A commentarie or exposition vppon the twoo Epistles generall of Sainct Peter, and that of Sainct Jude. First faithfullie gathered out of the lectures and preachinges of that worthie instrumente in Goddes Churche, Doctour Martine Luther. And now out of Latine, for the singuler benefite and comfort of the godlie, familiarlie translated into Englishe by Thomas Newton | Early English Books Online | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections

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❧ THE GENERALL Epistle of S. Iude.

IVDE a seruaunt of Iesus Christ, and brother of Iames, to theim whiche are called and sanctified of God the Father, and reserued to Iesus Christ:

[ 2] Mercie vnto you, and peace and loue bee multiplied.

[ 3] Beloued, when I gaue all dili∣gence, to write vnto you of the common Saluation, it was needefull for me to write vnto you, to exhorte you, that ye should earnestly contende for the maintenaunce of the Faithe, whiche was once giuen vn∣to the Sainctes.

[ 4] For there are certaine men crept in, whiche were before of old ordained to this condemnation: vngodlie men thei are whiche tourne the grace of our God into wantonnesse, and deny God the onely Lorde, and our Lorde Iesus Christ.

[ 5] I will therefore putt you in remembraunce, forasmuche as ye once knewe this, how that the Lorde, after that he had deliuered the people out of Egypt, destroied them afterward whiche beleeued not.

[ 6] The Angelles also whiche kept not their first estate, but lefte their owne habitation, he hath reserued in euerlastyng chaines vnder darkenesse, vnto the Iudgement of the greate daie.

[ 7] As Sodom and Gomorrhe, and the Cities about theim, which in like maner as thei did, cōmitted fornicatiō & follo∣wed straūge Flesh, are set forth for an ensample, & suffer the

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vengeance of eternall Fier.

[ 8] Likewise notwithstādyng these dreamers also defile the Fleshe, and despise Gouernement, and speake euill of theim that are in aucthoritie.

[ 9] Yet Michaell the Archangell, when he stroue against the Deuill, and disputed aboute the bodie of Moses, durste not blame hym with cursed speakyng, but saieth, The Lorde re∣buke thee.

[ 10] But these speake euill of those thynges, whiche thei knowe not: and whatsoeuer thynges thei knowe naturallie, as beastes, whiche are without ••eason, in those thynges thei corrupt themselues.

[ 11] Wo bee vnto: them for thei haue followed the waie of Cain, and are caste awaie by the deceipt of Balaams wages, and perisheil•• the gainsaiyng of Core.

[ 12] These are spottes in your feastes of Charitie when thei feast with you, without all feare, feedyng themselues: cloudes thei are without water, caried about of windes: corrup••trees and without fruit, ••wise dead, and plucked vp by the rootes.

[ 13] The late the ragyng waues of the Sea, fomyng out their owne shame: Thei are wand••yng Staires, to whom it reser∣ued the blacknesse of darkenesse for euer:

[ 14] And Enoch a so the seuenth from Adam, prophesied of suche, saiyng, Behold, the Lorde commeth with thousandes of his Sainctes,

[ 15] To giue Iudgement against all men, and to rebuke all the vngodlie emong them of all their wicked deedes, whiche thei haue vngodlie committed, and of all their cruell spea∣kynges, whiche wicked synners haue spoken against hym.

[ 16] These are murmurer••, complainers, walkyng after their owne lustes: whose mouthes speake proude thynges, hauing mennes persones in admiration, because of avantage.

[ 17] But, ye beloued, remember the woordes whiche were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lorde Iesus Christ,

[ 18] How that thei told you that there should bee mockers in the laste tyme, whiche should walke after their owne vn∣godlie

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lustes.

[ 19] These are makers of sectes, Fleshely, hauyng not the Spirite.

[ 20] But, ye beloued, edifie your selues in your moste holie Faithe, praiyng in the holie Ghoste,

[ 21] And keepe your selues in the loue of God. lookyng for the mercie of our Lorde Iesus Christ, vnto eternall life.

[ 22] And haue compassion of some, in puttyng difference.

[ 23] And other saue with feare, pullyng them out of the fier, and hate euen the Garment spotted by the fleshe.

[ 24] Now, vnto him that is able to keepe you, that ye fal not, and to presente you faultlesse before the presence of his glo∣rie with ioye,

[ 25] That is, to God onely wise, our Sauiour, bee glorie, and Maiestie, and Dominion, and Power, bothe now and for e∣uer, Amen.

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[ 1] IVDE a seruaunt of Iesus Christ, and brother of Iames, to them whiche are called and sanctified of God the Father, and reserued to Iesus Christ:

[ 2] Mercie vnto you and peace & loue be multiplied.

THis Epistle is attributed vnto S. Iude the Apostle, brother of Iames the lesse, and Symon: Mark. vj. Luk. vj. Whose mother was Marie the wife of Cleopas, and Sister of the blessed Virgin Marie the mother of Christ: Ioh. xvj. But it ap∣peareth not expressely to bee written by that Iude who was the Apostle, because heerein hee speaketh and maketh mention of the Apostles, as though hee were but one of their Disciples, and had written certaine yeares after them. Neither conteineth it any speciall or peculiar matter in it, other then that maie well and fullie bee gathered out of the afore going second Epistle of S. Peter: vnto the which it hath entier reference, and out of which, al his reasons and saiynges are in a maner taken. To conclude, this is nothing els, but an: Epistle directly painetyng and poinctyng out the abuses, fleightes and treacheries of our Papisticall Clergie.

