A09434:365
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.
The third point in this example is the punishment of the Angels, which hath two degrees: first, their custody, in these words: He hath reserved them] namely in durance. Secondly, their full punishment: unto the judgement of the great day.] The former is set forth in two things: first, in that they are reserved in chains. Secondly, under darkness. By these chains are signified first that mighty power of God▪ which bridleth and restraineth the might and malice of the Devils themselves; as Reu. 20. the old Dragon was bound for a thousand years: the power of God was the chain that curbed and overmastered him; and this is one part of his present punishment. Secondly, the chains signify also that guiltiness of the Angels, which by the tenor of Gods justice bindeth them over to destruction: these bonds be upon the consciences of the wicked Angels, they know they are adjudged to damnation for their sin; so a• let them be where they will, in the earth or air, or wheresoever, these chains of guilty consciences bind them over to judgement: where we are taught two things, first, to beware of guilty and accusing consciences; for these are Gods chains binding body and soul unto everlasting vengeance: and therefore for time past, if thy conscience accuse thee, seek in due time to be loosed and freed by Christ, that thou mayest be able to say with Paul; I know nothing by my self: and for time to come beware of sin, even small sins as well as great: for so many sins as thou committest, are so many chains binding thee over to just damnation. Secondly, hence we also learn,1 that the service of God is a most happy and sweet liberty, any liberty else is strait bondage: men think that to be tied to the daily service of God is a yoke and bondage intolerable, and they must need• have liberty to sin: but they deceive themselves, ⟨p. 68⟩for while they seek for liberty, by this means they plunge themselves into captivity, and lay chains upon themselves, yea bolts which hold them in eternal bondage. The liberty which is sweet unto those who are freed by Christ is, that they can walk before God in the compass of their callings, without those accusing consciences, which continually vex and torment the wicked men and Angels themselves.