A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

how long doth the Lord protract the ruin of these wicked Cities? justice is his strange work, but 'tis his work; mercy doth much with God, but not all, justice must be heard, especially when it pleadeth on the behalf of abused mercy; God that would spare the sinner, yet hateth the sin. When a people do nothing but weary justice, and abuse mercy ^*the Lord will rain from the Lord, &c. Gen 19. 24. Christ will interpose for such a peoples destruction; Heaven will rain down Hell upon a people so obstinately wicked. The Lord is gracious, but not senseless: as he will not always contend, so ⟨p. 335⟩not always forbear. 4. Lots admonition, it seemeth he frequently reproved them, and therefore do they scorn him, Gen. 19. 9 This one fellow came in to sojourn amongst us, and he will needs be a Judge; his soul was not only vexed with those lewd courses, but as occasion was offered, he sought to dissuade them. Thence learn, That God seldom punisheth without warning: the old World had Noah's ministry, and Sodom Lots admonitions: the Lord may say to every punished people, as Reuben to his brethren, Did not I warn you, and you would not hear? Gen. 42. 22. Seldom doth he hew a people with the sword, but first he heweth them by Prophets: means of conviction aggravate both the sin and the judgement: Ah we have a clearer light, and therefore must expect an heavier doom, Matth. 10 15. sins are aggravated not only by the foulness of the Act, but the degrees of light against which they are committed Sodom sinned sorely, as to the act, but they could not sin against so much light as we do; therefore it shall be easier for them at the day of judgement. 5. They had the benefit of Magistracy, those were Cities that were brought into government, we read of the King of Sodom, Gen. 14 2. but it seems he did not interpose his Authority, but rather connive at, and tolerate the wickedness of this people; yea rather approve and partake with them in their abominations. Consider when the vices of inferiors are dissembled and winked at by Governors, the Lord himself taketh the matter in hand: and then look for nothing but speedy ruin, the guilt of a Nation is much increased when sin is tolerated, yea favoured and countenanced, especially when righteousness is rather restrained and curbed then sin, as the affronts done to Lot witnessed;