A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Christ dyed, that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves, but unto him that dyed for them: We enter upon other services out of hopes, but we enter upon Christs service out of thankfulness. Again, This resignation must be universal, without reservation of any part: You must have no other Master but God; Mat. 6. 24. Ye cannot serve two Masters, ye cannot serve God and Mammon. Usually men divide themselves between God and the world; they would give their Consciences to Christ, and their hearts to Mammon: The Devil pleadeth for a part, for by that means he knoweth that the whole will fall to his share; therefore all, the whole man, in vow, purpose and resolution, must be given up to God. 2. Having given up your selves to Gods service, you must walk as his servants, that is, not as you list, but as the Master pleaseth: The Angels are Gods Ministers, doing his pleasure, Psal. 103. 21. A servant hath no will of his own, but hath given up his liberty to the directions and commands of another; therefore if you be Gods servants, you must earnestly desire the knowledge of his Will, and readily comply with it; you must not do things as they please self and flesh, but as they please God: David beggeth for knowledge as Gods servant, Psal. 119. 125. I am thy servant, grant me understanding, that I may know thy Testimonies. A faithful servant would not willingly offend his Master, and therefore would fain know what is his will: They plead with God, and search themselves, Rom. 12. 2. and all to know his pleasure; and not only to know it, but to do it, otherwise they are worthy of many stripes by Christs own sentence: The Masters will should be motive enough, 1 Thes. 4. 3. & 5. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 15. If God will have it so, if Jesus Christ will have it so, it is enough to a faithful servant: The very signification ⟨p. 7⟩of Gods Will carrieth with it reason enough to enforce the practise of it. Yea you must equally comply with every Will of God, not only with the easy and pleasant ways of obedience, but such as cross lusts and interests. When two men go together, a man cannot tell whom the servant followeth till they part: When God and our lusts or our interests command contrary things, then you are put to the trial whether you are Gods servants.