A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Thirdly, I observe, that in all these instances, there was¹ some preceding mercy, more or less: The Angels had the dignity of their Nature; the Israelites had the Testimony of Gods presence, and were delivered out of Egypt; the Sodomites had Eternal Blessings, and the preaching of Lot, Gen▪ 19. 9. It's Gods usual course to give a people a taste of his mercy, ere he discover the power of his anger: Judgment is his last work there is some mercy abused before it cometh, which doth abundantly clear God in the judgements that come upon the sons of men: Their ruin may be sad but never undeserved; God hath not left himself without a witness, but we are lest without excuse.

Thirdly, I observe, that in all these instances, there was¹ some preceding mercy, more or less: The Angels had the dignity of their Nature; the Israelites had the Testimony of Gods presence, and were delivered out of Egypt; the Sodomites had Eternal Blessings, and the preaching of Lot, Gen▪ 19. 9. It's Gods usual course to give a people a taste of his mercy, ere he di•cover the power of his anger: Judgment is his last work there is some mercy abused before it cometh, which doth abundantly clear God in the judgements that come upon the sons of men: Their ruine may be sad but never undeserved; God hath not left hims•lf without a witness, but we are lest without •xcuse.

1. 1Observ. 3.

Fourthly, Once more I observe, that in all these Instances¹ God had still a care to put a distinction between the just and the unjust; the race of Israel was not destroyed, but only them that believed not: The good Angels were preserved the bad only fell from their first estate: Sodom perished in the flames, but Lot escaped; when the multitude is so corrupt, that we know not how they shall be punished, and the rest preserved, let us think of these instances, let us refer it to God, he knoweth &c. 2 Pet 2. 9.