A89503:298
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.
Well then, Acknowledge God in the truths that are delivered 1to you out of the Scriptures. What ever means are used, God is the Author of the doctrine, and the Disposer of the message; receive it as the Word of God, and then it will profit you, 1 Thes. 2. 13. If you had an Oracle from Heaven speaking to you on this wise, you would be more serious: It is as certain, yea 'tis [Greek or Hebrew], a more sure Word, 2 Pet. 1. 19. more sure then the Oracle spoken of in the Context: Regard the promises and threatenings of it with more reverence, as if God in person had delivered them to you: If you receive it as the Word of God, and not of men, what will you venture ⟨p. 152⟩upon the promises of it? These are bills of exchange given you, that you may draw your estate into another Country, that you may lay up treasures in Heaven: Neglect of the opportunity is a sign of unbelief. If one should proffer you an hundred pound for the laying out of a penny, and you go away and never heed it, 'tis a sign you do not believe the offer. The recompenses of the Word do far exceed all temporal emolument; if you do not heed them, 'tis a sign you do not believe them. So, what will you forbear upon the threatenings of the Word? If there were a Law made, that every time we deceive or slander one another we should hold one of our hands in scalding Lead for half an hour, men would be afraid of the offence. God hath told us that the wages of sin is death, that we shall be plunged for evermore in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; and yet it doth not deter us from sin, and giving offence to God. If a man were told that he were in danger of a cruel death every moment if he did not presently get a pardon, he would not sleep till it were done: Natural men are in danger of Hell every moment by the sentence of the Word, and yet how backward are they to make their peace with God?
Well then, Acknowldg God in the truths that are delivered 1to you out of the Scriptures. What ever means are used, God is the Author of the doctrine, and the Disposer of the message; receive it as the Word of God, and then it will profit you,