A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

To clear it further, let me tell you, that there are four Notions, which are the ground of all Religion. 1. That God is, and is One. 2. That God is none of those things that are seen, but something more excellent. 3. That God hath a care of humane affairs, and judgeth with equity. 4. That the same God is maker of all things, without himself. And to these four Notions or principles, are suited the four precepts of the first Table: in the first, we have Gods unity: in the second, Gods Invisible Nature, and therefore Images are forbidden upon that ground, Deut. 4. 12. In the third, the knowledge of humane affairs, even of mens thoughts, and that's the foundation of an oath; for the third Commandment doth principally forbid perjury, and in an Oath, God is invoked as a witness chiefly of the heart, in which his Omniscience is acknowledged, and appealed to as a Judge and Avenger, in which his Justice and Power is acknowledged; the next principle that God is Creator and Governor of all things, is established by the forth Commandment; for the Sabbath at first was instituted for that purpose, to keep up the memorial of the Creation in the world. Now out of these speculative notions practicals flow of their own accord, &c. that God is alone to be worshipped, obeyed, honoured, trusted and as far as we set up other confidences, or are ignorant of his excellency, or deny God his worship and service, or serve him after an unworthy manner, superstitiously, carelessly, hypocritically, or have gross opinions ⟨p. 191⟩of his Essence, or exclude the dominion of his Providence, or cease to invocate his name so far we are guilty of ungodliness.

To clear it further, let me tell you, that there are four Notions, which are the ground of all Religion. 1. That God is, and is One. 2. That God is none of those things that are seen, but something more excellent. 3. That God hath a care of humane affairs, and judgeth with equity. 4. That the same God is maker of all things, without himself. And to these four Notions or principles, are suited the four preceps of the first Table: in the first, we have Gods unity: in the second, Gods Invisible Nature, and therefore Images are forebidden upon that ground, Deut. 4. 12. In the third, the knowledge of humane affairs, even of mens thoughts, and that's the foundation of an oath; for the third Commandment doth principally forbid perjury, and in an Oath, God is invoked as a witness chiefly of the heart, in which his Omnisciency is acknowledged, and appealed to as a Judge and Avenger, in which his Justice and Power is acknowledged; the next principle that God is Creator and Governour of all things, is established by the forth Commandment; for the Sabath at first was instituted for that purpose, to keep up the memorial of the Creation in the world. Now out of these speculaive notions practicals flow of their own accord, &c. that God is alone to be worshiped, obeyed, honoured, trusted and as far as we set up other confidences, or are ignorant of his excellency, or deny God his worship and service, or serve him after an unworthy manner, superstitiously, carelesly, hypocritically, or have gross opinions