Commentary on Jude, Biblical commentary · Verse 22-23
Verſe 22.
And of ſome have compaſſion, making a difference.
Verſe 23.
And others ſave with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment ſpotted by the fleſh.
HEre is the ſecond part of the Exhortation, explaining their duty towards others, or teaching them how to behave themſelves to them that were gone aſtray.
[Of ſome have compaſſion] the vulgar readeth quite to to another ſenſe, and ſome being reproved: Beza ſaith, that in ſome Greek Copies he found it foreign; but the reading which we follow is to be preferred; the other is but in few Copies, is harſh in conſtruction, and mangleth the whole context: foreign on theſe have mercy; 'tis a word that cometh from another word that ſignifyeth bowels, and ſo noteth not only the gentleneſs of the cenſure, but the inward affection, or as we render it, the compaſſion which we ſhould have over them: [putting a difference] foreign, the word hath many ſignification…, judging, diſcerning, we moſt fitly render it according to its uſual ſenſe, and the Apoſtles ſcope.
From the 22. verſe obſerve.
1. That reproofs muſt be managed with compaſſion and holy Obſervat. 1.grief; ou… words muſt have bowels in them; this is like God; He doth not afflict willingly, nor g…ieve the children of men, Lam. 3. 33. there are tears in his eyes when he hath a rod in his hand; 'tis like Chriſt, He wept when he drew near the City Luk. 19 41. the Jews were his enemies, and that was the day of his ſolemn tryumph, yet he wept, Oh that thou ha…ſ… known the things of thy peace; 'tis ſuitable to the diſpoſition of Gods ſervants in all ages: Samuel left Saul, but wept for him, 1 Sam. 25. 35. Paul ſpeaketh of very wretches that made a deſign of the Goſpel, to gratifie their belly concernments: I tell you weeping, ſaith he, Phil. 3. 18, 19, There are three grounds of this holy grief.
1. The diſhonour done to God, Pſal. 1…9. 136. love will be affected with the wrong of the party loved; if we ſee a man kill a friend or child whom we love, the ſword would paſs through our own hearts, Luk. 2. 35. Shall we ſee them ſtrike at God and not be troubled?
2. The harm and deſtruction men bring upon themſelves, that they have no care of their own ſouls, Jer. 13. 17.
3. The proneneſs that is in our nature to the ſame ſin, Gal. 6. 1. Bernards good man would weep ille hodie & ergo cras, he to day and I to morrow; there is no ſin in their lives, but was in your nature. Well then, it checketh them that ſpeak of others ſins by way of reproof or cenſure; but with delight or petulancy of ſpirit, many reproofs are loſt, becauſe there is more of paſſion then of compaſſion in them; 'tis ſpiritual cruelty when you can turn a finger in your brothers wound without grief; reproofs are delightful ſometimes out of the ſweetneſs of revenge, or hatred, and ill will to the perſons of men, ſometimes out of pride, or a deſire to vaunt it, and inſult over others; ſometimes from ſelf. conceit, and non conſideration of our own faultineſs: Oh conſider this is not Chriſtian dealing, Paul ſaith, I am afraid leaſt when I come among you, my God will humble me, and that I ſhall bewail many, &c. 2 Cor. 12. 21. Many a proud Phariſee would have bluſtred, and threatned them with the ſeverity of diſcipline; but Paul was afraid he ſhould have a heavy load upon his own ſoul.
Again, and more expreſly obſerve, That in reproving Obſervat. 2.ſome muſt be handled gently: But who are thoſe that muſt be handled gently? 1. With the moſt notorious 'tis good to begin mildly, that they may ſee our good will and deſire of their Salvation, 2 Tim. 2. 25. haſty Spirits cannot brook the leaſt oppoſition, and therefore are all a fire preſently, how did God deal with us in our natural condition? with what lenity and mildneſs? and spake comfortatably to us, to allure us out of the Divels ſna…e, Hoſea 2 15.
2. The perſons whom we ſhould treat with much compaſſion are theſe.
1. The ignorant and ſeduced, ſome are of a ſimple and weak heart; the young men that went with Abſalon went in the ſimplicity of their hearts, and knew not any thing, 2 S…m. 15. 11. though ſwine or dogs be driven with violence, yet poor ſtray Lambs muſt be brought home, as the Shepherd brought home his two loſt ſheep upon his ſhoulders rejoycing, Luc. 15. Many well meaning men may erre, be not too ſevere with them, le…t prejudice make them obſtinate, and ſo from *Errare poſſum Hereticus eſſe nolo.erring brethren they become heretical.
