A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

accepictus sum, so the Vulgar rendereth it, painted as with a needle, like a garment of needlework of divers colours, richly embroidered with nerves and ⟨p. 106⟩veins. What shall I speak of the eye, wherein there is such curious Workmanship, that many upon the first sight of it have been driven to acknowledge God? Of the hand, made to open and shut, and to serve the labours and ministries of Nature without wasting and decay for many years: if they should be of marble or iron, with such constant use they would soon wear out; and yet now they are of flesh they last as long as life lasteth. Of the head, fitly placed to be the seat of the senses, to command and direct the rest of the members. Of the lungs, a frail piece of flesh, yet though in continual motion of a long use. 'Twere easy to enlarge upon this occasion: But I am to preach a Sermon, not to read an Anatomy Lecture. In short therefore, every part is so placed and framed, as if God had employed his whole Wisdom about it.

accepictus sum, so the Vulgar rendereth it, painted as with a needle, like a garment of needlework of divers colours, richly embroydered with nerves and ⟨p. 106⟩veins. What shall I speak of the eye, wherein there is such curious Worshmanship, that many upon the first sight of it have been driven to acknowledg God? Of the hand, made to open and shut, and to serve the labours and ministeries of Nature without wasting and decay for many years: if they should be of marble or iron, with such constant use they would soon wear out; and yet now they are of flesh they last as long as life lasteth. Of the head, fitly placed to be the seat of the senses, to command and direct the rest of the members. Of the lungs, a frail piece of flesh, yet though in continual motion of a long use. 'Twere easie to enlarge upon this occasion: But I am to preach a Sermon, not to read an Anatomy Lecture. In short therefore, every part is so placed and framed, as if God had employed his whole Wisdom about it.

But as yet we have spoken but of the casket wherein the Jewel lieth; the Soul, that divine spark and blast; how quick, nimble, various and indefatigable in its motions? how comprehensive in its capacities? how it animateth the body, and is like God himself all in every part? Who can trace the flights of Reason? What a value hath God set upon the Soul? He made it after his Image, he redeemed it with Christs Blood, &c. Well then, God that made such a body, such a soul, deserveth love; He that made the Soul, hath most right to dwell in it; 'tis a curious house of his own framing: But he will not enter by force and violence, but by consent; he expecteth when love will give up the keys: