The Ascription of Praise to God
T. Manton. Jude 1:24-25 Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,… 1. Can we bestow anything upon God? or wish any real worth and excellency to be superadded to Him? I answer — No. The meaning is, that those which are in God already may be — (1) More sensibly manifested (Isaiah 64:2). It is a great satisfaction to God's people when anything of God is discovered; they value it above their own benefit and safety (Psalm 115:1.). They prefer the glory of mercy and truth before their deliverance. (2) More seriously and frequently acknowledged. It is a great pleasure to the saints to see others praise God (Psalm 107:8). (3) More deeply esteemed, that God may be more in request, more in the hearts of men and angels. Good men are loath to go to heaven alone, they would travel thither by troops and in company. 2. But let us more particularly take a view of this ascription; and so first what is ascribed, "glory, majesty, dominion, and power." "Glory" is excellency discovered with praise and approbation, and noteth that high honour and esteem that is due to Christ. "Majesty" implieth such greatness and excellency as maketh one honoured and preferred above all, therefore a style usually given to kings; but to none so due as unto Christ, who is "King of kings, and Lord of lords." "Dominion" implieth the sovereignty of Christ over all things, especially over the people whom He hath purchased with His blood. "Power" signifieth that all-sufficiency in God whereby He is able to do all things according to the good pleasure of His will. (1) A gracious heart hath such a sense of God's worth and perfection, that it would have all things that are honourable and glorious ascribed to Him; therefore are divers words here used. When we have done our utmost we come short; for God's name is "exalted above all blessing, and above all praise" (Nehemiah 9:5). Yet it is good to do as much as we can. (2) When we think of God, it is a relief to the soul to consider of His glory, majesty, dominion, and power; for this is that which the apostle would have to be manifested, acknowledged, and esteemed in God, as the ground of our respect to Him. It encourageth us in our service. We need not think shame of His service, to whom glory, and power, and majesty, and dominion belongeth. It hearteneth us against dangers. Surely the great and glorious God will bear us out in His work. It increaseth our awe and reverence. Shall we serve God in such slight fashion as we would not serve the governor? (Malachi 1:8). It inviteth our prayers. To whom should we go in our necessities but to Him that hath dominion over all things, and power to dispose of them for the glory of His majesty? It increaseth our dependence. God is glorious, and will maintain the honour of His name, and truth of His promises. 3. The next consideration in this ascription is the duration, "now and ever." Thence note: The saints have such large desires for God's glory, that they would have Him glorified everlastingly, and without ceasing. They desire the present age may not only glorify God, but the future. When they are dead and gone the Lord remaineth; and they would not have Him remain without honour. They do not take death so bitterly, if there be any hopes that God will have a people to praise Him. And their great comfort now is the expectation of a "great congregation," gathered from the four winds, united to Christ, presented to God, that they may remain with Him, and glorify Him for evermore. They prize their own salvation upon this ground, that they shall live for ever to glorify God for ever (Ephesians 3:21; Psalm 41:13, and Psalms 106:48). Now this they do, partly from their love to God's glory, which they prize above their own salvation (Romans 9:3); partly in thankfulness to God for His everlasting love to them. 4. The last thing in this inscription is the particle, "amen," which signifieth a hearty consent to God's promise, and a steady belief that it will continue to all generations. This word is often put at the end of prayers and doxologies in Scripture (Revelation 5:13, 14; Romans 16:1. 27; Philippians 4:20, etc.); and sometimes it is doubled for the greater vehemency (Psalm 51:13; Psalm 72:19; Psalm 89:52); and anciently it was audibly pronounced by the people in public assemblies at the conclusion of prayers (1 Corinthians 14:16), and since that telleth us that the amen was so heartily sounded out by the church, that it seemed like a crack of thunder. (1) Certainly it is good to conclude holy exercises with some vigour and warmth. Natural motion is swifter in the end and close; so should our spiritual affections be more vehement as we draw to a conclusion, and when the prayer is done, put out the efficacy of our faith and holy desires in a strong "Amen," that it may be to you according to the requests of your hearts, and you may come away from the throne of grace as those that have had some feeling of God's love in your consciences, and are persuaded that He will accept you, and do you good in Jesus Christ. (2) There should be an "amen" to our praises as well as to our prayers, that we may express our zeal and affection to God's glory as well as to our own profit. Our hallelujahs should sound as loud as our supplications, and we should as heartily consent to God's praises as to our own requests. (3) In desiring the glory of God to all ages, we should express both our faith and love — faith in determining that it shall be, and love in desiring that it may be so with all our hearts. Both are implied in the word "amen"; it will be so whatever changes happen in the world. God will be glorious. The scene is often shifted, and furnished with new actors, but still God hath those that praise Him, and will have to all eternity. Well, then, let your faith subscribe, and put to its seal, "To the glory of God in Christ"; and let earnest love interpose, "Lord, let it be so; yea, Lord, let it be so." Heartily desire it, and with the whole strength of your souls; set to your seals without fear, it is a request that cannot miscarry, and follow it with your hearty acclamations. (T. Manton.). Parallel Verses KJV: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, WEB: Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,