in one place 't is said The Kingdom prepared for you in another Vessels of mercy aforehand prepared unto glory so is Hell fitted for the wicked and they fit themselves for Hell God prepareth the Saints and sitteth them but endureth the wicked and beareth with them whilst they fit themselves for destruction see Rom. 9. 22 23. Carnal men may lord it abroad for a while and ruffle and shine in worldly pomp but the blackness of darkness is kept for them 3. Observe the suitableness of the judgment to the sin he saith darkness not fire Clouds that darken the truth are justly punished with the mists of darkness for ever see 2 Pet 2. 17. they that would quenâ—h the true light are cast into eternal darkness God loveth to retaliate that men may read their sin in their judgment here in the world we may do it in mercy to the Saints Jacob that came the younger for the elder to blinde Isaac had the elder daughter given him instead of the younger Asa that put the Prophet in the stocks was diseased in his feet but in Hell he doth it for the greater horror to the wicked they that chuse left hand blessings Prov. 3. 16 are justly placed with the Goats on the left hand Mat. 25. he that denyeth a crumb could not receive a drop they that cared not for Gods company are then banished out of his presence and to those that loved darkness more then light is the mist of darkness reserved for ever Verse 14. And Enoch also the seventh from Adam Prophesied of these saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints THe Apostle urgeth another Argument to imply the destruction of those Seducers and that is The Prophesie of Enoch whether this Prophesie were written or noâ— the same spirit that spake in Enoch inspired our Apostle if he received it by Tradition 't is here made Authentick and put into the Canon The Jews have some Relicks of this Prophesie in their Writings and some talk of a Volume extant in the primitive times consisting of 4082. lives called she Prophesie of Enoch but that was condemned for spurious and Apocryphal Tertullian saith there was a Prophesie of Enoch kept by Noah in the Ark which book is now lost be it so many good books may be lost but no Scripture but most probably 't was a Prophesie that went from hand to hand from father to son Jude saith Enoch Prophesied he doth not say 't is written as quoting a passage of Scripture But why should he rather produce Enochs Prophesie rather then a passage out of the Authentique books of Scripture where are many such to this purpose I Answer 1. It was done by the providence of God to preserve this memorial to the Church 2. Because ancient things are more venerable for by all mens confession those times were most simple and free partium studio from factions and partialities therefore all along the Apostle bringeth instances of the most ancient date And Enoch the seventh from Adam that is inclusive putting Adam for the first but why is this circumstance mentioned I Answer 1. To commend the Antiquity of the Doctrine the seventh in discent from Adam intimates that judgment was to be administred by Christ 2. Some observe a mystery the seventh person was a Prophet as the seventh day was holy 3. I think 't is to distinguish him from Enoch the son of Cain who was the third from Adam as Enoch the son of Seth was the seventh see Gen. 4. 17. Prophesied that Enoch was a Prophet is clear here and may begathered from Gen 5 2â— where he is said to walk with God a phrase proper to those that served the Lord in some near way of ministration 't is there applyed to Enoch who was a Prophet and to Noah Gen. 6. 9. who was a Preacher of righteousness 2 Pet. 2. 5. and to Eli. 1 Sam 2. 30. who was a Priest Of these saying Of these because of such like 't is a general Prophe sie brought down to a particular case and instance The Lord cometh that is the Lord Jesus appointed to be the Judge of the world nay mark it Behold the Lord cometh as putting it before their eyes commeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is come that is he shall as certainly come as if he were come already the Jews say the great excommunication Maranatha was instituted by Enoch the word signifieth The Lord commeth with ten thousand of his Saints it may be rendred with his holy Myriads or ten thousands an uncertain number for a certain that was their highest and roundest reckoning the meaning is with huge multitudes of Angels and Saints as the Apostle 1 Thes 3. 13. At the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his Saints Zech. 14. 5. The Lord my God shall come and all thy Saints with thee not only the Angels but the Saints do help to make up the tryumphs of that day The Notes are these 1. That what is spoken in the word in general doth as much concern us as if it were spoken to our own persons Enoch Prophesied of these c. Particulars are comprized in their generals some Scriptures speak directly to every single person the Decalogue is most express this way Thou thou c. as aiming to awaken every one to a sense of their duty God doth as it were talk with every of our persons imediately the Gospel indeed speaketh largely come all yee c. as excluding and exempting none out of the hopes of it yet sometimes the Gospel speaking as particularly as the Law especially where the condition is annexed to the offer as Rom. 10. 