The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained Part 18

V. 22, 23. _And of these take pity, and distinguish them; but as to those, save them and draw them out of the fire._ That is not well expressed in Dutch, but Jude would say this much: on some take pity, some save; that is, let your life be so shaped that it shall allow you to have compa.s.sion on these who are wretched, blind and dumb; have no joy or pleasure over them, but let them go, keep from them and have nothing to do with them. But as to those others, whom ye can draw forth, save them by fear,--deal kindly and gently with them, as G.o.d has dealt with you; treat them not harshly or rudely, but feel toward them as toward those that lie in the fire, whom you are to draw forth and rescue with all care, consideration and diligence; if they will not suffer themselves to be drawn out, we should let them go and weep over them,--but not like the Pope and his inquisitors, burn and destroy them by fire.

_And hate the garment spotted by the flesh._ We have indeed received the Holy Spirit by faith, and have been made clean; but as long as we live here, the old garment of our flesh and blood clings to us still and will not relax its hold. This is the spotted garment that we should lay off and draw away from as long as we live.

V. 24, 25. _Now unto Him that is able to keep you from stumbling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with joy; to G.o.d who alone is wise, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and forever. Amen._ This is the close of this Epistle.

Thus the Apostles do when they have written, taught, admonished and prophesied; thus they pray, express their wishes, and give thanks.

Thus we have seen in the Epistles both what is true christian and false unchristian doctrine, as well as life.