assumed Bodies as a Cloak or other Vestment to be taken up and laid down upon occasion Angeli fuerunt in Corpore per intimam substantialem Praesentiam Suarez de Angel lib. 5. cat 36. tanquam Motor ad mobile cum particulari Respectu ad Peculiarem ejus usum saith Suarez This body so assumed may be composed of the Elements and they are not more easily assumed then deposed being again resolved into their former Principles And in case they were by God created of Nothing then they utterly vanish by Annihilation Here again it may be demanded Qu. 2 why Angels have somtimes appeared in Bodies I answer 1. Answ That they might familiarly confer with men and leave on them no impressions of terrour and dread Lawrence of Angels P. 14. 2. Such Apparitions were used of old to inure and prepare the people for the Incarnation of Christ the Angel of the Covenant 3. Aquinas adds that they might give men an entrance into that Communion which they expect with them in Heaven 3. Once more it may be asked Qu. 3 why Angels appear not in our daies I answer Answ Heathens ascribe this to the sins of men that therfore God will no longer converse with them But the true reason is this that God would now be Worship'd in Spirit and in Truth His whole mind is now written and recorded So spirituall should we now be under the Gospel that we are taken off from the Bodily presence of Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 5.16 Now know we Christ no more after the flesh There is now poured forth a greater measure of the Spirit So God would have us to converse with him in the Spirit and with those holy Spirits in a more invisible way as we shall above The Church needeth not now those visible sensible confirmations as formerly in the Infancy of the Jewish or Christian Church For which reason also Miracles are now ceased Well then The use see the care that God hath of his Church at all times and how he doth condescend and apply himself in a sutable way to his people And see the Dignity of Saints that have had Angels assuming bodies to serve them and make known the will of God without terrour unto them But why do we wonder at the Apparition of Angels in the shape of men Let us rather be astonisht at the love of Christ In that he abhorred not though Angels worship him to be * See Stephanus Paris de Incarnatione And Nieremberg Theopolit Part 1. lib. 2. cap. 25. An Decorum suerit Deum fieri Hominem P. 264. Dr. Sibbs Light from Heaven P. 50. unto 70. 2ly Of the Text it self clothed in the rags of our flesh that he might be capable of bleeding and dying for us Into this Mystery Angels pry GOD MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH That he who spanned the Heavens should become a Babe of a span long That he who thundred in the Clouds should cry in the Cradle and when Angels laid aside their assumed bodies Christ hath not deposed our flesh but hath carried that as a Pledge into Heaven and hath left with us the earnest of the Spirit After this let us wonder at nothing And so much of the Coherence Secondly We come now to the words themselves IT IS HIS ANGEL I am not to discourse of Angels in generall or of Elect or Reprobat Angels in particular I am not to treat of those glorious Creatures that sing and chant their joyfull Halelujas before the Lamb for then I should write of their Creation Confirmation Place Nature Number Amity Offices and Degrees All which is performed by very many Authors But I am to treat distinctly of The Deputation of Angels which by few hath been performed and for that end I have chosen this Text which I suppose is very clear for the Point For observe it is not sayd an Angel or his Angels but his Angel Now besides the marrow and substance of these words 4 Notable circumstances about the Text. there are four circumstantiall Observations that like Harbingers do blow their silver Trumpets to make way for this Text to ride with the greater triumph into our hearts viz. 1. The persons speaking 2. The time of speaking 3. The manner of speaking 4. The recording of the thing spoken by Saint Lukes Evangelicall and Golden Quill among the Acts of the Apostles and Primitive Christians 1 The Persons speaking First the persons speaking are very considerable if either you eye their quality or quantity 1. Their quality they were not superstitious Heathen but the Disciples of Christ They had bin tutor'd and instructed in the Principles of Religion either immediatly by Christ or else by his Apostles In Scripture are sometimes Recorded the speeches of vaine and foolish men as the vile speech of Jobs wife curse God and Dy of the whorish woman Personated in the Proverbs by a Prosopopaeia our Saviour useth the saying of Socrates and Plato Mart. Day on 1. Cor. 15. P. 132 133. and Saint Paul quotes Menander and Epimenides two heathen Poets Nay in the Scripture there is mention of things uttered by the black mouth of Saâ—an himselfe Qui Plebeios vulgares Homines putant cum haec dicerent ex vulgi opinione Locos vereor ne dubitent an sint Angeli Beza in Act. 12.15 P. 332. But our Text was uttered by Christians not only Nominall but Reall Persons knowing and fearing God being much in Prayer and resolved to endure Persecution for the Truth 2. Their quantity or Number is observable had it been only Rhoda's fancy we should have past â—t over as an impertinent speech But marke the context Then said THEY it is his Angell It seems it was their generall Vote And who or how many these THEY were Act. 12.5.12 you may gather by comparing the fiâ—t twelfth verses together Peter therefore was kept in Prison but Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him So that those many gathered together in Prayer verse the 12 were doubtlesse the Church at Jerusalem where were very many Christians They met indeed together in a private house because they had not the Liberty of any Publique Assemblies Let this be weighed and t will follow that many did either speak or Agree to this perswasion of the Angel Guardian you read not that any did contradict it Publicus Rumor non est omnino frustra saith Aristotle The Generall consent and Harmony of people cheifly if knowing and good is very much to be heeded For oftentimes Vox populi est Vox Dei I am sure that which Primitive Christians untainted with Heresy so neer the Fountaine of Truth maintained as Orthodox with unanimous consent is not by us to be slighted but carefully observed Secondly an other circumstance is the time and place 2 The time place when and where it was spoken Not at the Table Semel in Anno ridet Apollo or Recreations when the Bowstring
advantagious for the Saints in the other Ministry of which we have treated If his power fail him not if God permit it he wants not Diligence Malice Wisdom and Instruments for that Work Wicked men and Reprobates are (e) Eph. 2.2 2 Cor. 4.4 2. Tim. 2.26 then in a very sad condition voyd of the favour of God and presence of his holy Angels but grievously molested and captivated by evil Spirits The Devil works in them mightily they are hood-winkt and besotted and blinded by the God of this World led captive by his will having no power so much as to groan or wish for deliverance But now if Satan direct his Angels to Beleevers they dare not they cannot long abide with them Their good Angel expels and chases them away they soon retire routed and confounded Here also I might declare how wicked men have been hanted with evil spirits in most strange and fearfull * See Baxters Rest Edit 2. p. 271. Apparitions Sozomen writes of Apelles a famous Egyptian Smith who was tempted to uncleanness by a Divel in the shape of a woman Ludovicus Vives saith among the Indians in America nothing is more common then to see and hear Spirits in bodily shapes day and night And Sleidan tells of a Popes Legat that was feared into a deadly sickness by a strange Apparition in his Chamber We read also in the Scriptures of divers that have been actually possessed of Divels Zanchius 3. Tom. lib. 4. cap. 10. Zanchy thinks it was the very substance of Divels that entred men Camerarius and others do shew us that in * See Theatre of Gods Iudgments 