A09434:351
A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and…A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and…
A godly and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Jude, containing threescore and six sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithful man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the sum and order of the whole book, according to the authors own method, to which are further added, four brief tables to direct the reader ...A godlie and learned exposition upon the whole epistle of Iude, containing threescore and sixe sermons preached in Cambridge by that reverend and faithfull man of God, Master William Perkins, and now at the request of his executors, published by Thomas Taylor, preacher of Gods word ; whereunto is prefixed a large analysis, containing the summe and order of the whole booke, according to the authors owne method, to which are further added, foure briefe tables to direct the reader ...
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1606
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, hence note that Angels are substances, though invisible, having being, life, sense, and understanding, and are not only qualities; for pure qualities neither can sin, nor be capable of punishment, as the Angels are here said to be. Ob. It will be said, seeing they are capable of punishment, they must be bodily substances. Ans. No: it is sufficient they be substances to be capable of punishment, though spiritual; for the punishment of hell is spiritual. Where we see the Sadducees and others even of our days are deceived, who think Angels to be nothing but Motions, and melancholy passions: and the Libertines also who think they are nothing but good and bad success.
Secondly, hence note that Angels are substances, though inuisible, hauing being, life, sense, and vnderstanding, and are not onely qualities; for pure qualities neither can sin, nor be capable of punishment, as the Angels are here said to be. Ob. It will be said, seeing they are capable of punishment, they must be bodily substances. Ans. No: it is sufficient they be substances to be capable of punishment, though spirituall; for the punishment of hell is spirituall. Where wee see the Sadduces and others euen of our daies are deceiued, who thinke Angels to be nothing but Motions, and melancholy passions: and the Libertines also who thinke they are nothing but good and bad successe.
Thirdly,1 the name Angel is not a name of nature, but of office: which signifieth that their office was to be the messengers of God, who were to stand round about him as attendants, ready to be sent forth at his pleasure, for the execution of his will, in all the parts of the world. In which function of theirs they are propounded patterns to us, and examples for our imitation: who ought accordingly to set our selves ever in the presence of God, as prest, and ready to perform his will: for so we pray daily, Let thy will be done in earth, ⟨p. 64⟩as it is in heaven; that is, Give us grace with cheerfulness and readiness to perform thy will here on earth, as the Angels in heaven do: for whosoever would be like the Angels in heaven, must be herein like them first in earth. Now in that this name is here given to the Devils and wicked spirits, it showeth two things: first, what their office was in the creation, unto which they were fitted and deputed. Secondly, the justice of their punishment for the neglect of the execution of the same.