A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Well then, Saints mind your work; Do you indeed love God? Christ puts Peter to the question thrice, John 21. A deceitful heart is apt to abuse you: Ask again and again, Do I indeed love God? Evidences are these.¹

1. 1Evidences of our love to God. • Evidence, God will be loved alone.

1. If you love God, he will be loved all ne; those that do not give all to God, give nothing; he will have the whole heart: If there were another God, we might have some excuse for our reservations; but since there is but one God, he must have all, for he doth not love inmates. When the Harbingers take up an house for a Prince, they turn out all; none must remain there, that there may be room for his greatness: So all must avoid, that God may have the sole possession of our hearts. The Devil that hath no right to any thing would have a part, for by that means he knoweth the whole will fall to him; Conscience will not let him have all, and therefore he would have a part to keep possession: as Pharaoh stood hulking with Moses and Aaron, if not the Israelites, then their little ones; if not their little ones, then their herds; if not their herds, then their flocks: but Moses telleth him there was not an hoof to be left. So Satan, if he cannot have the outward man, yet he would have the heart; if there be not room enough in the heart for every lust, then he craveth indulgence in some things that are less odious and distasteful; if Conscience will not allow drunkenness, yet a little worldliness is pleaded for as no great matter: But the love of God cannot be in that heart, where the world reigneth. Dagon and the Ark could not abide in the same Temple; neither can the heart be divided between God and Mammon. All men must have some Religion to mask their pleasures and carnal practises, that they may be favourable to their lusts and interests with less remorse; and usually they order the matter so, that Christ shall have their Consciences, and the world their hearts and affections: But alas, they do not consider that God is jealous of a Rival; when he