A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Again from that [He durst not] [Greek or Hebrew], he had not¹ the boldness to do any thing contrary to the Law of God, or unbeseeming his Rank and Ministry: Note, That sin is a bold contest, or a daring of God: Every sin is an affront to the Law that forbiddeth it, 2 Sam. 12. 9. Wherefore hast thou sinned in despising the Commandment? a sinner doth in effect say, What care I for the Commandment? I will go on for all that; but a godly man feareth the Commandment, Prov. 13. 13. If a Law of God standeth in his way, he durst not go forward; he feareth more to break a Law, then to meet with the Devil in all his ruff, or any opposition from the world; this is a holy timorousness: whereas on the contrary, no such boldness as in sinning: 'tis not only a despising of the Law, but a contest with God himself, 1 Cor. 10. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy, are we stronger than he? will you enter into the lists with God? as if you could make your part good against him? Ezekiel 22. 14. He that sins against light and conscience, he biddeth open defiance to the Majesty of God; and his lust and Gods will do contend for the mastery. Let this make us afraid of sin, 'tis a daring attempt of the Creature against his Maker; a challenging of God to the Combat; well might the Apostle say, that the carnal mind is [Greek or Hebrew] enmity against God, Rom. 8. ⟨p. 379⟩7. Therefore when you are tempted, consider, What am I now a doing? Shall I challenge the Combat of my Maker? Draw Omnipotency about my ears? An Angel durst not: How can I do this wickedness, and sin against God? Gen. 39 9. Again, It informeth us what is the proper remedy against sin; an holy awe and fear; therefore the first and chiefest point of true wisdom, is made to be the fear of God,