A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

A Thief stealeth out of necessity, but here is no •• gent necessity; the loss here is not repairable, as that which is made by theft: it bringeth in great confusion in families, &c. therefore Adultery under the Law was punished by death, which theft was not. 6. It is a sin usually accompanied with impenitency; namely, as it weareth out remorse, and every spark of good consciences; read those cutting places, Prov 22. 14. The mo•th of a strange woman is a deep pit, and he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein: so Prov. 2. 19. none that go unto her return again, do they take hold of the ways of life? So see Eccles. 7. 26, 27, 28. verses. It is sin into which God useth to give over Reprobates; Solomon saith he ⟨p. 330⟩knew but one returning. Well then, be not drunk with the Wine of Sodom, and do not scruze out the clusters of Gomorrah: Whoredom is a deep ditch or gulf, wherein those that are abhorred of the Lord are suffered to fall; beware of all tendings that way; do not soak and steep the soul in pleasures; take heed of effeminacy [Greek or Hebrew], the soft or effeminate shall not enter into the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6 9. Beware of lustful glances, Matth. 5. 28 Of rolling the fancy upon undone objects heart defilement maketh way for corporal; lust beginneth in wanton eyes many times, and 'tis fed by a delicacy and unworthy softness Guard the senses, cut off the provisions of the flesh, avoid occasions, be employed. Again, if you have stumbled into this deep ditch, repent the more speedily, the more seriously, the case is sad▪ but not altogether desperate; we read of a possibility for Publicans and Harlots entering into the Kingdom of God. Bewail your estate as David doth, Psal. 51. His Adultery lest a stain upon him, Except in the matter of Uriah, &c. Job saith, 'tis a fire that consumeth to destruction and will ro•t out all your increase,