A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

1. An empty profession of Christ is not enough, Now Christ is every where received, 'tis easy to profess his Name. To be a Christian in heart and Conscience was far more easy to them in the Primitive times, then be so in Name and Profession, the Powers of the world being against that way: whereas the difficulty on our part lieth on being Christians in heart; 'tis no disgrace now to be a Christian outwardly; that opposition and scorn which was then cast upon Christianity, would now be cast upon Judaism, or Turcism, or Paganism: The winds blow out of another corner, and that which was their discouragement, may be our Motive, to wit, The Countenance of Civil Powers; all advantages lie this ⟨p. 236⟩way. If in Christ's time they followed him for the loaves, now¹ they may much more: Quandoquidem panis Christi jam pinguis, factus est (saith Gilbert) tractatur in Conciliis, disceptatur in Judiciis, di•putatur in Scholis, Cantatur in Ecclesiis, quaestuosa res est nomen Christi: The world is well altered since the first flight of Christianity abroad; the Kings, and Princes, and Wise men of the World were then against it, every where was it hooted at as a novel and improbable Doctrine, but since (by long prescription of time) it hath gotten esteem in the world, and is made the public profession of Nations; and Kings and Princes have brought their glory into the Church; now Christ is handled in Councils, disputed of in the Schools, and preached of in the Assemblies▪ so that the general profession of Christianity is a matter of no thanks: 'Tis easy to be good where there nothing to draw us to the contrary; and therefore when Christ cometh to judgement, Paganism and loose profession of Christianity shall fare alike; for loose Christians are but Pagans under a Christians name: see Jer. 9. 25▪ 26. The days shall come, that I will punish all them that are uncircumcised, with them that are circumcised; Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab; for these Nations are uncircumcised in flesh, and the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart. 'Tis no advantage to bear Gods mark in our Bodies, and to hove no fruit of it in our Souls; This is but to clothe our selves with the leaves of the Vine, without partaking the sap.