9. If thou beleevest in the Lord Jesus with thine heart c. if you as speaking to me if thou as speaking to thee and every other man in particular Well then though the word speaketh generally take home your own share as men cut a passage out of the common River to water their own fields let not the Scriptures speak in vain James 4. 5 we are all concerned when his speech is directed to men of our condition Psal 27. 8. Thou saidest seek ye my face and David sub-sumeth Thy face Lord will I seek 2. Prophesie or Preaching the word is ancient for Enoch the seventh from Adam Prophesied still some have been set a part for this work Enoch was a Prophet and Noah a Preacher of righteousness 't is said that in the latter end of six thousand years we should be rooting up an ancient Ordinance that hath stood from the beginning of the world till now in the old time before the Law there were some to teach every master in his family churches were then in houses and some special Prophets to instruct in publique and continue the tradition under the Law also there were some solemnly set apart for the work of the Tabernacle and Prophets immediately called to deliver the special messages of God not only for the instruction of the present age but to
A Practical Commentary OR AN EXPOSITION WITH NOTES On the Epistle of JUDE Delivered for the most part In sundry weekly Lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex By THOMAS MANTON B. D. and Minister of Covent Garden LONDON Printed by J. M. for Luke Fawn and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Parrot in Pauls Church-yard 1658. TO THE Religious and Honourable LADY LETITIA POPHAM Wife to Colonel ALEXANDER POPHAM MADAM `_TIS a lovely Conjunction when Goodness and Greatness meet together Persons of Estate and Respect in the world have more temptations and hinderances than others but greater obligations to own God the great Landlord of the world expecteth a Rent from every Country-Cottage but a large Revenue from great Houses Now usually it falleth out so that they that hold the greatest Farms pay the least Rent never is the Lord more neglected and dishonoured then in great mens Houses in the very face of all his bounty if Religion chance to get in there it is soon worn out again though vices live long in a family and run in a blood from father to son yet 't is a rare case to see strictness of Religion carryed on for three or four descents 't was the honour of Abrahams house that from Father to Son for a long while they were Heirs of the same Promise Heb. 11. 9 but where is there such a succession to be found in the houses of our Gentry The Father perchance professeth godliness for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Apostle not many noble c. there are a few he doth not say there are none and a carnal son cometh and turneth all out of doors as if he were ashamed of his Fathers God The Causes of this mischief may be supposed to be these 1. Plenty ill-governed disposeth to vice and sin as a rank soil is apt to breed weeds 2. Brave Spirits as the world counteth them think strictness inglorious and the power of Religion a base thing that taketh off from their Grandure and Esteem a loose owning of Christianity is honourable since the Kings of the earth have counted it one of the fairest flowers of their Crowns to be stiled the Catholick King the most Christian King the Defender of the Faith c. But a true submission to the power of it is made a scorn as being contrary to that liberty of fashions vanity of complement and some Gentile customes which in a fond compliance with the humour of the age they are loth to part with 't were a rude zeal to deny them honest civilities but certain Customes and Modes there are inconsistent with the severity of Religion which rather then men will part with they will even break with God himself 3. The Marriage of children into carnal families wherein they consult rather with the greatness of their House then the continuing of Christs interest in their line and Posterity how careful are they that they should match in their own rank for blood Estate should they not be as careful for Religion also but even good people give a suspicion sometimes that they do not beleeve what they do profess That this is the ready way to undo all that hath been set on foot for God is evident by Scripture and Experience in Scripture we read of Jehoram who is said to walk in the way of the Kings of Israel for the Daughter of Ahab was his wife 2 King 8. 