A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

2. To grow in faith is a means to persevere in faith, man¹ is of an active nature, either he groweth better or worse, we shall not keep what we have received if we do not labour to increase in it, as an house begun to be built goeth to decay, and droppeth down more and more if we do not go on to finish it; do we grow then or decline? Did we observe our first coolings, the mischief would not be so ⟨p. 505⟩great, but we like the Hen, as long as there is one egg in the nest observe not how many are taken away, as long as we have any tolerable affections to the things of God, or somewhat to keep us alive we do not consider how many degrees of grace we have lost.

1. 1Observat. 2.

Faith (take it for the grace) is the proper foundation of holiness and good works. Works without faith are but a roof without a foundation, and faith without works is a foundation without a building, good fruit supposeth a good tree, Math. 7.

The faith of Christians is a most holy faith, no doctrine hath such pure precepts, such high examples, such raised motives, such mysterious enforcements, such blessed rewards, and all to encourage holiness; if ever any thing were exactly fitted to its purpose, surely the word is fitted to promote holiness, the precepts of the Law require it, the doctrine of the Gospel showeth where virtue and power is to be had to perform it, the promises encourage it, the examples of God and Christ show the height and exactness of it, the examples of the Saints show 'tis possible, the word and ordinances work it, as being instituted by God for such a purpose, and accompanied with the power of his grace.