A89503:883
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.
Well then, for a guide to heaven, choose a star, but not a wandering star; n•w light is admired, but it should be suspected rather; usually we are rather for things new than excellent, homini ingenitum est magis nova quam magna mirari, saith Seneca, We gaze more on a Comet than the Sun: check this itch, those that are various, and given to changes, are no lights for you; and if they be not burning and shining lights, avoid them; true stars have influences, they do not only enlighten and fill you with notions, but inflame and stir you to practise.
Well then, for a guide to heaven, chuse a star, but not a wandring star; n•w light is admired, but it should be suspected rather; usually we are rather for things new than excellent, homini ingenitum est magis nova quam magna mirari, saith Seneca, We gaze more on a Comet than the Sun: check this itch, those that are various, and given to changes, are no lights for you; and if they be not burning and shining lights, avoid them; true stars have influences, they do not only enlighten and fill you with notions, but enflame and stir you to practise.
The last clause of the Text is [To whom is reserved blackness of darkness for ever.] having described them in several Metaphors, he cometh to speak again of their punishment, continuing the last Metaphor, (as some suppose) as garing Meteors after a while vanish into a perpetual night and darkness, and are no more seen and heard of; so these vanish, and are swallowed up of the horrors of eternal darkness: In this threatening three things are notable. 1. The dreadfulness of the punishment. 2. The sureness. 3. The suitableness of it.
The last clause of the Text is [To whom is reserved blackness of darkness for ever.] having described them in several Metaphors, he cometh to speak again of their punishment, continuing the last Metaphor, (as some suppose) as garing Meetors after a while vanish into a perpetual night and darkness, and are no more seen and heard of; so these vanish, and are swallowed up of the horrours of eternal darkness: In this threatning three things are noteable. 1. The dreadfulness of the punishment. 2. The sureness. 3. The suitableness of it.