[ 3] Beloued, when I gaue all diligence to write vnto you, of the common saluation, it was needefull for mee to write vnto you to exhorte you, that ye should earnestly contend for the maintenaunce of the faith which was once giuen vnto the Sainctes.

THE effect of his meanyng is this. I could not choose but write vnto you, to admonishe and exhorte you to persist and manfully gooe forwarde in that Faithe, whiche hath now once been preached vnto you. As if he should saie, It is needefull and necessarie that I should put you in re∣membraunce, to striue and with al your endeuour to continue and perseuere in the right waie. The cause why it is so neede∣full

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and necessarie, here followeth.

[ 4] For there are certaine men crept in, whiche were before of olde ordained to this condemnation:

THis is the cause why I haue taken in hande to admonish you, to perseuere and continue in that Faith whiche ye haue heard: because euen now there are creepyng in, and alrea∣die are entred, certaine false seducers and deceiptfull Preachers, whiche goe about to teache and sowe among you other counterfaite Doctrines, contrarie to those rules of Faith whiche ye haue soundly lear∣ned: take ye heede therfore, for they be suche a mischieuous and flye generation, that thei will suttlie and sodainly steale a waye mens consciences, and with their erroneous tromperie seduce and eatie them out of the right waie of truthe, before they can perceiue it or bee a ware of their fetchyng collusions. So saied S. Peter afore. There shalbee among you false teachers &c. And S. Iude here saieth, they were long agoe foreordained to this cōdemnation & iudgement. Which thing is easie for vs to vnderstande, which knowe that no man is iustified by a∣ny of his owne Woorkes, but by Faithe onely in Christe: in whom who so assuredly and faithfully beleeueth, and staieth, as vpon his chief buttresse and onely piller of safetie, is made par∣taker of al his benefites: & all Christes Workes, by Faith are become his. After this sure groundworke of Faith once layed: all our workes that wee are able to doe, ought to tende to the benefite and commoditie of our Neighbour. What workes so euer are wrought to any other ende then this, are Deuilishe and damnable. Let a man therefore diligentlie take heede how he dealeth, and lette hym direct his woorkes as fruictes of his liuely Faith, to the helpe and benefite of his Neighbour: for al other be odious and abhominable in the sight of God, of which sorte are these vowed Professions, and meriting Woorkes of Massyng Priestes and mumbling Munkes. He therfore that

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carieth men from the ankerholde of faithe to the ••••••she bables and lowsie Ceremonies of these greasie Votaries, and their woorkes, is a deceiuer and a seducer, and draweth men with them into the like daunger of condemnation.

[ 4] Vngodlymen they are, whiche turne the grace of our God into wantonnesse,

THE preachyng whiche is opened vnto vs of the grace of God, and wherein Christ is set foorth and commended vnto vs, and how hee with all his good benefites is exhibited and freely giuen vnto vs, so that wee are now cleerely freed and deliuered from Sinne, Death, Hell and all miserie: This free grace and gift (I saie) thus offred vnto vs in the Gospell, these seducyng and false deceiptfull Hypocrites dooe abuse, to the maintenaunce of themselues in all lasciuious wantonnesse. That is, they beare themselues bolde vnder the name of Chri∣stians, and they b••ast and prate muche of the Gospell but they liue so dissolutelie and disorderlie, that they dooe all thynges accordyng to the pitche of their owne wilfull affections and lawlesse lustes, spendyng the tyme in ry••t, banquettyng, ca∣rowsing and Gluttonie. They vaunt and bragge, saiyng, that thei haue taken vpon them in a spirituall kinde of life, and vtter∣ly renoūed the delightes of the seculer state, and worldly dea∣lynges: whereas vnder the vizarde of this pretended simplici∣tie, thei haue inuaded and raked into their handes (in a maner) all the wealthe, delites and dignities in the Worlde. This is alreadie (saieth Iude) begunne to bee put in practise. For wee reade, that this mischiefe of Bishoppes seeking Lordly autho∣ritie, and higher prerogatiue then other Christians, beganne aboue a thousande yeares agoe, whiche thyng in the Epistles of Hierome is euidently to bee seen.

[ 4] And deny GOD the onely Lorde, and our Lorde Iesus Christ.

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SO also writeth Sainct Peter in his Christs▪ But that Deniyng (as it is there and here in 〈◊〉〈◊〉) is not with the mouthe, (for outwardly in woordes thei confesse that GOD is the Lords) but in their woorkes and dealynges: thei flatly deny the Lorde Christ, not acknowledgyng hym to bee their Lorde, but chalenge rather a Lordinesse and prede∣nimation vnto themselues.