2. Thoſe that ſlip of infirmity, members muſt be ſet in joint tenderly, Gal. 6. 1. the carnal world reflects with moſt ſharpneſs upon the infirmities of Gods people, the late Biſhops Courts were chiefly bent againſt the godly, a Drunkard and an Adulteror found more favour than a godly Inconformiſt; let us learn to diſtinguiſh betwixt an evil courſe and inconſiderate ſlips, and as long as there is any thing of Chriſt be not too ſevere, 2 Theſſ. 3. 15.
3. The afflicted in Conſcience, we muſt not ſpeak to the grief of thoſe whom God hath wounded, the Apoſtle would have the inceſtuous perſon comforted leſt he ſhould be ſwallowed up of too much grief, 2 Cor. 2. 17. When Adam was troubled though God reproved him yet he made him a coat of skins to cover his nakedneſs, when Peter was weeping Chriſt ſendeth a comfortable meſſage to him, Go tell my diſciples and Peter, &c. Mark 16. 7.
4. If they erre in ſmaller matters, we muſt not deal with motes as with beams, and put the wicked and the ſcrupulous in the ſame rank, nor the groſs Heretick, and thoſe that miſtake in point of Church order, while the judgement is ſound in Fundamentals, and the practice is reformed, we ſhould uſe meekneſs till God reveal the ſame thing, Phil. 3. 15, 16. God hath given them light in moſt things and thoſe which are moſt neceſſary and no time will diſcover thoſe truths to them whereof they are yet ignorant.
5. The tractable, and thoſe of whom we have any hopes, Rehoboam would deal roughly, and ſo loſt ten tribes. Tertullian was even forced into the tents of the Montanists, by the indiſcreet zeal of ſome who were too forward with cenſures, and ſtill men are loſt that otherwiſe would be reclaimed; differences are made irreconcileable by the imperious ſowreneſs and bitterneſs of thoſe that manage them, daſhing ſtorms waſh away the ſeed, whereas gentle ſhowers refreſh the earth, men left without hope grow deſperate.
From that [putting a difference] In all cenſures and puniſhments there muſt be choiſe uſed and diſcretion. Prudence is the Queen of graces, different tempers require different remedies; *Iſa. 8. 27.the Prophet ſaith, in Husbandry the fitches are not treſhed with a threſhing inſtrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the Cummin, but the fitches are beaten out with a ſtaff, and the Cummin with a rod; ſo all tempers do not need a like diſpenſation, God himſelf putteth a difference, ſome are brought in with violence, others gently, grace forceth open the door of the heart ſometimes, and cometh in like a mighty ruſhing wind at other times, it breatheth upon the Soul with a gentler blaſt, ſome are caught with guil, 2 Cor. 12. 16. Others directly knocked down, this ſheweth,
1. That Miniſters had need be wiſe to know how to ſuite their doctrine, to diſtinguiſh between perſons, actions, circumſtances; deep learning, much godlineſs, and great prudence make an accompliſhed Miniſter; 'twas ſaid of Chryſoſtom, that he was foreign, too eaſie, and ſo did not many times mannage things ſo wiſely, and ſo of Epiphanius, foreign, 'tis good to be well read in perſons, to note circumſtances, and times; Paul ſtriketh in with Felix, treateth of an apt leſſon before him and Druſilla. Acts 25. 25. *Tacitus ſaith that he did ſervili animo exercere imperiumper libidinem & ſevitiam.Felix was a very incontinent perſon and very unjuſt, Paul, to give him his due, treateth of righteouſneſs and temperance, and judgment to come.
2. That Miniſters ſhould give every one their portion, Zuinglius when he had flaſhed terrors in the face of the hardened ſinner, would adde Bone Chriſtiane haec nihil ad te, tender Conſcience this is not for thee: We muſt rightly divide the word of truth, that is not by crumbling and mincing*Tim. 2. 15. a Text of Scripture, but giving every one their portion, terror to whom terror belongeth, and comfort to whom comfort
3. It ſheweth what care we ſhould take to know the ſtate of our flock, that we may know how to apply our ſelves to*Pro. 27. 23 them, Col. 4. 8. Tychichus was ſent to the Coloſſians to know their ſtate, it alſo obligeth private Chriſtians to conſider each others temper, gifts, frame of heart that we may the better ſuite our ſelves to do and receive good. See Heb. 10. 24, 25.
