A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

2. It may note their intrusion or invasion of the office of preaching; presuming without a Warrant, or coming into the fold not by the door, in the regular established way, false Teachers usually running unsent, 'tis often charged upon them in the Scriptures: None so prone to errors as those that have a defect in their Calling. Christ when he prayeth for a blessing on the Apostles labours, he useth that as an argument, John 17. 18. I have sent them into the world: They that are loth to submit their gifts to public approbation, draw a just suspicion upon themselves; How came they to you? did they creep in? or were they solemnly admitted? When Elements are out of their place they breed confusion: When men are out of their place they are not a blessing, but a mischief to the Church.

2. It may note their intrusion or invasion of the office of preaching; presuming without a Warrant, or coming into the fold not by the door, in the regular established way, false Teachers usually running unsent, 'tis often charged upon them in the Scriptures: None so prone to errors as those that have a defect in their Calling. Christ when he prayeth for a blessing on the Apostles labours, he useth that as an argument, John 17. 18. I have sent them into the world: They that are loth to submit their gifts to publike approbation, draw a just suspition upon themselves; How came they to you? did they cre•p in? or were they solemnly admitted? When Elements are out of their place they breed confusion: When men are out of their place they are not a blessing, but a mischief to the Church.

3. The two former senses may be allowed, but I rather prefer a third; their creeping into the peoples hearts and affections by plau•ble pretences and insinuations, in stilling their errors drop by drop before they could be observed, and pretending themselves to be friends of Truth and Piety. I do prefer this sense, partly because he saith only [crept in,] without mentioning either Church or Office; but chiefly,