A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

1. I shall open the Nature of it in several propositions. 1. 'Tis an Eternal Decree: Gods Internal Acts are the same with his Essence, and therefore before all time, as believers are Elected before all worlds, Eph. 1. 4. so are sinners reprobated, they are both in time and order, before ever the creature was, Rom. 9. 11. Before the Creatures had done either good or evil, it was said, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated. Election and Reprobation are not a thing of yesterday, and subsequent to the Acts of the creature; but from all Eternity. 2. There is a Decree and preordination, not only a naked fore-sight of those that perish: Some Lutherans say that Predestination is proper only to the Elect; but as to the Reprobate, there is only a prescience or naked foreknowledge: no Preordination, least they should make God the Author of the creatures sin and ruin; but these men fear ⟨p. 180⟩where no fear is, the Scriptures show that the greatest evil that ever was, did not only fall under the Fore-knowledge, but determinate Counsel of God, Acts 2. 23. 'twas not only fore-known, but unchangeably ordained and determined. 3. This Decree of God, is founded in his own good will and pleasure; for there being nothing higher and greater then God, 'tis a great error to suppose a cause of his will, either before it, above it, or without it: Gods actions do all begin in himself, and his Will is the supreme Reason, Mat. 11. 26▪ Even so Father because it seemed good in thy sight: Jesus Christ would give no other reason why the Gospel was hidden from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto Babes: we are often disputing, why of two men that are equal in misery, the one should be taken the other left; why the Lord will show mercy to some that are no less unworthy then others; but when we have all done, we must merely rest in the Will and good Pleasure of God, Even so Father, &c. See Rom. 9. 18. He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth: 'tis not from the fore-sight of our wills receiving or rejecting grace proposed, for then mans will would be made a superior cause to an act in God. 4. In this matter of Reprobation, Preterition, and Praedamnation, must be carefully distinguished: