A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

First, It showeth us the first rise of Idolatry; respect to¹ the Relics and Remains of some men, famous in their generations: Satan attempted it betimes, not only among the Heathens, but among the people of God; he contended for the body of Moses, that he might set it up for this use; but that which he could not obtain then, he hath effected now in the Roman Synagogue, by the Arms, the Legs, the Hands, the Feet, the Pictures of the Martyrs: surely such a known Artifice, and ancient method of deceit, (a man would think) should long ere this have been discerned, but that God hath given them up to believe a lye: Well might the Anti-Christian state be called, Rev. 11. 8. Babylon, Sodom, and Egypt; that is, Babylon for Idolatry▪ Sodom for filthiness, and Egypt for Ignorance and darkness; the same Idolatry being practised, which was in use in the darkest times of Paganism: Heathenism and Popery differ but little, only the names are changed, a new Saint for an old Heathen Idol; their canonizing, and the Heathens [Greek or Hebrew], are much alike; so are their Saints, and the Heathens and Heroes and middle poners: only that the Papists have put many in the Calendar, which either never were in the world or else were wicked and traitorous; as our B•cket, and St. George, an Arian Bishop, that so the Devil might be doubly gratified, by the Shrine it self, and that by the canonization of the infamous person, sin might become less odious.

First, It sheweth us the first rise of Idolatry; respect to¹ the Relicks and Remains of some men, famous in their generations: Satan attempted it betimes, not only among the Heathens, but among the people of God; he contended for the body of Moses, that he might set it up for this use; but that which he could not obtain then, he hath effected now in the Roman Synagogue, by the Arms, the Legs, the Hands, the Feet, the Pictures of the Martyrs: surely such a known Artifice, and ancient method of deceit, (a man would think) should long ere this have been discerned, but that God hath given them up to beleeve a lye: Well might the Anti-Christian state be called,