A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

3. The next consequence is, the burning of the World, which is set forth at large in 2 Pet 3. per totum. The passages there are literally to be taken; for the fire there spoken of, is compared with the Waters of Noah, which was a judgement really executed; and by this fire (it is probable) the world will not be consumed but renewed and purged; for 'tis compared to a melting fire, 2 Ret▪ 3. 10. And the Apostle saith elsewhere, the creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, Rom. 8. 21. And in the everlasting estate God will have all things n•w, even the world it self: the use of this renewed world is either ⟨p. 317⟩for an habitation to the just, or that it may remain as a standing monument of Gods wisdom and power. 1. This burning doth not go before the day of judgement, but follow after it; for it seemeth to be an instrument of vengeance on the wicked, 2 Pet. 3. 7. I will not be so bold with the Schoolmen, as to say that the feculent and drossy parts of this fire are reserved for the torment of the wicked in Hell for ever: but in the general we may safely say that 'tis an instrument of Gods vengeance on them. Well now, that day which hath such an end and close, must needs be a great day: Sodoms fire was dreadful, but nothing to this burning; that was of one particular place, but this of the whole world; that was a preparative warning, but this the last expression of his wrath against the ungodly world. Many give divers witty reasons for this burning, a taste may not be unwelcome, under the Law the vessel that held the sin-offering was to be purged with fire, so the world, where sin hath been committed. The object of our Adulteries is burnt and defaced, that we may know the anger of the Lords jealousy ^*the old world was destroyed by Water, propter ardorem libidimis, because of the heat of lust, and the present world burnt with fire, propter temporem charitatis, because of the coldness of love in the latter days. But of such kind of allusions more then enough.

3. The next consequence is, the burning of the World, which is set forth at large in 2 Pet 3. per totum. The passages there are literally to be taken; for the fire there spoken of, is compared with the Waters of Noah, which was a judgement really executed; and by this fire (it is probable) the world will not be consumed but renewed and purged; for 'tis compared to a melting fire, 2 Ret 3. 10. And the Apostle saith elsewhere, the creature shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption,