A89503:242
A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude
A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. More humble, as 'tis a good progress in learning to know our ignorance, they that have but a smattering are most conceited. Plutarch in the fore mentioned Treatise, tells us of the saying of *Menedemus, that those that went ⟨p. 126⟩to study at Athens at first seemed to themselves to be wise, afterwards, only lovers of wisdom, then Orators such as could speak of wisdom, cast off all and knowing nothing with the increase of learning, still laying aside their pride and arrogancy: so 'tis with those that grow in grace, by acquaintance with God, light is increased and made more reflexive, and they are more sensible of their obligations to God, and so are more tender, and by long experience are better acquainted with their own hearts; and that's the reason why we have such humble acknowledgements from them; Paul a sanctified vessel, yet calleth himself chiefest of sinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15. and less than the least of the Saints, Eph. 3. 8. And Agur Prov. 30. 2. 3. Surely I am more brutish than any man, I have not the understanding of a man, I have neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the Holy: So if you did overhear the secret confessions of the Saints to God, you would think them the vilest persons in the world, for so they are in their own sense and representations to God.
3. More humble, as 'tis a good progress in learning to know our ignorance, they that have but a smattering are most conceited. Plutarch in the fore mentioned Treatise, tells us of the saying of *Menedemus, that those that went ⟨p. 126⟩to study at Athens at first seemed to themselves to be wise, afterwards, onely lovers of wisedome, then Oratours such as could speak of wisedome, cast off all and knowing nothing with the increase of learning, still laying aside their pride and arrogancy: so 'tis with those that grow in grace, by acquaintance with God, light is increased and made more reflexive, and they are more sensible of their obligations to God, and so are more tender, and by long experience are better acquainted with their own hearts; and thats the reason why we have such humble acknowledgements from them; Paul a sanctified vessel, yet calleth himself chiefest of sinners,