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]
Increase Mather 1639–1723printed by B. Green & J. Allen for Samuel Phillips, 1696
[16], 132, 44 p. ; 16 cm. (8vo) · 51k words · Evans 756 · Wing M1181
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.
1. They are by them preserved from many Evils, that otherwise would befall them. They do as a guard, stand between them and many dangers, that are ready to overtake them. The Angels of Heaven are as Nurses to the Children of God. Psal. 91.11, 12. He shall give his Angels charge over thee, and they shall bear thee in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a Stone. As a Nurse holds the Child she hath the care and charge of, in her arms: so they that fear the Lord, are kept from many a fall, preserved from many a hurt and blow, that would light upon them, did not Angels look after them. Hence the fearers of God have special Protections in Journeys, that they […] according to his will. Thus, when Jacob was to go that great Journey from his Fathers house, in the Land of Canaan, to his Uncle in Padan Aram, he saw Angels of God Ascending and Descending, Ge•• 28.12. To intimate, that the Lord would send his Angels, both to go with him, and to return with him again: And when Jacob was returning to the Land of Canaan, the Angels of God met him on his way: There were two hosts of them, Gen. ⟨p. 41⟩32.1, 2. It seems there was one host of Angels, that went with him from Mesopotamia, to the land of Canaan, and when he came into his own Country, another host met him to take him under their especial care and guardianship. So when God calls his Servants to go in great and hazardous Voyages at Sea, He giveth his Holy Angels charge concerning them. Of this the Apostle Paul had experience, Act. 27.23, 24. When there was a Storm, and the Vessel at last cast away, the Angel of God stood by him, and said to him, fear not, for God hath given to thee, all them that Sail with thee. There were Angels of God with him at Sea, that did encamp round about him there, and for his sake, about all that were in the same Vessel wi•h him. They that fear God, are always exposed unto danger, from the Invisible World especially. The Devil is always watching an Opportunity to do them one mischief or other. Your Adversary the Devil (saith the Apostle) goes about, like a roaring Lyon, seeking, whom he may devour. Therefore the Angels of Heaven are always about them, to protect and preserve them, from those mischiefs, that their Spiritual and Invisible enemies are designing against them. The Devils are powerful enemies: but the good Angels are more powerful than they;
1. They are by them preserved from many Evils, that otherwise would befal them. They doe as a guard, stand between them and many dangers, that are ready to overtake them. The Angels of Heaven are as Nurses to the Children of God. Psal. 91.11, 12. He shall give his Angels charge over thee, and they shall bear thee in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a Stone. As a Nurse holds the Child she hath the care and charge of, in her armes: so they that fear the Lord, are kept from many a fall, preserved from many a hurt and blow, that would light upon them, did not Angels look after them. Hence the fearers of God have special Protections in Journies, that they 〈…〉 according to his will. Thus, when Jacob was to go that great Journey from his Fathers house, in the Land of Canaan, to his Uncle in Padan Aram, he saw Angels of God Ascending and Descending, Ge•• 28.12. To intimate, that the Lord would send his Angels, both to go with him, and to return with him again: And when Jacob was returning to the Land of Canaan, the Angels of God met him on his way: There were two hosts of them, Gen. ⟨p. 41⟩32.1, 2. It seems there was one host of Angels, that went with him from Mesopotamia, to the land of Canaan, and when he came into his own Country, another host mett him to take him under their especial care and guardianship. So when God calls his Servants to go in great and hazardous Voyages at Sea, He giveth his Holy Angels charge concerning them. Of this the Apostle Paul had experience, Act. 27.23, 24. When there was a Storm, and the Vess•l at last cast away, the Angel of God stood by him, and said to him, fear not, for God hath given to thee, all them that Sail with thee. There were Angels of God with him at Sea, that did incamp round about him there, and for his sake, about all that were in the same Vessel wi•h him. They that fear God, are alwayes exposed unto danger, from the Invisible World especially. The Devil is alwayes watching an Opportunity to do them one mischief or other. Your Adversary the Devil (saith the Apostle) goes about, like a roaring Lyon, seeking, whom he may devour. Therefore the Angels of Heaven are alwayes about them, to protect and preserve them, from those mischiefs, that their Spiritual and Invisible enemies are designing against them. The Devils are powerful enemies: but the good Angels are more powerful than they;
