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1 with all your soul. De. xiii. ancient, and honourable, he is the prophet that teacheth lies, 1; for the leaders of this people to err, and they that are led of stroyed. Is. ix. 15, 16. Then

id unto me (said Jeremiah), The ophesy lies in my name, I sent neither have I commanded them, ake unto them. They prophesy a false vision and divination; and of nought, and the deceit of their herefore, thus saith the Lord conthe prophets that prophesy in my and I sent them not, yet they say, and famine shall not be in this land; ord and famine shall those prophets be ed. And the people to whom they deasy shall be cast out in the streets of salem, because of the famine and the rd: and they shall have none to bury in, their wives, nor their sons, nor their Wighters: for I will pour their wickedness pon them. Je. xiv. 14, 15, 16. I have seen tolly in the prophets of Samaria: they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing; they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evil doers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof, as Gomorrah; therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets, Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall. For from of the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the an prophets that prophesy unto you: they make eit, you vain: they speak a vision of their own vents heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord; . 8. they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil gled shall come upon you. Je. xxiii. 13-17. from Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now Hananiah: the Lord hath not sent thee: but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore, thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will cast thee from cts shall off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt here shall die, because thou hast taught rebellion against hets, and the Lord. So Hananiah the prophet died insomuch, the same year, in the seventh month. Je. xxviii. 15, 16, 17. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name. Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall slay them before your eyes. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will The words punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his dreams: seed, he shall not have a man to dwell among to know this people; neither shall he behold the good with all that I will do for my people, saith the Lord; be

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which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are

cause he hath taught rebellion against the Lord. Je. xxix. 21. 32. The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord God. Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life. Ex. xiii. 15, 16. 22. Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets, that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision, and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine. And the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed and the diviners confounded, yea, they shall cover their lips, for there is no answer of God. The heads "thereof" (of "Jerusalem") judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord amoug us: none evil can come upon us. Mi. iii. 5, 6, 7. 11. False Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed; behold, I have foretold you all things. Mar. xiii. 22, 23. There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Pe. ii. 1, 2, 3. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John iv. 1. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image; these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Re. xix. 20.

Which come to you in sheep's clothing.] It shall come to pass that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied, neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive. Zec. xiii. 4. And he (Jesus) said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the Scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market-places, and

the chief seats in synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts, which devour widows' houses; and for a pretence make long prayers. These shall receive greater damnation. Mar. xii. 38, 39. 40. Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple. Ro. xvi. 17, 18. What I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion, that wherein they glory they may be found, even as we, for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed, as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Co. xi. 12-15. Neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, and that because of false brethren, unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. Ga. ii. 3, 4. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Ep. iv. 11. 14. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ep. v. 6. Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Col. ii. 8. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron: forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1 Ti. iv. 1, 2, 3. Men shall be lovers of their own selves, &c. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no farther, for their folly

ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men 16

shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 2 Ti. iii. 5-9. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Ti. iii. 13. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 2 Ti, iv. 3. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 2 Pe. ii. 1, 2, 3. 13, 19. There are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4. I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads, &c. Re. xiii. 11-17.

Are ravening wolves.] His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark: sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber, yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter. Is. lxv. 10, 11. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls, they have taken the treasure and precious things, they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Ez. xxii. 25. Thus saith the Lord, Concerning the prophets, that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Mi. iii. 5. Her (Jerusalem's) princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the

VOL. II.

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her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. Zep. iii. 3, 4. I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Ac. xx. 29, 30. I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and when I saw her I wondered with great admiration. Re. xvii. 6. See chap. xxiv. 11.

16 Shall know them by their fruits, &c.] See verse 20. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by his fruit. Mat. xii. 33. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government, presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice, forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 2 Pe. ii. 9-18. These (false teachers) speak evil of those things which they know not, but what they know naturally as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves: woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear clouds they are without water, carried about of winds. Trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves

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17 gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth

of the sea, foaming out their own shame, wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. And Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed; and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration, because of advantage. But beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you, there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves; sensual, having not the Spirit: but ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 10-21.

Do men gather grapes, &c.] A good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit, neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit, for of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble-bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Lu. vi. 43, 44, 45. Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Ja. iii. 12.

17 Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit.] And he (who delights in the law of the Lord) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Ps.

i. 3.

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. Ps. xcii. 13, 14. Now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard: what could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes. And now go to, I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down. Is. v. 3, 4, 5, The

Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called Trees of righteousness; the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Is. lxi. 3. I was like a lamb, or an ox, that is brought to the slaughter, and I knew not that they had devised against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. Je. xi. 19. He (that trusteth in the Lord) shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh; but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Je. xvii. 8. He (Jesus) spake also this parable. A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none, cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering, said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it, and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Lu. xiii. 6-9. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Ga. v. 22, 23, 24. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth. Ep. v. 9. This I pray, that your love may abound, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Phi. i. 11. We do not cease to pray for you, that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Col i. 10. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace. Ja. iii. 17, 18.

But a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.] Either make the tree good, and his fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by his fruits. Mat. xii. 33. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure

evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can 18 a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not 19 forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore 20 by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto 21 me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he

bringeth forth evil things. Mat. xii. 33, 34, 35. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear. Clouds they are without water, carried about of the winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. Jude 12.

18 Cannot bring forth evil fruit.] The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Ga. v. 17. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God; neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John iii. 9, 10.

19 Bringeth not forth good fruit.] See chap. iii. 10. And when the disciples saw it (that the fig tree withered away), they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Mat. xxi. 20. Now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Lu. iii. 9. These (false teachers) are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear. Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. Jude 12.

20 By their fruits ye shall know them.] See verse 16. And now I say unto you (said Gamaliel), Refrain from "these men" (the "apostles"), and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought. Ac. v. 38.

21 Saith unto me, Lord, Lord, &c.] Lord, Lord, open to us (said the foolish virgins in the parable). But he (the bridegroom) answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Mat. xxv. 11, 12. Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee. Israel shall cast off the thing that is good; the enemy shall pursue him. Ho. viii. 2, 3. Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Lu. vi. 46. When once the master of the house is risen up (said Jesus), and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us! And he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are. Then shall ye begin to say, &c. Lu. xiii. 25. Certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil

spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Ac. xix. 13. 15. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Ro. ii. 13. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Tit. i. 16. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Ja. i. 22. Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Ye see then, how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only; for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Ja. ii. 20—26.

Shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.] Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mat. xviii. 3. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Mat. xix. 24. Verily I say unto you (said Jesus to the Scribes and Pharisees), that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you! Mat. xxi. 31. Lord, Lord, open unto us (said the foolish virgins), but he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Mat. xxv. 11, 12. Well done thou good and faithful servant (said the lord to him who had received five talents); thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Mat. xxv. 21. Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel. The Lord of hosts is his name. Is. xlviii, 1, 2. If thine eye offend thee pluck it out; it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Mar. ix. 47. How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words; but Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for

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