A09434:474
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…
A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and six sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithful man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the sum and order of the whole book, according to the authors own method, to which are further added, four brief tables to direct the reader ...A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and sixe sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithfull man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the summe and order of the whole booke, according to the authors owne method, to which are further added, foure briefe tables to direct the reader ...
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1606
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And are cast away by the deceit of Balaam's wages.] In these words is set down the fifth sin of these seducers: the meaning of which is first to be known.1 Cast away. The word signifieth they are poured out, or poured away: which form of speech is taken from water, the which distilleth not out of a vessel drop by drop; but is poured out in abundance, till so all is quickly spent. Whereby the Apostle would give us to understand, that in the affection of their hearts they were violent, and even carried headlong to commit their wickedness. By the deceit of Balaam's wages: that is, they are thus forcibly carried to do evil upon hope of wages; of which hope notwithstanding they are disappointed and defeated as Balaam was. So as this fifth sin is covetousness, propounded in a similitude or comparison, of which there are two branches: first, as Balaam was carried headlong to curse the people of God in hope of wages; so these wicked men upon hope of reward are set to falsify and corrupt the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles. Secondly, as Balaam was deceived and frustrated of the reward hoped for, as Numb. 31.8. he lost his reward, yea and after his life (for returning home he was slain by the Midianites) so shall these lose their reward which they expect, for falsifying that doctrine which they teach: And so much for the meaning. That which was the sin of these seducers, is the sin of these times of ours, wherein that prophecy of Peter is accomplished;2 where is foretold that false teachers should come in the latter times, who through covetousness, with feigned words should make merchandise of mens souls. Quest. But where shall we find these covetous teachers? Ans. They are too easily found every where, but especially within the precincts of the church of Rome. The Bishop of Rome and the guides of that Church are the Archseducers, who through covetousness make merchandise of mens souls, teaching first that a man must confess all his sins, or else he cannot be forgiven; and when he hath reckoned up all, he must satisfy for them in that manner as they will prescribe: who commonly enjoin men to bestow so much land, or such a sum or pension of money upon this or that Church, or Abbey,3 that so they may buy out a pardon.