18. and in Ecclesiastical History of Valens the Emperour who by marrying with an Arian Lady was himself ensnared in that wicked opinion All this is spoken Madam to quicken you to the greater care in your Relations that you may settle a standing interest for Jesus Christ so hopefully already begun in your House and Family it will not be pleasing to you that I should publish upon the house top what God hath done for you or enabled you to do for him Go on still and be faithful there are few that I know in the world who have more cause to honour God then you have That I have inscribed this Commentary to your name will not seem strange to those that know my great obligations to your Self and your worthy Husband and your interest in that beloved place and people among whom I have had so many sweet opportunities of enjoying and I hope of glorifying God and from whom I should never have removed but upon those weighty causes and considerations which did even rend me from them and though I am now transplanted and owe very much service and respect elsewhere yet that Noble Lord that gave me the Call will allow me full time and leave to pay my old debts that afterward I may be the more in a capacity publickly to express my gratitude to himself If any should be so foolish as to object the unsuiteableness of Dedicating a Comment on the Scripture to one of your Sex as it seemeth some did to Jerom I shall not plead that two of the Books of Scripture are named from Women Ruth and Esther that an Epistle which maketh up a part of the Canon in inscribed to an Elect Lady that if this be a fault others have faulted in like kinde before me but onely that this is a practicall Commentary and surely in matters of practise which is every Christians Common interest your Sex hath a full share though your course of life be more private and confined yet you have your service the Scriptures speak of the womans gaining upon the husband 1 Pet. 3. 1. seasoning the children Pro. 31. 1. 2 Tim. 1. 5. incourraging the servants in a way of Godliness especially of their own Sex 't is said Esther 4. 16. I also and my maidens will fast likewise these maidens were either Jews and then it sheweth what servants should be taken into a nearer attendance such as savour of Religion see Psal 101. 6. or else which is more probable such as she had instructed in the true Religion for these maidens were appointed her by the Eunuch and were before instructed in Court-fashions Esther 2. 9. but that did not satisfie she taketh time to instruct them in the knowledge of the true God and it seemeth in her apartment had many oppertunities of religious commerce with them in the Worship of God Madam how far you practise these duties it is not necessary that I should tell the world persevere with cheerfulness and in due time you shall reap if you faint not the good Lord shed abroad the Comforts and Graces of his Spirit more abundantly into your heart which is the unfeigned desire of him who is Madam Your most Obliged and respectively Observant Tho Manton The Epistle to the READER Good Reader THe people of God have ever been exercised with two sorts of Enemies Persecutors and Sectaries 't is hard to say which is worst when the Christian Church began first to look forth in the world there were adverse powers without
of folly mixed with popular Rites and Customs There are many things necessary to Religion which the Angels themselves could not have known if they had not been revealed therefore their knowledg increaseth by observing Gods dispensations to the Church Ephes 3. 10. The way of Salvation by Christ is such a Mystery as could not have entred into the heart of any creature no not of an Angel If an Angel had been to set down which way man should be redeemed nay if all the Cherubim and Seraphim Thrones Dominions and Powers had met together in a Synod and Council and had taken in all the world to their assistance it would have posed them all to have found out such a Way as God hath appointed But not to speak of Mysteries There is in the Word some Moralities suitable to the Law of Nature which was once written upon mans heart but alas now there remains only some scattered fragments and obscure characters so defaced that they cannot be read and how blind are we in these things without the Word Witness the sottish Idolatry of those Nations that want it worshipping stocks or stones yea a piece of red cloth or what ever they saw first in the morning And witness those brutish Customs among other Nations whereby uncleanness and unnatural sins have been authorized by a Law Therefore 't is a great mercy that something is delivered and given out as a Rule of Faith and Manners 2. That this Tradition is written and put into a stated course in those Books which we call Scriptures If the Revelation of Gods Will had been left to the tradition of men of such a rank or order what a liberty might they take of coyning Oracles and obtruding their fancies upon the world 'T is a great mercy that our faith doth not depend upon uncertain suggestions but some main publique Records to which all may appeal and find satisfaction Heretofore the Lord revealed himself by Visions Oracles and Dreams to persons of ancient holiness and sanctity that they might instruct others which course was sure enough while the people of the world were but a few families and the persons intrusted with Gods message had authority and credit sufficient with the present age and lived long to continue the tradition with the more certainty to future ages But afterwards the Lord was pleased to speak to his Church both by Word and writing His Word was necessary for further revealing and clearing up the doctrine of Salvation and writing was necessary because when Precepts were multiplyed it was needful for mens memories that they should be written the long life of Gods Witnesses was lessened corruptions began to increase Satan giving out lying oracles and visions idolatrous Rites and customs crept into the best families the people of God were grown numerous enough to make a Commâ—nwealth and Politick Body therefore to avoyd mans corruptions and Satans deceits the Lord thought fit that we should have a written Rule at hand as a publique Standard for the tryal of all Doctrines God himself wrote the first Scripture with his own Finger upon tables of stone and he commanded Moses and the Prophets to do the same Exod. 17. 14. and 34. 17. which dispensation of Word and Writing continued till Christs time who as the great Doctor of the Church perfected the Rule of Faith and by the Apostles as so many publique Notaries consigned it to the use of the Church in all Ages When the Canon began to be compleat the latter Apostles pressed the receiving of it and John as the last and as one who outlived all the rest closeth up his Prophecy thus Rev. 22. 18 19. If any man add c. and if any man take away c. which doth not only seal up the Book of the Revelations but the whole Canon and Rule of Faith which indeed was a great mercy to the world the Lord knew to what a liberty we inclined in divine things and therefore we needed to be tyed up to a Rule which here is given us 3. The mercy of God appeareth in preserving it that it may be delivered from one age to another No Doctrine so ancient as the Doctrine of the Scriptures it describeth the whole History of the World from the very Creation and the original of all things Where are there Records so ancient and yet they have been preserved even to our time We have some ancient writings of the Heathens though nothing so ancient as Scripture but these are not contrary to mens lusts and have been cherished by them and yet they have felt the tooth of time and are in a great measure mangled but the Word of God hath been maligned and opposed and yet it continueth and holdeth up its head in the world not only the main Doctrine of the Scriptures hath been continued but no part of the Word hath been falsified corrupted destroyed the world wanted not malice nor opportunity the powers of the world have been bent against it and corrupt persons in the Church have been always given to other gospelling but still the Scriptures have been wonderfully preserved as the three children in the furnace not an hair singed not a jot and tittle of Truth perished 4. That God doth continually stir up men in the Church and bestow gifts upon them for the opening and application of this faith and doctrine of Salvation Christ that hath given Prophets and Apostles to the Church to write Scripture hath also given Pastors and Teachers to open and apply Scripture that so still it might be delivered to the Saints and also to vindicate the doctrine of it when opposed Every age that hath yeilded the Poyson hath also yeilded the Antidote that the world might not be without a Witness if there hath been an Arrius there hath been an Athanasius if a Pelagius there is also an Austin the Church hath never wanted help in this kind Look as in War as the Arts of Battery and methods of destruction do increase so also doth skill in Fortification and in the Church God still bestoweth gifts for the further explication of Truth 5. That the Light cometh to us and shineth in this Land The Gospel is a great National Priviledg To you is this Word of Salvation sent Acts 13. 26. Pray mark 't is sent he doth not say we have brought it to you but 't is sent 't is a token sent from Heaven in love there is a mighty Providence accompanieth the Gospel the journeys of the Apostles as I said but now were ordered by the Spirit as well as their doctrine Acts 8. 26. The Angel of the Lord said to Philip Arise and go towards the South towards the way that goeth down to Jerusalem They went not as their own good affection carryed them but according to the Spirits direction So Acts 17. 7 8 9. The Spirit suffered them not c. as prophecy came not by the will of man 2 Pet. 1. 20. that is the doctrine it self
strictness Col. 2. 18. Which things have a shew of wisdom and neglect of the body rigorous observances and outward mortifications as the Papists do 2. Special meekness Ravening Wolves in sheeps clothing Mat 7. 15. as if they were all for love and kindness Absalom stole away the peoples hearts by this artifice 2 Sam. 15. 2. 3. Higher Gospel strainâ— therefore doth Paul speak so much against the other Gospel Gal. 1. 3. and the other Jesus 2 Cor. 11. 4. namely such an one as they had set up 4. Self-denyal as some false Teachers at Corinth would take no maintenance to disgrace Paul see 2 Cor. 11. 12 c. this was their glorying that they would preach freely and whereas they contributed to the relief of Paul to them it needed not 5. Greater learning and notions of a newer and more sublime strain Oppositions of science falsly so called 1 Tim. 6. 20. Platonick speculations ungrounded subtleties 6. Greater favour and liberty to Nature They promise liberty and allure through the lusts of the flesh 2 Pet. 2. 18. representing the faithful Ministers of Christ as envying the contentment of your natures and burdening you with exactions too rigorous therefore the Apostle saith I am afraid lest any through subtilty beguile you as the Devil did Eve 2 Cor. 11. 3. How was that I answer By insinuating a kind of envy in God as if he did begrudg them the perfection and freedom of their natures Gen. 3. 5. God knoweth that your eyes shall be opened c. So they think others are too strict and lay too many restraints upon your carnal desires and by this means allure many loose and unstable Souls 7. Many times pretending the defence of that Truth which they secretly impugn as Pelagius talked altogether of grace and Faustus Rhegiensis pretending to oppose the Pelagians did but more covertly own their Cause Uses of this Point are divers 1. For Information it sheweth us the Reason why we cannot set down the precise beginnings of Errors because they are privily brought in Mystery is written in the Whores forehead The leak is not espyed many times though the ship be ready to sink The originals of Heresie are like the Fountain of Nile obscure and hidden a man may lose himself in the Labyrinth of Antiquity before he can find them out The Roman Apostacy is a Mystery of Iniquity that stole into the Church disguised and by degrees So that the beginning of it is not so easily stated as of other heresies that are full grown at their first appearance 2. It informeth us of the odiousness of Error it dareth not appear in its own colours nor be seen in its own face therefore Satan when he would set any Error on foot he maketh choice of the most subâ—il instruments that they may put a varnish upon it as when he tempted Eve he made use of the Serpent the most subtil of all the beasts of the field Gen. 3. 1. whereas the Lord chooseth the plainest instruments and hath commanded them to use all simplicity and godly conversation 2 Cor. 1. 12. for Truth is so lovely in it self that it needeth no borrowed colours 3. It informeth us what reason those that are over you in the Lord have to press you to Caution excuse their holy jealousie 2 Cor. 11. 3. all is but need we must bark when we see a Wolf though in a sheeps garment our silence and negligence doth but give them an advantage Whilest the husbandman slept the enemy came and sowed tares Mat. 13. 35. 4. It presseth you to skill and watchfulness you had need be sound in the faith that you may discern between good and evil yea to have your senses exercised Heb. 5. ult A soft credulity is soon abused Prov. 15. The simple beleeveth every word There is no reason but knowledg should cost us pains as well as gracious conversation 'T is a matter of great skill to be a through Christian there is a great deal of Sophistry and cunning abroad if you follow the cry you are in danger of engaging in a confederacy against God if you stick to received Customs there may be Error there too if you run after every Novellist on the other hand you will soon be led into the bogs of Error and Prophaneness therefore go to him for direction that hath the treasures of wisdom and knowledg But you need not only skill but care and watchfulness 'T is not good to drink too freely of suspected Fountains let not your affections surprize your judgment we admire the persons the gifts and so easily swallow the doctrine Try the spirits 1 Joh 4. 1. 1 Thes 5. 2â— When there is counterfeit gold abroad we use the Touchstone Truth loseth nothing by being tryed and you lose nothing for then your affections are better grounded Prove all things no man is infallible an implicite faith begets but a fond affection Secondly These Seducers are described by their condition before God who were before of old ordained to this condemnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of old that is from all Eternity for so the matter here spoken of imports 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we translate it before ordained but the word signifieth written as in a Book 't is usual in Scripture to compare Gods Decrees to a Book as Christ alledging Gods Decree for his mission into the World saith Psal 40. 8. In the volume of thy Book 't is written of me The meaning of the metaphor is to shew that these Decrees are as certain and determinate as if he had a Book wherein to write them Now these are said to be written before of old to shew that though they crept in unawares as to the Church yet not as to God they fell under the notice of his Decrees before ever they acted in this evil way 'T is further added that they were ordained or written down in Gods Book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for judgment or condemnation the word is indifferent to either sence for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus it is to be taken here for condemnation appeareth by that place of Peter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 damnable heresies 2 Pet. 2. 1. and vers 3. Whose damnation of a long time slumbereth not as he saith here of old ordained to this judgment The meaning of the whole is that they were such as were left to themselves to bring upon themselves by their own sins and errors a just condemnation That the object of the divine Decrees are not only mens ways but mens persons He doth not only say that their condemnation was pre-ordained but they also were ordained of old to this condemnation I observe this because many say that Gods Decrees do only respect actions and the events we see they respect persons also we have no cause to mince matters when the Scriptures speak up to the point so fully and roundly Again from that ordained or
it away because he could not find the name of Christ there 't is the description of a godly man His delight is in the Law of God and in his Law doth he exercise himself day and night Psal 1. 2. There are the chast delights of a child of God not in Play-books and idle Sonnets How many sacrilegious hours do most spend in these trifles Good Books should not keep us from the Scriptures Water is sweetest in the Fountain Luther professeth that he could wish all his books forgotten and utterly laid aside rather then that they should keep men from reading the Scriptures themselves Christians study the Word more that you may have Promises Doctrines Examples ready and more familiar with you to be ignorant in a knowing age is an argument of much negligence Heb. 5. 14. Now Religion is made every one's Discourse Will you alone be a stranger in Israel As the many helps â—all upon us to study the Word more so the many Errors which are abroad all errour cometh from unskilfulness in the Scriptures Matth. 22. 29. Ye err not knowing the Scriptures in the dark a man may soon lose his way To cure this mischief let me press you 1. To read the Scriptures in your Families seâ— up this Ordinance among other parts of Worship there 't is a Family Exercise that your children may be trained up in them 2 Tim. 3. 15. 'T is a good Closet exercise for your own private instruction none of you is in too high a Form the Prophets searched them diligently 1 Pet. 11. 12. 2. Read them with profit so as you may understand them and apply the Doctrines and Examples you meet with there Ask thy soul Vndâ—rstandest thou what thou readest Acts 8. 30 or as Paul Rom 8. 31. What shall we say to these things The Scriptures are not to be read for delight but for spiritual profit and use 3. In cases of difficulty use all holy means pray to God the Spirit is the best Interpreter Pray before Pray after as you do for food if God answer not at first cry â—or knowledge liâ—t up thy voice for understanding Call in the helps which God hath given many private helps of Commentaries but above all despise not Prophesying Consult with the Officers and Guides of the Church Ephes 4. 14. Mal. 2. 7. 2. Observe again That those Truths which we understand already they had need be pressed again and revived upon us See 1 John 2. 21. Our Knowledge is but weak the eye of the mind is opened by degrees our Memories are weak and commands must be repeated to a forgetful Servant our Affections are slow not easily wrought up to the love of good things When the Wedge will not enter with one blow we follow it home with blow upon blow Well then we say 1. Repetitions are lawful for you 't is a sure thing Phil. 3. 1. Christ in the Gospels and Paul in the Epistles do often repeat the same passages Till you be affected with them we must inculcate necessary Principles again and again God speaketh once yea twice when men regard it not Job 33. 14. Consider men are dull to conceive slow of heart to believe The way to pierce the hard stone is by often dropping apt to forget heavenly Truths Leaky Vessels must be filled again Heb. 2. 1. We must repeat to make shame more stirring Peter was troubled when Christ said the third time Lovest thou me John 21. 