A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

They despise Government, presumptuous are they, and self willed: [[Greek or Hebrew], Dominion] some apply this to the Dominion of Christ, which by their fables of the Aeons, or Lords Rulers they did set at naught, but of that in the fourth verse, but now he speaks of the Government of Men; and there is an emphasis in the word [[Greek or Hebrew], Dominion] which is more then if he had said [Greek or Hebrew], Rulers, for they did not only despise their Magistrates, or men invested with Superiority, but Magistracy it self, as a thing unfitting for believers, and such as were made free by Christ to endure? The last part of the charge is [they speak evil of Dignities] or as 'tis in the original [blaspheme Glories] by which some understand Angels, as Clemens Alexandrinus; these impure Heretics devising things unworthy, and mis-beseeming the Angels; rather I suppose it implieth their scorns, curses and reproaches cast upon the Officers of the Church, who are the Glory of Christ, and the practice is afterward compared with the rebellion of Corah, who rose up, not only against Moses but Aaron, Numb. 11. In the whole you have a lively description of our modern Ranters, Level••rs, Familists, Quakers▪ who by dreams are led on to defile the flesh, and to despise all Authority▪ both in Church▪ ⟨p. 341⟩and Common wealth, and that with bitter curses and evil speakings, so that our days afford us but too clear a comment on the expressions of this Scripture: 'tis sadly fulfilled before our eyes! I come to the Observations.

They despise Government, presumptuous are they, and selfe willed: [〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Dominion] some apply this to the Dominion of Christ, which by their fables of the Aeones, or Lords Rulers they did set at naught, but of that in the fourth verse, but now he speakes of the Government of Men; and there is an emphasis in the word [〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Dominion] which is more then if he had said 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Rulers, for they did not onely despise their Magistrates, or men invested with Superiority, but Magistracy it selfe, as a thing unfitting for believers, and such as were made free by Christ to endure? The last part of the charge is [they speak evil of Dignities] or as 'tis in the original [blaspheam Glories] by which some understand Angels, as Clemens Alexandrinus; these impure Hereticks devising things unworthy, and mis-beseeming the Angels; rather I suppose it implyeth their scorns, curses and reproaches cast upon the Officers of the Church, who are the Glory of Christ, and the practice is afterward compared with the rebellion of Corah, who rose up, not onely against Moses but Aaron,