1What is the use, and end of this glorious apparition, in regard of the poor shepherds, to confirm their faith, and in them ours, for if one or two witnesses confirm a thing, what shall a multitude do? If one or two men confirm a truth, much more an Host of heavenly Angels. Therefore it is base infidelity to call this in question, that is confirmed by a multitude of Angels: and to comfort them likewise in this Apparition; we see by the way, that for one Christian to confirm,2 an Angelical work, for one man to discourage another, it is the work of a Devil: when Christ was in his agony, the ⟨p. 211⟩Angels appeared to comfort him, we may take notice how willing, and ready these glorious Spirits were to attend upon our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, in all the passages from his Incarnation to his glory we see they appeared here at his Incarnation, they ministered unto him after his temptation, at his Resurrection, then they were ready to attend him, and at his Ascension, they were ready then, but oh the welcome, when he entered into Heaven! There was the glorious embracings, when all the Host of heaven entertained him at his Ascension: In the garden (as I said) they comforted him, let us imitate them in this blessed work, if there be any in distress that need comfort, and confirmation, we love examples of great noted persons, here you have an example above your selves, the example of Angels, who to confirm and comfort the poor Shepherds, appear in an host, […] multitude of heavenly Angels. 3The Angels, as they attend upon Christ, so for his sake, they attend upon us too, for he is that Jacobs Ladder, Jacobs Ladder you know stood upon the earth, but it reached to Heaven, and the Angels went up and down upon the Ladder, that is, it is Christ that knits heaven and earth together, God and man, and the Angels by Christ, have communion and fellowship with us, as I noted out of the place, Heb. 12.22.4 We are come to an innumerable company of Angels, so that they attend upon us for Christs sake, whose members we are, they attend upon Christ mystical, as well as Christ natural: For they are ministering ⟨p. 212⟩Spirits for the sakes of them that shall be saved, Heb. 1.5
1What is the use, and end of this glorious apparition, in regard of the poore shepherds, to confirme their faith, and in them ours, for if one or two witnesses confirme a thing, what shall a multitude doe? If one or two men confirme a truth, much more an Host of heavenly Angels. Therefore it is base infidelity to call this in question, that is confirmed by a multitude of Angels: and to comfort them likewise in this Apparition; we see by the way, that for one Christian to confirme,2 an Angelicall worke, for one man to discourage another, it is the worke of a Devill: when Christ was in his agony, the ⟨p. 211⟩Angels appeared to comfort him, wee may take notice how willing, and ready these glorious Spirits were to attend upon our blessed Saviour Iesus Christ, in all the passages from his Incarnation to his glory we see they appeared here at his Incarnation, they ministred unto him after his temptation, at his Resurrection, then they were ready to attend him, and at his Ascension, they were ready then, but oh the welcome, when he entred into Heaven! There was the glorious imbracings, when all the Host of heaven entertained him at his Ascension: In the garden (as I said) they comforted him, let us imitate them in this blessed worke, if there be any in distresse that need comfort, and confirmation, we love examples of great noted persons, here you have an example above your selves, the example of Angels, who to confirme and comfort the poore Shepherds, appeare in an host, 〈…〉 multitude of heavenly Angels. 3The Angels, as they attend upon Christ, so for his sake, they attend upon us too, for he is that Iacobs Ladder, Iacobs Ladder you know stood upon the earth, but it reached to Heaven, and the Angels went up and down upon the Ladder, that is, it is Christ that knits heaven and earth together, God and man, and the Angels by Christ, have communion and fellowship with us, as I noted out of the place, Heb. 12.22.4 Wee are come to an innumerable company of Angels, so that they attend upon us for Christs sake, whose members we are, they attend upon Christ mysticall, as well as Christ naturall: For they are ministring ⟨p. 212⟩Spirits for the sakes of them that shall be saved,
