A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

But you need not only skill, but care and watchfulness; 'Tis not good to drink too freely of suspected Fountains: let not your affections surprise your judgment; we admire the persons, the gifts, and so easily swallow the doctrine: Try the spirits, 1 Joh 4. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 2•. When there is counterfeit gold abroad, we use the Touchstone: Truth loseth nothing by being tried, and you lose nothing, for then your affections are better grounded: Prove all things, no man is infallible; an implicit faith begets but a fond affection.

But you need not only skill, but care and watchfulness; 'Tis not good to drink too freely of suspected Fountains: let not your affections surprize your judgment; we admire the persons, the gifts, and so easily swallow the doctrine: Try the spirits, 1 Joh 4. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 2•. When there is counterfeit gold abroad, we use the Touchstone: Truth loseth nothing by being tryed, and you lose nothing, for then your affections are better grounded: Prove all things, no man is infallible; an implicite faith begets but a fond affection.

Secondly, These Seducers are described by their condition before God, [who were before of old ordained to this condemnation,] [Greek or Hebrew] of old, that is, from all Eternity, for so the matter here spoken of imports; [Greek or Hebrew], we translate it before ordained, but the word signifieth written as in a Book: 'tis usual in Scripture to compare Gods Decrees to a Book; as Christ alleging Gods Decree for his mission into the World, saith, Psal. 40. 8. In the volume of thy Book 'tis written of me: The meaning of the metaphor is to show that these Decrees are as certain and determinate as if he had a Book wherein to write them: Now these are said to be written before of old, to show, that though they crept in unawares as to the Church, yet not as to God; they fell under the notice of his Decrees before ever they acted in this evil way. 'Tis further added, that they were ordained or written down in Gods Book, [Greek or Hebrew], for judgment or condemnation; the word is indifferent to either sense, for [Greek or Hebrew] is often put for [Greek or Hebrew]; thus it is to be taken here for condemnation, appeareth by that place of Peter [Greek or Hebrew], damnable heresies,