M. Perkins, his Exhortation to repentance, out of Zephaniah preached in 2. sermons in…

Which is not so to be understood, ¹as though the angels had wings: for they have no corporal nor sensible bodies, but spiritual and insensible substances, the actions whereof are performed with such nimbleness and agility, as ²can not fall within the compass of outward sense. But the Phrase is used for our capacities, to show how readily and speedily the angel went about to minister comfort to the Prophet. For as nothing moveth so quickly to our sense, as doth the creature that flieth: and as we say, that man doth fly about his business, ⟨p. 134⟩which doth it quickly and diligently: so here the holy Ghost sets down the willingness and quickness of the angel, to comfort this holy Prophet, and to do the will of God. Where we learn;

Which is not so to bee vnderstood, ¹as though the angels had wings: for they haue no corporall nor sensible bodyes, but spirituall and insensible substances, the actions whereof are performed with such nimblenesse and agilitie, as ²can not fall within the compasse of outward sense. But the Phrase is vsed for our capacities, to shew how readily and speedily the angel went about to minister comfort to the Prophet. For as nothing moueth so quickly to our sense, as doth the creature that flyeth: and as wee say, that man doth flye about his businesse, ⟨p. 134⟩which doth it quickly and diligently: so here the holy Ghost sets downe the willingnesse and quicknesse of the angel, to comfort this holy Prophet, and to doe the will of God. Where we learne;

1. 13. Circumstance, the manner: He flew.3. Circumstance, the maner: He flewe.
2. 2That is readily, speedily, willingly.

First, what excellent servants of God ¹the holy angels be, which so readily, willingly, and speedily execute the will of their Lord. This must teach all gods servants to do the like, and to imitate them in this excellent obedience: And the rather, because we pray daily to God; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. In earth of us, as it is in heaven ²of the holy angels: But they do it most cheerfully, and without all lingering, therefore so ought we. Magistrates in their places, and Ministers in ³theirs, and every man in his function, is to apply this to himself, and to be stirred up thereby to a cheerfulness & quickness in their duties: for therein they resemble the blessed angels, & then their deeds accord witty their prayer: but contrariwise, he that doth his duty unwillingly, and unreadily, is like the Devil; ⟨p. 135⟩which indeed doth Gods will, & yet against his will. and surely unto such obedience there belongeth no reward. But as God loveth a cheerful giver, so doubtless loves he a cheerful worker.⁴

First, what excellent seruants of God ¹the holy angels bee, which so readily, willingly, and speedily execute the will of their Lord. This must teach all gods seruants to doe the like, and to imitate thē in this excellent obedience: And the rather, because wee pray dayly to God; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen. In earth of vs, as it is in heauen ²of the holy angels: But they doe it most cheerfully, and without all lingring, therefore so ought we. Magistrates in their places, and Ministers in ³theirs, and euery man in his function, is to apply this to himselfe, and to bee stirred vp thereby to a cheerfulnesse & quicknesse in their duties: for therein they resemble the blessed angels, & then their deodes accord wity their prayer: but contrariwise, he that doth his dutie vnwillingly, and vnreadly, is like the Diuel; ⟨p. 135⟩which indeed doth Gods will, & yet against his will. and surely vnto such obedience there belongeth no reward. But as God loueth a cheerfull giuer, so doubtlesse loues hee a cheerfull worker.⁴

1. 1Doct. 1. So what excellent servants of God, Angels are.Doct. 1. So what excellent seruants of God, Angels are.
2. 2The fourth petition.
3. 3Use, we must so serve Cod in our places.Vse, we must so serue Cod in our places.
4. 42. Corinth. 9. 7. Doct. 2.

Secondly, we see here how great love angels bear unto Gods children, especially unto godly Ministers, how willingly ¹they are employed to do them good. Willingness and readiness to do good to any man, must needs come from love: and yet alas all men, even the best, and all Ministers, even the best, are creatures far inferior to the angels.

Secondly, we see here how great loue angels beare vnto Gods children, especially vnto godly Ministers, how willingly ¹they are imployed to doe them good. Willingnesse and readines to doe good to any man, must needes come from loue: and yet alas all men, euen the best, and all Ministers, euen the best, are creatures farre inferior to the angels.

1. 1What good friends they are to good men, especially to good Ministers.

1. 11. Use. Ergo, superiors love their inferiors, and contemn them not.1. Vse. Ergo, superiors loue their inferiors, and contemne them not.

If therefore Princes love their subjects, they will not spare any care, cost, ⟨p. 136⟩¹nor pains, nay they will rejoice to do them good, and they will labour to be like the angels, who are far greater then men, as they are then their subjects.

If therefore Princes loue their subiects, they will not spare any care, cost, ⟨p. 136⟩¹nor paines, nay they will reioyce to doe them good, and they will labour to bee like the angels, who are farre greater then men, as they are then their subiects.

1. 1And show it by doing them good.And shew it by doing them good.

And if Ministers love their people, they will forget their own dignity, which oft-times they might stand upon, and will make themselves even servants to all, that they may win some.

And if Ministers loue their people, they will forget their owne dignitie, which oft-times they might stand vpon, and will make themselues euen seruants to all, that they may winne some.

And seeing angels do fly so fast to ¹give help and comfort to good Ministers: this must teach them further.²

And seeing angels doe flie so fast to ¹giue helpe and comfort to good Ministers: this must teach them further.²

1. 12. Use. Ergo, Ministers must.2. Vse. Ergo, Ministers must.
2. 21. Corinth. 9. 19. 1. Be faithful.1. Corinth. 9. 19. 1. Be faithfull.

First, every one to labour to be a good Minister, for then are they sure of the love of angels, and then most willingly do the angels any service to them. Again, let it teach them to fly as fast to the discharge of their duties to Gods ¹Church, as the angels fly to do them service, so shall God angels think their diligence and careful service well bestowed upon them.

First, euery one to labour to bee a good Minister, for then are they sure of the loue of angels, and then most willingly doe the angels any seruice to them. Againe, let it teach them to flye as fast to the discharge of their duties to Gods ¹Church, as the angels flye to doe them seruice, so shal God angels thinke their diligence and carefull seruice well bestowed vpon them.

1. 12. Painful.2. Painfull.

Lastly, this diligence of the angels, & their willingness, proceeding from love, must stir up all Christians, to perform ⟨p. 137⟩all duties of godliness to God, ¹& of love unto his Church, with alacrity and cheerfulness. So do Gods angels; we look to be like the angels in glory, in the world to come: then be like the angels in diligence, love and faithfulness in this world. The Wise man saith, He that is slothful in his business is good for nothing: but the diligent man shall stand ²before the King. And surely, he that is willing & diligent in the duties of Christianity, shall stand before the King of kings in heaven. And let this suffice for the Angels service, and his diligence in his service. Now let us see what instrument the Angel used.

Lastly, this diligence of the angels, & their willingnesse, proceeding from loue, must stirre vp al Christians, to performe ⟨p. 137⟩all duties of godlinesse to God, ¹& of loue vnto his Church, with alacritie and cheerfulnesse. So doe Gods angels; we looke to be like the angels in glory, in the world to come: then bee like the angels in diligence, loue and faithfulnes in this world. The Wise man saith, Hee that is slothfull in his businesse is good for nothing: but the diligent man shall stand ²before the King. And surely, hee that is willing & diligent in the duties of Christianitie, shall stand before the King of kings in heauen. And let this suffice for the Angels seruice, and his diligence in his seruice. Now let vs see what instrument the Angel vsed.

1. 13. Use. Ergo, all men serve God cheerfully: If we be like Angels, therein we shall even be like them in glory.3. Vse. Ergo, al men serue God cheerefully: If wee be like Angels, therein we shal euen be like them in glory.
2. 2Pro. 22 29.

A coal from the Altar.

A coale from the Altar.

The fourth Circumstance of this ¹consolation, is the Instrument which it pleased God, the angel should use to minister comfort to the Prophet, a strange instrument for so great a work: ²A coal of fire. Here let humane reason hide it self, and worldly wisdom be confounded, to see the wonderful works ⟨p. 138⟩of the Lord: God could have healed the Prophets infirmities, and given him comfort against his fear & courage in his calling, without means, but he will ³use means: and what? a weak means: nay, a means that seems contrary: A coal of fire must touch his lips: that which in all reason would have made him speak worse, by Gods appointment and the power of his word, shall make him speak better. Out of which practise of God, we learn many points.

The fourth Circumstance of this ¹consolation, is the Instrument which it pleased God, the angel should vse to minister comfort to the Prophet, a strange instrument for so great a work: ²A coale of fire. Here let humane reason hide it selfe, and wordly wisedome bee confounded, to see the wonderfull works ⟨p. 138⟩of the Lord: God could haue healed the Prophets infirmities, and giuen him comfort against his feare & courage in his calling, without meanes, but hee will ³vse meanes: and what? a weake meanes: nay, a meanes that seemes contrary: A coale of fire must touch his lippes: that which in all reason would haue made him speake worse, by Gods appointment and the power of his word, shall make him speake better. Out of which practise of God, we learn many points.

