A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

So God communicateth grace to his people, giveth in help and supports, but they observe it not. Sometimes it is peevishness and perverseness of judgment; sense of sin, and many weaknesses, like a thick cloud, hinder their clear discerning; God hath called them, but they will not own and acknowledge it, and so underrate their spiritual condition. 3. God doth not call every one in a like violent and sensible manner: some mens conversion is more gentle and silent; whereas to others Christ cometh like a strong man armed, and snatcheth them out of the fire: some are drawn they know not how, and love by a gentle blast sweetly and softly bloweth open the door; Ere ever I was aware, &c. Cant. 6. 12. upon others the Spirit cometh like a mighty rushing wind, and they are carried to Christ as it were by the gates of Hell. As in the natural birth, some children are brought forth with more ease, others with greater pains and throws: so the new birth in some is without trouble and delay; God opened the heart of Lydia, we read of no more, Acts 16. but others are brought in with more horror of Conscience, extreme sorrow and desperation; God biddeth men put a difference, Jude 22, 23. so doth God himself. 4. This different dispensation God useth according to his own pleasure; no certain Rules can be given: Sometimes they that have had good education have least terrors, as being restrained from gross sins; sometimes ⟨p. 18⟩most terrors, because they have withstood most means:¹ sometimes they that are called to the greatest services have most terrors, that they may speak the more evil of sin, because they have felt the bitterness of it; sometimes it is quite otherwise, those that are not called to such eminent service drink most deeply of this cup, and taste the very dregs of sin, and serve only as monuments of the power of Gods anger; whereas others are spared, and public work serveth in stead of sorrow and trouble of Conscience. Again, sometimes men and women of the most excellent and acute understandings are most troubled, as having the clearest apprehensions of the heinousness of sin, and terribleness of wrath: Again, at other times it cometh from ignorance; as fears arise in the dark, and weak spirits are apt to be terrified: