A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

18. 5. [Greek or Hebrew], &c. In those Parables there is a kind of condescension and yielding to our unbelief; as if the Lord had said, If you will not believe all this that is said concerning my Mercy, yet your want is great, that is enough to make you earnest and frequent in your addresses to me; come and see what I will do for your importunity; the unjust Judg was moved with the widows clamour: be it as you imagine, that I have no bowels for creatures miseries, nor ears for their requests, which yet is a blasphemy confuted by every ⟨p. 85⟩object in the world, the ^*young Ravens will tell you otherwise: but be it so, you are undone if I be not merciful; see what I will do for constant asking. Upon all these encouragements be persuaded to make an essay: faith at first standeth but upon one weak foot; ^†Who knoweth but that God will be gracious? There is encouragement enough to venture, though we do not know what will come of it: Take up a resolution to make trial; you will find better welcome then you can expect; God desires to exercise mercy as much as you desire to feel it.

18. 5. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, &c. In those Parables there is a kind of condescention and yeilding to our unbelief; as if the Lord had said, If you will not beleeve all this that is said concerning my Mercy, yet your want is great, that is enough to make you earnest and frequent in your addresses to me; come and see what I will do for your importunity; the unjust Judg was moved with the widows clamour: be it as you imagine, that I have no bowels for creatures miseries, nor ears for their requests, which yet is a blasphemy confuted by every ⟨p. 85⟩object in the world, the ^*young Ravens will tell you otherwise: but be it so, you are undone if I be not merciful; see what I will do for constant asking. Upon all these encouragements be perswaded to make an essay: faith at first standeth but upon one weak foot;