For when as thei Preache, that Fastyng, Pilgrimage, buildyng of Abbaies, Chastitie, Obedience, Pouertie, and suche like, is the right high waie to felicitie, thei th••re•••• mise∣rablie seduce, and drawe men from the truthe, to them wret∣ched Workes, vtterly suppressyng, concealyng, and keepyng Christ, doune. Which is no lesse, then if thei should saie: Christ auaileth that nothyng, neither can his woorkes and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fires any whitte helpe thee. Thou must needes trust to thy self, and merite Heauen with thyne owne Workes. And thus thei ••••∣ny the Lorde, who hath bought and redeemed vs with his owne precious bloud, as S. Peter afore declared.

[ 5] I will therefore putte you in remembraune, for as muche as ye onto knewe this, how that the Lorde after that he had deliuered the people out of Aegipt destroied them afterward whiche beleeued not.

[ 6] The Angels also whiche kept not their first estate, but left their owne habitation, he hath reserued in euerlastyng chaines vnder darknesse, vnto the iud∣gement of the greate daie.

[ 7] As Sodome and Gomorrhe, and the Cities aboute them, whiche in like maner as thei did committed Fornication, and followed strange fleshe, are sett forthe for an ensample, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the vengeaunce of eternall Fier.

HEre he inferreth three seuerall examples, whereof the two last are mētioned why S. Peter. One onely he here addeth more, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it of the children of Isral, whom

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God by many wonders brought out of the Lande of Egipt, and who for their vnbelief dyed in the Wildernesse and were destroyed: so that of sixe hundreth thousande men, beside wo∣men and children vnder twentie yeares, that came out of E∣gipt; there were left no moe but onely twaine. Num. xj. This example he bringeth for an admonition and terrour: as if hee should saie, let those that are called by the name of Christians▪ and vnder colour thereof turne the grace of God into wanton∣nesse, take heede and looke well to themselues, least that hap∣pen vnto them, whiche light vppon the Israelites. And truely, since the tyme that blind Poperie beganne, and the clere light of the Gospell was couered and restrained from beeing pub∣liquely preached, one plague hath still fallen in the necke of an other, whereby GOD hath still from tyme to tyme taken re∣uenge of the vnbeleeuers, and giuen them ouer into the very Iawes of Sathan.

[ 8] Likewise notwithstandyng these Dreamers also defile the fleshe,

THese Doctors & Teachers he calleth Dreamers, because that as when one dreameth, he thynketh himself to haue somewhat, and to see many thyn∣ges, whiche in truth are but vaine phantasies: and when he awaketh and seeth himself to haue nothyng, then per∣ceiueth he all to bee but a dreame, & so maketh he no accoumpt thereof. So, whatsoeuer these iuggling Rabbines and Lordly maisters doe saie, is nothyng but mere dreames: whiche they shall one daie, when their eyes shalbee opened, well finde and know to haue been nothyng at all. And namely, when thei goe about to perswade men that their shauen crounes, their forked Cappes, their wilfull Pouertie, their counterfaite Chastitie, their vowed Obedience, & suche like trashe and guegawes are thinges very acceptable vnto God Herein they merueilouslie blea•••• themselues in their owne imaginations, and thinke themselues to see that, whiche in deede is but false and phanta∣sticall,

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and no better then a very fonde and foolishe dreame: as in truthe, all this their trashe and tromperie is before God no∣thyng els but mere dreames and lyes. Therefore, in callyng them Dreamers, he did very wel, and hit them home with their right name, for that, with their dreames they seduce and be∣guile bothe themselues and the Worlde.

This vice of liuyng looselie and wantonlie, the Apostles doe peculiarly attribute and ascribe to those whiche bee grea∣zed Priestes and marked Baalamites. God long agoe fore∣tolde vs, that they should bee a Sect liuyng without Wiues. And Daniell also prophecying of the kyngdome of the Pope, foretolde long agoe, that, their lust should be vpon women, Dan. xj. because he foresawe that thei would be suche, as could not abide to bee linked in lawfull mariage with any women, but burne in lust and wicked concupiscence. And this is one of the outwarde iolie vertues, not muche vnlike to that their o∣ther inwarde properties, namely that they are dreamyng Sleepers.

[ 8] And despise gouernemente, and speake euill of thē that are in aucthoritie.

THeir third qualitie is, that thei refuse to bee subiecte to the Temporall Sworde, and Ciuile Magistrate. But wee knowe, and so teache, that so long as wee liue vp∣pon Earth, wee are bounde by the Worde of GOD, to yeeld our obedience vnto Magistrates. For the Faithe of Christe doeth not violate, infringe, and disanull externall Pollicie: and therefore it is not lawfull for any man to exempt hymself from his obedience toward them. Wherevpon we see it plainly and consequently prooued, that the Popes Canons and Decrees, touchyng Ecclesiasticall Immunitie, bee nothyng but verie deuises and inuentions of Sathan.

[ 9] Yet Michael the Archangell, whē he stroue against the Deuill, and disputed about the bodie of Moses

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durst not blame hym with cursed speakyng, but saied, The Lorde rebuke thee.

