- stle here speaks in the plurall number. They are said to have
been cast down to hell, 1. By reason of the change of their estate, because from that wonderfull high condition, which they had received by creation, they were cast downe to the lowest of all. 2. By reason of the change of their place, because from the place of blisse, where they were round about the throne of God with the other Angels, they were thrust downe into a lower place fit for sin and misery: But that this place is in the lowest parts of the earth, as the Papists would have it, it cannot be shewed out of the Scriptures, but rather the contrary: for they are said to be in the aire, and to rule there, and to go about the earth seeking to devoure men. This at least is plaine out of the Scripture, and it should suffice such as are not over-curious: 1. That they suffer a great change of estate. 2. That they are excluded from their first habitation. 3. That they are in that place, where they receive pœnam damni & sensus, the punishment of losse, and the punishment also of sense. They are said to be delivered into darknesse, partly in respect of sin, partly in respect of misery: for both are signified by darknesse in the Scriptures. They are said to be delivered into chains, by a metaphor taken from malefactors that are condemned, who are kept in prison bound with chains. Now these chains are, 1 A hardning in their sins. 2 A despaire of all deliverance. 3 A fearfull looking for that misery whereof mention is made, Heb. 10.27. 4. The providence of God which alwayes watcheth over them, to keep and punish them. They are said to be reserved unto judgement, because they are bound so fast with these evils, that they can never escape; and yet these are but the beginnings of the evils, which they must farther undergo. Doct. 2. There is no dignity that can exempt a sinner from the judgement of God.
This is gathered from the nature of the Angels.
Reason. Because dignity doth not lessen the sin, but aggravate it. For he that hath received much, owes much, and of him much is required. Use. This may serve for admonition, that men should not trust to such staffes of reed. Doct. 3. That severity is due unto sin, that sinners should not be spared.