1. 14. Circumstance: the Instrument a Coal of fire.4. Circumstance: the Instrument a Coale of fire.
2. 2A strange and wonderful means.A strange and wonderfull meanes.
3. 3And which seems contrary to reason.And which seemes contrarie to reason.

First, see how GOD magnifieth ¹means: he can work without them, and so he did in the Creation, giving light to the world, divers days before there was Sun: but since the order of ²nature was established, he generally useth means, not only in his ordinary, but even in his miraculous actions: and ³though he use not always the ordinary and direct means: yet means he generally useth, though they seem contrary: as here in this place; and the same will be found true in almost all the miracles, both of the Old and New Testament.

First, see how GOD magnifieth ¹meanes: hee can worke without them, and so hee did in the Creation, giuing light to the worlde, diuers dayes before there was Sunne: but since the order of ²nature was established, hee generally vseth meanes, not onely in his ordinary, but euen in his miraculous actions: and ³though he vse not alwayes the ordinary and direct meanes: yet meanes he generally vseth, though they seeme contrary: as heere in this place; and the same wil be found true in almost al the miracles, both of the Old and New Testament.

1. 1Doct. r. see God commendeth the use of means.Doct. r. see God commendeth the vse of meanes.
2. 2Gen. 1. from 4. to 17.
3. 3Seeing himself always useth them.Seeing himselfe alwaies vseth them.

This therefore commends unto all ¹men, the use of such good means, as Gods providence hath ordained of any duties, or effecting of any thing, that doth belong unto us to do: and not to depend upon immediate helps from Heaven, as many fond and fantastical men do, who are therefore oftentimes justly forsaken of God, and left destitute of all help; and so exposed to shame and reproach.

This therefore commends vnto all ¹men, the vse of such good meanes, as Gods prouidence hath ordained of any duties, or effecting of any thing, that doth belong vnto vs to doe: and not to depend vpon immediate helpes from Heauen, as many fonde and fantasticall men doe, who are therfore oftentimes iustly forsaken of God, and left destitute of all helpe; and so exposed to shame and reproach.

1. 1Use Ergo, we are to use the means appointed in all our purposes.Vse Ergo, we are to vse the meanes appointed in all our purposes.

Secondly, see here the mighty power of Gods ordinance, how it appeareth ¹in weakness: such are all his great works. In the Creation, he brought light out of darkness. In our Redemption, he brought us life out of death. In our conversions, he works upon us by his word, & by it he draws us to him, which in all reason would drive us from him: and by it confounds the wisdom of the world, which is stark foolishness to the wisdom of the world.

Secondly, see here the mighty power of Gods ordinance, how it appeareth ¹in weakenesse: such are all his great workes. In the Creation, hee brought light out of darknesse. In our Redemption, hee brought vs life out of death. In our conuersions, he workes vpon vs by his word, & by it hee drawes vs to him, which in al reason would driue vs from him: and by it confounds the wisedome of the worlde, which is starke foolishnesse to the wisedome of the world.

1. 1Doct 2. see how Gods power doth show it self in weakness.Doct 2. see how Gods power doth shew it selfe in weaknes.

And so here, he cleanseth the Prophet by a Coal of fire: which would ⟨p. 140⟩rather defile him, and seasoneth his mouth with it, which in reason should have burned him: so great, so admirable, and so powerful are the ordinances of God, though they seem so contrary, or so weak in themselves, or in their means.

And so here, hee cleanseth the Prophet by a Coale of fire: which would ⟨p. 140⟩rather defile him, and seasoneth his mouth with it, which in reason should haue burned him: so great, so admirable, and so powerfull are the ordinances of God, though they seeme so contrary, or so weake in themselues, or in their meanes.

Let this teach all men not to contemn the Sacraments, though the outward ¹Elements, Bread, Wine, and Water, be weak and common, and dead creatures in themselves: nor the Ministry of the Word, though it be exercised by a weak man, mortal & miserable as others are: for that God, which can season the Prophets mouth, and cleanse his heart by a coal of fire, no marvel though he work upon the consciences of men, by his word and Sacraments.

Let this teach all men not to contemne the Sacraments, though the outward ¹Elements, Bread, Wine, and Water, be weake and common, and dead creatures in themselues: nor the Ministerie of the Word, though it be exercised by a weake man, mortall & miserable as others are: for that God, which can season the Prophets mouth, and clense his heart by a coale of fire, no maruell though hee worke vppon the consciences of men, by his word and Sacraments.

1. 1Use. Ergo, God can work by his word, and sacraments, and mans Ministry, though never so base.Vse. Ergo, God can worke by his word, and sacraments, and mans Ministerie, though neuer so base.