431. to 437. former times of darkness these things were very usuall although now blessed be God the very * Camerarius his Historicall observat lib. 4. cap. 15. p. 288. Relation therof is so terrible unto us The Divel makes a secret compact with a World but an open one with Witches and such as have familiar Spirits but especially some one resorts to them A Witch gives an Angel of Darkness full power over Body and Soul for ever Satan doth not thirst for a few drops of blood from the body but hereby doth contrive and seal the ruine of the Soul He doth not only as Porphiry imagined aime at Honour and Principality and to have some to worship him in the world but he undermines the Salvation of many Souls And every Witch is a sworn Vassal and Factor of Hell And so much of the second Use Thirdly Use 3 here will be matter of Admonition unto many Duties 1. To banish all slavish and base fears 2. Not to despise the poorest and meanest Spirit 3. To make sure of Christ the head of Angels 4. To depend on God chiefly 5. Greive not your Guardian Angell 6. Let us imitate the Angels in owning and protecting and cherishing the Saints this chiefly speaks to Magistrates and Ministers First 1 Banish all slavish and base fears Let the people of God be admonished to banish all slavish improfitable and sinfull fears seeing Elect Angels are their Keepers Alexander the Great was observed to sleep very soundly one night when the Enemy was neer him and being asked how he could do it he answered Weems of the Cerem Law cap. 9. p. 39. because Parmenio waked So may the people of God lay them down in peace and safety because the Vigilant Angels that keep them are still awake None sleep so soundly and securely as the people of God King Salomon slept with sixty valliant men by his side having Swords because of fear in the night But one Angel is stronger then such a Guard Angels keep the Elect from * Gen. 19.16 18.12 25.7 32.1 2. Psal 34.7 91.11 1 Reg. 19.7 2 Reg. 6.16 Exod. 26.1 34.24 many dangers of Soul and body both in the Curtains of the Tabernacle and Wall of the Temple Cherubins were painted up and down To signifie what Protection we may expect in Gods Service from the blessed Angels If the Pestilence rage in the City Angels often keep it from the Tabernacles of the Righteous yea the Angels and Stars in their courses do sight for us against the Churches Enemies Fear not men Diseases Poverty Death or Divels But learn to fear the mighty Jehovah Let him be your Dread Timor Timore ut clavus clavo pellitur Fear is expelled by fear as one Nail is driven out by another Mat. 10.28 Fear not man whose breath is in his Nostrils and who can but kill the Body with Permission not touch an hair of your head without leave from Heaven But fear him who is able the next Moment To cast thy body and soul into Hell-flames Away then with idle pannick and unprofitable fears to which many are prone Zeno Diog. Laert being askt why he feared the barking of a Dog returned this answer Perdifficile est hominem prorsus exuere No man is so stout but somtimes he shews himself to be a man in weakness There are more things saith * Saepius opinione laboramus quam Re. Seneca in Epist 13. Psal 56. 2 Reg. 6.16 Seneca that do affright then assault us What David sayd to Abiathar that thy Angel-Guardian saith to thee Abide thou with me and fear not for with me thou shalt be in safe-guard Hear the Psalmist I trust in the Lord and fear not what man can do unto me Feare not thou Worme Jacob I will help thee saith the Lord. All his attributes all his Angels are engaged for our good When Elisha prayed and saw the Mountain full of Horses and Charriots of fire he soon revived his Servants by saying Fear not for they that are with us are more then those that are against us So then the presence and tuition of Angels should banish and discard all unworthy and degenerate fears which shrivel up the sinews of good Endeavours to secure our selves Secondly 2 Despise not the meanest Saint Mat. 18.10 Despise not the poorest and meanest of Gods Children So our Saviour applies this Doctrine of Angellical Deputation Mat. 18. Despise not one of these little ones for in Heaven their Angels do alwayes behold the face of my Father q. d. Take heed that you do not slight and undervalue the blessed Heirs of Salvation on whom the Lord hath cast so much honour as to send Angels to be their Tutors and on whom Elect Angels do not disdain to attend Despise not then the little ones of Christ Not such as are little in years and stature scornfully to think them unworthy of the Seal Not such as are little in the world love Grace in Russet before Vice in Velver God is no Respecter of persons Nor lastly such as are little in gifts and graces You may not despise the day of small things The very filings of Gold are pretious And besides true Grace cannot be at a stand O despise not these little Ones of Christ Dr. Sibbs Fountain opened p.
harken what the Lord will speak Psal 85.8 for he will speak Peace unto his people Any mercy that comes as an answer of prayer is a double mercy but that which comes in the time of prayer is a trebble Favour and heaps a multitude of inviolable bonds upon us Of this we have had many experiences in these daies April 7. 1654. one very lately For on our day of Humiliation for the late Drought it rained very sweetly t was like a shour of Rose-water coming as an immediate answer and in the very time of seeking God 2 Point from the Coherence Secondly Somtimes the deliverances of Gods people out of imminent emminent dangers are so wonderfull and attended with such a Train of Miracles and Improbabilities that they have much ado to believe them although they hear and see them The Disciples took that for the Eve of Peters Execution and they well knew he was guarded with four Quaternions of Souldiers was bound with two Chains and that if he could escape out of Prison and pass the first and second watch there was yet a Gate and that of Iron that would obstruct his aime Therfore when he was delivered and stood knocking at the Gate through incredulity they let him stand so long that he might have been re-taken at the door and the ship sink in the Havens mouth Rhoda though she heard his voice is charged with madness for saying so Calvin in Locum and at last they said it was his Angel in Summe any thing rather then the Apostle Hinc colligimus Petri liberationē minime fuisse ab illis speratam saith Calvin on the Text They little dreamt of Peters deliverance When the three Children were preserved in the hot fiery Furnace and Daniel safe in the Lions Den their Enemies who saw it could hardly beleeve it Nay Beleevers as well as others have been at a loss in this thing when Christ that great Answer of prayer was come in the Flesh how few did beleive in him when he came to his Disciples in the Ship to save them from the Tempest they cryed out for fear supposing he was a Spirit And when he was risen from the dead the Apostle Thomas though he saw him and conferred with him could not beleive but must put his Fingers into the prints of the Nails The Jews when they had long prayed for the return of the Babylonian Captivity Psal 126.1 at the receipt of that mercy they were as men in a Dream Admonemur sic succurrere Deum pijs dum affliguntur ut ex improviso liberentur se non liberari sed somnium videre Putent Musculus in explan Psal 126.1 P. 1005 Gen. 45.26 27. saith Musculus on that place So Jacob when he was told that his Son Ioseph liv'd and had great power in Aegypt Old Jacobs heart fainted for he beleived it not but when he saw the Waggon which Joseph had sent for him his Spirit revived Thus in our Text the Disciples could hardly credite the Deliverance of Peter or Testimony of Rheda that heard his voice and knew it full well Nay Peter himself had little faith in this respect For first Act. 12.6.11 He was fast asleep just before it was begun and was very far from plotting or hoping this escape 2. When he was perfectly awakened and in the midst of his deliverance himself saw not ground of beleiving it For Luke saith Act. 12.6.11 He followed the Angel and