Michael and his Angels, are more powerful, than Satan and all his Angels▪ And when Instruments of Satan, that is to say, wicked men, do intend and attempt evil against those that fear God, Holy Angels oftentimes disappoint them, & ⟨p. 42⟩so deliver the Lords Servants from many a Snare Balaam had a mischievous design against the Children of Israel, but an Angel met him, and disappointed him: The Angel of the Lord stood in th• way for an adversary against him, and said, I we•• out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me, Numb. 22.32. And when the King of Syria s•nt an Army to surround Dothan, and to apprehend the Prophet, Elisha, an Army of Angel• prevented them, & delivered the Prophet, 2 King. 6.17. And when God will have it to be so, th• Holy Angels cut off those that seek the hurt […] them that fear Him. They kill those wicked men who, if they were suffered to live any longer would do hurt unto the Fearers of the Lord. Ha• the Soldiers in Sennacheribs Army, lived a whil• longer, they would have fallen upon Jerusalem Therefore did Angels kill an hundred and fourscore and five thousand of them in one night Herod began to Persecute the Church: had he lived longer, he would have gone on with hi• Persecution. Therefore an Angel was sent from Heaven to kill him.
Michael and his Angels, are more powerful, than Satan and all his Angels▪ And when Instruments of Satan, that is to say, wicked men, do intend and attempt evil against those that fear God, Holy Angels oftentimes disappoint them, & ⟨p. 42⟩so deliver the Lords Servants from many a Snare Balaam had a mischievous design against the Children of Israel, but an Angel met him, and disappointed him: The Angel of the Lord stood in th way for an adversary against him, and said, I we out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me,
1. They assist God's Servants) in their Undertaking• which are according to His Will. They make them successful in lawful Undertakings, especially in great Undertakings. Sometimes they that do not fear God, have Angelical Aides and Assistances, ⟨p. 43⟩for the sake of such as do fear him. It was before noted, that the Angel said of Darius, I stood to confirm and strengthen him: and yet we cannot say, that Darius was a true Fearer of the Lord. But much more do they assist them, that do indeed fear him, when they are called to any singular Service for his Name. It was from this consideration, that Abraham did encourage his Servant to go on that great Concern, which he was sent to manage, for his Masters Family: The Lord (said he) before whom I walk, will send His Angel with thee, and prosper thy way, Gen. 24.40. His way was made prosperous; he did obtain that which he was sent about, because God sent Angels with him, who caused his faithful Endeavours to prove successful.
1. They assist God's Servan•s) in their Undertaking• which are according to His Will. They make them successful in lawful Undertakings, especially in great Undertakings. Sometimes they that do not fear God, have Angelical Aides and Assistances, ⟨p. 43⟩for the sake of such as do fear him. It was before noted, that the Angel said of Darius, I stood to confirm and strengthen him: and yet we cannot say, that Darius was a true Fearer of the Lord. But much more do they assist them, that do indeed fear him, when they are called to any singular Service for his Name. It was from this consideration, that Abraham did encourage his Servant to go on that great Concern, which he was sent to manage, for his Masters Family: The Lord (said he) before whom I walk, will send His Angel with thee, and prosper thy way, Gen. 24.40. His way was made prosperous; he did obtain that which he was sent about, because God sent Angels with him, who caused his faithful Endeavours to prove successful.
