A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Uses. The Point may be applied many ways. 1. Here is comfort to those that regard the affairs of Zion; all the confusion, and troubles that are in the Church, are ordered by a wise God, he will bring some good issue out of them, some glory to his Name, wherein the Saints rejoice as much as in their own welfare; some good to the Church: Observe hast not thou been more confirmed in the truth? engaged to a more frequent recourse to Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? Hast thou not seen more of Gods Providence displayed by these tumults, &c. 2. It checketh fear, 'tis all in the hands of a good God, as God trieth you to see what you will do, so you must wait upon God to see what he will do: let him alone, in and by all, he will bring forth his work in due time. 3. It showeth their wickedness that take occasion to turn Atheists, from the multitude or errors, when the Church is rent into so many factions, men foolish, as if there were no God, and the whole Gospel were but an imposture, and well devised Fable; that's the reason why Christ prayeth, John 17▪ Let them be perfect in one, that the world may know that thou hast sent me, (i. e.) that they might not suspect me for an imposture: usually we find that thoughts of Atheism are wont to haunt us upon these occasions; but there is little reason for it, for all these things are fore-known by God, f•re-told by God, They must be▪ 1 Cor. 11. 19. Mat. 24. 6. And never is there so much of God and of the Beauty of Truth▪ discovered, as when errors abound; so that if there were not errors, there would be more cause of suspicion, where all things run with a smooth and full consent and were never questioned, then the strength and worth of them is not tried: But the words of the Lord are pure words, as Silver tried in a Furnace of earth, purified seven times, thou shalt keep them O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from ⟨p. 179⟩this generation, Psal. 12. 6. 7