A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

1. Civility, which is nothing else but a fair demeanour in the world, or in the Apostles expression, a fair show in the flesh, a darker representation of holiness, rather Heathenish ⟨p. 41⟩strictness then Christian: you may descry it by these Notes. 1. It is usually accompanied with ignorance, and little knowledge of Gods Institutions: Men live well, are no drunkards, no swearers, but know little of God, have no insight in matters of Religion; like Nicodemus, a strict Pharisee, but grossly ignorant, John 3. 10. Spiritual life beginneth with knowledge, and endeth in a rational strictness, and what they do, they do upon principles; Conscience is swayed by the acknowledgement of Gods Will: others live plausibly, but know not the ground and reason of their actions, and therefore are soon satisfied, never troubled about imperfections, because where there is no light, there is not that tenderness, which is found in real Christians, who look into the purity of the Law, and are troubled because they know so much of the Will of God, and do so far come short of it; as in a clear glass the least mote is soon espied. 2. There is little of Christ in such Souls; for a man that is satisfied with his own righteousness doth not prize Christ: Paul a Pharisee counted his works gain, which afterward he found to be loss, Phil. 3. 7. by gain he meaneth an advantage to procure the favour of God: Self is wont to take up all their thoughts, and therefore moral strains suit more with them, then Gospel comforts, and doctrines that breed faith: The Law is more natural to men then the Gospel; and therefore with those that are of a moral disposition, and no more, it findeth better entertainment and welcome then the Gospel doth: there is no hungering and thirsting after Christ; they do not see the need of the sweetness of his grace, of the help of his Spirit, going on in a plausible moral course, without rub or difficulty: whereas in the spiritual life ^*Christ doth all, and every day they see more cause to bless God for him. 3. Usually there is some great prevailing s•n: Civility is but a freer slavery; one way or another Satan holdeth them captive, and their honesty and fair show to the world is but to serve their carnal interests, to hide a lust or feed a lust, and most commonly this sin is worldliness: