A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

2. There is nothing now under the Sun, Eccles. 1. 7. We say, Is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow? things never were as they are now; certainly you do not rightly enquire after this matter, the world is the world still, men have ever had the same principles, the same corruptions, the same temptations, there were Donatists then, as well as Separatists now, Pelagians then as well as Arminians now, Arians then as well as Socinians now, all new lights are but old darkness revived, neither new, nor lights; 'tis easy to parallel what is most odious; there is a circular motion of opinions and fashions, as the Sun returneth every year to the same points of his compass.

2. There is nothing now under the Sun, Eccles. 1. 7. We say, Is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow? things never were as they are now; certainly you do not rightly enquire after this matter, the world is the world still, men have ever had the same principles, the same corruptions, the same temptations, there were Donatists then, as well as Separatists now, Pelagians then as well as Arminians now, Arians then as well as Socinians now, all new lights are but old darkness revived, neither new, nor lights; 'tis easie to parallel what is most odious; there is a circular motion of opinions and fashions, as the Sun returneth every year to the same points of his compass.

3. All cometh to pass by Gods providence, he is the great Master of the Scenes, that presents the world with a new Stage, both of Acts and Actors, 1 Sam, 2. 7, 8. The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich; he bringeth low, and he lifteth up; he raiseth up the poor from the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill to set them among the Princes, •nd make them inherit the Crown of glory, for the pillars of the earth are the Lords, and he hath set the world upon them: The government of the world is in Gods hands, and he casteth down some, and raiseth up others from beggary to Sovereignty, from the dunghill to glory: you see there his course is contrary to levelling, he will have some upon the Throne of glory; and you see again, that God hath an hand in all the mutations and changes that fall out in the world: and that these mutations are frequent, the world is tossed to and fro like a bill from hand to hand, that Gods Sovereignty and Dominion over events may the better appear, and that power may not want a bridle, nor the low condition, a comfort; again, that all the Kings of the earth do hold their estates of God; say then, If God hath set up these persons, let me see what God will do with them.