A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Somewhat may be observed from the matter of the contention,¹ the body of Moses, which the Devil would abuse to Idolatry, that is the reason why he was so earnest in the contest: Note, That the Devil loveth Idolatry; all false worships either directly, or by consequence, tend to the honour of the Devil; therefore Idol▪ Feasts are called the Table of Devils, 1 Cor. 10. 31. Now 'tis observable that those Sacrifices which were offered to the true God, but in ⟨p. 374⟩an unbecoming manner, are called the Sacrifices of Devil, Levit. 17. 7. compare it with vers. 3. 4. Though they killed a Goat, or an Ox, or a Lamb, to the Lord for a Sacrifice, because 'twas in the Camp, and not before the Tabernacle; God saith▪ they shall no more offer Sacrifice to Devils: so 'tis said of Gods own people▪ Deut. 32. 17. They sacrifice to Devils, and not unto God; in their intention it was unto God, but in the issue, and necessary interpretation of it, 'twas to the Devil: Now the Devil delights in Idols and false worships: Partly in malice to God: the Lord▪ above all things is most tender of his worship, and therefore Satan is most busy to corrupt it: There are two things that are dear to God. His Truth, and his Worship; now Satan bendeth his strength and spite, to corrupt this Truth with error, and his Worship with superstition. Partly in malice and spite to men, God is a jealous God; Satan knoweth that corruptions of worship do not go unrevenged, Psal. 16. 4. Sorrows shall be multiplied on them that hasten after another God, of all sinners they shall not escape; the severest revenges of God have been occasioned by prevarications in worship, as Lev. 10. 3. on Aaron's sons, strange fire in the ensors brought down strange fire from Heaven, so