THis is one of the places, for the whiche, this Epistle was of the old Fathers not allowed and receiued for Canonicall: because he here alledgeth an example, whiche is not read els where in any place within the whole bodie of the Bible: Namely, that Michaell the Ar∣changell contended with the Deuill, about the bodie of Moses. This contention some thinke grewe herevpon, because there are so many notable stories written of Moses, namelie, in the laste of Deuter: where wee reade that the Angell of God bu∣ried hym, but that no man knoweth of his Sepulchre where it is vnto this daie. Againe, because the Scripture testifieth of hym, in the same Chapter, that there arose not a Prophete in Israell like vnto Moses, whom the Lorde knewe face to face. &c. Seyng therefore in what greate estimation and reuerence Moses was among the Iewes: some of the Interpreters and Expositors, that write vpon that same laste Chapter of Deut. saie, that Moses was buried by God, and that his Sepulchre was neuer hitherto knowen, or founde by any man. Whiche God did, to the intente the Iewes should bee kept from all oc∣casion of committyng Idolatrie, whereinto thei might easily and quickly haue slipped, if thei had had the bodie of so noble and renoumed a Prophete emong theim, as Moses was. Wherevpon thei gather, that this contention (here mentioned by S. Iude) arose: because the Deuill would gladly haue had the bodie of Moses to bee manifestly knowen where it was, to the intent the people might haue had occasion to committe Idolatrie, thereby ministred vnto them. Now, albeit Michael were an Archangell, yet durst be not (saieth S. Iude) rebuke hym with cursed speakyng, and railyng Sentence. But these blasphemous mouthes and peruerse persones, are not asha∣med to despise, treade vnder foote, and speake euill of the Po∣wers, whiche are ordained by God, and to curse theim to the

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eight and ninth generation. And whereas thei themselues are nothyng els then wretched Caitifes, and seelie fraile Creatu∣res: yet see thei here, that Michael one of the chiefest Angelles, was afraied to curse and raile vpon the Deuill, beyng a moste wicken Spirite: Not daryng to saie any farther, then, The Lorde rebuke thee.

[ 10] But these speake euill of those thinges whiche thei knowe not: and what soeuer thynges thei knowe naturallie, as beastes, whiche are without reason, in those thynges thei corrupt themselues.

THese kinde of persones be cursed speakers, and blasphemous railers, because thei haue skill of nothing but of Excommunicatyng, Accur••ng & deliuering ouer to Sathā, not onely Kinges, Princes, Potentates, and Powers, but euen GOD hymself, and his blessed Sainctes: as in the Bull of the Supper of the Lorde is to be seen. Thei knowe not, that their Saluation consisteth in Faithe and Charitie: Thei can not a∣bide to haue their Woorkes dispraised, reiected, and condem∣ned: Neither will thei suffer any to preache to the people, that wee muste onely looke for our Saluation by the Merites, Death, and Workes of Christ: And therfore thei condemne, Accurse, Reuile, and Blaspheme all true Christian doctrine: wherein thei plainly discouer themselues▪ how vtterly blinde and ignoraunt thei bee. But those thynges whiche thei knowe by their owne naturall vnderstanding, as Trentalles, Masses and suche like Legierdemaine, whiche filleth bothe their pou∣ches and their paunches, and bryngeth in store of pelfe, m••n••y and wealth, thereto thei whollie emploie themselues, and ther∣by carie bothe themselues and others into perdition.

[ 11] Woe bee vnto them: for the haue followed the waie of Cain.

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CAin killed his brother for none other cause, but for that his brother was iuster and godlier then hymself: and for that God had more respect and greater delight in his brothers Sacrifice, then he had in his. Therefore the waie of Cain, is to trust in our owne Workes, and to renounce and reiecte those Workes that bee true, and good Workes in deede: Finallie, to murther and slaie all those that walke in the truthe, and in the tight waie. Whiche nature and practise wee see the Papi∣stes most earnestly with tooth and naile, daiely to put in vre.

[ 11] And are cast awaie by the deceit of Balaams wages.

THei should bee inwardly hidden with Christ, in an assu∣red trust and confidence of Gods diuine grace: but thei licentiously breake out, and actually dispose themselues into sundrie sortes of externall and outward Workes: and doe all thinges for greedinesse of gaine, and pecuniarie reward, to fill their beallies, after the example of the Prophete Balaam, as was declared in the seconde Chapter of the second Epistle of S. Peter aforegoyng.

[ 11] And perishe in the gainsaiyng of Core.

OF the sedicious rebellion of Core, and how he with his wicked confederates, was swallowed into the Earth, wee reade in the fourth Booke of Moses, Chapt. xvj. Moses was appoincted and called of God to this ende, that he should bryng and conducte the people of Israell out of Egypt: and his brother Aaron, to bee the high Priest. This Core beyng also of the same Tribe and Familie and ambielously aspiryng to cary some high aucthoritie, adioy∣ned vnto hym twoo hundred and fiftie Captaines, of the beste and moste renoumed emong all the people: with whom he rai∣sed vp suche a mutinous faction, and seditious Tumulte, that brought all the companie into an vprore, and welnere caused

