A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

2 Use. Praise the Lord when ever this work is accomplished; Not I, but grace; it must not be ascribed to our works, or to any power that is in our selves, but to Gods mercy, Christs merits, and the Spirits efficacy: There is Gods grant; To her it was granted to be covered with fine linen, the righteousness of the Saints, Rev. 19. 18. God the Father giveth leave or issueth forth an Authentic Act and Decree in the Court of Heaven; as Esther by the grant of the King was supplied out of the Kings Wardrobe. Then there is Christs merit; the stream wherein we are washed floweth out of Christs own heart; 1 John 1. 7. The Blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Then there is the Spirits efficacy; no less power will vanquish the proud heart of man. 'Tis notable, that grace is expressed not only by the notion of ^*Creation, which is a making things out of nothing; but also by ^†Victory, or a ⟨p. 49⟩powerful overcoming of opposition: In Creation as there was nothing to help, so there was nothing to resist and hinder; but in man there is besides a death of sin, a life of resistance against grace; therefore Sanctification must entirely be ascribed to God: we deserve it not, it cometh from the Fathers good-will and Christs merit; we work i• not, 'tis accomplished by the power of the Holy Ghost.

2 Ʋse. Praise the Lord when ever this work is accomplished; Not I, but grace; it must not be ascribed to our works, or to any power that is in our selves, but to Gods mercy, Christs merits, and the Spirits efficacy: There is Gods grant; To her it was granted to be covered with fine linnen, the righteousness of the Saints, Rev. 19. 18. God the Father giveth leave or issueth forth an Authentick Act and Decree in the Court of Heaven; as Esther by the grant of the King was supplyed out of the Kings Wardrobe. Then there is Christs merit; the stream wherein we are washed floweth out of Christs own heart;