A Golden Chain

And thus we see what points we are to mark touching the good Angels. Now followeth the use which we are to make in regard of their creation. First whereas they are Gods ministers to inflict punishments upon the wicked, here is a special point to be learned of us; that every man in the fear of God take heed how he liveth and continueth in his sins, for the case is dangerous considering that God hath armies of Angels, which stand ready every where to execute Gods heavy judgements upon them that live thus. When the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord, Moses saith, they were naked, that is, open to all the judgements of god; even destitute of the guard of his good angels. Wretched Balaam that wizard went to Balaac to curse the children of Israel: and as he went it is said, the Angel of the Lord stood in his way with a drawn sword: & if the ass had not bin wiser than his master, the angel had slain him. Whereby it appears, that when we rush on into the practise of any sin, we do as much as in us lieth to cause god to send down his judgements ⟨p. 234⟩upon us for our sins, and that by the ministry of his angels. Secondly, we are taught another lesson by Christ himself: See (saith he) that you despise not one of these little ones:¹ now mark his reason: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my father. By little ones he meaneth young infants which are within the covenant; or others which are like to young infants in simplicity and innocency of life and humility. And Christ will not have them to be despised. A duty very needful to be stood upon in these times. For now a days if a man carry but a show of humility, of good conscience• and of the fear of God, he is accounted but a silly fellow, he is hated, mocked, and despised on every hand. But this should not be so. For him whom God honoureth with the protection of his good angels, why should any mortal man despise? And it stands mockers and scorners in hand to take heed whom they mock. For though men for their parts put up many abuses and injuries, yet their angels may take just revenge by smiting them with plagues and punishments for their offences.

And thus we see what points we are to marke touching the good Angels. Now followeth the vse which we are to make in regard of their creation. First whereas they are Gods ministers to inflict punishments vpon the wicked, here is a speciall point to be learned of vs; that euery man in the feare of God take heede howe he liueth and continueth in his sinnes, for the case is dangerous considering that God hath armies of Angels, which stande readie euerie where to execute Gods heauie iudgements vpon them that liue thus. When the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord, Moses saith, they were naked, that is, open to al the iudgements of god; euē destitute of the guard of his good angels. Wretched Balaā that wizzard went to Balaac to curse the children of Israel: and as he went it is said, the Angel of the Lord stood in his way with a drawn sword: & if the asse had not bin wiser thē his master, the angel had slaine him. Wherby it appeares, that whē we rush on into the practise of any sin, we do as much as in vs lieth to cause god to send down his iudgements