A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Why hath he given me the unrighteous Mammon, but that I may look after the true Riches? What a vile unthankful heart should I have, if I should be contented with Mammon without Christ? and be like Judas, with the bag in my hand, and the Devil in my heart? Gods children are wont to make these gifts a step to higher dispensations: they know God, like the good householder, bringeth forth the best at last; therefore they must have something above and beyond all these things: Common hearts are contented with common mercies; but they are still waiting when the Master of the feast will bid them sit higher: I may have this and be damned; Where are the arguments of his special Love? 3. Consider deliverances from imminent dangers: Then the Curse began to seize upon you; but ⟨p. 82⟩God snatched you out of the fire like brands out of the burning, Amos 4. 11. or like a debtor that escapeth out of the Sergeants hands. Every deliverance is a temporary pardon: See Psal. 78. 38. Then he being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not; the meaning is, respited Vengeance, as appeareth by the Context. So Mat. 18. 32. He forgave them the debt; yet 'twas after required; the meaning is, spared them for the present. Thus when God taketh you out of the teeth and jaws of Wrath, when you are delivered out of sickness and apparent danger, you have a reprieve or a temporary pardon. Oh if you had dyed, you had dyed in your sins, and so been eternally miserable: If the Lord had taken the present advantage, you had been howling a sad note among the screech-owls of darkness; For ever blessed be that Mercy that made a rescue.

Why hath he given me the unrighteous Mammon, but that I may look after the true Riches? What a vile unthankful heart should I have, if I should be contented with Mammon without Christ? and be like Judas, with the bag in my hand, and the Devil in my heart? Gods children are wont to make these gifts a step to higher dispensations: they know God, like the good housholder, bringeth forth the best at last; therefore they must have something above and beyond all these things: Common hearts are contented with common mercies; but they are still waiting when the Master of the feast will bid them sit higher: I may have this and be damned; Where are the arguments of his special Love? 3. Consider deliverances from imminent dangers: Then the Curse began to seize upon you; but