A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

4. Ungodliness is the root of all irregular courses: Abraham was afraid of himself in Gerar: Why? The fear of God is not in this place, Gen. 20. 11. Godliness is the great bulwark of Laws and all honest discipline; subjects are not afraid of Princes, nor Princes of subjects, where the fear of God prevaileth: there can be no true honesty without piety: the first part of the Law, provideth for respects to God, as being the proper foundation of the second, which containeth respects to our neighbour: often it cometh to pass by Gods just judgement, that spiritual wickedness is punished with civil: See Hos. 4. 12. 13. and where men are not tender of Gods Interests, they do also encroach upon civil rights and freedoms. Means and directions are these. 1. Purge the heart from principles of ungodliness: there are many gross Maxims ingrafted in mans heart; as that 'tis folly to be precise, that it ⟨p. 203⟩was better when there was l•ss knowledge; that 'tis in vain to serve God, that thoughts are free; if we carry it fair before men, we need trouble our selves no further: when men do their best, petty sins are not to be stood upon: that Religion is but a notion and fancy: the Gospel a golden dream, &c. That such principles are within us, appeareth by the sottishness of our practices and course of living; for actions are the best Image of our thoughts, and these are purged away by waiting upon the word, which discovereth them, Heb. 4. 12. and layeth in good principles, Psal. 119. 9. by which means they are destroyed. 2. Suppress all ungodly thoughts as soon as they do arise, as, that there is n• God, Psal. 14. 1. Shame may lay a restraint upon the tongue, but the heart is ever casting up such a thought as this is: So that God is not so harsh, but we may take a little liberty in sinning: see Psal. 50. 21. or that he taketh no notice of what we speak or do; he cannot see through the dark clouds,