A89503:548
A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude
A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1658
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.
Because I will not perplex the discourse by grasping at too much at one time, I shall discuss each circumstance a part, and in distinct explication. I begin with the phrases1 implying their sin and fall. [And the Angels] the expression is plural, to no•e the great number of those which fell [their first estate [Greek or Hebrew]] the word may be translated either their principality or their beginning, and which is all one; first estate, if you translate it principality, it will well enough suit with the scope of the Apostle, and the Angels are often called Principalities in Scripture, because of their great power and excellent nature: So Col. 1. 16. Thrones, Dominions, Principalities and Powers; all which terms imply the dignity of the Angelical nature; nay, the Devils themselves because of that power and cunning which they still retain, are called principalities, Eph. 6. 12. We wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against Principalities and Powers, against the Rulers of the darkness of this World. If you translate it beginning or first estate; it will more fully express the misery and fall of the Apostate Angels, they being not only departed from the excellency and p•w•r, but from the integrity and righteousness▪ wherein they were first created: So that the point is, that the Angels are fallen from: the condition of their original excellency and integrity.
Because I will not perplex the discourse by grasping at too much at one time, I shall discusse each circumstance a part, and in distinct explication. I begin with the phrases1 implying their sin and fall. [And the Angels] the expression is plural, to no•e the great number of those which fell [their first estate 〈non-Latin alphabet〉] the word may be translated either their principality or their beginning, and which is all one; first estate, if you translate it principallity, it will well enough sute with the scope of the Apostle, and the Angels are often called Principallities in Scripture, because of their great power and excellent nature: So