A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

then was grace showed but not mercy, ¹none of the fallen▪ Angels were saved, but fallen man is called to grace in Christ: we were all in our blood when God said Live, the whole lump and mass of mankind was fallen; probably next to the free Counsels of God, that was the reason the whole humane nature fell, but not the whole Angelical nature, but only a part of it, so that the Kind it self needed not to be repaired; their sins argued more malice because of the height of their understanding; they sinned without a Tempter, but the reason of reasons is the will and gracious good pleasure of God, who was willing to show pardoning mercy to us, and not to them, the good Angels had confirmation but we redemption, we are reconciled, they continued, love after a breach made, is more remarkable. Seventhly, from the sin in general, by which they fell, was by pride; see the danger of this sin it always goeth before falling, the Angels lost their holiness out of a desire of greatness, they would be over all and under none; tis dangerous when men mind rather be great then good. In Scripture we ⟨p. 283⟩have two notable instances of the fall by pride, and our restoration by humility, the Angels fell by pride and aspiring; and Christ restored mankind by being humble, lowly, and submitting himself even to the death of the Cross: Adam would be as God, and so ruined us; and Christ that was God became as man, and so saved us: to counterwork Satan, he layeth aside the glory of his Godhead, he layeth aside the glory of his Godhead and puts on an humble garb; saving as not by power, but by suffering: well then, look upon pride as the sure forerunner of a fall. Eighthly, Observe the particular fact is uncertain though the general sin may be known, as how this pride was discovered, whether in a thought, or by some bold attempt is not known; it doth not so much pertain to edification and salvation to know their sin, as to know our own: The Scriptures direct us to look inward, 'tis more for our profit to keep out Satan's power, then to know the circumstances of his fall; let us not fall with him, Peter would know Johns end, but Christ rebuketh him, what is that to thee? follow thou me; Joh. 21. 20, 22.

then was grace shewed but not mercy,