A discourse relating to the much-lamented death and solemn funeral of our incomparable and…

To an innumerable Company of Angels] [Greek or Hebrew]; which tho in the singular it signifies a definite Number, being here put plurally may well be understood to signify indefinitely a numberless Multitude: or whereas some selected Squadrons might only attend the Solemnity of giving the Law at Mount Sinai, here is the whole Heavenly Host, whose stated Office it is to guard the Church below, and worship the Majesty of Heaven above.

To an innumerable Company of Angels] 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; which tho in the singular it signifies a definite Number, being here put plurally may well be understood to signify indefinitely a numberless Multitude: or whereas some selected Squadrons might only attend the Solemnity of giving the Law at Mount Sinai, here is the whole Heavenly Host, whose stated Office it is to guard the Church below, and worship the Majesty of Heaven above.

To the General Assembly] the [Greek or Hebrew], the glorious Consessus of all Orders of blessed Spirits; which, as it may be supposed constant, at all times, so is as supposable to be more frequented and solemn at some, and whither any may resort, as quick as the Glance of an Eye or a Thought; and perhaps do at appointed Seasons, so as to make more solemn Appearances before the Throne of God, as the Laws and Usages of that blessed World shall require. And we may well understand here an Allusion to the appointed times, at which there was a Resort from all Parts of Judea to Jerusalem; and, as in the ⟨p. 10⟩Christian Church, are, at set Seasons, more numerous and solemn Assemblies. Here may also be an Allusion to the Panathenaica, the more general Conventions of all the People of Athens, upon some solemn Occasions, which were wont to be called [Greek or Hebrew]. These can be referred to but as saint Resemblances and Shadows (whether they were the Jewish or the Grecian Assemblies) of this Universal Convention, that fills the vast Expanse of Heaven; in comparison whereof not only this little Earth of ours, but the whole Vortice to which it belongs, can be considered but as a very minute Spot or Point. The Inhabitants that people those immense, pure and bright Regions in their Grand stated solemn Assembly, make the Term to which Holy Souls, ascending from among us, are continually coming. And here with what ineffable Pleasure must these pure Celestial Intelligences, all filled with Light, Wisdom, Life, Benignity, Love and Joy, converse with one another, behold, reverence, love, worship, and enjoy their Sovereign Lord, displaying his Glory perpetually before them, and making his rich immense Goodness diffuse it self, and flow in Rivers of Pleasure most copiously among them!