N00620:122
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.
we reverence a man, that is known to be Eminent for his Parts, Learning and great Accomplishments. It was said of Solomon, All Israel feared him, because they saw the Wisdom of God i• him. 1 King. 3.28. As for a man, that is full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, reverence is due unto him: So it is much more to one that excels in Piety and Holiness. It is said of Herod, Mark 6 20. That He feared John the Bapti••, knowing that he was an holy man, and a just. The Image of God is to be reverenced, wherever it doth appear: Now the Image of God doth appear in the Angels more than in any Creatures in all the World. They then are to be honoured by us: But it is only a Fraternal, not a Divine Honour, which is their due: Cultus Fraternae Societatis. And as we are bound to honour and reverence, so likewise to love those Holy Spirits. They are of the same Family with us: then we ought to love them: Both they and we are of God's Family: The Angels and Believers on Christ, have the same Father. They are Children of the same Father, though on a divers account: Believers are styled, The Sons of God, Job. 1.12. And so are the Angels styled, Job 1.6. They join with us in praising our Lord Redeemer. We ought then to Love them. They rejoice at the welfare of the Children of ⟨p. 79⟩men: it is a joy to them, when good happens to them that fear God, their Lord and ours, Luk. 2.11, 13. You see here, how glad the Angels were, when there was good tidings for us men: The Angel said unto the Shepherds, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, unto you a Saviour, Christ the Lord, is born. And there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly host, Praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, good will toward men. When God did manifest his good will toward men, the Angels were glad, and did break forth into holy Praises, because there is by Christ Peace made between Heaven and Earth. Thus also they rejoice at the Conversion of the Elect of God. Hence it is said, There is joy in Heaven over a sinner that doth repent,