A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

3. God seeth what is fittest for us, if a man should be left to carve out his own portion, he would be his own greatest enemy; none hath more love then God, more wisdom, and justice, then God; therefore count the present estate best, because 'tis of his choosing, should the shepherd choose the pastures or the sheep? we are all for the delicacies of pleasure and prosperity; children think green fruit the best diet because it suiteth with their appetite; what a strange creature would man be if he were what he would be himself? well then, let us leave it to God to choose our portion and to appoint us what part we shall act in the world, usually we set up a court in our own affections, and enact Laws; prescribe to providence, we would have this and we would have that, and when our expectations are not ⟨p. 464⟩answered, we fall a murmuring, 'tis very hard to repeal the decrees of our own will, therefore 'tis good to resign our selves to the disposal of providence, as David doth, 2 Sam. 15. 26, 27. and to keep our desires low, till Gods will be declared; 'tis easier to add then to subtract, and to ascend with providence, when the master of the feast biddeth us to sit higher, then to be compelled to descend and lye in the dust.

3. God seeth what is fittest for us, if a man should be left to carve out his own portion, he would be his own greatest enemy; none hath more love then God, more wisedom, and justice, then God; therefore count the present estate best, because 'tis of his chusing, should the shepherd chuse the pastures or the sheep? we are all for the delicacies of pleasure and prosperity; children think green fruit the best diet because it suiteth with their appetite; what a strange creature would man be if he were what he would be himself? well then, let us leave it to God to chuse our portion and to appoint us what part we shall act in the world, usually we set up a court in our own affections, and enact Laws; prescribe to providence, we would have this and we would have that, and when our expectations are not ⟨p. 464⟩answered, we fall a murmuring, 'tis very hard to repeal the decrees of our own will, therefore 'tis good to resign our selves to the disposal of providence, as David doth,