A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

2. Seeing the Angels sinned; Let him that thinks he standeth take heed lest he ⟨p. 498⟩fall. No height of man can match the Angels; if justice spared not sin in them, how will it forbear us? no strength of man can match the Angels: if they were not able to resist the judgement, what can we do? Heaven is a great way further from hell, than is Earth: if sin could tumble down Angels, how much more easily the sons of men, from so low and conterminate a place? Adam was excellent in Paradise, yet short of the Angels in heaven; their beauty and glory, was far greater: b•• if God punished sin in the Angels, how will he dissemble it in men? The Jews thought it a high privilege to say, we are the sons of Abraham; yet Abraham was but a man. We go further, and say, We are the sons of God: but how? by creation only: so were the lost Angels: we must have a better title than so, or else sin will confound us with the Angels. God forbore not sin in those his selected and eldest sons on earth, the Israelites; not in his celestial children, the Angels: yea he is so far from sparing it in any, that to save some he spared not his own Son. What then is our Title? In Christ: indeed there it is only good; a blessedness which was not granted to the lost Angels. But then let us walk worthy of this Christ, that we may confirm an argument of comfort to our own souls.

2. Seeing the Angels sinned; Let him that thinkes he standeth take heed lest hee ⟨p. 498⟩fall. No height of man can match the Angels; if justice spared not sin in them, how will it forbeare us? no strength of man can match the Angels: if they were not able to resist the judgement, what can we doe? Heaven is a great way further from hell, than is Earth: if sin could tumble downe Angels, how much more easily the sons of men, from so low and conterminate a place? Adam was excellent in Paradise, yet short of the Angels in heaven; their beauty and glory, was far greater: b•• if God punished sin in the Angels, how will hee dissemble it in men? The Iewes thought it a high priviledge to say, we are the sons of Abraham; yet Abraham was but a man. Wee goe further, and say, Wee are the sonnes of God: but how? by creation only: so were the lost Angels: we must have a better title than so, or else sin will confound us with the Angels. God forbore not sin in those his selected and eldest sons on earth, the Israelites; not in his celestiall children, the Angels: yea hee is so far from sparing it in any, that to save some he spared not his own Son. What then is our Title? In Christ: indeed there it is onely good; a blessednesse which was not granted to the lost Angels. But then let us walke worthy of this Christ, that we may confirme an argument of comfort to our owne soules.