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Moses and Aaron to flee, and giue place to their furie. But Moses fallyng doune vppon his face, praied vnto the Lorde, that hee should not looke vnto their offryng and Sacrifice: and when he had spoken to the people, that thei should se∣parate themselues, and departe from the companie of those wicked conspiratours, he saied: Hereby ye shal knowe, whe∣ther the Lord hath sent me, or no. If these men dye the com∣mon death of all men, or if they bee visited after the visita∣tion of all men, the Lorde hath not sent me. But if the Lorde make a newe thyng, and the Earth open her mouthe, and swallowe downe these men quicke into the pitte, then ye shall vnderstande that these men haue blasphemed, and prouoked the Lorde. And assoone as he had made an ende of speakyng all these woordes, euen the grounde claue asun∣der thas was vnder them, and the Earth opened her mouthe, and swallowed them vp with their families, and all the men that were with Core, and all their goodes. So thei and al that thei had, went doune aliue into the pitte, and the Earth co∣uered them. And there came out a Fier frō the Lorde, whiche consumed the twoo hundred and fiftie men, that had adioy∣ned themselues to Core, and offred Incense.

This Example doeth sainct Iude bryng against these our horrible and blasphemous Popelynges: who charge vs to bee the Aucthours of Sedicion and mutinie, when wee preache a∣gainst theim: whereas in deede, it is thei that are the causers of all garboile and trouble. For Christ is our Aaron and high Priest: whom onely we ought to heare, and acknowledge for the Bishoppe of our Soules. But that can not the Pope and his greazed Bishoppes abide: for thei aduaunce themselues a∣lofte, and chalenge to theim all domination and power: and flatly oppose themselues against Christe. These beeyng alto∣gether drouned and buried in Earthly conuersation and plea∣sure, and beeyng the verie worlde it self, doeth S. Iude com∣pare and resemble to Core and his companions, whom God straungely punished, so that the grounde opened and swallo∣wed them vp aliue.

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[ 12] These are Spottes in your feastes of Charitie whē thei feast with you, without all feare, feedyng them selues: Clouds thei are without water, caried about of windes: corrupt Trees and without fruite, twise dead, and plucked vp by the rootes.

[ 13] Thei are the ragyng waues of the Sea, fomyng out their owne shame: Thei are wand••yng Staires, to whom is reserued the blackenesse of darkenesse for euer.

ALL this wee haue alreadie heard largelie dis∣coursed in the Epistle of S. Peter. The grea∣ter parte of Christendome, hath trained and brought vp their children to the order of Priest∣hoode, and for none other cause, but to liue idlie and delicately without any labour of their owne handes, or trouble of preachyng: Voluptuouslie enioiyng and spendyng at their owne ease and pleasure those goodes, whiche poore men painfullie gotte in the sweate of their browes. Thei are among the common people reputed and taken for the wor∣thiest Pillers, & (as it were) the Iewelles, and ornamentes of the Christian Congregation: whereas in deede thei be but the Spotts and Wennes of the Common wealth, the Skumme and Filthe of the people, and the detestable vizardes of hy∣pocriticall holinesse: thei keepe iolie cheare, and fare moste de∣liciously, accordyng to the old Adage or Prouerbe, whiche cal∣leth delicate and daintie cates, morselles for a Priest. Finallie thei are without feare and care, verily thinkyng that Sathan hymself is not able to ouerthrowe them. The flocke thei feede nothyng at all, but are rather themselues the rauenous Wol∣ues, that deuoure and eate vp the Sheepe. Thei are Cloudes that are caried on high, and swaied alofte in the Aire. For thei haue enstalled themselues in the chiefest places, and beste rou∣mes, and carie all the credite and countenance in the Churche: thei ought to teache others, but thei care nothing at al for that: suffryng them to bee caried hither and thither into the Foggie

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miste of errour and ignoraunce by the Deuill, the professed enemie of mankinde. Thei are also fruitlesse and naked Trees, such as are in the beginning of Winter, bearing neither fruite nor leaues, yet thei occupie a roume as other Trees doe. Thei beare a shewe of the Bishopps of Christ, but thei haue in them no peece nor parte neither of hym, nor yet of his Woordes or Workes, but are dead at the rootes.

They are also ragyng waues of the Sea, that is, euen as the windes in the Sea do tosse and stirre the waues this waie and that waie: so are thei also caried whither soeuer Sathan driueth them. They foame out their owne shame, euen as a pot, that hath a greate heate vnder it: thei are so full of malice, that it runneth ouer at the brim, thei are so nozzeled in spight∣fulnesse and crueltie, that their swellyng and cankered sto∣mackes can not holde it, but must needes cast vp and vomite out all their beastly filthinesse, and therwith also defile and pol∣lute others. They are wandryng Starres, such as they call pla∣netes retrograde hauyng their motion backwarde: in like ma∣ner these fellowes, whose life and doctrine is nothyng but er∣rour, seduce and beguile bothe themselues and all those that followe them. And therefore there is reserued for them, the mist of darkenesse for euer.

In these wordes and examples, Iude hath depaincted and set out our Massyng mates and pollshorne Prelates, who vn∣der the name of Christ and of the Churche, doe bring in a Sea of moste lewde and execrable maners: and yet neuerthelesse vnder pretence thereof dooe catche and rake vnto themselues all the wealth of the Worlde, and bryng all mens heades vn∣der their girdles.

