties therof, seeing it is the end of all the Commandements.
In the second word remember] is laid downe the dutie of the Church & faithfull people of God, which is to remember the words spoken by the Apostles of the Lord Iesus Christ. Which we also in this age are to bee exhorted vntounto for very weightie reasons: first, it is a notable remedie against al sinne, and especially the forenamed sinnes: Psal. 116.11. In my haste I said all men are liars; that is, whē I remembred not the word of God; but forgat my own dutie, and was carried away with the streame of my owne affections against faith, then I failed and was foiled. Psal. 119. I hauehave hid thy testimonies in my heart, that I should not offend against thee. Secondly, this remembrance is a notable remedie against heresies, and schismes, and all false doctrines, and is of much vse in these our daies, wherein wee are in danger to bee seduced, partly by Atheists, partly by Papists, and partly by carnall Gospellers; against all whom wee had need to bee well fenced, and armed by the reading, knowing, beleeuing, and remembring the wordes of the Prophets and Apostles, which onelyonly are as Dauids sling to ouerthrow the great Goliahs. Thirdly, it is an excellent meanes to settle the conscience in the truth by perswading the same: and the rather to be enforced, because many alleage that there are so many Religions and opinions, that they wil be of none, for they knowe not which to betake themselues vntounto. But if these were diligent in the words of the Prophets and Apostles in reading, searching and sifting out the truth in humilitie, they should finde wherein to settle themselues.
Secondly, by this second word all Teachers are to take notice of their dutie, which is to whet the word of the Apostles vponupon the hearts, mindes, and memories of their hearers, so as they may learne and remember them: and the rather because in former ages religion was destroyed, and superstition preuailed, because that men laid away the Scriptures out of their hands, and betooke themselues to the exposition of other mens writings; and to glosse vponupon the sayings of their ancestors: whereby they brought a black darknes ouer these parts of the world. The Prophets and Apostles giuegive another direction. Malachy the last of the Prophets referreth vntounto Moses and the former Prophets; and Iude the last of the Apostles vntounto the former Apostles, shewing what ought to bee the scope of all Teachers that would follow their steps.
Thirdly, hence all Students of Diuinitie are taught what they must most remember, namely the words and writings of the Apostles: for these are the key of the olde Testament and of the whole Scripture; which dutie if it were well obserued, Popery, superstition and Atheisme could not so farre preuaile, but fall downe to the ground, as Dagon before the Arke.
Thirdly, he nameth the authors of the testimony, who were the Apostles of our Lord Iesus Christ, implying their authoritie; and taking it for granted, that whatsoeuer they spake or writ must be receiued as an infallible truth, and may not be contradicted. Now the better to know both what the Apostles were, and what this authoritie is, consider three points: first, their calling, and the greatnes thereof; They were called by Christs owne mouth, Ioh. 20.21. As the Father sent me, so I send you: by which comparison hee designeth them to a particular and weightie calling, standing in these points: first, as Christ was immediatly called by the Father, so were the Apostles immediatly called by himselfe. Secondly, as Christ was sent from the Father to preach to the whole world, being the great Prophet and Doctor of his Church; so Christ sendeth them into the whole world, for the whole worlde was their charge. Thirdly, as Christ was sent to reueile his Fathers will, which before was hid to the greatest part of the world; so they were sent by Christ to reueile the Fathers will, partly in making things more fully knowne, which were before but darkly shadowed: and partly in foretelling things to come, they all being Euangelicall Prophets. In these three standeth that comparison: in regard of which manner of the… sending they are aboue euen the Angel… themselues, nay the Angels were as it were but their schollers. Eph. 3.10. Now vntounto principalities and powers in heauenly places is made knowne by the Church the manifold wisedome of God, that is, by the ministrie of the Apostles, the mysteries of God concerning mans redemption, hauehave bin reueiled to the Angels themselues.
Secondly, consider their Authoritie, which was most authenticall, seeing that neither in teaching or writing they could erre, being specially priuiledged therefrom: Matth. 10.19. It shall be giuen you in that houre what ye shall say. The peculiar promise of direction belonging to the Apostles is recorded in Ioh. 16.13. The spirit of truth shall leade you into all truth; in which regard they were bold to ioyne themselues with the holy Ghost.Act. 15.28. It seemeth good to the holy Ghost and vsus, namely in ordering the Church affaires: yet here that distinction which is falsely applied to the Pope, is true in the Apostles, by reason of this assistance; that as they were priuate men, and in other causes they might, and did erre, but not as Apostles in performing their office Apostolicall.
Thirdly, their worke or office, they were Master builders of the Church of the new Testament: yea founders therof, both by teaching doctrines, and informing the manners of men: farre passing all Euangelists, Pastors, Teachers, or ordinarie Ministers since their daies. 1. Cor. 3.10. As a skilfull Master builder▪ I hauehave laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. For the furthering of which great worke in their hands, they had giuen them first a power to worke miracles for the confirming of their doctrine. Secondly, of giuing the holie Ghost by imposition of hands. Thirdly, an Apostolical rod to strike, and correct obstinate offenders; by the which Peter smote Ananias and Saphira with present death: and Paul Elymas with blindnes.
Vse. Marke that now the Pope claiming authoritie Apostolicall from Peter: it is but a false challenge; for that authoriti… ceased with that office, and seru… onelyonly to lay the foundations of the Church withall, being both extraordinarie as … calling was: and personall, ceasing with the persons of the Apostles. So as if the Pope succeeded Peter in any thing,The Pop… succeedeth Peter onelyonly in deniall of Christ. it is in the denying of Christ: it cannot be in founding the Church, which was done to his hand so many hundred yeeres before him▪