A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

1. That the case is not the same with the sinning Angels, and the race of mankind in all Generations. There are no other Angels in this condition, but only those individuals who first sinned in their own persons. They are not in the Providence and Patience of God, multiplied and increased in ensuing times and seasons; but they continue the same individual persons who first sinned and no more. So that immediate execution of the whole punishment due unto their sin, would not have prevented any increase of them. But now with man it is otherwise. For God continues his patience towards them to the production of millions of other persons who were not actually in the first sin. Had not God so continued his forbearance, their ⟨p. 161⟩Being and consequently their sin and misery had been prevented; so that the case is not the same with sinning Angels and Men.

1. That the case is not the same with the sinning Angels, and the race of mankind in all Generations. There are no other Angels in this condition, but only those individuals who first sinned in their own persons. They are not in the Providence and Patience of God, multiplyed and encreased in ensuing times and seasons; but they continue the same individual persons who first sinned and no more. So that immediate execution of the whole punishment due unto their sin, would not have prevented any encrease of them. But now with man it is otherwise. For God continues his patience towards them to the production of millions of other persons who were not actually in the first sin. Had not God so continued his forbearance, their ⟨p. 161⟩Being and consequently their sin and misery had been prevented; so that the case is not the same with sinning Angels and Men.

2. Indeed God exerciseth no patience toward the Angels that sinned; and that because he had no forgiveness for them. So Peter tells us; 2 Epistle 2. 6. God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down into Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness. Immediately upon their sin they were cast out of the presence of God whose vision and enjoyment they were made for, and which they received some experience of. And they were cast into Hell, as the place of their ordinary retention, and of their present anguish under the sense of Gods curse and displeasure. And although they may some of them be permitted to compass the earth, and to walk to and fro therein to serve the ends of Gods holy wise Providence, and so to be out of their prison; yet they are still in their chains: for they were delivered unto chains of darkness to be kept unto the last Judgement. And in these things they lye actually under the execution of the curse of God: So that there is indeed no patience exercised towards them. If a notorious Malefactor, or Murderer be committed unto a Dungeon, and kept bound with Iron chains to prevent his escape, until the appointed day of his solemn Judgement and Execution, without the least intention to spare him; None will say, there is patience exercised towards him; Things being disposed only so, as that his punishment may be secure and severe. And such is the case, such is the condition of the Angels that sinned, who are not therefore to be esteemed objects of Gods patience.