wist not that it was true which was done by him but thought he saw a Vision and when he was come to himself he praised God This may be so Reas 1 because God is often mysterious in his working and many times he seems to destroy when he comes to deliver As in the case of Ioseph sold and put into a Pit The Israelites entring into the Red-Sea and Christ being destroyed and murthered of the Jews when all the hopes of the Disciples were buried with Christ We thought that this had been he that should have redeemed Israel The Lord useth very strange Methods of deliverance Psal 65.5 As one that had an Ulcer in his body being sadly yet sweetly wounded by his Enemy had his Ulcer opened and his life saved Hag. 2.7 By terrible things in Righteousness will thou answer us Psal 99.8 I will shake all Nations and the desire of Nations shall come Thou answeredsts and forgavest them although thou tookest vengeance of their Inventions When God comes to deliver a people Psal 97.2 Gen. 32.24 and execute vengeance on his Enemies it may be clouds and darkness are round about him Although he answered the prayer of Iacob yet first he put his Thigh out of joynt Again Reas 2 much of this wonder may be charged upon our great unbelief we are apt to measure the All-sufficience power and purposes of God by visible Appearances by humane Probabilities and rationall Expectations But the vast circle of his power and goodness excells the Epicicle of our faith Vnde quod nunc factum est illis videtur incredibile ut magis ad celebrandam Dei virtutem excitentur Calvin in Locum saith Calvin on the Text Ionah was in two deeps yet at the bottom of the Sea and entomb'd in the Whale he despaired not he ceased not to call upon God for deliverance The use What ever our streights be oh let us never cease to besiege Heaven with our prayers and lett our Bullets be Tears our Guns Groans In the lowest ebb of affairs let us know a spring tide of comfort may be at hand Eph. 3.20 God can and will do for his people aboue all that they can ask or think For as the Heavens are higher then the Earth so are Gods thoughts above our thoughts Thirdly 3 Point from the Coherence Elect Angels have assumed the shape of men Here you see the Disciples took Peter to be an Angel in his shape It is his Angel Now that the Angels have appeared in visible forms of men Iudg. 6. 13 Chap. and for a while so conversed with Mortals walking eating and drinking and talking familiarly of the matters wherabout they were sent is full evident in Sacred Records Abraham entertained Angels unawares so also did Lot Daniel Hagar Zachary the Virgin Mary Saint Iohn in the Revelation Peter in the Prison Angels have appeared in Dreams in Visions and lastly in assumption of bodies as here to Peter But how could this be Qu. 1 I answer Ans 1 1. Some have thought there hath been no Assumption of bodies but only an appearance to our Fancy and strong imagination But this cannot be so because they did eat and drink and were seen of many as well as of one Ans 2 2. The Learned hold they took reall bodies formed by Divine Power into the similitude of men Angels were united to those bodies not as mans Soul to his body nor as Christ to our Nature but they
Believer It is evident from the Scripture That the mayn Host or chiefe body of the Angels are in Heaven above waiting before the Throne yeelding personal attendance on their Head and our Husband Christ Jesus continually lauding and praysing God skreening their faces with their wings and crying Holy Holy Holy standing ready prest to execute his Will Therefore there is in * Mat. 22.30 2 Thes 1.7 Scripture so frequent mention of the Angels of Heaven Heaven is the Palace and Throne of God Angels are his guards Elect Angels do continue there unlesse they be sent and otherwise employed by God to execute his will upon Earth or in the Aire or in the deep waters Iacob in a vision saw a Ladder reaching up to Heaven and Angels continually ascending and descending on it That Heaven is a PLACE we need not doubt for the body of Christ is there And that the main host and corporation of Angels in that place wil evidently appear from the sacred Text Dan. 7.10 Dan. 7.10 The Ancient of days did sit his throne was like the fiery flame A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him Thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him It seems that Daniel in a Vision saw the glory of God in Heaven and his full Court of Angels about his Throne The like expressions are in Rev. 5.11 And I beheld and heard the voyce of many Angels round about the Throne c. Now if the main knot and corporation of Angels be in Heaven then it is not probable that each Believer should have Troops upon earth Or that all the blessed Angels watch over every Believer as some have affirmed 7. Rev. 12.7 opened And lastly let us grant that many Angels attend each particular Saint Yet it would not be a vain or fruitlesse Doctrin that one of them is chiefly intrusted with his preservation to place conduct and excite the rest as need shall require for 't is certain the good Angels fight with the evill in our behalf Rev. 12.7 Aug. Hom. 9. in Apoc. Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and his angels 1. Austin Tertullian Tertul. de carne Christi and our Modern Writers do by Michael understand Christ Jesus the head of all Principalities and Powers The Noble Captaine of our salvation 2. Brightman and Trap on Rev. 12.7 Some by Michael and his Angels understand Constantine and his Armies as learned Brightman and others 3. Others affirm that Michael is to be taken literally For Michael the Arch-Angel being commanded of the rest in the vision which is not altogether improbable 1. Because Michael is stiled an Arch-Angel in the ninth verse of St. Iudes Epistle 2. 'T is likely an Angel there was called an Arch-Angel as being Captain in the skirmish with Satan So saith Basil very fully to our purpose Basil advers Eunemium lib. 3. A celestial spirit is called an Arch-Angell when being accompanied with many other Angels in the work of the Lord he is guide and leader to the rest for inter Angelos est Ordo among the Angels and especially in Battail there is very great Order 3. Mark well the opposition Michael and his Angels against the Dragon and his Angels Who questions but the DRAGON is Beelzebub the chief the Prince of Devills Therefore also by MICHAEL may be meant an Arch-Angel since it is plain there are Degrees among the blessed Spirits And if there be Order in Hell sure there is no confusion in Heaven I might mention other places where an Angel in chief is mentioned Josh 5.14 and other good Angels with him see only two places Josh 5.14 15. There you see the Captain of the Lords Host appeared and spake to Ioshuah Gods host of Angels that came to the relief of Ioshua had over them a Commander or Chieftain and this Captain appeared and spake to Ioshua See also Luke 2. Luk. 2.9.13 at the ninth verse The Angel of the Lord appeared unto the Shepheards to convey unto them the news of a Saviour Now observe when the message of this chiefe Angel or Ambassadour was ended Then suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praysing God and singing ver 13. One Angel sang of Christ as the chief Musitian and a full Quire bore the burden of the Song Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and good will towards men Luk. 2.16 It is said that the Angels went into Heaven that is the Quire of them went but 't is likely the first Angel continued with one of the Shepheards to conduct them to the place where the babe lay So then if a man have many Angels about him 't is a comfort that one who is chiefe will be his guardian to guide counsell and order the Angels that are sent and to abide with him when the rest are disbanded and depart Perhaps for some other expedition as Providence shall dispose or else to joyne in the Halelujahs above I have been the larger in answering the second doubt because I find that it is generally urged against our point by the Antagonists thereof A believer hath many Angels hath all the Angels what need we confine his safety