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, _Hebrews 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. ♦ “wold” replaced with “would” Doctrine 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. Doctrine 3. _That severity is due unto sin, that sinners should not be spared._ This is gathered from these words, _He spared not._ _Reason_ 1. Because sinners alwayes abuse the goodnesse of God. 2. They spare not the glory of God, but themselves. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to instruct us, to ascribe it unto the grace and mercy of God, that he hath hitherto spared us. 2. To exhort us, not to contemne this long-suffering of God, but thereby to be led unto repentance, _Romans 2.4._ Doctrine 4. _By sinne a sinner is cast downe from the place and condition which he had before._ This is gathered from these words; _cast down to hell_. _Reason._ Because sin is an aversion from God. Now as the communion which we have with God, makes us to ascend into a high condition, even into Heaven it selfe, so that our conversation is in heaven, as it is _Philippians 3.20._ So also aversion from him makes us to descend, even untill we come unto hell it selfe. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish us, not to trust the devill, nor our own imaginations, as if we could ever attain any good by sinning. For so our first parents were deceived, when they thought to make themselves like unto God by sin, they were made like unto the devill. Doctrine 5. _The darknesse of misery followes the darknesse of sinne._ This gathered from these words; _delivered them into chaines of darknesse_. _Reason._ Because the light is the same, whereby we are directed, and whereby we are perfected; therefore the privation of perfection and happinesse followes the privation of direction. _Use._ This may serve to admonish us, alwayes to walk in the light, as children of the light, if we desire to avoid utter darknesse. Doctrine 6. _Sinners are held in sinne and in their misery, as it were with bonds._ This is gathered from that: _Chaines._