A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Verse 14. And Enoch also the seventh from Adam, Prophesied of these, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints.

The Apostle urgeth another Argument to imply the destruction of those Seducers; and that is, The Prophecy of Enoch: whether this Prophecy were written or no•, the same spirit that spake in Enoch inspired our Apostle, if he received it by Tradition, 'tis here made Authentic and put into the Canon^*; The Jews have some Relics of this Prophecy in their Writings, and some talk of a Volume extant in the primitive times, consisting of 4082. ⟨p. 433⟩lives, called she Prophecy of Enoch; but that was condemned for spurious and Apocryphal: Tertullian saith there was a Prophecy of Enoch kept by Noah in the Ark, which book is now lost, be it so; many good books may be lost, but no Scripture; but most probably, 'twas a Prophecy that went from hand to hand, from father to son; Jude saith Enoch Prophesied, he doth not say 'tis written, as quoting a passage of Scripture: But why should he rather produce Enochs Prophecy, rather then a passage out of the Authentic books of Scripture, where are many such to this purpose. I Answer, 1. It was done by the providence of God, to preserve this memorial to the Church. 2. Because ancient things are more venerable, for by all mens confession those times were most simple and free; partium studio, from factions and partialities, therefore all along the Apostle bringeth instances of the most ancient date.

THe Apostle urgeth another Argument to imply the destruction of those Seducers; and that is, The Prophesie of Enoch: whether this Prophesie were written or no•, the same spirit that spake in Enoch inspired our Apostle, if he received it by Tradition, 'tis here made Authentick and put into the Canon^*