[ 14] And Enoch also the seuenth from Adam, prophe∣cyed of suche, saiyng, Behold the Lorde commeth with thousandes of his Sainctes, to giue iudgment against all men:

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THis place is not any where read in the Scripture: which is an other reason why some of the auncient Fathers would not admitt & receiue this Epistle as canonicall: howbeit this is no sufficient cause, whereby to disallowe or reiect any Booke: for S. Paule also ij. Timot. iij. nameth Iannes and Iambres, two aduersaries of Moses, whose names (notwithstandyng) are not read in the whole Byble beside. Howsoeuer mens iudgements haue béen or bee, we will not presently stande vpon that poinct. But this is true, that God from the beginnyng of the Worlde hath e∣uer reueiled his Woorde to some, wherein to the beleeuers grace and saluation is promised, but to the vnbeleeuers, iudge∣ment and damnation is threatened, and so it still continued e∣uen till the Ascension of Christ: from whiche tyme, the Word of God hath been openly and generally preached ouer all the Worlde. But before the natiuitie of Christ, GOD still chose some to himself whom he vsed as it were a certaine threede, from hande to hande to deliuer the manifestation and publica∣tion of his Word: first from Adam to Abrahā: then from him to Dauid, and so to the Virgin Marie, the mother of Christe, and others moe to whom he reueiled and deliuered his truth.

The Gospell therfore was alwaies preached in the world, but neuer so openly as now in these latter daies. After this sorte did this Patriarch Enoch preache and publish the Word of the Lorde: whiche (vndoubtedly) he had learned of his Fa∣ther Adam, by influence from the holy Ghost.

For it is recorded of hym in the Scriptures, Gen. v. that he led an vpright and godly life, and therefore was taken vp of God and was no more seen. Wherevppon sprong that fable, that hee should come againe before the daye of Iudgement: whiche thing is not to bee looked for, vnlesse wee will vnder∣stand it in this sense, that he shall come againe in spirite: name∣lie, for that, his preachyng dooeth fitly iumpe and agree to the tyme next afore the generall Iudgement: as here this present place very truely agreeth thereto: wherein he speaketh so cer∣tainly of the laste Daie, as if he had presently seene it with his

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eyes. The Lorde (saieth he) commeth with thousandes of his Sainctes: that is, with an infinite multitude. For, these words must needes be vnderstood, onely of the last Daie, wherein the Lorde will come to Iudgement with all his Saintes. For when he first came into the Worlde, he came not with many thousandes of his Sainctes, but alone: and that, not to iudge, but to giue Grace.

[ 15] And to rebuke all the vngodlie among them of all their wicked deedes, whiche they haue vngodlie committed,

THis place doth Iude not vnaptly here inferre, directly sounding against false Guides and counterfaite Tea∣chers, whiche he knewe in greate swarmes should come a little afore the last Daie: but it seemeth also very aptly to beare this interpretation and signification, that the Lorde at his comming will first destroye and quight ouerthrowe the Pope with al his imperious Pōtificalitie. For, to such a great mischieuous euill there is none other helpe or remedie, for the vtter abolishyng and quite takyng of hym awaie. For so long as the Worlde endureth, there will neither bee ende of hym, neither can there any reformation and amendment in hym be hoped for. And truely, this place can not bee vnderstoode of a∣ny other then of our Papistes, who so miserably and lamenta∣blie seduce the Worlde. For a more forlorne, desperate and wicked life, then that of the Papistes, can not possiblie be ima∣gined: wherein as thei impiously alreadie wallowe, so wil thei still continue worse and worse, pretending (notwithstanding) greate sanctimonie and holinesse vnder the name of Christe, whom thei vse as a cloke to contriue and hide all their villay∣nous treacherie. Vnder the name of Papistes wee may vnder∣stande both them and all the rable of seducyng Imposters and deceiuers beside, which shal come a little before the last Daie, and all suche as embrace and follow•• their godlesse impietie. This place therfore that he here alle••geth, is to be vnderstood

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of the last daie of Iudgement. Wee see, of whom he speciallie meaneth that the saied Iudgement is to be looked for. Wher∣vpon wee conclude that our tyrannous Shauelinges and sha∣uen. Tyrauntes are with tremblyng expectation reserued sor¦the last daie and commyng of the Lorde, whether the same come and approche with speede, or staie yet somewhat longer.

[ 15] And of all their cruell speakynges, whiche wicked synners haue spoken against hym.

IN these wordes he both reprooueth their life, and reprehendeth their saiynges: and it is as much as if he should saie: Thei speake presum∣ptuously and malapertly against the Lord, and against his commyng, they bee impudent and tooto arrogant, thei deryde and blaspheme hym, as S. Peter also in his Epistle writeth of them. He speaketh not here, of their life, as it is defiled and deformed with sinnes and iniqui∣ties, but as it is giuen ouer and entierly addicted to woorke all impietie. I call that Impietie, when the life is led without Faith, although the outwarde conuersation bee not altogether flagitious and damnable . Euill works be in deede the fruictes of Impietie: but Impietie it self is properly called that life, whiche glittereth outwardly with a gaie shew of hypocriticall workes, whereas the harte is vtterly voyde of Faithe. Suche impious persons (saieth he) the Lord will reproue, because the presumptuous doctrine whiche thei boldly teache, thei stiflie defende and obstinately maintaine: leanyng alwaies to their owne brainsicke glosses and constructions, and not sufferyng themselues to bee conuerted and turned to the truthe: but are harder then the Flint, and will neuer desist from condemnyng and blasphemyng the doctrine of true godlinesse! Here we see, how liuely these wordes of Enoch paint out and describe these kinde of persons that are and should foyst themselues into the Churche towarde the latter ende of the Worlde, whiche vn∣doubtly are y^e Papistes, as to euery man euidently appeareth.

