A89503:832
A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude
A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The next clause is [When they feast with you.] The word signifieth, to feast liberally together: this is added, to show, that they perverted the nature of the meeting, and made that an action of Luxury, which was at first an action of charity; in the Feasts of the godly there was moderation and temperance, but these were blithe and jocund, filling their paunches at the charge of the Church: What we translate feasting with you, others read feasting upon you; and Peter 2 Pet. 2. 13. Sporting themselves with their own deceivings, while they feast with you: that is, by carnal Gospelling, and subtle devices, justifying their own intemperance. Whence note,
The next clause is [When they feast with you.] The word signifieth, to feast liberally together: this is added, to shew, that they perverted the nature of the meeting, and made that an action of Luxury, which was at first an action of charity; in the Feasts of the godly there was moderation and temperance, but these were blithe and jocund, filling their paunches at the charge of the Church: What we translate feasting with you, others read feasting upon you; and Peter 2 Pet. 2. 13. Sporting themselves with their own deceivings, while they feast with you: that is, by carnal Gospelling, and subtle devices, justifying their own intemperance. Whence note,
That 'tis an odious filthiness to make Religion serve our 1bellies, and to turn charity into luxury. This is here charged upon them, and often practised in the world, Rom. 16. 17. They serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; Christ hath the name, but the belly the respect: so Phil. 3. 19. whose God is the belly. When men aim at nothing but their own ease and pleasure, they set the belly in Gods stead: Among the Papists, Religious houses are but so many syes of filthiness; and the charity of well meaning persons diverted, to feed the luxury of a few slow-bellies: Well then, those that live upon Church maintenance, should be the more sober and temperate; though a double portion will well become them that take double pains, yet you should take heed of luxury, that you may not be corrupted with ease, that you may have enough for charity; that you may silence the clamours of the world, your temperance and