A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

Fifthly, That spiritual judgements of all others are most secure, to have sin punished with obstinacy and hardness in sinning. This is nothing but to have the Devils chains laid upon us, a sad intimation, that we are given up to chains of darkness, frogs and lice, and hailstones were but soft judgements to Pharaoh's hard heart: unless God should send us quick into Hell, there cannot an heavier judgement befall us, nay certainly it were better to be given up to Hell torments, if there could be any expectation of deliverance, then to be given up to a spirit of sinning; for there is no end of that; say then, Lord what ever judgement thou bringest upon me, bring not thy heavy judgement of an hard heart; 'tis better by far that you should live miserably, then sin freely without remorse. But what sins bring on this spiritual judgement? I answer, 1. an unthankful abuse of Gods gifts, The Devils had a glorious and excellent nature, but they were not thankful, observe it when you will, you will find it true, that no man was ever punished with hardness of heart, but some former merciful dispensation was abused: the Heathens were not thankful for the light of nature, and therefore God gave them up to vile affections Rom. 1. 22, 24. Others received not the love of a truth, and therefore God gave them up to believe a lye, that they might be damned. 2 Thess. 2. 11, 12. the very sin against the Holy Ghost is so called because 'tis a despiting grace received, or a devilish opposing of the grace and supernatural work of the spirit, by which the mind is convinced of the truth. 2. Sinning against the light, that was Satan's sin, who was full of light, and sinned in the very face of God, and 'tis his sin still, malice having only put out the ⟨p. 298⟩light of prudence, but not of his understanding, so that he knowingly sinneth; so wicked men ^*imprison the truth in unrighteousness, and then God giveth them up to the sway of their own lusts and passions: there is more of malice in sins against light, you laugh at Christ before his face, out-dare Heaven and Conscience, ^*will he force the Queen before my face▪ &c. 3. Sinning with the light, When malice sets wit a work (as it doth in the Devils) against God and the Church; 'tis Satanical to be wise to do evil, to make no other use of our parts then to plot wickedness, pervert the truth, and undermine religion,