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[ 16] These are murmurers, complainers, walkyng after their owne lustes: whose mouthes speake proude thynges,

IF a man finde fault with their dealynges, and reproue them as vnlawful and dissonaunt to the Worde of God, he shalbee sure to bryng himself thereby into a pecke of troubles: they will mur∣mure, repine and gnashe their teeth at him. As for example: if a man should but leaue out or omit any peece or parte of the Bishoppes ordinarie style and wonted tytle, they straightwaies with open throates crye out, (Contempt and Disobedience.) There is no waie left, to withstand their law∣lesse lustes and selfwilled dealinges, for thei bragge that they haue power bothe ouer our bodies & ouer our soules: thei haue gotten into their handes bothe the Swordes: so that they can not bee compelled by Lawe to dooe that is iust and right: and that any man should preache against them, that can thei not at any hand abide. They haue exempted thēselues and all theirs, from all maner of taxe, tribute and imposition, so that no man dare once touche any thing that belongeth vnto them: finallie, thei are growen to that degree of tyrannie, that no man dare presume to preache a worde contrarie to the order of their pee∣uish Proceedings. To alledge any Scriptures against them, it is altogether bootelesse: for they saie, that none maie expoūd or enterprete the same, sauing thei themselues. By which mea∣nes it is come to passe that in all places and in all thinges they liue as licentiously as thei list. For these saiynges can not bee wrested or applied against vs professours of the true Gospell, for that wee reuerently and dutifully submitt our selues, and yeeld our obedience aswell to the Scriptures, as to the ciuile Power: from bothe whiche, thei wilbe free and not compella∣ble by any. Last of al, their Decrees and Cannons be pestered and thwacked full of proude, arrogant, and swellyng wordes, vtterly voyde of all good and godlinesse.

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[ 16] Hauing mens persones in admiration, because of a vantage.

THis hitteth their natures and dispositions very iumpe, for thei iudge all thinges accordyng to the person. In all the whole Popes. Canons, ye shall not once finde it commaunded, that the Bisshoppe should humble himself beneath the poore Parishe Priest, nor any of the fruictes of a Christian life whatsoeuer. But al thin∣ges rather sounde thus. Let the Curate bee vnder the Priest, the Priest vnder the Bisshoppe, the Bisshoppe vnder the Arch∣bishoppe, the Archbishoppe vnder the Patriarch, and the Pa∣triarch vnder the Pope. Finallie, how euery one should weare his Habite, his Amyse, his Weede and Cowle, after what fa∣shion he should clippe his hayre, shaue his crowne, and beard, and make his apparaile, how many Benifices and how many Prebendes he might keepe &c. Thus, thei brought all thinges to certaine externall Ceremonies and traditions of their own makyng, and wholly occupied themselues in mere, childishe, foolish, and friuolous trifles, which thei had in greate accoūpt and estimation: yea thei iudged it no lesse then deadly sinne, if any man should refuse to adore & reuerence these their boyishe toyes. And therefore very well saieth Iude in this place, Thei haue mens persons in admiratiō, for thei lappe vp their lewd and loude lyes in vizardes of hypocrisie, and only admire those gaie shewes that are visiblie obiect to the eye. All this while thei neuer speake woorde, neither knowe any thyng as they should knowe, of Faith, of Charitie, or of the Crosse. And yet the poore vulgare people suffer themselues still to be beesotted with these Popishe Bugges, and thinke themselues to doe ve∣ry acceptable seruice to God, in giuing all their Goods, Sub∣staunce and Patrimonie to feede these filthie Swine in the Stye of this their lewd sensualitie.

[ 17] But, ye beloued, remember the woordes whiche were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lorde

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Iesus Christ,

[ 18] How that thei told you that there should be moc∣kers in the laste tyme, whiche should walke after their owne vngodlie lustes.

THis place also giueth some occasion to thinke, that this Epistle was not written by Saincte Iude the Apostle, because the Aucthour hereof reckeneth not hymself among the other Apo∣stles, but speaketh so of theim, as though thei had preached long before his tyme: whereby it maie well bee thought, that this was rather written by some other godlie man, that had read Sainct Peters Epistle, and out of it culled and gathered these woordes and Sentences. Who these moc∣kers bee, wee haue afore declared, and who thei also bee, that walke after their owne lustes: not onely carnall and fleshely lustes, but those rather that sauour of horrible impietie, wher∣in thei liue in eche respect, accordyng to their owne inordinate desires: neither reuerencyng the Ciuile Magistrate, nor obei∣yng the Worde of God, but liue so loosely and contemptuous∣ly, that thei neither obediently acknowledge any externall, nor yet internal Gouernement. Al Lawes aswell Diuine as Hu∣maine, thei flatly despise and sette at naught: and so flye in the Aire, in the middle betweene Heauen and Earth, euen as thei are hoised vp and caried aloft by their Maister the Deuill.