to One Thirdly Quest 3 Some may aske is not this a Popish and Antichristian point maintained chiefly by Jesuites and Papists and rejected by Protestants and sober men To this we answer Answ 1. There are many points in Divinity wherein the Romanists and wee doe agree We do not think the worse of Foundationall Truths if we find them owned by the Pseudocatholick Church But rather we say these things are so Our enemies themselves being Iudges They have the main body of truth so are called Christians only the pearl of divine Truth is hid in the endlesse rubbish of humane Traditions But whilst we have their Blindnesse Idolatry and Superstition let 's not extend our hatred to their persons but pitty and pray for them nor to the many Truths which they hold but cleave to them still A man will not reject a piece of Gold though he find it on the Dunghill and a Mother will love and take up her Child although bemired in the street among rude Play-fellows So it must be here we must love and embrace the truth whersoever we find it 2. Tertullian Clemens Alexandrinus Origen and many others who approved of the Guardian Angel and breathed in the three first Centuries after Christ could not be infected with Popery which then had no being For as wee prove the Sabbath to be more then Ceremonial for being constituted observed from the beginning Gen. 2.2 Exod. 16.23 30. before the promulgation of the Law So it is as easie to prove that the Doctrine of Angels Deputation is not Popish because it was maintained by the Primitive Christians as the Text declares And by the ancient Fathers that breathed in the purest ayre of Primitive times before
the plague of Popery brake out 3. It hath been and is maintained by divers of the Orthodox since the man of Sin was revealed Not only Chrysostome Austin Bernard and others of the Fathers but also by our Modern Divines and soundest Protestants as Bullinger Peter Martyr Beza Zanchy Bucan and by divers yet living Let not this Doctrine therfore any longer be clogged and branded with the odious name of Popery 'T is the subtlety of Satan thus to disfigure the Truth and beget a prejudice in us For as Errors do often pass when they have the trimming of Truth so Truth is often pelted under the Vizard of errour Fourthly Quest 4 some ask whether Adam in the state of Innocency had an Angel Guardian Here are two questions 1. Whether Adam had a tutelar Angel 2. If so whether before or after his Fall To the first Answer 1 I answer All Gods elect have such communion with Angels And 't is most likely that Adam was elected and saved Dr. VVillet on Gen. 3.47 because the Promise was made to him concerning Christ Gen. 3.15 That the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head From whence Dr. Willet concludes That though our first Parents finned yet they were restored and saved by faith in the Messiah and not utterly condemned * Danaeus super Aug. de Haeresibus cap. 25. p. 107. which was the uncharitable heresie of the Tatianes saith Danaeus concerning whom thus he writes Primus eorum Maximus proprius error Quod Adamum Primum Hominem Damnatum Nec ex-lapsu suo saluti restitutum putant Docent But Irenaeus hath * Irenaeus lib. 2. cap. 39. Resutat Tacianos well confuted them And generally the Auncient Fathers doe think more charitably of our first Parents hoping and affirming that they were saved from three Texts of Scripture viz. Gen. 3.15 That there should be enmity between the seed of the Woman and the Serpent Luke 3.38 Adam is called the Son of God but surely after his fall and before faith he was the child of Hell and Perdition 2 Cor. 15.45 The first Adam was made a living Soul the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit We may here mention as an humane testimony Wisdom 10.1 Where it is sayd See Coll. of Doway's Annotaâ—ions Tom 2. p. 356. that Wisdom preserved the first Father of the World and brought him out of his Offence So then if Adam was elected and saved as t is probable by that which hath been sayd what should hinder but that he as well as others had a Guardian-Angell To the second part of the Querie Answ 2 whether this Angel did attend him in the time of Innocency in Paradice Aquinas is for the Affirmative Tho Aquinas Parte prima Qust 113. p. 239. Homo in statu Innocentiae non patiebatur aliquod Pereculum ab interiori quia interius erant Omnia Ordinata Sed imminebat periculum ei ab exteriori propter insidias Daemonum ut rei probavit eventus ideo indigebat custodia Angelorum Though there was an Harmony within yet there were Tempters without Though he stood he might fall He had a Posse non Mori but never a Non posse Mori His danger was great because many Angels were become Apostates and would still be laying snares for him as the issue declared This Guardian-Angel peradventure counselled him when he had sinned to hide and cloath himself Glorious was the Communion between man in Innocency and Elect Angels Fifthly Quest 5 Some do ask whether Jesus Christ had a Guardian Angel The School-men answer warily in this Point Answer Tho Aquinas ut ante in Artic. 4. Christus Ratione Passibilitatis erat Victor secundum hoc non debebatur ei Angelus custos tanquam superior sed magis minister tanquam inferior Christ in regard of his Humanity and sufferings was a Pilgrim upon earth yet the Angel that therfore attended him was not his Superior or Ruler Hugo Cardin Tom. 6. fol. 262. but meerly his obedient Vassall trusty Squire and diligent Servant Therfore when the Angel is sayd to strengthen him Hugo doth thus expound it Confortans eum id est Ad modum confortantis se habens Forte aliqua verba consolatoria dicendo after a manner he is sayd to strengthen him perhaps by speaking comfortable words to him Now here we shall endeavour to prove two things unto you 1. That the Angels were much about Christ 2. That one Angel especially did belong to him 1. Mat. 4.11 26.53 John 20.12 Mat. 13.41 1 Tim. 3.16 For the former it is evident Elect Angels were very busie about Christ in the dayes of his Pilgrimage their Ministrations was used upon all occasions They did comfort him in the Desert after his Temptations in the Garden after his Agony They were busie about the Sepulcher and gave attendance at his Resurrection They treated with divers about Christ they brought news of his Birth to the Shepheards of his Resurrection to the Women and of his Ascention to the Disciples Upon all occasions the Heavenly Host came and ministred unto him of which divers Reasons may be given 1. Jesus Christ is their Head and Generall all Angels Arch-angels Seraphins and Cherubins are subject unto Christ 2. Where the King is there is the Court kept though in the meanest Village 3. By attending on Christ in the Flesh they declared his Divinity From the greatest abasements of Christ certain sparkles of Glory and Divinity flew out 4. They came to comfort and strengthen his Humanity when the Divinity was hid and ecclipst in his Sufferings which were very great not only from men but God See Luke 22.43 T was the Humane Nature that received strengthening here from an Angel The * Fuller of Christs Temptations Angel saith one being in a Calme Christ in the Tempest of an Agony no wonder if the Meaner give support to the Superior 5. The Angels attend Christ * Col. 1.20 2.10 Eph. 1.10 3.10 1 Pet. 1.12 because of their Interest in his Mediation for in that Glass they read their confirmation in grace and happiness So that now there is no fear nor possibility of their Apostacy and falling This makes them to pry into the Mysteries of Christs Mediation 6. By Christs †Incarnato Christo Angeli Deum laudaverunt quia viderunt Numerum corum impleri Hugo Cord. Tom. 1 p. 447. Col. 2. Redemption The vacant and empty Rooms of fallen Angels will be supplyed by Saints saith Hugo to make their maimed Society compleat For Christ saith that Beleevers shall be as the Angels of Heaven So the order of Angels will be replenished and the Gap filled up not with Thorns and Rubbish but very pretious Jewels You see there are many reasons why the Angels were so officious about Christ Jesus 2. For the latter that one Angel did especially belong to Christ may appear probable to us Luke 22.43 It is sayd Luke