2. The Holy Angels do perform the Office of Tutors unto God's Children. Hence they are sometimes instructed in glorious Truths, by their Ministry, which otherwise they would not have been acquainted with. An Angel Informed Daniel, and said, I am come to give thee skill and understanding. Dan. 9.22. The Angel that talked with the Prophet Zechariah, said unto him, I will show unto thee, what these be. Zach. 1.9. The Revelation was given to John by an Angel. God gave it to Christ, Christ to the Angel; the Angel was the Minister that brought it to John, and John hath […] it to the People of God. Rev. 1.1. Angels […] and informed the Shepherds concerning the Birth of Christ: Angels informed the Disciples, of the ⟨p. 44⟩Resurrection of Christ, and after what manner he will come again to Judge the World, at the last Day. And we find in the Scriptures, that the Fearers of the Lord have been excited unto and directed in, that which hath been their duty, by the Angels of Heaven. Thus Manoah and his Wife, were directed by an Angel, after what manner they should Educate their Son. Thus when Elijah was in a strait, whether to show himself to the King or no, An Angel of the Lord said to him, go and be not afraid, and he arose, and went to the King. 2 King. 1.15. Thus again, an Angel spoke to the Apostles, and bid them go, and Preach the Word of Life in the Temple. Act 5.19. It was an Angel that directed Philip, to go to the place, where he met with a Great man, whom he instructed in the Principles of Religion: and by means of that man, was a whole Kingdom Enlightened in the Knowledge of Christ. The Angels, like faithful Tutors, and Monitors, do sometimes correct and discipline the Children of God, when they have offended. When Hagar Ran-away from her Mistress, that dealt hardly with her, an Angel of the Lord said to her, Return to thy Mistress, and submit thy self unto her Hands. Gen. 16.9. An Angel smote Zechariah, the Priest, Dumb, for his Unbelief; Thou shalt be […], and not speak, because thou believest not my […], did the Angel Gabriel say unto him.
3. The Holy Angels have a great influence, upon the thoughts, minds, and Spirits of men. Evil Angels inject evil thoughts into the mind. The Devil put it into the heart of Judas, that he should go, and betray his Master, Joh. 13.1. Evil Angels stir up those Corruptions, that are in the hearts of men. They have a powerful influence and operation on the Spirits of the Children of disobedience, in whom they work effectually. Hence the Prophet Micaiah saw the Lord on his throne, and the host of Heaven round about him, and heard him saying, Who shall deceive Ahab, that he may go up to Ramoth Gilead, and fall there: and one said on this manner, and another on that manner: and there came forth an Evil Spirit, and said, I will go, and be a lying Spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets: and the Lord said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also, 1 Kin. 22.22. By which it appears, that evil Angels have a great influence on the Spirits of wicked men. So have the Holy Angels a great influence on the Spirits of them that fear the Lord, exciting them unto the things that are good. They have the benefit of Angelical Suggestion, in many good motions, more than themselves are aware of. It is true, that all Holy thoughts are originally from the Spirit of […] Nevertheless, He is pleased oftentimes to make […] of the Ministry of Angels therein. Angelical motions are ab extra. Angels do not dwell in the ⟨p. 46⟩Souls of Believers, as the Holy and Eternal Spirit doth: nor have they power to make their Suggestions effectual: they can't give Life & Grace with the good motions Suggested by them, as the Spirit of God doth. Ministers in Preaching may propose Arguments to men, and can do no more. The Eternal Spirit only can make those Arguments to prevail. That which Ministers do externally and visibly, the Holy Angels do after a Spiritual and invisible manner. Sometimes wicked men have strange Impulses from evil Angels, whence i• is t••t they are hurried on, to the perpetration o• th• most abominable and enormous crimes. The• do they become guilty of Blasphemies, Adulteries▪ Murders, and sometimes of Self-Murder. So ther are sometimes very unaccountable Motions and Impressions on the Spirits of good men, which are wrought in them, by the Ministry of Holy Angels whose work it is, to prevent and disappoint the designs of Satan & of his evil Angels.
I remember one relates a remarkable passage of a good man, that, when he was reading in his house, he could not rest in his Spirit, but he must step out of doors: which he had no sooner done, but he saw a Child in a pond of Water, ready to perish which would have been gone past recovery, had […] gone out of his doors, just at that moment. […] Impression must needs be from a good Angel. And an other like passage is related in the Life o• that Holy man, Mr. Dod: One evening (though he had other work to attend) he could not bu•⟨p. 47⟩he must go to such a Neighbours house: when he came to him, he told him, he knew not what he was come for; but he could not rest in his Spirit, until he had visited him. The poor man was astonished: for he had in the Violence of a Temptation, put a Rope into his Pocket, with an intent to have destroyed himself, had not Mr. Dod's thus coming prevented it. Surely an Angel of the Lord was in this Providence. Bishop Hall speaks of one whom he knew, that having been for Sixteen years a Cripple, had these monitions in his Sleep, that he should go and wash in St. Matherus Well in Cornwall, which he did, and was suddenly recovered. This he thinks was from Angelical Suggestion. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus did in a Dream, receive the prescript of a remedy for his disease, which the Physicians could not cure. A Physician of Uratislavium followed the Counsel he had given him in a Dream, concerning the cure of a disease which was to him incurable, and he recovered his patient. It added to the wonder, that a few years after, he met with that Receipt in a Book then newly Printed. Histories report that the like to this happened to Philip, and to Galen. If Angels may Suggest things beneficial unto the minds of men who are Strangers to God, much more unto them that fear him!
