A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

It informeth us, that those that would apply themselves to¹ God, must make mercy their only plea and claim: Returning sinners have this form put into their mouths, Hosea 14. 2. Take away all iniquity, receive us graciously: Lord, we desire to be entertained by Mercy, to have our suits dispatched by Mercy. So David professeth that he had no other claim, Psal. 13. 5. I have trusted in thy Mercy: ^*Upon which Chrysostom ⟨p. 83⟩sweetly glosseth; If any others have any thing to allege, let them plead it; Lord, I have but one thing to say, one thing to plead, one thing upon which I cast all my hopes, and that is thy Mercy. So must you come to the Throne of Grace; Lord, my plea is mercy, all the comfort I expect to receive is from mercy. The Apostle I remember maketh a challenge, Rom. 11. 35. Who hath first given him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? Is there any man that can enter this plea▪ This is due to me? Lord give me what thou owest, I desire no more; let me have no blessing till I do deserve it. ^†Meritmongers are best confuted by experience; Let them use the same plea in their prayers, which they do in their disputes; let them say, Give me not eternal life till I deserve it at thy hand; let them dispute thus with God or with their own Consciences, when they are in the agonies of death, or under the horrors of the Lords wrath. Surely men that cry up the merit of Works, are men of little spiritual experience, and seldom look into their own Consciences? Dare they plead thus with God in their agonies and horrors? The best claim Gods dearest servants can make, is mercy. Possidius in the life of Austin reporteth of Ambrose, when he was about to dye, he said thus, ^*Though I have not lived so that I should be ashamed to live among you; yet I am not afraid to dye, not that I have lived well, but because I have a good and gracious Master. This hath still been the ground of the Saints confidence.