debilitavit patefecit insidias fraudem detexit saith Rivius Hee hath reveal'd their sleight and repel'd their might The Angels do watch over us saith Greenham yet all see it not Greenhams Workes p. 3. and when they see it t is by the effect of their Ministrie They watch over us and preserve us from many dangers of soule and body 4. The Angels have been used to declare and trumpet out the will of God to his People The Angel reveased to Mary the Incarnation of Christ an Angel admonished Hagar of her duty an Angel instructed John that God only is to be worshipped The name Angel signifies Messenger because God hath by their Ministration conveyed many Messages to Men. Nay 5. The Angels do not only declare what is good Dr. Sibbs Mystery of Godlinesse p. 108. but they advise us to it So Dr. Sibbs if the Devils can suggest sinne Angels are stronger and wiser then Devils whatsoever they can do in evill the elect Angels can in good therefore they suggest many thoughts that are good Lombard saith of the guardian Angel Lombard lib. 2. dist 11. Hortatur ad Bonum He doth admonish and perswade us on all occasions to that which is good The way how this is done is very mysterious let us not pry into that 6. They encourage and comfort us in doing our duty So an Angel comforted Hagar another comforted Paul in the storm at Sea 2 Râ—g 1.3 and an Angel encouraged and strengthened Eliah to his worke And although now they doe not appeare in bodily shapes yet the same offices are by them although more spiritually and mysteriously performed to us Mendoza in Reg. vel 1 cap. 1. sect 2. p. 244. Nay Mendoza saith they further excite quicken the soul in Prayer But we shall not proceed so far least we think of them above that which is written 7. The Angel guardian helps us in our sufferings and afflictions Thus the Angels have appeared unto the Martyrs a little before their death to cheer and encourage them When Christ was in an Agony just before he was betrayed the presence of an Angel did strengthen him Lu 22.43 And Peters Angel appeared to him in the prison and delivered him When the child Moses was layd among the flags and Joseph put into a pit then did their guardian Angel stand them in good stead or else the one had been destroyed of Water and the other starved to death or made a prey to wild Beasts 8. And lastly at Death the Angel guardian conveys the believing * Hoc munus non frustra Angelis assignat Christus quos scimus datos esse fidelibus Ministros ut eorum saluti sua studia operasque impendant Calvin in Luc. 16.22 soul into Abrahams bosome through the Devils Territories and in spight of him for he is the Prince of the Ayre Some think that to the Angel guardian are joyned certain other Angels to scour and cleer the passage for us They are our convoy to Blisse And in this march they are continually fighting for us and thus with much speed and triumph they convey us into our Fathers house which is the last office this Angel shall do for us unles it be to call gather our very bodies to Judgment at the last day And in heaven we shall have perfect knowledg of that Angel that was our keeper as also of all other Angels and Saints there Some may say Object If Angels do all this for us guesse very much at our hearts make powerful impressions on our Fancy and Imagination impede and hinder evill actions declare and perswade Gods will hearten and encourage us in service and sufferings and convey us at last into our haven of Heaven Then what will you leave unto God and the holy spirit of Grace We leave unto God all in all Solut. which is 1. The Commission 2. The Inspiration 3. The Benediction From him they have their warrant message and blessing Angels are but his servants Cesterns are they not Fountaines God only can renew and sanctifie the soul and blesse all the means and methods of our good why should ascribing to Angels some work upon the soule derogate from Christ more then their tuition of our bodyes for we deny not to Christ the care also of our outward man So then let the Ministry of Angels as to our bodies and soules raise and elevate our thoughts to admire adore the great Lord and Master of those Servants and breed in us a high esteem of these heavenly Tutors That having gained them wee may converse with and suck all the good we possibly can from them Ninthly Quest 9 The next question may be this are our Angels greived at our falls and miseries Doe they sympathize with us Mourn with them that mourn Are they touched grieved when we fall into sin or when trouble falls upon us I answ Answer with Hugo Hugo Cardinalis Tom. 7. p. 246. Angelus scire potest infirma nostra sed non compati quia nec Pati The Angel may know our infirmities but cannot suffer with us because he cannot suffer at all The Schoolmen therefore do upon good grounds deny the fellow-feeling of Angels by suffering and grieving with us in our tryals For though they unfeignedly desire our good yet they cannot dis-roab themselves of their own happinesse Rev. 21.4 When we come to Heaven there is no more death nor wayling Revel 21. No man in heaven shall mourn or sigh for the damnation of his dearest friends So also the Angels instated in so much happiness are not capable of griefe and sorrow Tho Aquinas Prima parte Quest 113. Artic. 7. The Reason saith Thomas is this They are brimfull of happinesse and their wils are so clearly wheelâ—d about by the supream will of God without which nothing comes to pass that they cannot grieve or mourn for that which God is resolv'd shall work together for the good of Believers 'T is sufficient they earnestly wish and desire our good and do rejoyce at our conversion let us not be troubled that they grieve not at our Deviation Note Excessive griefe hath made friends to be uselsse to us and piniond their arms that they have not bin able to help us Angels will strive to pull us out of evill that is better then if they sate still to sigh and mourn over us Christ is said to be Toucht with the feeling of our infirmities Nay in all our afflictions he is afflicted Not that he can suffer or mourn in heaven but that such is our Union with him and his Remembrance of our frailty because he hath our flesh that he is ready to own and help us in our streights In this respect Angels also may be sayd to sympathize with us for they will stand by us and support us in a time of need 10. Quest 10 How Believers can fall into dangers that are still thus attended by the wise and powerful
care of their Angels Mephibosheth a child of five yeares old sonne to a good Father and afterwards a good man himselfe was lamed by a fall from his fleeing Nurse Innumerable examples might be brought of the same kind Are the Angels of Believers absent impotent or sullen and careless when Believers do thus miscarry under their hands and such mischances befals them One answers Answer No mischances can befall them that are godly Fuller of Christs Temptations p. 100 101. Not chances because all things are ordered by divine Providence Nor mischances because all things worke for their good Therefore we say 1. The promise of Angels protection Mat. 4.6 Mat. 4. as all temporall promises runs with this tacite Reservation and condition Alwayes prouided that God in his infinite wisdome for Reasons best known to himself doe not judge the contrary more conducing to his glory and our inward good Hee seeth that many times Afflictions humble us awaken us do us good †Schola crucis schola lucis teaching us his will and our duty 2. Angels are to keep us in all our wayes Psalm 91.11 It is not sayd Our wandrings And who in this wilderness-condition is free from wandring Who can say I have made my heart cleane Sinn must have sorrow here or for ever Your sinnes have hindred good things from you 3. God is above the Angels and they all move and act by Divine Appointment As the Primum mobile moves all the other Sphears so Angels and all creatures are swayed moved and ordered by the Lord Note he can countermand Angelical protection and give Instructions to those powers in