A01956:111
The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ…The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ…
The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ hath endowed her considered in some contemplations upon part of the 12. chapter of the Hebrews : together with certain other meditations and discourses upon other portions of Holy Scriptures, the titles whereof immediately precede the book : being the sum of diverse sermons preached in S. Gregory's London / by Thomas Adams ...The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ hath endowed her considered in some contemplations vpon part of the 12. chapter of the Hebrewes : together with certain other meditations and discourses vpon other portions of Holy Scriptures, the titles wherof immediately precede the booke : being the summe of diuerse sermons preached in S. Gregories London / by Thomas Adams ...
London: printed by G.P. for John Grismand, 1619London: printed by G.P. for Iohn Grismand, 1619
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. Their distinction. Gregory collects from the Scriptures Novem Angelorum ordines, nine several orders of Angels. Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim. We grant indeed that there be certain distinctions & degrees in the Quire of Heaven: but whether distinguished by nature, gifts, or offices, none can determine. The Papists plead much for the Princedom of Michael above all other Angels. Their ground is Revel. 12. 7. Michael & his Angels fought &c. Bellarmine affirms, that ever since the fall of Lucifer, Michael is head of the glorious Angels: ⟨p. 41⟩and the Rhemists collect from that place the reason, why Michael is ordinarily painted fighting with a Dragon. But the foolish Painter so well as wise Bellarmine, can tell us how Michael came to be chose in Lucifers room. Jude saith, the wicked Angels that left their habitation, are reserved in chains of darkness: but he tells us not, that such as did not fall are preferred to higher places, but rather continue still in their first estate and dignity. Indeed Jude calls Michael an Archangel, and Daniel Unum de principibus, one of the principal Angels: but it can never be proved, that he was, is, or shall be Monarch, or head of all Angels. Themselves say, that the greatest Angel is used in the greatest Embassage: but Gabriel, not Michael, was sent for the contracting of that sacred match between the GOD of 1Heaven and the blessed Virgin. Therefore Gabriel, not Michael, should be supreme both in natural graces, and supernatural prerogatives. Indeed Christ is the Michael there mentioned: for the blessed Angels cannot be said to be any other Michaels Angels, then Christ. So August. Bulling. Marlor. Perhaps in the vision Michael & an host of Angels appeared to John, but they represented Christ and his members. Christus est Ecclesiae suae Promachus, Angeli eius Symachi: It is against the principles of holy belief, 2to ascribe this victory to Michael or any other Angel whatsoever. sThey overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb, not by Michael, or any Angel.