A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Again, Observe from the proper acception of the phrase,¹ as it is applied to those that stand before the Lord in some special Office and Ministration; as to the Apostles, and by consequence to the Ministers of the Gospel. The Note is, That Ministers are servants of Jesus Christ; Paul a servant, and Jude a servant. We are to deal between God and the Soul, Factors for Heaven; there is many a good inference may be collected from this Notion, I shall refer all to two heads, the Ministers Duty and the Peoples. 1. It hinteth Duty to Ministers, it teacheth us diligence in our Lords work, for we are Servants, and must give an account, Heb. 13. 17. what good we have done in our places, how we have employed our parts, improved our Interests, for his glory. Math. 25. 19. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them. We are entrusted with the talent of gifts, with the talent of office and authority in the Church; now God will see what we have done for his Glory, whether we have beaten our fellow servants, or helped them in the way of Salvation; whether our pound hath been hidden in a napkin, or laid out for the gain of Souls. Again, it hinteth faithfulness: We are not to trade for our selves, and to drive on our own designs of credit and advantage; we are servants, employed for the Masters uses: Gal. 1. 10. Do I yet please men? If I pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. A man that sets up for himself, is to trade for himself; but all that a servant doth, should be for his Masters honour and profit. 2. It hinteth duty to the people; Regard Ministers as servants of Christ, that you may give their persons all due honour; consider, God hath retained them as for a nearer service to himself: 1 Cor. 4. 1. ⟨p. 8⟩Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the Mysteries of the Gospel. The world counteth the Calling probrosum artificium, a sordid artifice and way of living, whereby men set their tongues and parts to sale, and think that of all Callings this can best be spared; therefore it is high time to assert the dignity of the Office: Men should not think so basely of those who are Christs servants, not only to do his business, but to wait upon his person, his special Attendants; nay