A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Uses of this Point are divers 1. For Information, it showeth us the Reason why we cannot set down the precise beginnings of Errors, because they are privily brought in: ^†Mystery is written in the Whores forehead; The leak is not espied many times, though the ship be ready to sink: The originals of Heresy are like the Fountain of Nile, obscure and hidden; a man may lose himself in the Labyrinth of Antiquity, before he can find them out. ^*The Roman Apostasy is a Mystery of Iniquity, that stole into the Church disguised and by degrees: So that the beginning of it is not so easily stated as of other heresies that are full grown at their first appearance. 2. It informeth us of the odiousness of Error; it dareth not appear in its own colours, nor be seen in its own face: therefore Satan when he would set any Error on foot, he maketh choice of the most subtle instruments, that they may put a varnish upon it; as when he tempted Eve, he made use of the Serpent, the most subtle of all the beasts of the field, Gen. 3. 1. whereas the Lord chooseth the plainest instruments, and hath commanded them to use all simplicity and godly conversation, 2 Cor. 1. 12. for Truth is so lovely in it self, that it needeth no borrowed colours, 3. It informeth us what reason those that are over you in the Lord have to press you to Caution; excuse their holy jealousy, 2 Cor. 11. 3. all is but need: we must bark when we see a Wolf, though in a sheeps garment; our silence and negligence doth but give them an advantage: Whilst the husbandman slept, the enemy came and sowed tares, Mat. 13. 35. 4. It presseth you to skill and watchfulness; you had need be sound in the faith, that you may discern between good and evil, yea to have your senses exercised, Heb. 5. ult. A soft credulity is soon abused; Prov. 15. The simple believeth every word: There is no reason but knowledge should cost us pains as well as gracious conversation; 'Tis a matter of great skill to be a through Christian; there is a great deal of Sophistry and cunning abroad: if you follow the cry, you are