A doctrine of great comfort, and 1much good use to all Ministers: who first of all may here learn contentment in their calling: for howsoever no calling hath more crosses, so none again hath more comfort: and howsoever none be more disgraced by evil men, yet none is more honoured by the holy Angels: and howsoever in this world they above any calling, are servants to all men, yet none hath the service & attendance of Angels so much as they: for though we have them not to help us to do the outward actions of our ministry with us, or for us, (as some popish Doctors teach, that in their Mass, A men is not said to one […] ⟨p. 124⟩[…] ⟨p. 125⟩⟨p. 126⟩collect, because the Angels say A men to it) yet doubtless they are present always, as at all holy exercises and lawful actions, so especially at the public service of God, performed by the Ministers: and beside that, they are witnesses thereto, and of the pains, and diligence, and faithfulness of a good Minister, they also do Minister unto them oftentimes, bodily strength, and assistance, & many comforts: in their troublesome travels, which they know not how by any natural means they come unto them. And as this Doctrine doth thus yield them 2contentment against the contempt, so also courage against the danger of this calling. For what though thou hast mighty men of this world against thee, when thou hast angels for thee? & what though thou fightest against principalities and powers, when thou hast Cherubins, and Seraphims on thy side? Godly Ministers have many enemies, but if by the eye of faith, they can see as well who are with them, as with the eye of reason who are against them, they will confess with Elisha, ⟨p. 127⟩there are more with us, then against us. The stories of all ages do affirm, and the comfortable experience of these days of ours doth verify the truth hereof. Ministers that live in places very profane, or very popish, it is admirable to see how many dangers they have escaped, and plots they have avoided, which by their enemies, (or rather the enemies of their Doctrine) have bone laid for their lives: which their deliverance, and many other comforts in their Ministries, whence are they but from Gods protection, by the ministry of his 3Angels.4
A doctrine of great comfort, and 1much good vse to all Ministers: who first of all may here learne contentment intheir calling: for howsoeuer no calling hath more crosses, so none againe hath more comfort: and howsoeuer none bee more disgraced by euillmen, yet none is more honoured by the holy Angels: and howsoeuer in this world they aboue any calling, are seruāts to all men, yet none hath the seruice & attendance of Angels so much as they: for though we haue them not to helpe vs to do the outward actions of our ministery with vs, or for vs, (as some popish Doctors teach, that in their Masse, A men is not said to one 〈…〉 ⟨p. 124⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 125⟩⟨p. 126⟩collect, because the Angels say A men to it) yet doubtlesse they are presēt alwaies, as at all holy exercises and lawfull actions, so especially at the publike seruice of God, performed by the Ministers: and beside that, they are witnesses thereto, and of the paines, and diligence, and faithfulnesse of a good Minister, they also do Minister vnto them oftentimes, bodily strength, and assistance, & many comforts: in their troublesome trauels, which they know not how by any naturall meanes they come vnto them. And as this Doctrine doth thus yeeld them 2contentment against the contempt, so also courage against the danger of this calling. For what though thou hast mightie men of this world against thee, when thou hast angels for thee? & what though thou fightest against principalities and powers, when thou hast Cherubins, and Seraphims on thy side? Godly Ministers haue many enemies, but if by the eye of faith, they can see as well who are with them, as with the eye of reason who are against them, they will confesse with Elisha, ⟨p. 127⟩there are more with vs, then against vs. The stories of all ages doe affirme, and the cōfortable experience of these daies of ours doth verifie the truth hereof. Ministers that liue in places very prophane, or very popish, it is admirable to see how many daungers they haue escaped, and plottes they haue auoided, which by their enemies, (or rather the enemies of their Doctrine) haue bone laide for their liues: which their deliuerance, and many other comforts in their Ministries, whence are they but from Gods protection, by the ministry of his
- 1Use to Gods ministers. I let them be content with their calling though it be full of crosses and contempts for it is honoured of the Augels above others.Vse to Gods ministers. I let them be content with their calling though it be full of crosses and contempts for it is honoured of the Augels aboue others.
- 22 Ergo, Let them have courage, for though men be against them, Angels are with them.2 Ergo, Let them haue courage, for though men be against them, Angels are with them.
- 32 Questions
- 41. Ergo, Whence is it that Angels attend ministers more then other men. Ans. 2. reasons.1. Ergo, Whēce is it that Angels attend ministers more then other men. Ans. 2. reasons.
