Verse 4. For if God spared not the Angels that sinned, but cast them downe to hell, and delivered them into chaines of darknesse to be reserved unto judgement.
The Analysis.
Now the Apostle proves that which he had before laid downe concerning the punishment that should befall false teachers. The conclusion of this arguing is, 1 In generall propounded of all the wicked, v.9. For there is the consequent part of that connex axiom, the antecedent whereof begins v.4. and is shewed by the connexion If, as, If God spared not the Angels, &c. Then afterwards in speciall, of these false teachers themselves and their followers, v.10. In the generall conclusion, v.9. he doth not barely set downe the condemnation of the wicked, but also by a copulate axiom joynes together with it, the deliverance of the godly from that temptation, which ariseth unto them by means of the wicked. And the reason is, because the Apostles purpose was, so to reprove the wicked, that he might in the mean time comfort the godly, and strengthen them against all the temptations, whereunto they were obnoxious by means of the wicked. In the antecedent part of this arguing he sets downe three arguments, which are as so many examples & judgements of God against the wicked; & they may make three syllogismes to prove one and the same conclusion. The first example is of the Angels that fell, v.4. The second is of the old world, v.5. The third is of Sodome and Gomorrha. The syllogismes are knit together, after this manner: If God spared not the Angels, nor the old world, nor Sodome and Gomorrha; then he will not spare these false teachers, nor the like wicked men; But the former is true, by the testimony of Scripture, Therefore, &c. These examples in respect of the generall conclusion, which is set downe, v.9. are as species unto their genus. But in respect of the speciall conclusion w^{ch} is set down, v.10. they are as comparata, partly alike, partly greater. That wherein they are alike, consists therein, as God condemned those sinners, so also will he condemn these. Their inequality therein; if God spared not his most excellent creatures, the Angels, nor the old world, nor those cities; then much lesse will he spare these false teachers.
