A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

2. Prophecy or Preaching the word is ancient, for Enoch the seventh from Adam Prophesied, still some have been set a part for this work; Enoch was a Prophet, and Noah a Preacher of righteousness; 'tis said that in the latter end ⟨p. 435⟩of six thousand years, we should be rooting up an ancient Ordinance, that hath stood from the beginning of the world till now; in the old time before the Law, there were some to teach, every master in his family, churches were then in houses, and some special Prophets to instruct in public, and continue the tradition: under the Law also there were some solemnly set apart for the work of the Tabernacle, and Prophets immediately called to deliver the special messages of God, not only for the instruction of the present age, but to increase the Canon, or rule of faith and manners, even for our comfort; and in Christs time Apostles were added to unveil the figures of the Law, and deliver the Gospel more clearly; and when once the Canon was settled, and enough delivered to make us wise to salvation, some were set apart by the constitution of Christ as Pastors and Teachers to explain and apply Scripture; and though all the Saints be Kings and Priests to God, yet the office ministerial must not be invaded; for as spiritual Kingship is no warrant to disturb the Magistrate, or to wrest the exercise of authority out of his hands, so spiritual Priesthood doth not lay the Ministry in common, but still there must be some set apart for that work; if we grudge at the institution, we repine at Christs bounty to us, and in effect, bid him take his gift to himself, for in the day of his Royalty, or Ascension, he gave gifts to men, some to be Apostles some Prophets, some Pastors, some Teachers, &c. Eph. 4. 11.

2. Prophesie or Preaching the word is ancient, for Enoch the seventh from Adam Prophesied, still some have been set a part for this work; Enoch was a Prophet, and Noah a Preacher of righteousness; 'tis said that in the latter end ⟨p. 435⟩of six thousand years, we should be rooting up an ancient Ordinance, that hath stood from the beginning of the world till now; in the old time before the Law, there were some to teach, every master in his family, churches were then in houses, and some special Prophets to instruct in publique, and continue the tradition: under the Law also there were some solemnly set apart for the work of the Tabernacle, and Prophets immediately called to deliver the special messages of God, not only for the instruction of the present age, but to increase the Canon, or rule of faith and manners, even for our comfort; and in Christs time Apostles were added to unvail the figures of the Law, and deliver the Gospel more clearly; and when once the Canon was setled, and enough delivered to make us wise to salvation, some were set apart by the constitution of Christ as Pastors and Teachers to explain and apply Scripture; and though all the Saints be Kings and Priests to God, yet the office ministerial must not be invaded; for as spiritual Kingship is no warrant to disturb the Magistrate, or to wrest the exercise of authority out of his hands, so spiritual Priesthood doth not lay the Ministry in common, but still there must be some set apart for that work; if we grudge at the institution, we repine at Christs bounty to us, and in effect, bid him take his gift to himself, for in the day of his Royalty, or Ascention, he gave gifts to men, some to be Apostles some Prophets, some Pastors, some Teachers, &c.