A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

'Tis Caution: If Peace be a privilege of the Gospel, let¹ us take care that we settle upon a right Peace, lest we mistake a Judgment for a Blessing. 'Tis the greatest Judgment that can be, to be given up to our own secure presumptions, and to be lulled asleep with a false peace. When the pulse doth not beat, the body is in a dangerous estate; so when Conscience is benumbed, and suiteth not, 'tis very sad. The Grounds of a false and carnal Peace, are, 1. Ignorance of our condition: Many go hoodwinked to Hell; a little light breaking in would trouble all, Rom. 7. 9. Sluttish corners are not seen in the dark^*: Things are naught that cannot brook a trial: So you may know that 'tis very bad with men, when they will not come to the light, John 3. 20. or cannot endure to be alone, lest Conscience should return up it self, and they be forced to look inward; their confidence is supported by mere ignorance. 2. Sensuality; Some mens lives are nothing else but a diversion from one pleasure to another, that they may put off that which they cannot put away; there is bondage in their Consciences, and they are loth to take notice of it: Amos 6. 3. They drink wine in bowls, and put far away the evil day: This is to quench the spirit without a metaphor: All their pleasures are but stolen waters, and bread eaten in secret; frisks of mirth, when they can get Conscience asleep: Ca•ns heart was a trouble to him, therefore he falleth a building of Cities: Saul to cure the evil spirit ran to his Music; and so usually men choke Conscience either with business or pleasures▪ 3. From formality and slightness in the spiritual life: First, Either they do not seriously perform duty; that will make men see what carnal unsavoury sapless spirits they have: He ⟨p. 96⟩that never stirreth, doth not feel the lameness of his joints: Formal duties make men the more secure; as the Pharisee thought himself in a good case, because, &c.