In the twenty third verſe is the other part of that duty which they owed to ſtraying Brethren. [And others] thoſe that are of another ſtrain and temper [ſave] that is, do your endeavour to be inſtruments of their Salvation, See 1 Tim. 4. 16. Thou ſhalt ſave thy ſelf, and them that hear thee [with fear] that is, by ſome more ſevere courſe either making the admonition more ſharp, or denouncing judgment againſt them, or by the reverend uſe of Church cenſures, which were then dreadful, as being ſolemnly managed and accompanied with ſome ſenſible marks of Gods vengeance, 1 Cor. 5, 5. anguiſh of Spirit or poſſibly torments of body. [pulling them out of the fire] ſome make it an alluſion to the ſeveral ways of purgation by water or by fire▪ theſe latter like the harder mettals are to be pulled out of the fire, but this ſeemeth to be forced: Rather 'tis an alluſion to the ſnatching of a man whom we would ſave, out the fire where he is likely to be burned; we then not only nicely reach out the hand, but pluck them out with violence, or it may be an aluſion to Lots being plucked out of Sodom by Angels, Gen. 19. 16. [hating the garment ſpotted by the fleſh] 'tis a figurative ſpeech, ſome apply it to the avoiding of the appearance of evil; there is a ſtory of Valentinian in *Theod. lib. 3 15.Theodoret, who accompanying Julian the Apostate to the Temple of Fortune, and thoſe that had charge of the houſe ſprinkled their holy water upon the Emperour, a drop falling upon his garment, he beat the Officer, foreign, ſaying, that he was polluted, not purged, and tore off the piece of his garment upon which the drop lighted, hating (ſaith the Hiſtorian) the garment ſpotted by the fleſh: But rather the expreſſion alludeth to the old Law concerning legal uncleanneſs, Lev. 15. 4. The bed whereon he lyeth is unclean, and Verſe 17. every garment is unclean, and therefore I ſuppoſe it noteth their avoiding the ſociety of ſuch evil perſons as in the greater excommunication they were wont to do, which ſeparation was a ſolemn profeſſion how much the Church did deteſt the wickedneſs.
Obſervation 1. There is a time when we may uſe ſeverity; others ſave with fear, weak Phyſick doth but ſtir bad humours, not purge them out; nettles if gentle touched, ſting the more; fair, plauſible lectures do hurt to ſeared Hypocrites, there is a time for the Trumpet as well as the Pipe; when we pipe to men in the alluring ſtrains of grace, and they dance not, Then cry aloud, ſpare not, lift up thy voice like a Trumpet, Iſa. 58. 1, but who are theſe others, who muſt be dealt with roughly? I Anſer,
1. The Seducers themſelves, theſe muſt be layd forth in their colours, though the ſeduced muſt be pittied, ſee Titus 1. 11. with 13. They ſubvert whole houſes, teach things which they ought not, them rebuke ſharply; the Prophet flouteth at Baals Prieſts, 1 Kings 18. 27. and Chriſt every where giveth the Phariſees their due load, Oh ye generation of Vipers, and Scribes and Phariſees, and Hypocrites.
2. Thoſe that are hardned, and grown perverſe and ſtubborn; when the iron is blunt we put to the more ſtrength, ſofter ſtrains would but harden theſe more.
3. Thoſe that are ſecure Libertines, wallowing in ſin and pleaſure, we had need put them in fear, though it be diſtastful to the fleſh, 'tis healthful for the ſoul; none hate you worſe then thoſe that ſuffer ſin upon you, if phyſick gripe the bowels 'tis for your good; if the Ch…rurgeon launce and cut you, yet he doth not hate you.
2. Obſerve this ſeverity muſt ariſe from zeal, a deſire of Gods glory, and their ſalvation; ſave them with fear, (ſaith the Apoſtle) plucking them out of the fire, ſee a Cor. 10. 8. The Lord hath given us an Authority for your edification, not deſtruction, ſo that either God will have us uſe gentle means, or violent to a gentle purpoſe, Tit. 1. 13. Rebuke them ſharply, that they may be ſound in the faith. Well then▪ 1. Take Admonitions in good part, 'tis a ſharpneſs needful and profitable and needful, he is not a friend that dealeth mannerly with you when you are in the fire.
2. It reproveth the undue uſe of Church cenſures; weighty Ordinances are not to …cquy upon trifles, nor to be proſtituted to carnal ends; the power of the keys is a great truſt, and is to be faith…ully mannaged; we read of abuſes of this power in Scripture, Iohn 9. 34. and 16. 2. 2 Ep. Ioh. 10. The watch men may take away the Spouſes, Cant. 5.
