A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

How art thou fallen from H•aven O Lucifer Son of the morning, for thou hast said in t•y heart, I will ascend above the heights of the Clouds, I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God, I will be like the most high: But these are but metaphorical Passages concerning the King of Babylon, and the ground of the mistake was; because the Angels are often in Scripture set forth by Stars, as Job 38. 7. That testimony which is most cogent, is in 1 Tim. 3. 6. Ordain not a novice, lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil; this is, lest he make himself guilty of that sin for which the Devil was condemned and rejected of God, namely, of Pride, and ^*James 3. 15. Pride is called Devilish Wisdom; the sin is often to be read in the judgement that followeth it, Gods throwing them down from the dignity of their estates, was a sign that they aspired above it, and it may be collected from the first temptation, ye shall be as Gods, as himself said in the sense of the fathers, eri sicut altissimus. so to our first Parents he said, eritis tanquam di•: 3. They do best that make it a compound sin, accommodating all opinions; for look as there are many sins in that one Act by which Adam fell, Unbelief, Pride, Ingratitude, Disobedience, &c. so in this act of the Angels there might be many sins▪ for though Pride be a chief sin in it, yet what kind of Pride it was, or ⟨p. 278⟩how discovered it cannot be determined every opinion is affected with equal probability, it might be envy at man, as we see the good Angels rejoiced at their happiness, Job 38. 7. Luke 2. 14, 15. and •uke 15. 7. or affectation of worship, as we see now they delight in it, or any other rebellion against Gods Empire and Majesty.