N00620:113
Angelographia, or A discourse concerning the nature and power of the holy angels, and…
Angelographia, or A discourse concerning the nature and power of the holy angels, and the great benefit which the true fearers of God receive by their ministry: delivered in several sermons: : to which is added, a sermon concerning the sin and misery of the fallen angels: also, a disquisition concerning angelical-apparitions. / By Increase Mather, president of Harvard College, in Cambridge, and preacher of the Gospel at Boston, in New-England. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]Angelographia, or A discourse concerning the nature and power of the holy angels, and the great benefit which the true fearers of God receive by their ministry: delivered in several sermons: : to which is added, a sermon concerning the sin and misery of the fallen angels: also, a disquisition concerning angelical-apparitions. / By Increase Mather, praesident of Harvard Colledge, in Cambridge, and preacher of the Gospel at Boston, in New-England. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]
printed by B. Green & J. Allen for Samuel Phillips, 1696
A DISCOURSE Concerning the Power and Ministry of Holy Angels. › For the USE of it.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Inference 2. For men to despise and abuse them that fear the Lord, must needs be an evil and dangerous thing. For they have Angels to guard them. The Angels of Heaven are far from despising them. There are no Nurses in the World, that do so tender the Children Educated by them, as the Angels do the meanest Saint on Earth committed to their Care: Saith Christ, Despise not one of my little ones: Despise them not, saith He, For I say unto you, that in Heaven their Angels do always behold the Face of my Father, that is in Heaven. Math. 18.10. God gives His Angels a charge to look after them: and what will you despise them▪ Certainly, if the eyes of men were opened, to see who they are, and what a guard they have, they durst not despise them. As for them that truly Fear God, it may be said of them, as wa• said of Gideon's Brethren, Each one of them resembleth the Children of a King. Thus as to those that Fear the Lord, each one of them resembleth a King. There is not a Monarch upon Earth, that hath such a guard about him, as every one that truly fears God, hath round about him continually. The Soldiers of Heaven do attend him, where ever he goes. If the eyes of wicked men were enlightened (as once the Eyes of the Prophet's Servant) they would not despise Holy men. When Elisha's Servant was sore afraid, because of Enemies, that were come to apprehend ⟨p. 67⟩his Master, the Prophet prayed, and said, Lord, open his Eyes: and presently he saw the Mountain full of Horses and Chariots of Fire: his Master's House was all surrounded with Angels. Did men see this, they would not cast contempt upon those that fear God. To abuse them, is a dangerous thing: One of those Angels, that they have a whole guard of, is able to destroy all the Enemies, that they have in the whole World. It is said concerning the two Witnesses, That Fire goeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their Enemies: If any one will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. Rev. 11.5. When they call upon God, he sends Seraphims, yea, Horses and Chariots of fire against their Enemies. How doth fire go out of their mouths? It alludes to that of Elijah. When a crew of wicked men, came to lay hands on him, and said to him, Come, thou man of God, the King hath sent for thee: He replied, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from Heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty: