A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and…A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and…

Vers. 10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not, and whatsoever things they know naturally, as beasts which are without reason; in those things they corrupt themselves.

Vers. 10. But these speake euill of those things which they know not, and whatsoeuer things they know naturally, as beasts which are without reason; in those things they corrupt themselues.

IN the former part of this verse is laid down a third argument, which amplifieth the sin of these deceivers; thus framed: For a man to give sentence, and condemn that which he knoweth not, is a point of great injustice and rashness: But these men condemning Magistracy, condemn a thing they know not: and therefore are justly accused of rashness and injustice. The like s••ne of these seducers hath been too usual in all ages. In the days of the Apostles themselves, the Gentiles accounted the doctrine of the Gospel but foolishness: the Jews, an offence; and yet neither of them knew what it was. The same rashness is at this day to be descried in the Church of Rome, who have denounced the sentence of excommunication against our Churches, and condemn the Protestants for heretics, when the most of them never knew our doctrine, nor never heard what we could say for our selves; yea most injuriously they mistake us in sundry main points of doctrine; as when we teach that works do not justify a man before God, they cry out and say we condemn all good works. The same fault is exceeding rise amongst us in these days: for let a man make conscience of his ways and endeavour to please God, he is presently branded with names of reproach, by those whose tongues are nimble to speak evil of things they never knew; who are to know that a man cannot be too precise in keeping the commandments of God, and that themselves have made a promise in Baptism to walk in no other ways, and ought to renew the same so often as they come to the Lords table.

IN the former part of this verse is laid downe a third argument, which amplifieth the sinne of these deceiuers; thus framed: For a man to giue sentence, and condemne that which hee knoweth not, is a point of great iniustice and rashnes: But these men condemning Magistracie, condemne a thing they know not: and therefore are iustly accused of rashnes and iniustice. The like sne of these seducers hath been too vsuall in all ages. In the daies of the Apostles themselues, the Gentiles accounted the doctrine of the Gospell but foolishnes: the Iewes, an offence; and yet neither of them knew what it was. The same rashnes is at this day to bee descried in the Church of Rome, who haue denounced the sentence of excommunication against our Churches, and condemne the Protestants for heretikes, when the most of them neuer knew our doctrine, nor neuer heard what wee could say for our selues; yea most iniuriously they mistake vs in sundry maine points of doctrine; as when wee teach that workes doe not iustifie a man before God, they crie out and say we condemne all good workes. The same fault is exceeding rise amongst vs in these daies: for let a man make conscience of his waies and endeuour to please God, he is presently branded with names of reproch, by those whose tongues are nimble to speake euill of things they neuer knew; who are to know that a man cannot be too precise in keeping the commaundements of God, and that themselues haue made a promise in Baptisme to walke in no other waies, and ought to renew the same so often as they come to the Lords table.