A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

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, 2 Pet. 2. 1. and vers. 3. Whose damnation of a long time slumbereth not; as he saith here, of old ordained to this judgment: The meaning of the whole is, that they were such as were left to themselves to bring ⟨p. 175⟩upon themselves by their own sins and errors a just condemnation.

Secondly, These Seducers are described by their condition before God, [who were before of old ordained to this condemnation,] 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 of old, that is, from all Eternity, for so the matter here spoken of imports; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, 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 alledging 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 shew 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 shew, 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, , for judgment or condemnation; the word is indifferent to either sence, for is often put for ; thus it is to be taken here for condemnation, appeareth by that place of Peter , damnable heresies,