39 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
39 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
Introduction to Jude
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This epistle is styled (as are some few others) general or Catholic,
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because it is not immediately directed to any particular person, family,
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or church, but to the whole society of Christians of that time, lately
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converted to the faith of Christ, whether from Judaism or paganism: and
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it is, and will be, of standing, lasting, and special use in and to the
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church as long as Christianity, that is, as time, shall last. The
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general scope of it is much the same with that of the second chapter of
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the second epistle of Peter, which having been already explained, the
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less will need to be said on this. It is designed to warn us against
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seducers and their seduction, to inspire us with a warm love to, and a
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hearty concern for, truth (evident and important truth), and that in the
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closest conjunction with holiness, of which charity, or sincere unbiased
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brotherly-love, is a most essential character and inseparable branch.
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The truth we are to hold fast, and endeavour that others may be
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acquainted with and not depart from, has two special characters:-It is
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the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph. 4:21; and it is truth after (or which
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is according to) godliness, Tit. 1:1. The gospel is the gospel of
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Christ. He has revealed it to us, and he is the main subject of it; and
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therefore we are indispensably bound to learn thence all we can of his
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person, natures, and offices: indifference as to this is inexcusable in
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any who call themselves Christians; and we know from what fountain we
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are wholly and solely to draw all necessary saving knowledge. Further,
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it is also a doctrine of godliness. Whatever doctrines favour the
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corrupt lusts of men cannot be of God, let the pleas and pretensions for
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them be what they will. Errors dangerous to the souls of men soon sprang
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up in the church. The servants slept and tares were sown. But such were
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the wisdom and kindness of Providence that they began sensibly to appear
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and show themselves, while some, at least, of the apostles were yet
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alive to confute them, and warn others against them. We are apt to
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think, If we had lived in their times, we should have been abundantly
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fenced against the attempts and artifices of seducers; but we have their
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testimony and their cautions, which is sufficient; and, if we will not
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believe their writings, neither should we have believed or regarded
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their sayings, if we had lived among them and conversed personally with
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them.
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