Again obſerve, That fear is a way to reclaim obſtinate ſinners, 'tis ſweet to uſe arguments of love, but ſometimes we muſt lay before men the terrors of the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 11: Paul an elect veſſel made uſe of threatnings, 1 Cor, 9. 27. Surely men have a mind to ſleep in ſin, when they would always have us come in the still voice. Dives was more charitable than they would have us to be, he would fain diſmiſs a flamy Meſſenger to his Brethren, Luc. 16. 27, 28. Sluggiſh Creatures need the go…d; in innocency God ſaw it meet to propound a threatning, and fenced the forbidden fruit with a curſe, Gen. 2. 17. if a boiſtrous luſt bear down all milder motives, 'tis good to ſcare the ſoul with threatnings of the Law; fear is good, but the ſervility or ſlaviſhneſs of it is ſinful; fear it ſelf, or a tender ſenſe of Gods wrath and diſpleaſure againſt ſin, is ſo far from being a ſin, that it is a grace rightly converſant with its object: Gods wrath and vindicative juſtice, is the proper object of fear, and ſo it muſt be looked upon by the converted and unconverted. 1. For the unconverted, 'tis the great fault and ſecurity that they do not conſider what a dreadful thing it is to lye under the wrath and diſpleaſure of God, Pſal. 90. 11. there is but a ſtep between them and Hell, and they mind it not; tell them of their danger, and they ſcorn it. 2. The converted are to fear Gods wrath, Mat. 10. 28. 'tis a duty Chriſt injoyneth to his own Diſciples; the words do not only contain a deſcription of the perſon who ought to be feared, but of the ground and reaſon why he ought to be feared; Fear him who is able to caſt body and ſoul into hell fire, is as much as becauſe he is able to cast body and ſoul into hell fire, as appeareth by the Antitheſis, Fear not them that kill the body, that is, becauſe they are able to kill the body, ſee alſo, Heb. 12 28, 29. Though we are to fear Hell as an evil likely to fall upon us (when we are aſſured from Gods favour) yet we muſt fear it, as an evil which God hath power to inflict, and will certainly upon thoſe that diſobey him; we are to fear it, ſo as to eſchew it with a fear of flight and averſation, not with a perplexing and doubting fear.
Well then, ſo far 'tis good, but now the ſervility that is ſinful; the ſervility is ſeen partly in the diſ…ingenuity of it, when our own ſmart and torture is more feared then the displeaſing of God, as a ſlave careth not how his maſters goods go to wrack, ſo he may avoid ſtripes: Partly becauſe 'tis accompanied with an enmity against God▪ ſlaviſh fear hateth God for his holineſs, and feareth him for his wrath; they wiſh his deſtruction, that there were no God: Partly becauſe it cauſeth but an incompleat reformation, it makes a man fotbear ſin, but not hate ſin; a wolf may be ſcared from the prey, that yet keepeth his preying and devouring nature: Partly becauſe there is torment and p…rplexity in it, 1 John 4. 18. a tend…r conſcience is a bleſſing, but a ſtormy conſcience is a judgment ſlaves are exerciſed with the torture and rack of perplexing fears.
Again from that [pulling them out of the fire] A poor Obſervat. 4.guilty ſecure ſinner is like a drunken man that is fallen into the fire: he is ſo in three reſpects.
1. In point of ſecurity, a drunkard is ready to be burned, but he feeleth it not, ſo they are upon the brink of hell, but are not ſenſible of it, Eph. 4. 19. paſt ſeeling.
2. In point of danger, ſinners are often compared to a brand in the burning, Zech. 3. 2. Amos 4. 11. they are already under the wrath of God, as a beleever hath eternal life, whilſt he is here in the world; they are in the ſuburbs of hell, the fire is already kindled.
3. In point of impotency, and inability to help themſelves; a ſottiſh drunkard that is ouer-poyſed by his own exceſs, lyeth where he falleth, and except ſome friendly hand lift him up, there he periſh; and juſt ſo 'tis with ſinners, they are pleaſed with their condition, and if they be not ſoundly rowſed up, and awakened; they lye and dye, and fry in their ſins: Oh then pluck them out of the fire, warn them to flee from wrath to come. Mat. 3. 7. Miniſter art thou ſenſible of the danger of ſouls? are thy words as burning coals? do they fret through the heart of a ſinner? Chriſtian, art thou ſenſible of the danger of thy carnal neighbours? they are burning in their beds, and thou wilt not cry fire fire! they are beſotted with luſt and error, and wilt thou let them alone? Oh unkind!
The next Point is from the laſt clauſe, [hating the garment Obſervat. 5.ſpotted by the fleſh,] Some ſinners are ſo unclean, that we cannot keep company with them without defilement; ſee 1 Cor. 5. 9, 10, 11. ſo 2 Theſ. 3. 14. & 2 Tim. 3. 5. From ſuch turn away: now the reaſon is partly for our own caution; evils made familiar by a cuſtomary converſe, ſeem leſs odious: Partly *Theſe are ſpots in your love-feaſts, verſe 12.to vindicate the honour of Chriſt, and the ſoſcieties of his people; the blemiſhes of their miſcarriages redounds to the whole Church, Heb. 12. 15. till they be diſclaimed: Partly to puniſh the offenders, that it may be a means to reduce them, 2 Theſ. 3. 14. 'tis a ſad thing to live an outcaſt from Gods people; let obſtinate and ſcandalous ſinners think of it; and let others learn to bear reverence to Church-cenſures.