A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

because all that they did was for belly cheer, to flow in abundance of wealth and worldly pleasures, by this means setting up the belly and the concernments of the belly in Gods stead. 2. There are natural ends: It is grace (as I said) that sublimateth the intention of the creature: A carnal man can go no higher then Self; ⟨p. 34⟩as water cannot ascend beyond its spring: Now all natural men are not hypocrites, to put on a pretence of strictness out of design: the Apostle saith, They do by nature the things contained in the Law, Rom. 2. 14. that is, upon the impulses of natural conscience, they avoid such sins as Nature discovereth, upon such arguments and reasons as Nature suggesteth: If they worship, it is to satisfy their own consciences; if they be strict and temperate, it is not out of reasons of obedience, but because the matter of carnal pleasure is gross and burdensome, and hindereth the free contemplation of the mind; or because these pleasures emasculate and quench their natural bravery, and so hinder their reputation in the world: if they be just, it is to maintain commerce between man and man; if they be kind in their relations, it is for their own peace and quiet; nothing is done as in and to the Lord, as the Apostle enjoineth, Ephes. 5. God is neither at the beginning nor at the end of any of these actions; the love of God is not their spring and rise, nor the glory of God their aim: If they pray, there is no intention beyond Self, and the welfare of their own natures; the matter is but the ^*outward work of the Law, and their aim is but the freedom and welfare of nature. 3. There are legal ends: When wicked men are most devout, it is but to quiet conscience, to satisfy God for their sins by their duties; they would fain buy out their peace with Heaven at any rate: Micah 6. 6, 7, 8. Wherewith shall I come before him? what shall I give for the sins of my Soul? They are devout, charitable, that by diligence in worship, and exceeding in charity, they may expiate the offences of a carnal life: If peace of conscience were to be purchased with money, they would not spare; they would rather part with any thing then their corruptions, because nothing is so dear to a carnal heart as sin. So that you see devout nature is very corrupt and perverse, and therefore all its actions are justly hated of God: