Sermons upon the Book of Job

they have the nature to apply themselves unto him, and have none other inclination but to obey him, & he on the other side dwelleth and reigneth in them by his holy spirit. Lo here the cause why we say, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Because we see so much counterfeiting and so many horrible rebellions against God here below: we desire him to settle §10his kingdom peaceably here as it is aloft, where his Angels be wholly obedient unto him. But the Devils obey him as enforced: that is to say, not of their own goodwill, but because God compelleth them. They would with all their hart resist his power, and oppress him if they could: but they be fain to follow him in all points whether so ever he listeth to lead them. And hereby we see why the Angels are in this place expressly termed children of God, and the Devil by his proper title of Adversary, for so doth the word Satan signify in Hebrew. True it is that men are often times §20called the Children of God, because he hath printed his image in them, specially in the faithful, forasmuch as they be reformed to the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the lively image of God his father, & also for that they have received the spirit of adoption, which is a warrant unto them that God beareth a fatherly love towards them. Rightly therefore may we be called the children of God. So may also Princes and Magistrates. For they have the same honourable title, which is given unto them, because God hath advanced them, & set them in that hie estate, to the intent §30to be known in the person of them. We see then how the name of Gods Children may well be applied to men. But the Angels are so called in the Scripture, because they draw unto God, & are as it were beams of his brightness. And therefore inasmuch as God calleth them Principalities, Virtues, and Highnesses, it is good reason that we also should acknowledge them to be as it were the sons of God, forasmuch as we may not separate the virtue that is in them, from the virtue of God, because they be as streams that gush out of that fountain & spring, and we must always §40repair thither. Let us know then that this honour of being taken & reputed for the children of God, belongeth to the Angels, because his glory uttereth and showeth it self in them.

they haue the nature to apply themselues vnto him, and haue none other inclination but to obey him, & he on the otherside dwelleth and reigneth in them by his holy spirit. Lo here the cause why we say, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heauen. Bycause wee see so muche counterfayting and so many horrible rebellions against God here belowe: wee desire him to settle