I remember one relates a remarkable passage of a good man, that, when he was reading in his house, he could not rest in his Spirit, but he must step out of doors: which he had no sooner done, but he saw a Child in a pond of Water, ready to perish which would have been gone past recovery, had 〈…〉 gone out of his doors, just at that moment. 〈…〉 Impression must needs be from a good Angel. And an other like passage is related in the Life o• that Holy man, Mr. Dod: One evening (thoug he had other work to attend) he could not bu
1. The first and great Reason of it is, because it is the Sovereign will and pleasure of God, to have i• so, with respect unto his own Glory. Gods Will is the Reason of all Reasons. We have showed, that He doth not make use of Angels, as though he stood in any need of them, or of their Services. That God, who made the World, without their help, can preserve the World and His People therein, without any of them, if He so pleased: But He doth use them, for the same Reason, for which He did Create them, namely his own pleasure. Rev. 4.11. Thou hast Created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were Created. All things, and therefore all the Angels in Heaven, wer• Created for the Pleasure of the Great God. S• are they, all of them, for the same reason, mad• use of, as Ministering Spirits: and it pleases God to have it so out of respect to his own Glory. That which is the best End, must needs be God's End, in all His Works of Creation and Providence. Now the Glory of His own Name, is the best end. God, who alone is infinitely wise knows, what doth best become his own Greatne•• and Goodness. And if the Lord did not see that it would be most for His Glory, that thing• should be managed by the Hands of His Holy Angels, rather than by His own Immediate Hand on•y; it would not be as it is. The Lord is able to Convert men without sending Ministers t• Preach to them: To heal the Sick without Physicians; to preserve Humane Societies without ⟨p. 49⟩Magistrates, to defend his People from Enemies, without the use of Arms; but it is His Will and Pleasure, that secondary Causes should be made use of. The like is to be said of Angelical Protection: God is the Fountain of all our Mercies and Preservations. Angels and Ordinances are but Cisterns, which it is His Pleasure to make use of.
1. The first and great Reason of it is, because it is the Sovereign will and pleasure of God, to have i• so, with respect unto his own Glory. Gods Will is the Reason of all Reasons. We have shewed, that He doth not make use of Angels, as though he stood in any need of them, or of their Services. That God, who made the World, without their help, can preserve the World and His People therein, without any of them, if He so pleased: But He doth use them, for the same Reason, for which He did Create them, namely his own pleasure.
2. Another Reason is, That so the Obedience of the Angels may be tried, exercised and rewarded. By this the Obedience of Angels, and their humility is tried, whether they will readily stoop unto, and comply with the Command of God. It is a great Trial of their Obedience, that they should be set as a Guard to such poor, sorry Creatures, as the Children of men are. What is man, (says the Psalmist) thou hast made him lower than the Angels, Psal. 8.4, 5. In as much therefore as they Minister to him, their subjection to the Will of God is put upon the Trial. It is generally supposed, that the Sin of Reprobate Angels, was their refusing to comply with the Command of God in this matter: that they did think scorn of it, to be made Attendants, on such a Creature as man, so much inferior to them. But the Elect Angels think no Service too mean, that the glorious God shall see meet to employ them in: and they do by this become Patterns of Obedience unto us. If the Angels that are so much above us, do most willingly and gladly comply with the ⟨p. 50⟩Will of God in whatever He shall appoint them unto, men ought to do so. If Angels do not think much to look after them that fear God▪ then it doth become the Greatest man in all the World, to be willing to serve or promote the Welfare of the meanest Saint, that is upon the Earth: Angels set a pattern of Obedience in thi• respect; and thus their Obedience is exercised▪ even from the beginning, to the end of the World: for they continue their Ministration from the beginning to the end of the World: and when they have accomplished the course of thei• Obedience, they shall have their Reward: the• (as a Great Divine of our own, does well an• truly express it) They shall be Rewarded with th• contemplation of the Infinite Excellencies of God, an• the Enjoyment of him, throughout Eternal Ages which is the greatest happiness, that any Creature is capable of. And in the mean time, it is no small honour to the Angels of Heaven, that the should be used in such a Service; that they should join with the most High God, in that which […] of all his Works the most glorious, namely, the Preservation and Salvation of his Elect.
