A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

1. Conjunctly, Let all Israel know that God hath made this Jesus whom ye have crucified Lord and Christ, Acts 2. 36. 'Tis usual to observe in Christs stile and Title, a mixture of words of power, and words of goodness and mercy. See Isa. 9. 6. & a tibi passim, now for what end? partly to show that he is a desirable friend, and a dreadful adversary: partly to set forth the mystery of his person, in whom the two Natures ⟨p. 225⟩did meet, partly to show that he is not good out of impotency and weakness; if we pardon and do good 'tis out of need; God is strong enough to revenge, but gracious enough to save and pardon: Power maketh us cruel; Who findeth his enemy and slayeth him not? if we forbear, 'tis out of policy, not out of pity: the sons of Zerviah may be too hard for us, but Christ who is the great Lord, he is also Jesus, he hath the greatest power, and the greatest mercy; mighty, but yet a Saviour: Partly to show how we should receive him; we should not only come to him for ease, but take his yoke, Mat. 11. 28, 29. Give him your hearts as well as your consciences; if Christ save, let not sin Lord it. What a pitiful thing is it when men would have Christ to redeem them, and Satan to rule and govern them? [Greek or Hebrew], we will not have this man to reign over us, Luke 19. 14. There the business sticks; the carnal mind is enmity to the Law, Rom. 8. Lusts cannot endure to hear of a restraint, and therefore we oppose most Christs Nomothetic power; like angry Dogs we gnaw the chain: the language of every carnal heart is, our lips are our own, who is Lord over us? Psal. 12. 4. To be controlled for every word, every thought, every action, we cannot endure it. Oh consider Christ hath many enemies, but they are his chief enemies that do withstand his reigning, Luke 14. 29. Those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them, &c.