A89503:314
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.
1. What we must contend for, for every Truth of God according to its moment and weight: The dust of Gold is precious; and 'tis dangerous to be careless in the lesser Truths. Whosoever shall break the least of the Commandments, and teach men so to do, &c. Mat. 5. 19. There is nothing superfluous in the Canon; the Spirit of God is wise, and would not burden us with things unnecessary: Things comparatively little may be great in their own sphere, especially in their season, when they are the truths of the present ⟨p. 163⟩age, and now brought forth by God upon the stage of the World that we may study his mind in them. *Better Heaven and Earth should be blended together in confusion (saith Luther) then one dust of Gods Truth should perish. If the Lord call us out to the defence of them, what ever cometh of it we must be faithful: A man may make shipwreck of a good conscience in small matters; say not, It is a little one, and my Soul shall live: Hearken to Satan, and this will be a little one, and that shall be a little one, till we have littled away all the principles of faith. I tell you, the world hath counted those small things for which the children of God have ventured their all 'tis your duty to take the little foxes, Cant. 2. 15. The first appearances of Error are many times modest: There is a chain of Truths; the Devil taketh out a link here and a link there, that all may fall to pieces: See 2 Thes. 2. 2. Let no man deceive you with such doctrine as that the day of Christ is at hand: Why? they might say there is no great danger in that? Peter saith, the end of all things draweth nigh, 1 Pet. 4. 7. The Seducers said, [Greek or Hebrew], it is at hand; and Peter saith, [Greek or Hebrew], it draweth nigh; here is no great difference! Aye but be not shaken in mind (saith Paul) neither by letter, nor by word, nor by spirit, as if the day of the Lord were at hand: that is, take heed of such suggestions under what pretence soever they are brought to you, either of revelations or collections from my doctrine, 'tis all a falsehood: