A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

5. In case of decay take the advice which the holy Ghost hath given you, Rev. 2. 5. where three things are required, 1. Consideration. 2. Humiliation. 3. Reformation.

1. Consideration, Remember whence thou art fallen, ponder the case; in examination we compare our selves and the Law together, but in this recollection, our selves and our selves together; sadly consider then what a difference there is between thee and thy self, recall former experiences and say as Job 29. 2. 3. Oh that I were as in months past, in the days when God preserved me, when his candle shined on my head, or as the Church, Hosea▪ 2. 7. It was better with me than now, in our serious sequestration and retirements we should have such thoughts as these are, I was wont to spend some time every day with God, I remember when 'twas a delight to me to think of him, now I have no heart to pray or meditate, no relish of communion with his blessed majesty; 'twas the joy of my Soul to be at an Ordinance, the returns of the Sabbath were welcome to me, but now what a weariness is it! time was when I had sweet experiences, and the graces of Gods Spirit were more lively in me, but now all is dead and inefficacious; time was when a vain thought was burdensome unto me, but now I can away with sinful actions; time was when the mispence of ordinary time was a grief unto my Soul, now I can spend the Sabbath unprofitably and never be troubled, &c. Thus should you consider your estate.

1. Consideration, Remember whence thou art fallen, ponder the case; in examination we compare our selves and the Law together, but in this recollection, our selves and our selves together; sadly consider then what a difference there is between thee and thy self, recall former experiences and say as Job 29. 2. 3. Oh that I were as in moneths past, in the dayes when God preserved me, when his candle shined on my head, or as the Churce, Hosea 2. 7. It was better with me than now, in our serious sequestration and retirements we should have such thoughts as these are, I was wont to spend some time every day with God, I remember when 'twas a delight to me to think of him, now I have no heart to pray or meditate, no relish of communion with his blessed majesty; 'twas the joy of my Soul to be at an Ordinance, the returns of the Sabbath were welcome to me, but now what a weariness is it! time was when I had sweet experiences, and the graces of Gods Spirit were more lively in me, but now all is dead and inefficacious; time was when a vain thought was burdensome unto me, but now I can away with sinful actions; time was when the mispence of ordinary time was a grief unto my Soul, now I can spend the Sabbath unprofitably and never be troubled, &c. Thus should you consider your estate.