17. Let this which hath been said prevent censure look upon it as a providence when the same Truth or Sermon is presented again Surely I have not meditated enough of this truth I am not enough affected with it therefore the Lord hath again brought it to my thoughts or there is some new temptation that I shall meet with that I may find the need of this old Truth c. 2. That it is a spiritual disease a Surfet of Manna when men must still be fed with new things no truths are too plain for our mouths or too stale for your ears the itch of novelty puts men upon ungrounded subtleties and that maketh way for errour or hardness of heart though you hear nothing but what you are acquainted with be content they were carnal people that complained they had nothing but the old Burden Jer. 23. 33 34. Take heed of the Athenian itch many times it argueth guilt we cannot endure to have an old sore rubbed again as Peter was troubled when Christ spake to him the third time as I noted before that his Apostacie should once more be revived 3. It may justifie two duties of great use Meditation and Repetition in our Families Meditation for 't is good to remember Truths that we do already know Once hath God spoken and twice have I heard it Psal 62. 11. we should go over and over it again in our thoughts first we learn and then we meditate Sâ—udy findeth out a truth and Meditation improveth it as first the meat is taken in and then the digestion is afterward Conscience preacheth over the Sermon again to the heart while the thing is new it doth more exercise study then meditation but when we have once learned it then our thoughts should work upon it for meditation is the improvement of a known truth 2. Repetition in our Families let them hear it again and again the third blow may make the nail go If people were humble and sober they would have new and fresh thoughts every time a truth is revived upon them at first hearing many are lost through the wandring and distraction of our thoughts things which upon the review may be brought to hand again at least youth and children must have line upon line as when they learn to write the same letters and the same Copie are written over again and again till the figure of them be formed in their fancies I have done with the Preface I come now to the first instance produced How that the Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt afterward destroyed them that believed not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the term is of an honourable use in this place the people for the peculiar people of God the holy and elect Nation that had the Law and the Covenants of Promise this people after they were delivered and that by so great and solemn a deliverance as that out of the Land of Aegypt were afterwards destroyed so that 't is ill standing upon priviledges Though many of them to whom the Apostle wrote had renounced Gentilism and were as it were come out of Aegypt and made God's people by visible profession yet after all this they might be destroyed in case of disproportionable practise or disobedience to God in that profession Of Israel's destruction see Num. 14. 37. 1 Cor. 10. 10. Libertine Christians shall fare as bad as obstinate Jews that 's the drift of his Argument From this clause observe That after great mercies there do usually follow
the better side Well then let your memories be as an Ark or Chest in which the Tables ore kept lay up a good stock of knowledge that you may have truths always fresh and present with you will be an help to prayer Eph. 6. 17 18 Take the sword of the spirit which is the word of God praying always c. a check to temptations to sin Psal 119. 9. I have hid thy word in my heart that I might not sin against thee a support in afflictions Heb. 12. 5. a remedy against errour John 14 26. The next Clause is the words spoken before The Prophesies of Scripture evince the truth of it things are there spoken long before they fall out not only before the event but before the causes or remorse tendencies to such an event wise men may guess when they see probabilities and foretel that which dependeth on natural causes the Devil can many times shrewdly interpret the predictions of the word but a certain precience of what is future and meerly in it self contingent is the prerogative of God Isa 41. 22. Let them foretel things to come c. this is done in the Scripture Cyrus is mentioned by name an hundred years before he was born Isai 25. 1. The birth of Josiah 300. years before it came to pass 1 King 13. 2. The building of Jericho 500. years before it was re-edified Josh 7. 26. with 1 King 16. 