Reas. 1. Because of our Infirmity. We could not in this state of darkness, weakness, and sinfulness, bear the preaching of Angels that are so holy and glorious: Our eyes would be dazzled, our spirits would be amazed, and hearts sink within us at the voice of Angels, should they appear unto us in their glory. Manoah thought he should dye when an Angel came to him, and foretold him of a Son which ⟨p. 6⟩should be born to him, Judg. 13. Zechariah was sore troubled at the appearance of an Angel with the like message, L•k. 1. The Shepherds in the Field were exceedingly afraid when the Angel came to them to bring tidings of the birth of our Saviour, Luk. 2. And Christs Disciples were no less afraid when the Angels brought news to them of his Resurrection. And if holy men could not bear the appearance of Angels, much less could the unholy and wicked, whose guilt and defilement would make them a thousand-fold more fearful. If an Angel should immediately descend from Heaven into this place, and taking my room should preach unto this Auditory before me; would not fearful thoughts arise in the hearts, and paleness get upon the checks of the best amongst you? But what dread would there seize upon the spirits of such of you as are graceless and profane, who are yet in your sins, and have not made your peace with God? How would you shrink and crowd out faster than you crowded in, as not being able to endure? When Moses had been forty days upon the Mount with God, and had seen only his back-parts, yet his face did shine with such lustre by reflection of the beams of Gods Majesty upon him, that the children of Israel could not look upon his face without a Veil: And if Angels who continually behold the face of God in Heaven, should come down and appear and preach, men would not be able to hear and bear: Therefore God maketh use of Ministers to preach the Gospel, men of like passions and infirmities with our selves, for our infirmities sake: Men who will not affrighten us with their glory, whom we may look upon without dazzling our eyes, whom we may speak ⟨p. 7⟩unto, and converse with familiarly, without dread and terror. As Elihu said of himself to Job, chap. 33.6, 7. So it may be said of Ministers, they are in Gods stead, and yet formed out of clay, and their terror shall no• make us afraid.
Reas. 1. Because of our Infirmity. We could not in this state of darkness, weakness, and sinfulness, bear the preaching of Angels that are so holy and glorious: Our eyes would be dazled, our spirits would be amazed, and hearts sink within us at the voice of Angels, should they appear unto us in their glory. Manoah thought he should dye when an Angel came to him, and foretold him of a Son which ⟨p. 6⟩should be born to him, Iudg. 13. Zacharias was sore troubled at the appearance of an Angel with the like message, L•k. 1. The Shepheards in the Field were exceedingly afraid when the Angel came to them to bring tidings of the birth of our Saviour, Luk. 2. And Christs Disciples were no less afraid when the Angels brought news to them of his Resurrection. And if holy men could not bear the appearance of Angels, much less could the unholy and wicked, whose guilt and defilement would make them a thousand-fold more fearfull. If an Angel should immediately descend from Heaven into this place, and taking my room should preach unto this Auditory before me; would not fearfull thoughts arise in the hearts, and paleness get upon the checks of the best amongst you? But what dread would there seize upon the spirits of such of you as are graceless and profane, who are yet in your sins, and have not made your peace with God? How would you shrink and croud out faster than you crouded in, as not being able to endure? When Moses had been forty dayes upon the Mount with God, and had seen only his back-parts, yet his face did shine with such lustre by reflexion of the beams of Gods Majesty upon him, that the children of Israel could not look upon his face without a Vail: And if Angels who continually behold the face of God in Heaven, should come down and appear and preach, men would not be able to hear and bear: Therefore God maketh use of Ministers to preach the Gospel, men of like passions and infirmities with our selves, for our infirmities sake: Men who will not affrighten us with their glory, whom we may look upon without dazling our eyes, whom we may speak ⟨p. 7⟩unto, and converse with familiarly, without dread and terrour. As Elihu said of himself to Iob, chap. 33.6, 7. So it may be said of Ministers, they are in Gods stead, and yet formed out of clay, and their terrour shall no• make us afraid.