some cases to suspend their Attendance and care of us Hee also gives scope to evill Angels to molest us lengthening out their chaine certaine links by enlarging their Commission to exercise and prove us as in the famous cases of Iob Paul Satan was permitted to destroy the goods children health of the one to buffet the mind and conscience of the other and give him a thorn in the flesh 4. When believers do thus lie under the lash of a Father Angelical attendance doth mitigate the evil that they do not succumbere despair and utterly miscarry As if a Limb be bruised that the Life be spared Let us hear the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.8 9. We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair Persecuted but not forsaken 1 Cor. 6.9 cast down but not destroyed and elsewhere as dying yet behold we live Angels are not alwayes to keep us from Primum ac praecipuum genus consolationis est Animum tristem consolari etiamsi Res Adversae adhuc durent Musculus in Psal 94.19 p. 729. but sometimes in troubles which saith Musculus is the chiefest Point of consolation So * 2 Cor. 1.3 Rom. 5.5 Saint Paul He comforteth us in all our tribulations again As the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolations also abound in Christ Now these Cordials and Consolations in and under sufferings are chiefly administred by God the holy Spirit Instrumentally also by Angels Christ could have prayed that many Legions of Angels should have kept him from suffering this he did not yet the Angels Ministred unto him in the Wilderness in the Agony and other sufferings of his from time to time 5. Beleevers are so defended by God and Elect Angels that whatsoever temporall things they suffer they shall not eternally miscarry though the miseries and crosses of this life prevail against them yet the Gates of Hell shall not Though the Lions do roar God will not cast them his Children to feed them that Tormenting Flame shall not touch one hair of their head Is this all their Consolation that the Oven of Hell is heating but not for them No Heaven is preparing and perfuming for them Though thy Angel therfore do suffer thee to trip he will support and raise thee up again He is not to leave thee till thou art safe within Heavens Gate 6. And lastly This objection that Beleevers have not their Guardian Angels because of their sinnings and sufferings is not so considerable if you remember that each Beleever also is acted by the holy Ghost who is intempled in the Saints and yet the people of God have many failings and infirmities sin in them is dejected but not ejected The body is acted by a Raitionall Soul yet in the time of fancy and sleep it cannot counsell and watch over us The Sun is ever in the Heavens yet somtimes his face is ecclipst or muffled with Clouds Though our Angel be never so wise faithfull and Potent yet the Lord of Angels and men may suspend and ecclipse his Protection for a time that we may the more depend upon himself Note As the Nurse gets behind the Skreen that the Infant may go into the Mothers armes without crying If Angels do not help us t is that we may call upon God for aid Eleventhly Qu. 11 It may be asked if the Tutelar Angel doth at any time really and utterly depart and leave those destitute and forelorn with whose Guardianship they are intrusted T is sayd of Peters Angel Acts 12.10 when the Iron Gate was opened and one street passed That forthwith the Angel departed from him I answer Answ that departing of the Angel was only his disappearing or laying down that bodily shape that was assumed Mat. ult ult So Christ is said to leave and not to leave the World We affirm therfore that good Angels are our constant Associates till death Though their Influence may be susspended yet their presence is continued and they never throughout our life do utterly and totally sorsake us Mat. 18.10 Their Angels do alwayes behold my Fathers face They are their Angels not for a spirit or in a good Mood but alwayes theirs alwayes expecting new commands for their good And Psal 91.11 They are charged to keep us and be with us in all our wayes As a shaddow followeth the body without leaving it or lagging behind so do the Angels accompany Beleevers in all their walks and wayes Oates on Jude 9. p. 216. Oates in his Comment on Jude writeth thus The Angels attend on us ride and journey with us T is most necessary and evident that they never totally forsake us in our Pilgrimage in this wayfaring and warfaring condition Satan goeth about seeking whom to devoure If therfore he should find us alone and without the tuition of Angels we were but one morsel for him He spareth the wicked because they are his and must do him service As God is sayd to leave us for a time when sins and afflictions overtake us So the Angels his Messengers and Ministers may be sayd to withdraw when some hurt befals us to return again for our greater advantage but it is certain * Heb. 13.5 Psal 27.10 that God never leaves nor forsakes us therfore nor the Angels really or totally
But saith one they are often with us as Physitians are with those that have filthy Ulcers Note they stop their Noses and administer the Medicine So do they our vanity and sins extreamly offend them as also God yet their obedience to God and love to us chains and keeps them steddily to us They will not dare not cannot utterly forsake us till we be got into Heaven If it be objected that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul Object 1 Sam. 16.14 and an evil Spirit from the Lord came and troubled him Sol. I answer By that good Spirit that departed you must either understand the holy Spirit of God in his common not sanctifying gifts and graces Or a good Angel that for a time was sent to him but not to abide Good Angels may be sent unto the bad as to Saul and Baalam but they abide only with the good Heb. 1.14 The Heirs of Salvation Such saith Origen as are Praecogniti a Deo foreknown of God Then by the evil Angel that succeeded and seized on him is meant Satan taking fuller possession as he is sayd to enter into Judas after the Sop who had a litter of Divels in his heart before So saith Christ the Devil may seem to depart and takes with him many other Spirits worse then himself to repossess a man that his latter end shall be dolefull and the very Map of all misery and desperation And on the other side if good Angels seem to withdraw from the Saints t is that they may return with the greater Triumph and Consolation The twelfth and last Question is this Quest 12 How can Elect Angels be happy in Heaven if they be thus disperst and busied and employed on Earth To this I answer 1 Answer which is confuted First Some affirm that Heaven is not at any distance from us but consists in the fruition of God so that Heaven may be on Earth Chemnit Harmon Evangel cap. 92. p. 1741. Thus Chemnitius in his Harmony resolves this doubt Observandum est quod Angeli qui pusillis ministrant Haec officia omnia in Terris expediunt nihlominus Faciem Patris in Coelis videre dicuntur Vnde manifestissimum est Coelum in quo Deus cum Majestate sua residet non per tot Myriadas Milliarum ultra supremum hoc aspectabile Coelum abesse sicut Calviniani de co Nugantur That because the Angels of little Children on Earth behold the face of God in Heaven therfore Heaven is not a place at such distance from us as Calvinists imagine * Coelum itaque Terra In fernus non locorum intercapedinibus sed Beatituditudiuis tius Ibid. Infoelicitatis Respectu distinguuntur Chemniâ— And that therfore it is most manifest that Heaven Earth and Hell are only distinguished by a greater degree of happiness or misery not Locally or any distance of place But that Gods Throne and the Seat of Elect Angels and glorified Saints is a Place and at a great distance from us will full easily appear And that therfore Angels cannot be here and in Heavâ—n at the same time I mean the same Numerical Angels First I will prove unto you that Heaven iâ— not only happiness or content but a place which will â—huâ—â—ppear I refer the Reader to the Scriptures in the Margent 1. By (a) Eph. â— 3 â—ohn 