sects, for these are they that have
separated themselves; they divide the unity that is in faith, will
not let the ordinary estate of a Christian answer,--namely, that
wherein one serves another,--but they set up other estates, and
pretend to serve God by these. Besides they are sensual or brutish
men, who have no more understanding and spirit than an ox or an ass;
they walk according to their natural reason and fleshly mind. They
have no God's-word by which they judge themselves, or by which they
can live.

V. 20, 21. _But, ye beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy
faith, through the Holy Spirit, and pray, and keep yourselves in the
love of God._ There he defines, in few words, that in which a
thoroughly Christian life consists. Faith is laid for the foundation
on which we are to build; but to build is to grow from day to day in
the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, and this takes place
through the working of the Holy Spirit. When we are thus built up, we
shall do no work to merit anything or to be saved by it, but all to
the service of our neighbor. Thus we are to watch, that we abide in
love, and not fall from it, like these fools who set up particular
works and a peculiar life, and so draw people away from love.

_And look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life._
That is the hope, toward which the Holy Cross moves. Therefore should
our life be so shaped as to be nothing else than a steady longing and
waiting for that life to come; yet so that that waiting be grounded
on the mercy of Christ, so that we shall call upon Him with such an
understanding as that he is to help us from this to that life out of
pure mercy, and not for any work or merit of ours.

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 compassion 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
God 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