6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath referved in everlafting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. . ἀρχὴν. 6. Nay, to go higher, the very A. D.67; Angels themselves, that acted unworthy of the blissful Station and... Digthruft down from thofe bright Renity God has placed them in, were glons of Light and Happiness, and are here kept in this dark and lower World, as Prifoners referved in 2 Pet. ii. 4. Chains, against the Great Day of and all Wicked Men. Judgment upon them, 7. 7 Even as Sodom What was the total and irreand Gomorrah, and parable Deftruction of thofe Lewd the cities about them, and Beaftly Cities of Sodom and in like manner giving Gomorrah, but an Emblem of that themselves over to formore dreadful and Eternal Punishnication, and going ment that will be the final Portion after strange flesh, are of the Debauched † Hereticks of thefe See 2 Pet. fet forth for, an example, fuffering the Times? vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewife alfo these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, defpife dominion, and fpeak evil of dignities. 8. Who, not only equal, but even exceed the Sodomites in their Impieties; indulging themfelves not only in the fame Excefs of Carnal Gratifications, but in the most Vain and Extravagant Fancies, and Imaginations of the Mind too. They are not only Lawless, Ungovernable and Arrogant against all Temporal Authority, but have Notions that are difgraceful to, and reflecting upon, the Dignity of Heavenly and Superior Beings. * 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he difputed about the body of Mofes, durft + not bring against him any railing accu- Lord rebuke thee. 9 ii. 6. *See 2 Pet. ii. the Note & io. You cannot but stand a- there. mazed at their Infolence, when you compare it with the Traditional Account you Jews have had about the Strife between Michael and Samael See Light ||||||| foot. the Devil, called the Angel of Death, concerning the Body of Mofès. Your Traditions tell you, the Archangel D d returned + Ver. 9. Durst not bring, &c. in iróλurs; He did not think it fit or meet: So that Greek Word is often used to fignify. A. D. 67. 10 But thefe fpeak evil of thofe things See 2 Pet. which they know not: ii. 11, 12. but what they know naturally, as brate beafts; in those things they corrupt themfelves. 11. Wo unto them, error of Balaam for a Core. returned the Devil none of his railing Reafon or Distinction. II Wo unto them! for if Cain's murdering his Brother was fo dreadful a Crime, what muft it be in them to perfecute fuch Numbers of their innocent Brethren! if Balaam was fo wicked in feducing the Ifraelites to Idolatry, what must be their Guilt, who, against the more clear Light of the Gospel, feduce Chriftian People into Lewdness, Darkness and Destruction! And, if the Earth was made to swallow up Corah and his Company, for pretending to rival and affront Mofes, what must be the End of them that refift the Authority of Christ, and, by Forgeries. and Delusions, set up against his inspired Apostles! 12 These are sports in your feats of charity, when they feaft with you, feeding themselves with out fear clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit wites thereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging Rocks. See 2 Pet. ii. 13-17. 12 & 13. 'Tis impoffible to defcribe them by any Comparisons that are black enough to reach them. When they are invited, to gratify their Appetites, 'tis indifferent to them, whether it be to an Idol-Feaft, or a Feast of Charity, among the true Worshippers of God. They bring nothing but Scandal and t Danger to all they communicate with. The Lewdness and Slanders of * There is another Interpretation of this Verfe, which makes it refer to Zach. iii. 2. For his View and Choice whereof I refer the more curious Reader to Mr. Le Clerk, Not. en Hammond. N. T. ufual Feafts of Charity. 'Tis not clear whether these were meant of Sacramental Feafts among Chriftians, or Jewish Feasts, in the Evening of their Sabbaths, called novia, and wvodoxía. I have therefore fo expreffed it as to include both. 1 13 Raging waves of the fea, foming out their own fhame; * wandering ftars, to whom is referved the blackness of darkness for ever. of their Conversation are as blafting A. D.67. as a Tempest, and a virtuous Word or Action is no more to be expected from them, than Fruit is from a Tree that is perfectly withered and ftubbed up. They vent their shameful and malicious Calumnies as plentifully as the Sea throws out its Foam in stormy Weather and while they set up for Teachers and Doctors, Guides and *Lights to other Men, they are no better than those irregular Meteors that deceive and mislead the Mariner in a dark Night And accordingly, eternal Darkness and the utmoft Degree of Mifery will be their final Portion. 14 And Enoch alfo, the feventh from Adam, prophefied of thefe, faying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his faints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have 14 & 15. That Traditional Prophefy the Jews have of Enoch, concerning the Deftruction of the Old World, may as fitly be applied to these Men; for as their Impiety and Injuftice, both in Words and Actions, do not only equal, but even furpass theirs, the Divine Judgments upon them will certainly be ftill more folemn, dreadful and exemplary. ungodly committed, and of all their hard fpeeches, which ungedly finners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lufts, and their mouth fpeaketh great fwelling words, having mens perfons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But 16. For nothing can exceed the Pride, Luft and Vanity of this Set of People, that yet have the Face, many of them, to call themselves the People and Church of God; while, to gratify their worldly and fenfual Principles, they will carefs, flatter, and join in with the worst of Men. Dd z 17 & 18. But * Wandering Stars: The Jewish Doctors were ftiled, Lights and Stars. A. D. 67. 2 Pet. iii. 2, 3. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were froken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jefus Chrift: 18 How that they told you there fhoud be mockers in the laft 17 & 18. But, dear Brethren, you ought not to be furprized and difheartened to find the Christian Church pefter'd with fuch a vicious Crew, when you confider that Chrift and his Apostles plainly foretold us it would be fo. time, who fhould walk after their own ungodly lufts. 19 Thefe be they who feparate them felve, fenfual, having not the Spirit. 19. And you see it now come to pafs, in thefe Leaders of Faction and Divifions in the Church, who are deftitute of those Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit, that true Chriftians are endowed with. 20 But ye, beloved, of Eternal Life and 23 And others fave 20 & 21. Instead, therefore, of being difcouraged, be careful to ftrive against them, by conftant Improvement in all the Duties of your Profeffion, by the Exercife of devout Chriftian Prayer, wherein you are affifted by the Infpirations of the Holy Ghost; and fupport your felves under all prefent Calamities, by the joyful and fure Profpect you have Happiness through Jefus Chrift. 22 & 23. Show your utmoft* Averfion then, against the Practicers of fuch Wickednefs, by condemning them, and renouncing all Converfation with them. Only be careful to make a prudent Difference in your Behaviour, in Proportion to the Guilt of Mens Mifcarriages. Such as deceive others through perfect Malice and Defign, are utterly to be avoided: But fuch as are led away through Ignorance and Simplicity, are to be treated with Pity, Tenderness *Hating even the Garment: An Allufion to the Strictness of the Jewish Law against Touching unclean things. dernefs and good Humour, in hopes to be recovered from A. D.67. fo wretched and hazardous a Condition. A Thing you ought most earnestly to endeavour for. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to prefent you faultlefs before the prefence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wife God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and ever. Amen. Glory and Majefty, and ever. Amen. 24 & 25. Now to the infinitely wife and powerful God, the Creator and Saviour of Mankind, who is both able and gracioufly ready fo to affift your honeft Endeavours, as to keep you fteddy to your Profeffion, under all Difficulties and Temptations, and, by Innocency of Life, to render you worthy the Enjoyment of his glorious and bleffed Prefence: To Him be afcribed all Dominion and Power, both now |