34. The great promise of Christ in Paradice accomplished a thousands of years afterward the people of the Jews were ever warned by Prophesie of the good or bad that befel them Scripture was to them not only an Authentick Register but an infallible prognostication these two signal providences of the rejeâ—ion of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles were they not abundantly foretold and accordingly came to pass Can there be any compact here When the Jews were the keepers of the Oracles of God would they foyst in Prophesies against themselves Well then venture upon the truth of the word more than you have done God hath ever hitherto stood to his word rather then he would go back from it he would not only cast off his ancient people but send his own Son to suffer a shameful and an accursed death he that hath been faithful hither to is he like to fail at last I go on in the Text of the Apostle of our Lord Jesus That the words of the Apostles are the Rule of faith these were legati a latere sent from the side of Christ they had an extraordinary mission and call immediately from Christ as Christ from the Father John 17. 18 and John 20. 21. they had extraordinary gifts as infallibility quod hoc as to the work of an Apostle the power of working miracles c. and ordinary gifts in an extraordinary manner as tongues c. they were to write Scripture and to consign a Rule to the use of the Church in all ages This word of the Kingdom must be Preached till the end come Mat. 24. 14. and Christ prayed for no more then do believe through their word John 17. 20. and to them he said Matth 28. I am with you to the end of the world no other doctrine can we expect till we come to study Divinity in the Lambs face Once more these Apostles of the Lord were Paul and Peter 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 Peter 2 Pet. 3. 2 3. From whence Jude taketh many passages 'T is not unlawful to make use of the writings of other men Compare the fifteenth and sixteenth Chapters of Isaiah with the 48 of Jeremiah especially Isa 16. 8 9 10 11 verses with Jer. 48. 32 33 34 35 36. and you shall see how they agree almost word for word the gifts and labours of others are for our use not to â—eed laziness but to exercise industry in some cases if we speak iisdem paene literis syllabis as Melanchthon wished Divines would in the same words 't is not a fault in controversies and positive truths better make use of old words then coin nâ—w matter many now scoff at common truths as if Preachers did but talk like clocks one after another Doctrine cannot be varied a good scribe indeed must bring forth out of his Treasury things both new and old represent common things in a fresh savory way yet 't is not altogether unlawful to make use of the words of others where they are poinaunt and emphatical not lazily to go on in the tract but as improving their conceptions Yet again Jude an Apostle quoteth Apostles Daniel a Prophet read in the Prophesies of Jeremiah Dan. 9. 2. Peter was conversant in the Epistles of Paul 2 Pet. 3. 16. Paul himself had a care of the Parchments that is as some suppose the Volumes and Books of Scripture 1 Tim. 4. 13. Certainly the Scripture is not only for novices and young beginners but for the highest a study becomming the most eminently gifted there is a passage Psal 119. 75. Let those that fear thy name turn unto me those that have known thy testimonies that turning to him some understand of joyning with him in friendship and familiarity as certainly godly men by a secret inclination are moved to joyn one with another others make the end of turning to him to behold in him a pattern and example of the Lords grace but the Chaldee paraphrase thus turns to my Doctrine those that know let them come to know more Well then do not rest in the light you have and think that you are above these helps you may be further instructed and established if you had all knowledg there are affections to be wrought upon you may be quickned if not learn Ministers and those that abound in knowledg may be stirred up by the admonitions and exhortations of others Verse 18. How that they told you that there should be Mockers in the last time walking after their own ungodly lusts HOw that they told you he meaneth not in word but in writings they told the Church in general but the Apostle applyeth it to them places are every where 1 Tim 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 1. Acts 20. 29 30. in the last time The days when the Gospel was first Preached are so called in a double sense either with respect to the approaching judgements on the Jews 1 Iohn 2. 18. Little children now it is the last time the lease of our mercies was running out a pace so James telleth the carnal Jews Iames 5. 3. Ye have heaped up treasure for the last days when God was pulling down and plucking up they were scrâ—ping and hoarding up wealth and so became a greater prey to the destroyer 2. Or because then the last dispensation began which God would continue without change unto the worlds end Heb. 1. 2. He hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son the Lord hath now fully revealed his mind and the Doctrine of salvation is put into a settled