Metaphor. | Parallel.
AN Host or Army have a Prince or General, who is the Head of them. | The Lord's Host, or Army of Angels, have a Prince or General, who is their Head and Leader, viz. the Lord Jesus Christ, who is c•lled the Head of Principalities and Powers.
II. An Host or Army consists of many Companies, amongst which there are divers Ranks and Orders, and yet all in Subjection to their Prince, and chief Leader. |
II. Angels, the Lord's Host, consist of many Companies or Legions:1 Thinkest thou, that I cannot pray to my Father, and he shall send me more than twelve Legions of Angels? (Christ spake in the Roman Phrase, who reckoned their Armies by Legions, as we by Regiments.) Six thousand six hundred sixty six, was the Number of a Legion; then the Number of twelve Legions was, Seventy nine thousand nine hundred ninety two, a great Army: But how many more, no Man can say. Christ pitched upon a great certain Number, to show (saith Mr. Caryl) he could have what Number he pleased, if he did but call for them. We are come (saith the Apostle) to an innumerable Company of Angels. The Lord's Camp is very great. The Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand, even many thousands of Angels. 2We read of many Degrees or Orders of Angels, which some account to be nine.
1. Cherubims, that is, Angels of Knowledge, as St. Hierom interprets the Word; but others from Cherub, a Figure or Image. Others from Chi, a Note of Similitude, and a Chaldee Word which signifies (Puerum & Juvenem) a Youth. And so, as a learned Writer observes, they were usually represented in the shape of a young Man; to show them to be intellectual Creatures; of a young Man, to express their Vigour and Strength; with Wings, to declare their Agility and Swiftness. These we read were placed at the East End of the Garden of Eden, with a flaming Sword;3 and their Figures were appointed to be placed over the Mercy-Seat, in the Tabernacle and Temple.
2. Seraphims, the Angels or Zeal. Their Name is from an Hebrew Word, which signifies to burn, or burning, according to that of the Psalms, He maketh his Ministers a Flame of Fire.
3. Thrones, which are Royal Seats of Kings and Monarchs, in their Magnificence and Glory.
4. Dominions, or Lordships.4
5. Principalities, connoting special and peculiar Jurisdiction.
⟨p. 56⟩6. Powers, such as have Right to execute Authority by God's appointment, and not by his Permission only.
Metaphor. | Parallel.
AN Host or Army have a Prince or General, who is the Head of them. | THe Lord's Host, or Army of Angels, have a Prince or General, who is their Head and Leader, viz. the Lord Jesus Christ, who is c•lled the Head of Principalities and Powers.
II. An Host or Army consists of many Companies, amongst which there are divers Ranks and Orders, and yet all in Subjection to their Prince, and chief Leader. |
II. Angels, the Lord's Host, consist of many Companies or Legions:1 Thinkest thou, that I cannot pray to my Father, and he shall send me more than twelve Legions of Angels? (Christ spake in the Roman Phrase, who reckoned their Armies by Legions, as we by Regiments.) Six thousand six hundred sixty six, was the Number of a Legion; then the Number of twelve Legions was, Seventy nine thousand nine hundred ninety two, a great Army: But how many more, no Man can say. Christ pitched upon a great certain Number, to shew (saith Mr. Caryl) he could have what Number he pleased, if he did but call for them. We are come (saith the Apostle) to an innumerable Company of Angels. The Lord's Camp is very great. The Chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand, even many thousands of Angels. 2We read of many Degrees or Orders of Angels, which some account to be nine.
1. Cherubims, that is, Angels of Knowledg, as St. Hierom interprets the Word; but others from Cherub, a Figure or Image. Others from Chi, a Note of Similitude, and a Chaldee Word which signifies (Puerum & Juvenem) a Youth. And so, as a learned Writer observes, they were usually represented in the shape of a young Man; to shew them to be intellectual Creatures; of a young Man, to express their Vigor and Strength; with Wings, to declare their Agility and Swiftness. These we read were placed at the East End of the Garden of Eden, with a flaming Sword;3 and their Figures were appointed to be placed over the Mercy-Seat, in the Tabernacle and Temple.
2. Seraphims, the Angels or Zeal. Their Name is from an Hebrew Word, which signifies to burn, or burning, according to that of the Psalms, He maketh his Ministers a Flame of Fire.
3. Thrones, which are Royal Seats of Kings and Monarchs, in their Magnificence and Glory.
4. Dominions, or Lordships.4
5. Principalities, connoting special and peculiar Jurisdiction.
⟨p. 56⟩6. Powers, such as have Right to execute Authority by God's appointment, and not by his Permission only.
- 1Mat. 26.53
- 2Psal. 68.17
- 3Gen. 3.24. Exod. 25. 1 Kings 1.6. Ezek 10. Psal. 104.4
- 4Col. 1.16.