3. Another Reason, why the Ministry of Hol• Angels is made use of, is, That so the Devils may b• kept in awe, and in a perpetual vexation and torment ▪ For, certain it is, that the Angels of Heaven, have a great awe upon the evil Angels to restrain thei• Power, and […] disappoint them in their malicious Designs; which they are able to do by th•⟨p. 51⟩speaking of a word. You see in the ninth verse of Judes Epistle, that when the Devil was contending about the Body of Moses, the Arch Angel did but speak a word; He did but say, The Lord rebuke thee, Satan, and all the Devils Design was at an end presently. The Evil Angels know the power of the Holy Angels: they know, that they are able to withstand them: And they do not know, but that they may meet with them at every turn, and disappoint all that they have been contriving, which must needs be a perpetual vexation to those Evil Spirits: It is a torment to the Devil to see and behold an Host of Angels Encamping round about all them that fear God; so that the Devil is not able to destroy one of them all, because there are Holy Angels Encamping round about them. And it is a torment and vexation to the Devil, to see the Holy Angels gloriously and triumphingly employed in Service for the Great God, and rewarded by him; whilst they in the mean time are made to Eat the Dust, being rejected and abdicated to the vilest Services, that any part in the whole Creation are exercised in. It cannot but cut the Devil to the heart, to see those very Angels, that are of the same nature with him, and with whom he was once a Companion in Heaven, thus triumphingly Serving God. And what a tormenting reproach must it needs be, when at the same time he shall hear it said to him, this might have been thy Employment, and should have been ⟨p. 52⟩so, if thou hadst not by sinning against the Great God, brought eternal damnation upon thy self.
3. Another Reason, why the Ministry of Hol• Angels is made use of, is, That so the Devils may b• kept in awe, and in a perpetual vexation and tormen For, certain it is, that the Angels of Heaven, have a great awe upon the evil Angels to restrain thei Power, and disappoint them in their maliciou Designs; which they are able to do by th
4. A fourth Reason, Why the ministry of Holy Angeli is made use of, is, That so Communion and Love may be maintained and increased among those that are Members of the Glorious Family of God. Some part of God's Family is here upon Earth; they that fear him are here: But then another part of the Family belongs to Heaven, namely, the Blessed Angels. I Bow my Knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named. Eph. 3.15. They that Fear God are the Family on Earth: the Angels of the Lord are of the Family in Heaven: it is meet that there should be a Communion between those that are of the same Family. We cannot any way be helpful to the Angels, nor do they need our help in any thing: all our help, it is limited unto the Saints on the Earth, Psal. 16.3. My Goodness (saith David) extendeth not to thee, but unto the Saints, the Excellent in the Earth, in whom is all my delight. We cannot be beneficial to the Saints in Heaven, or to the Angels there: But the Angels can help us, and w• need their help. In that way therefore must the Communion, which becomes the Members of this Glorious Family, be maintained. And therefore the Love of Angels unto the Children of God, is confirmed and increased: Love is increased by kind offices: we see, that Nurses have a special affection, to the Children that have been fostered by them. So ⟨p. 53⟩have the Angels of God unto His Children, that have been under their Care and Education; those Heirs of Salvation, whom from their Cradle unto their Graves, they have been fostering and taking care of, they must needs have a great affection for. Holy Angels, and all such as truly fear God, shall live together in the same Heaven, World without End. It is meet then, that there should be a great Love and Friendship between them: This Ministry of theirs must needs cause it to be so. Thus have we seen the Doctrine Explained and Confirmed.
