A89503:512
A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude
A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If this were true, hardness of heart would make the best faith, and he that could presume most and be most secure and free from doubts, would be the truest believer, and the goodness of our condition would lie in the strength of our Imagina ion and conceit: Alas, many make full account they shall go to heaven, that shall never come there▪ The foolish Virgins were very confident, and the foolish Builder goeth on with the building, never suspecting the foundation: nay, let me tell you, Assurance of a good condition as long as we lie under the power and reign of sin, is the grossest unbelief in the world; for 'tis to believe the flat contrary to that which God hath revealed in the word: therefore none abuse the Lord, and question his Truth so much as these do; Where hath God said that men that live in their sins shall be saved? nay, he hath ⟨p. 258⟩expressly said the contrary, be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Adulterers, nor Idolaters, &c. 1 Cor. 6. 9. so that you give God the lie, or conceit that he will break his word for your sakes; nay (in a sense) you even dare him to make good his truth: He hath said, Be not deceived; you shall never enter, &c. and you say, Though I am an Adulterer, a Drunkard, a Worldling, I shall go to heaven for all that, Now in a little while you shall see whose word shall stand, God's or yours. Jer. 44. 28.
If this were true, hardness of heart would make the best faith, and he that could presume most and be most secure and free from doubts, would be the truest believer, and the goodness of our condition would lie in the strength of our Imagina ion and conceit: Alas, many make full account they shall go to heaven, that shall never come there▪ The foolish Virgins were very confident, and the foolish Builder goeth on with the building, never suspecting the foundation: nay, let me tell you, Assurance of a good condition as long as we lie under the power and reigne of sin, is the grossest unbelief in the world; for 'tis to believe the flat contrary to that which God hath revealed in the word: therefore none abuse the Lord, and question his Truth so much as these do; Where hath God said that men that live in their sins shall be saved? nay, he hath