14.2.3 plain and positive Scriptures 2. By Names and Titles given to Heaven (b) Heb. â— â—6 Mat 5.8 a Kingdome an (c) Iohn 14.2 Isa 63.15 House an (d) Luke 23.43 Rev. 2.7 Eden or Garden of Pleasure 3. By the Inhabitants that dwell in Heaven 1. Spirituall as (e) Mat. 6.9 Ioh. 3.13 1 Ioh. 5.7 God (f) â—at 2 25. Angels (g) Luke 23.43 the Soul of just men made perfect 2. Corporeall There is the body of (h) Gen. 5 24. Enoch (i) 2. Reg. 2 11. Elias and (k) Mark 16.19 Ep. 1.20 Christ and as his body went thither so there it (l) 1. Acts 3.21 abides wherupon Austin saith thus Vbi corpus ibi locum esse necesse est where there is a body there must of necessity be a place It is evident then that there is a Locall Heaven Secondly * Nam quum assumptus in Coelum dicitur Christus Certe aperte notatur Locorum Distantia saiâ—h Brentius Heaven is at a great distance from us which Brentius concludes from Christs being taken up out of sight they followed him with their eyes so long as ever they could T is at least an 160 Millions of * Greenhill on Ezek. Vol. 1. p. 104. miles high from Earth to Heaven So far it is by the Rules of Astronomers If this ascending Line could be drawn right-forward some that have calculated curiously have found it five hundred years journey unto the Starry-heaven for an ordinary Traveller Ob. How could the Soul of the converted Theef trace and travel it then in one day This day shalt thou bee with me in Paradice said Christ Sol. Leighs Body of Div. in 4to lib. 3. cap. 3. p. 28. This was done by the conduct and celerity of Angels that conveyed it A Bullet from a Musket flyes very swiftly it will fly an 180. miles an hour according to its motion But the Sun moveth swifter 1160000. miles in one hour Now the Throne of God is very much above the visible Heavens therfore certainly the Seat of Angels and blessed Souls is at an huge distance from us T is in the (m) Psal 104.3 highest Heavens (n) Eph. 4.10 Christ is ascended far above all Heavens saith St. Paul * Magirus lib. 2. cap. 2. p. 120. From the height of the Stars you may guess at the vast distance of Coelum Empiraeum which is sedes Beatorum according to that of Eliphaz Is not God in the height of Heaven and behold the height of the Stars how high they are Job 22.12 Compare now the judgment of Eliphaz with that of Chemnitius The second Answer to the Question then is this Ans 2 which is confirmed That whilest Angels are on Earth Heaven is still their Country their Home their Inheritance And that a main part of Heaven which is the fruition and vision of God Elect Angels may and do enjoy whilest they are on Earth with us This is our conclusion for seeing Heaven is at such a distance and Angels are not Omni-present Damascen lib. 2. Orth. Fidei cap. 3. We must say with Damascen Angeli cum sunt hic Nobiscum non sunt in Coelo Angels cannot be in Heaven and on Earth together That they are sometimes on Earth who denyeth for here they have appeared by Assumption of humane bodies Angels do not then suffer by with-drawing from Heaven for here they enjoy the presence and favour of God which supplies the want of Heaven unto them Their condition is so happy here that figuratively they are said to be in Heaven Mat.
18.10 The Angels of Christs little Ones are said to behold the face of God in Heaven viz. Their communion with God is not eclipst God filleâ—h every place with his presence This made Mount Tabor so glorious at the Transfiguration of Christ We say then that Elect Angels not only sometimes when they be in Heaven but alwayes saith Christ namely when on Earth also THEIR Angels by reason of particular attendance do still continue to behold the face of God Elect Angels even whilest they are on Earth with us have a fulness of Gods presence and joy some way (o) Leighs Body of Divin lib. 3. cap. 7. answerable to that in heaven which makes them no loosers by this Employment Seeing it is an Heaven to Angels to be doing the (p) Dr. Gouge his Guide to God p. 79. will of God and seeing his face and rejoycing in his Service For although they go up and down in their Ministry here below yet this they perform without Regret or Distraction and their happiness is not therby obstructed As the Souls in Heaven are not hindred from happiness by desiring their bodies again so Angels continue happy though they be a while from Heaven their usuall home Note And as Noble-men do joyfully go Ambassadors into a meaner Country then their own not so much disliking the coldness of the Climat as approving the honor of the Embassage and high employment wherein they do serve their Prince and publick good So Angels do not greive but rejoyce to come as Ambassadors and Agents from Heaven to Earth as knowing they must shortly return in Triumph to their Native Country In the mean time they here below do fully enjoy the face and favour of God and are freed from all manner of distraction and misery Et si foris exeunt internis contemplationis gaudiis non Privantur Gregory saith Gregory most truly Although for a time they leave their own home they want not the inward joyes of contemplation Luke 2.13 A full Quire of Angels sang Carols over a few ragged Shepheards and their Flocks which declares that their absence from Heaven and their attending poor Worms upon Earth doth not cut them off from their heavenly contemplations and sweet rejoycings in God As a General rejoyceth to be in the Field Note and glorieth in his Spoyl and Ensigns of Victory so do the Angels in skirmishing and routing the evil Spirits Christ himself was well pleased with being on Earth accounting it meat and drink to do the will and business of his Father He submited to a mean life and cursed death for our sakes and was emptied of all Glory for us Therfore let us conclude Elect Angels do not repent their Attendance on us Princes are not alwayes in their Palaces somtimes they make excursions into Forrests Note Villages and desolate Places and at last retire home with renewed satisfaction So Angels short excursions on Earth do but set out unto them the Glory of those Celestiall Habitations Having answered all the Objections that I ever yet met withall or can possibly think of The way is now sufficiently layd out that we may pass unto the profitable Inferences of this Discourse for our further instruction and edification First Vse 1 here will be matter of confutation as to certain Romish additions and mistakes about this very Point of the Guardian-Angel Although I do not remember that Conradus Vorstius in his Index errorum Ecclesiae Romanae Or Amesius in his Bellarminus enervatus do touch at the Errors of the Romish Synagogue in relation to Angels or their Deputation yet Dr. Dr. Andr. Willet Vis Synapsis Papismi Willet who omits nothing in his Synopsis Paptismi doth write particularly of them although so smartly and vehemently as withall to reject the Guardianship of Angels the Romish Errors wherabout are these four 1. The Papists say that Michael is the Prâ—tector and Keeper of the whole Church of Christ This we reject for Jesus Christ is the HEAD of Angels the Protector and Defender of his Spouse the Church All power is given unto him in Heaven and Earth He is the Crowned King of aints T is true there are Degrees among Angels some are Angels and others Arch-angels but Christ not Michael is the Head of them all and sole Saviour and King of his Church 2. Romanists do hold that every man hath his Guardian-Angel from God So Clictoveus Cuique Hominum sigillatim and Designatus est Angelus Doway Expos Gen. 18.16 And our Doway men affirm the very same We beleive say they that this Priviledge belongs not to Gods Elect only But Heb. 1 14. t is most expresly affirmed that Angels are to attend the Heirs of Salvation Scil. Such Positively and exclusively Such and no other not Reprobate Heirs of Perdition Good Angels may have treated with evil men as with Baalam And so the holy Spirit doth often suggest good things to them but all this is for their conviction and greater confusion at the last We cannot from hence affirm that either the holy Spirit or elect Angels do abide with and watch over them 