An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustratedAn analyticall exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated

2. To admonish us, not to deceive our selves, as if we had a privilege to sin above other men, or as if God would not deal so severely with us, if we should continue in our sins, as he did heretofore with those whom he destroyed: * Other mens harms should teach us to beware of the like sins. In the first example we have, first, The object of Gods judgement, The Angels that sinned. Secondly, the manner how he dealt with them, If he spared them not. Thirdly, the degree of this judgement, present, and to come: present, that they were adjudged unto damnation; and to come, that they were to be reserved unto judgement. The fin of the Angels is not particularly set down in the Scriptures, because it doth not so much pertain to our edification and salvation, to know their sin, as it doth to know our own sins. But in general we are taught, that they kept not their first estate. Jude v. 6. that is, they left that estate wherein God had placed them, and afterwards exercised envy, lying, murder towards men. We are taught also that the number of those that fell was great; thence it is that the Apostle ⟨p. 199⟩here speaks in the plural number. They are said to have been cast down to hell, 1. By reason of the change of their estate, because from that wonderful high condition, which they had received by creation, they were cast down to the lowest of all. 2. By reason of the change of their place, because from the place of bliss, where they were round about the throne of God with the other Angels, they were thrust down into a lower place fit for sin and misery: But that this place is in the lowest parts of the earth, as the Papists would have it, it cannot be showed out of the Scriptures, but rather the contrary: for they are said to be in the air, and to rule there, and to go about the earth seeking to devour men. This at least is plain out of the Scripture, and it should suffice such as are not over-curious: 1. That they suffer a great change of estate. 2. That they are excluded from their first habitation. 3. That they are in that place, where they receive poenam damni & sensus, the punishment of loss, and the punishment also of sense. They are said to be delivered into darkness, partly in respect of sin, partly in respect of misery: for both are signified by darkness in the Scriptures.

2. To admonish us, not to deceive our selves, as if we had a priviledge to sin above other men, or as if God wold not deale so severely with us, if we should continue in our sins, as he did heretofore with those whom he destroyed: * Other mens harmes should teach us to beware of the like sins. In the first example we have, first, The object of Gods judgement, The Angels that sinned. Secondly, the manner how he dealt with them, If he spared them not. Thirdly, the degree of this judgement, present, and to come: present, that they were adjudged unto damnation; and to come, that they were to be reserved unto judgement. The fin of the Angels is not particularly set downe in the Scriptures, because it doth not so much pertaine to our edification and salvation, to know their sin, as it doth to know our own sins. But in generall we are taught, that they kept not their first estate.