Metaphor. | Parallel.
I. An Eagle hath a mighty quick Sight; her Eyes behold afar off; from the Top of Rocks, out of Clouds, they are said to behold Fishes swimming in the Sea. So strong is the Sight of an Eagle, that she can a long time behold the Sun with open and steadfast Eyes. | I. Angels are quick-sighted; they, as you hear, have Eyes before and behind, as if they were all Eye; which notes the Excellency of their Sight, and Knowledge of things. They soar aloft, stand before God; they are said to behold the Face of God:1 Their Angels always behold the Face of my Father which is in Heaven.
2II. Eagles are swift in their Flight. Naturalists tell us, no Bird flies more swiftly than the Eagle. | II. Angels are swift Creatures; their Agility, Speed, and Swiftness is extraordinary, moving (saith one) like Lightning, from one end of Heaven to the other; compared therefore to a Flame of Fire,3 and said from hence also to have Wings with which they fly, Isa. 6. Their Quickness or Agility in Motion proceeds from their spiritual Nature, which is not subject to Weariness; they cannot be hindered by any corporeal Substance; they can pass over and through all Impediments. And besides this, their Agility is much helped forward by their Promptitude and Readiness, Propensity and Zeal, to dispatch their Errand and Ministry upon which they are employed. 'Tis not here (saith Ayston) Timor, but, Amor addidit alas. Their Swiftness is very necessary, saith Clark: 1. Because of the vast distance between Heaven and Earth, betwixt which they often pass and repass. 2. Because many of the Saints, whose Necessity requires present Relief, live far asunder. 3. Because the Devils are swift to do Mischief, therefore they are swift to defend, succour, and do us good.
III. Eagles are fresh and lively always; Age and Sickness works not upon them, as upon other Birds. The Eagle in her Age (saith a great Writer) is useful. Pliny saith, they never die with Age, nor Sickness, but by Hunger; her upper Bill groweth so much over the under, that she cannot open her Mouth to take in Sustenance, and so dies. Her Age is said to be renewed by often changing of her Feathers. | III. Angels never grow old, they are always strong and lively, they know no Sickness, their Service doth not wear them out.
Metaphor. | Parallel.
I. An Eagle hath a mighty quick Sight; her Eyes behold afar off; from the Top of Rocks, out of Clouds, they are said to behold Fishes swimming in the Sea. So strong is the Sight of an Eagle, that she can a long time behold the Sun with open and stedfast Eyes. | I. Angels are quick-sighted; they, as you hear, have Eyes before and behind, as if they were all Eye; which notes the Excellency of their Sight, and Knowledg of things. They soar aloft, stand before God; they are said to behold the Face of God:1 Their Angels always behold the Face of my Father which is in Heaven.
2II. Eagles are swift in their Flight. Naturalists tell us, no Bird flies more swiftly than the Eagle. | II. Angels are swift Creatures; their Agility, Speed, and Swiftness is extraordinary, moving (saith one) like Lightning, from one end of Heaven to the other; compared therefore to a Flame of Fire,3 and said from hence also to have Wings with which they flie, Isa. 6. Their Quickness or Agility in Motion proceeds from their spiritual Nature, which is not subject to Weariness; they cannot be hindred by any corporeal Substance; they can pass over and through all Impediments. And besides this, their Agility is much helped forward by their Promptitude and Readiness, Propensity and Zeal, to dispatch their Errand and Ministry upon which they are employed. 'Tis not here (saith Ayston) Timor, but, Amor addidit alas. Their Swiftness is very necessary, saith Clark: 1. Because of the vast distance between Heaven and Earth, betwixt which they often pass and repass. 2. Because many of the Saints, whose Necessity requires present Relief, live far asunder. 3. Because the Devils are swift to do Mischief, therefore they are swift to defend, succour, and do us good.
III. Eagles are fresh and lively always; Age and Sickness works not upon them, as upon other Birds. The Eagle in her Age (saith a great Writer) is useful. Pliny saith, they never die with Age, nor Sickness, but by Hunger; her upper Bill groweth so much over the under, that she cannot open her Mouth to take in Sustenance, and so dies. Her Age is said to be renewed by often changing of her Feathers. | III. Angels never grow old, they are always strong and lively, they know no Sickness, their Service doth not wear them out.
- 1Mat. 18.10
- 22 Sam. 1.23.
- 3Heb. 1.7.