3. The Pontificians hold that each man hath two Angels allotâ—ed him by God one to vex and punish him Bucan Loc. Com. de Angelis Loc. 6. Sect. 35. p. 74. the other to guard and comfort him But this is absurd God appoints not an evil Angel constantly to attend his Elect and if Satan Depute him the Elect Angel set by God will continually expel and vanquish him So that though the evil Angels do very often assault the Righteous yet no one evil Angel can quietly and constantly be neer unto him that fears God Therfore Satan bad particular Commission to molest Iob for a time and to give a BUFFET to Saint Paul Now a Buffet is a sudden blow or surprise No evil Angel can long be neer Gods Elect because Michael is stronger then the Dragon There is no communion between Light and Darkness Christ and Belial Elect Angels and Reprobate and there is not a syllable in the Book of God that speaks of two Angels the one good the other bad about a Child of Light 4. And lastly most of them hold Invocation and Adoration to be due unto the Guardian-Angel and many Arguments they urge to this end here take the chief First Arg. 1 Joshuah fell down before the Angel and worshiped Josh 5.14 We say Origen 6. Homil. in Josh he Worshipt non an Angel but Christ their Captain But Origen thus expounds it Joshua non adorasset nisi Agnovisset Deum He would not have Ador'd if he had not known him to be God Secondly Arg. 2 Baalam adored the Angel Numb 22.31 1. We say this might be an exceeding great Reverence and no Adoration 1 Reg. 1.23 as Nathan bowed down to David where the same word Shacha is used 2. T is but a weak Argument that is taken from the example of a false Prophet and Sorcerer that was
accustomed to prostrat himself before his evil Spirits Thirdly they urge Rev. 8.3 Arg. 3 Dr. Willets Synop. Pap. in the 8. Gen. Cantr Quest 3. p. 395. I saw another Angel that came and stood before the Altar and much Odors were given unto him to offer with the Prayers of the Saints upon the Golden Altar We answer 1. Though the Angels should present our Prayers to God yet it is not in their own name but Christs Much Odors were mingled with the Prayers i. e. Christs Merites It follows not that therfore we may Invocate Angels For the Saints on Earth may and do invocate God for us yet are not to be Invocated by us 2. This place is better expounded of Christ himself the Angel of the Covenant who offers up our Prayers unto God which is Austins judgment on that Text. Fourthly Arg. 4 Gen. 48.16 They say Iacob seems to pray unto the Angel Gen. 48. But we answer He is not there praying at all but blessing his Children and wishing all good unto them And in case his Blessing comprehend Invocation he prayeth only to God to bless them and that his Angel may instrumentally be employed to do them good These be the Arguments of Romanists which they sharpen and boast of For the Adoration and Invocation of our Guardian-Angel We Protestants have many weighty reasons against it as 1. Divine Worship is due only to (a) Psal 50.15 Mat. 4.10 God 2. (b) Heb. 1. â— Aug. de Ver. Relig. Cap. 55. Angels do worship God Quod ergo colit summus angelus id colendum etiam est ab Homine ultimo saith Austin truly That therfore which is worshiped of the highest Angel the man of lowest degree ought also to worship 3. Christ is our (c) 1 Joh. 2.2 Only and All-sufficient Advocate no need of other Mediators 4. John fell down to the (d) Rev. 19.10 22.9 Angell but the Angell suffered him not saying See thou do it not I am thy fellow Servant worship God 5. T is most expresly forbidden of God A man would bless himself to think how Romanists can swallow and digest that Text Col. 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels c. * Sine Authoritate Scripturaram Garrulitas non habet fidem Hieronan cap. 1. ad Titum Observe first T is Voluntary or Will-worship no where appointed in Gods word for which Christ will not thank you at the day of Judgment but say (e) Isa 8.20 Who required this at your hands 2. It hath in it a shew or pretence of humility No Hook is câ—st among the Fishes without a Bait T is common for Vice to go clad in the Robe of humility 3. It is flatly forbidden Let not any man not he in the Porphiry Chair in his triple Crown nor any one else beguile and deceive you in this Point 4. The Punishment is hinted if you do it you loose your reward If you worship Angels here you shall not sing with them in Heaven The Papists do know that this Scripture cuts * Davenant Expos Colos 2.18 p. 238. very deeply and they would fain either evade it quite or blunt the edge if they could To that end 1. Caranza unworthily reads it De ijs qui Angulos colunt instead of Angelos that prize and meet in Corners not in Publick Assemblies well knowing how much this prace makes against him 2. Rhemish Annot. on Col. 2.18 Vol 3. p. 540. The Rhemists say that the Apostle speaks here against the wicked Doctrine of Simon-Magus who affirmed that the Angels both ill and good were Mediators for us unto God We answer Theodoret sufficiently declares that in that place all Wil-worship is forbidden and the Worship of good Angels as well as bad what fear or likely-hood was there that the Primitive Christians should be so unreasonably sottish as to worship the Divel This therfore is a very Cobwebb excuse a very slender and pitifull evasion for such Learned men to offer unto the World I conclude this Point with a Golden Saying of Austin and an humble confession of Cajetan no small one among them Honoramus Angelos Charitate non Servitute Augustinus de vera Relig. cap. 55. sayth Austin We Honour the Angels with sincere love not servile Adoration What shall I say more Cajetan himselfe confessing Certa ratione nescimus an nostra vota cognoscant We cannot certainly say that the Angels know or heare our prayers And so far of the necessary confutation of Romish Additions and Errors about this Point Secondly Vse 2 here wil be matter of Information about several other truths as 1. The great number of Angels 2. The goodnesse of God in allottingus such Associates and Tutors 3. That hence it will follow as a most probable truth that Cities Counties Isles Provinces and Kingdomes have their particular Angels And 4. by the rule of contraries That perhaps wicked men have their evill Angels to follow them First 1 It informs us in the vast number of Angels Mat. 26 53. Revel 5.11 It may serve to inform us in the vast number of elect Angels seeing every Believer hath one at least to defend him and upon extraordinary occasions many troops to guard him besides those that look to Cities and Provinces and the main body all this while is resident in heaven before the Lamb Revel 5. and Iude 14. doe expresse their multitudes by the greatest and roundest numbers in use among men Dan. 7.10 so also Dan. 7. Thousand thousands minister unto him and ten thousand thousands stand before him Heb. 12.12 Pauperis est numerare pecus But the Author to the Hebrews ascends higher yet The innumerable company of Angels How surpassing glorious will the Throne of Christ be when he shal come riding in the clouds of heaven Mat. 25.31 all his holy Angels with him Not an Angel shall be left in heaven that shall not attend him This Doctrine of the multitude of Angels doth marvellously tend to the Churches comfort and terrour of her enemies For how truly may we say There be more with us then against us Thou that hast few friends on Earth maist have many friends in Heaven Iob 38.7 Iob 38. when the morning Stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy The Angels are there called Stars for their great number and glistering perfections They all sing with one mouth and Nightingale throats their Halelujas to the Lamb that sits upon the Throne for ever Secondly 2 In the goodness of God it may serve to inform us in the goodnesse of our gracious God towards us for allowing us who are worms and no men the society and tuition of Angels Lord what is Man that thou art mindfull of him Tygers and Dragons might deservedly be our companions when lo Angels come and minister unto us But of this subject something †In my Spirituall