Exposition of Jude, Exegesis of Jude · Verse 5 · Part 1
EXPLICATION.
Two things briefly for the explication of this.
1. What the Apoſtle means by this putting of them in remembrance.
2. Why he would put them in remembrance.
1. What hee intends by putting them in remembrance.
The word in the Original, foreign, In memoriam revocare. foreign.here tranſlated to put in remembrance, properly ſignifies, to recall a thing paſt to mind, or memory: a thing (I ſay) though formerly underſtood, yet poſſibly almoſt forgotten, or at leaſt, for the preſent, not duly conſidered or remembred; and thus its uſed Luk. 22.61. Peter remembred the word; &c. and 2 Tim. 2.14. Of theſe things put them in remembrance, &c. and Tit. 3.1. Put them in remembrance to be ſubject &c. and 2 Pet. 1.12. I will not be negligent to put you in remembrance, &c. and 2 Pet. 3.1. I ſtir up your pure mind by way of remembrance. So that the word rather notes reminiſcence, than memory; a calling back of that which heretofore they had thought of, but for the preſent was not duly and throughly thought of.
2. Why did the Apoſtle thus put them in remembrance. Great reaſon hereof there was, both in reſpect of
1 The Apoſtle who wrote.
2 The Chriſtians to whom he wrote.
1. In reſpect of the Apoſtle: It was his duty, not only once to deliver, but again to recall Truths to their minds, formerly delivered. Upon this duty the Apoſtle puts Timothy, 1 Tim. 4.6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of theſe things, thou ſhalt be a good Miniſter of Jeſus Christ. And ſending him to Corinth, he giveth him the ſame command, 1 Cor. 4.17. and this was alſo practiſed by Paul himſelf, Rom 15.15. I have written to you (ſaith he) the more boldly, as putting you in remembrance. A courſe practiſed by Peter likewiſe, who tels the Chriſtians, that he thinks it meet to ſtir them up, 2 Pet. 1.13. 2 Pet. 3.1.by putting them in remembrance; and that his ſecond Epiſtle was written to that end. Hence it is that Miniſters are call'd the Lords remembrancers; Iſa. 62.6.not only for putting the Lord in mind of the peoples wants, but alſo in whetting holy inſtructions upon the people, and putting them in mind of their duty unto God.
2. In reſpect of thoſe to whom he wrote, he puts them in remembrance. Phil. 3.1.It was ſafe for the Philippians, to have the ſame things written to them, Phil. 3.1. Thoſe eminent Chriſtians, Rom. 15.14, 15 2 Pet. 3.1.the Romans, to whom Paul▪ wrote, and the Saints who had pure minds, to whom Peter wrote, wanted this putting in remembrance: for,
1. The beſt are imperfect in their knowledg. The greateſt part of thoſe things which we do know, is but the leaſt part of what we do not know. The plaineſt and beſt known Truths are not ſo well known, but they may be better known. The moſt experienced Chriſtian may ſay of every Truth, as a man uſeth to ſay to his new Friends, I would be glad of your better acquaintance. Our knowledg is but in part, 1 Cor. 13.9even in reſpect of the plaineſt Truths. We cannot name any Number ſo high and great, but a man may reckon one ſtill beyond it and there may be alway an addition to our knowledg: A Chriſtian ſhould grow in his head, Col. 2.2. & 1.9, 10. Fateor me Catechiſmi diſcipulum.as well as in his heart; in his light, as well as in his heat. 'Twas an humble ſpeech of Luther, I acknowledg my ſelf a Scholer even in the Catechiſm. Every point of Divinity hath a vaſt Circumference; every command is exceeding broad; and what one article of Faith, or precept of the Law is there of which a man may ſay, There is nothing contained in it, which I fully know not? Chriſtians ſhould often be remembred of the plaineſt truths, that they may conceive of them the better.
2. The memories of the beſt Chriſtians ſtand in need of frequent remembrances: Heb. 2.1.They are frail to retain the things of God naturally. The moſt precious truths laid up in our memories, are Jewels put into a crazy Cabinet. Memorie is like a ſieve, that holds the bran, lets the flowre go; remembers what is to be forgotten, and forgets what is to be remembred: and like a ſieve that is full in the water, but empty being taken out: the memory is full perhaps, while men are hearing, but empty ſo ſoon as their hearing is ended. If we would have our garment hold its colour, it muſt be double dyed; ſo, that a truth may take a deep impreſſion, it muſt be preſſed again and again. And this naturall unfaithfulneſſe of the memory is furthered by the tentations of Satan, who labours to ſteal away the moſt uſefull truths: like a theef, who robs a houſe of the beſt houſholdſtuff. In times of tentation to ſin, how hard is it to remember the truths that ſhould defend us! How far from Peters memory was the ſpeech of Chriſt, Luk. 22.61.till the crowing of the cock remembred him? Ye have forgotten (ſaith the Apoſtle) the exhortation, Heb. 12.5. In every ſin there is ſome kind of forgetfulneſſe. When paſſion is violent, and tentation ſtrong, the uſe of memorie is commonly ſuſpended. Thou haſt greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and haſt forgotten mee, ſaith the Lord, Ezek. 22.12. And in all true obedience there is remembrance; Iſa. 64.5. working righteouſneſſe, and remembring God are put together.
3. The beſt Chriſtians are ſubject to abate and decay in ſpiritual fervency of affection to the beſt things. Now frequent remembrances do not only recall truths to the mind, but quicken the heart to affect them. We are dull to le…rn what we ſhould do; and more dull to do what we have learn'd. The ſharpeſt knife grows blunt without whetting; the moſt honeſt debtor ſometimes wants calling on. The Apoſtle Peter puts the Chriſtians in remembrance, to ſtir up even their pure minds, 2 Pet. 3.1. The freeſt Chriſtian ſometime wanteth the ſpur: Our very ſanctified affections are like heated water, which of it ſelf grows cold; but neither retains nor increaſeth its heats, unleſſe the fire be put under, and blown up. Good things in the heart, lie as embers under aſhes, and need daily ſtirring up.