A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

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.