A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Look as there was a conflict between the twins in Tamar's Womb, Zarah did put out the hand, but Pharez broke out first; So is there between Gods Mercy and Justice; Justice puts out the hand in a threatening, or some beginnings of a Judgment, but Mercy gets the start, and breaketh out first. 2. Consider the white lines of Providence: He entreateth that he may do us good, and doth us good that he may do us good for ever. For his entreaties: 'Tis not duty so much that is in the bottom of the Exhortation, as Mercy: To glorify Mercy is the last aim of God and his eternal Purpose: He hath accepted us in the Beloved, to the praise of his glorious grace, Ephes. 1. 6. God receiveth no profit; he entreateth us not that he may be happy, but that he may be liberal: See Prov. 9. 12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thy self; but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it: God dealeth with us as earnestly, as effectually, as if the profit were his own, but it wholly redoundeth to us. Again, He doth us good that he may do us good for ever: He trusteth us with ^*Mammon, to prepare us for the true riches; and with the riches of grace, to prepare us for glory. Look as men when they would put precious liquor into a vessel, first try it with water to see whether it leaketh or no: so doth God try us with common mercies; he giveth us an estate in the world, that being moved with his goodness, we may look after an estate in the Covenant, and an interest in Christ; and so fit us for Heaven. 'Tis our wretchedness to make our table a snare, and our welfare a trap: As the Sea turneth all that it receiveth into salt water, the fresh streams, the influences of the Heavens, &c. so do carnal men assimilate and corrupt their comforts, and by little and little all their blessings are cursed; for Mercy can bear any thing but a constant abuse and neglect of it self: Certainly Gods revealed Will is otherwise; that which cometh from God, should lead us to God: see Rom. 2. 4, 5.

Look as there vvas a conflict betvveen the tvvins in Tamars Womb, Zarah did put out the hand, but Pharez broke out first; So is there betvveen Gods Mercy and Justice; Justice puts out the hand in a threatening, or some beginnings of a Judgment, but Mercy gets the start, and breaketh out first. 2. Consider the white lines of Providence: He intreateth that he may do us good, and doth us good that he may do us good for ever. For his intreaties: 'Tis not duty so much that is in the bottom of the Exhortation, as Mercy: To glorifie Mercy is the last aim of God and his eternal Purpose: He hath accepted us in the Beloved, to the praise of his glorious grace,