[ 19] These are makers of sectes, Fleshely, hauyng not the Spirite.

HEre he alludeth to that, whiche sainct Peter in his Epistle saied, That there should come false Teachers, whiche priuilie should bryng in damnable heresies. These are thei that diso∣bediently breake asunder the vnitie of Faithe: and beyng not contented with the common profession, and ge∣nerall appellation of Christians, (wherein eche one is to serue

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and doe good to his neighbour) thei deuise and inuent certaine newe vpstart Sectes of their owne, wherby thei feigne a false counterfaite seruice to Almightie God. Furthermore thei are Naturall, and fleshly, as brute Beastes, hauyng no more Spi∣rite and vnderstandyng, then hath an Horse or an Asse: thei fol∣lowe the iudgement of Nature, and are caried awaie with the concupiscence and luste of the Fleshe. Finallie, thei haue not the Worde of GOD, to direct and leade them, how to frame their liues and conuersations.

[ 20] But, ye beloued, edifie your selues in your moste holie Faithe, praiyng in the holie Ghoste,

[ 21] And keepe your selues in the loue of God,

IN these fewe woordes he hath briefly comprehen∣ded, the whole summe & effect of all true Christia∣nitie. Faith is the grounde worke and foundation, wherevpon wee muste builde: and this buildyng or edifiyng is daiely and howrely, to profite and goe foreward in the knowledge of God, and of our Lorde Iesus Christ: whiche is not doen but by the operation of the holie Ghost. Beeyng in this sort builded, wee are not to dooe any Worke, whereby to purchase and winne to our selues any Merite, or Saluation, but onely to profite and doe good to our neighbours. And here∣in must wee haue a moste diligent care, that wee continue and perseuere in true and sincere Loue, without any intermis∣sion: not as dooe these foolishe people, whiche staie themselues vpon their owne rotten Workes, and deuise certaine peculiar Sectes, wherewith they drawe awaie and seduce men from brotherly Loue and Charitie.

[ 21] Lookyng forthe mercie of our Lorde Iesus Christ, vnto eternall life.

HEre is Hope taught, and the Crosse commended. For our life ought so to bee framed and ledde, that it should bee nothyng els, then a seruent sighyng and a longyng

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desire for the life to come. But yet so, that this our desire and longyng muste bee whollie staied vppon the onely mercie of Christe: vnto whom wee muste ardently praie, that it maie please hym, (euen of his owne mercie, and not for any Merite that is in vs) to take and trāslate vs hence into the life to come, where endlesse ioyes for euer abounde.

[ 22] And haue cōpassion of some, in puttyng difference:

[ 23] And other saue with feare, pullyng theim out of the fier:

THis place is somewhat darke and obscure to bee vn∣derstanded, but yet this is the true meanyng thereof: Haue ye compassion of some: and saue some. That is, so leade your liues, that it maie euen greeue you at the hart, to see some so miserablie blinded, and wilfully obstinate: Reioyce ye not at their miserie, neither take ye any pleasure or delite in their lamentable miscreauncie. But meddle ye not with their Atheisme, separate your selues from theim, and haue no dea∣lyng or companie with them. Other some, whom ye maie pull out of so greate a daunger, saue and deliuer by fearyng theim and holding them backe with godlie seueritie: deale with them courteously and gentlie, euen as God hath dealt with you: not roughly, not ragyngly and sharpely, but mieldely and Chari∣tablie. Dooe not with churlishe sternesse terrifie and so spoile theim: but deale with theim, as ye would with those that lye in the Fier: whom ye ought with carefull diligence, wisely to pul out and saue. If thei bee not contented to be pulled out and de∣liuered, thei are with gentle meanes and tender mercie to bee borne withall: not (as the Pope and his hereticall Rabbines vse is) to bee burned and spoyled.

[ 23] And hate euen the Garment spotted by the fleshe.

WE haue receiued the holie Ghost by Faith, and there∣by are wee purified: but yet neuerthelesse, so long as wee here ••••tie, this rotten sacke of Fleshe and Bloud

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still hangeth vpon vs, which is neuer without whose swarmes of euill lustes. And this is that spotted Garment, which while wee here liue, wee ought to laie aside and put of.

[ 24] Now, vnto him that is able to keepe you, that ye fal not, and to presente you faultlesse before the pre∣sence of his glorie with ioye.

[ 25] That is, to God onely wise, our Sauiour, be glorie, and Maiestie, and Dominion, and Power, bothe now and for euer, Amen.

THis is the conclusion and end of this Epistle. And thus are the Apostles wont in the ende of their Writynges, Preachynges, Exhortations & Prophecies, to praie, to wishe and to giue thankes. Wee see therefore in these two E∣pistles, aswell this of Iude, as that seconde of S. Peter, what a true Christian life is: and how wee maye discerne the sinceritie of that Doctrine which is pure, Catholike, and Christian, from that whiche is corrupt, counter∣faite, and altogether Antichristian.

FINIS.