4. A fourth Reason, Why the ministry of Holy Angeli is made use of, is, That so Communion and Love may be maintained and increased among those that are Members of the Glorious Family of God. Some part of God's Family is here upon Earth; they that fear him are here: But then another part of the Family belongs to Heaven, namely, the Blessed Angels. I Bow my Knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named.
. And when the King of Syria s•nt an Army to surround •othan, and to apprehend the Prophet, Elisha, an Army of Angel• prevented th•m, & d•livered the Prophet,
. And when God will have it to be so, th• Holy Angels cut off those that seek the hurt 〈…〉 them that fear Him. They kill those wicked men who, if they were suffered to live any longer would do hurt unto the Fearers of the Lord. Ha• the Souldiers in Sennacheribs Army, lived a whil• longer, they would have fallen upon Jerusalem• Therefore did Angels kill an hundred and fourscore and five thousand of them in one night Herod began to Persecute the Church: had he lived longer, he would have gone on with hi• Persecution. Therefore an Angel was sent from Heaven to kill him.
. No question of it, but that many times God's own Children are smitten with Diseases, by th•
⟨p. 45⟩
Angels of Heaven, to correct them for some Sin they have been guilty of.
2. The Holy Angels do perform the Office of Tutors unto God's Children. Hence they are sometimes instructed in glorious Truths, by their Ministry, which otherwise they would not have been acquainted with. An Angel Informed Daniel, and said, I am come to give thee skill and understanding. Dan. 9.22. The Angel that talked with the Prophet Zachary, said unto him, I will shew unto thee, what these be. Zach. 1.9. The Revelation was given to John by an Angel. God gave it to Christ, Christ to the Angel; the Angel was the Minister that brought it to John, and John hath 〈…〉 it to the People of God. Rev. 1.1. Angels 〈…〉 and informed the Shepherds concerning the Birth of Christ: Angels informed the Disciples, of the ⟨p. 44⟩Resurrection of Christ, and after what manner he will come again to Judge the World, at the last Day. And we find in the Scriptures, that the Fearers of the Lord have been excited unto and directed in, that which hath been their duty, by the Angels of Heaven. Thus Manoah and his Wife, were directed by an Angel, after what manner they should Educate their Son. Thus when Elijah was in a strait, whether to shew himself to the King or no, An Angel of the Lord said to him, go and be not afraid, and he arose, and went to the King. 2 King. 1.15. Thus again, an Angel spoke to the Apostles, and bid them go, and Preach the Word of Life in the Temple. Act 5.19. It was an Angel that directed Philip, to go to the place, where he met with a Great man, whom he instructed in the Principles of Religion: and by means of that man, was a whole Kingdom Enlightned in the Knowledge of Christ. The Angels, like faithful Tutors, and Monitors, do sometimes correct and discipline the Children of God, when they have offended. When Hagar Ran-away from her Mistress, that dealt hardly with her, an Angel of the Lord said to her, Return to thy Mistress, and submit thy self unto her Hands. Gen. 16.9. An Angel smote Zacharias, the Priest, Dumb, for his Unbelief; Thou shalt be 〈…〉, and not speak, because thou believest not my 〈…〉, did the Angel Gabriel say unto him. Luk. 1.20. No question of it, but that many times God's own Children are smitten with Diseases, by th•⟨p. 45⟩Angels of Heaven, to correct them for some Sin they have been guilty of.
•
3. The Holy Angels have a great influence, upon the thoughts, minds, and Spirits of men. Evil Angels inject evil thoughts into the mind. The Devil put it into the heart of Judas, that he should go, and betray his Master, Joh. 13.1. Evil Angels stir up those Corruptions, that are in the hearts of men. They have a powerful influence and operation on the Spirits of the Children of disobedience, in whom they work effectually. Hence the Prophet Micaiah saw the Lord on his throne, and the host of Heaven round about him, and heard him saying, Who shall deceive Ahab, that he may go up to Ramoth Gilead, and fall there: and one said on this manner, and another on that manner: and there came forth an Evil Spirit, and said, I will goe, and be a lying Spirit in the mouth of all his Prophets: and the Lord said, Thou shalt perswade him, and prevail also, 1 Kin. 22.22. By which it appears, that evil Angels have a great influence on the Spirits of wicked men. So have the Holy Angels a great influence on the Spirits of them that fear the Lord, exciting them unto the things that are good. They have the benefit of Angelical Suggestion, in many good motions, more than themselves are aware of. It is true, that all Holy thoughts are originally from the Spirit of 〈…〉 Nevertheless, He is pleased oftentimes to make 〈…〉 of the Ministry of Angels therein. Angelical motions are ab extra. Angels do not dwell in the ⟨p. 46⟩Souls of Believers, as the Holy and Eternal Spirit doth: nor have they power to make their Suggestions effectual: they can't give Life & Grace with the good motions Suggested by them, as the Spirit of God doth. Ministers in Preaching may propose Arguments to men, and can do no more. The Eternal Spirit only can make those Arguments to prevail. That which Ministers do externally and visibly, the Holy Angels do after a Spiritual and invisible manner. Sometimes wicked men have strange Impulses from evil Angels, whence i• is t••t they are hurried on, to the perpetration o• th• most abominable and enormous crimes. The• do they become guilty of Blasphemies, Adulteries▪ Murders, and sometimes of Self-Murder. So ther• are sometimes very unaccountable Motions and Impressions on the Spirits of good men, which are wrought in them, by the Ministry of Holy Angels whose work it is, to prevent and disappoint the designs of Satan & of his evil Angels.
•
•
⟨p. 47⟩
he must go to such a Neighbours house: when he came to him, he told him, he knew not what he was come for; but he could not rest in his Spirit, until he had visited him. The poor man was astonished: for he had in the Violence of a Temptation, put a Rope into his Pocket, with an intent to have destroyed himself, had not Mr. Dod's thus coming prevented it. Surely an Angel of the Lord was in this Providence. Bishop Hall speaks of one whom he knew, that having been for Sixteen years a Cripple, had these monitions in his Sleep, that he should go and wash in St. Matherus Well in Cornwell, which he did, and was suddenly recovered. This he thinks was from Angelical Suggestion. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus did in a Dream, receive the prescript of a remedy for his disease, which the Physitians could not cure. A Physitian of Uratislavium followed the Counsil he had given him in a Dream, concerning the cure of a disease which was to him incurable, and he recovered his patient. It added to the wonder, that a few years after, he met with that Receipt in a Book then newly Printed. Histories report that the like to this hapned to Philip, and to Galen. If Angels may Suggest things beneficial unto the minds of men who are Strangers to God, much more unto them that fear him!
. Thou hast Created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were Created. All things, and therefore all the Angels in Heaven, wer• Created for the Pleasure of the Great God. S• are they, all of them, for the same reason, mad• use of, as Ministring Spirits: and it pleases God to have it so out of respect to his own Glory. That which is the best End, must needs be God's End, in all His Works of Creation and Providence. Now the Glory of His own Name, is the best end. God, who alone is infinitely wise knows, what doth best become his own Greatne•• and Goodness. And if the Lord did not see that it would be most for His Glory, that thing• should be managed by the Hands of His Holy Angels, rather than by His own Immediate Hand on•y; it would not be as it is. The Lord is able to Convert men without sending Ministers t• Preach to them: To heal the Sick without Phi•sicians; to preserve Humane Societies withou•
⟨p. 49⟩
Magistrates, to defend his People from Enemies, without the use of Arms; but it is His Will and Pleasure, that secondary Causes should be made use of. The like is to be said of Angelical Protection: God is the Fountain of all our Mercies and Preservations. Angels and Ordinances are but Cesterns, which it is His Pleasure to make use of.
2. Another Reason is, That so the Obedience of the Angels may be tried, exercised and rewarded. By this the Obedience of Angels, and their humility is tried, whether they will readily stoop unto, and comply with the Command of God. It is a great Tryal of their Obedience, that they should be set as a Guard to such poor, sorry Creatures, as the Children of men are. What is man, (says the Psalmist) thou hast made him lower than the Angels, Psal. 8.4, 5. In as much therefore as they Minister to him, their subjection to the Will of God is put upon the Trial. It is generally supposed, that the Sin of Reprobate Angels, was their refusing to comply with the Command of God in this matter: that they did think scorn of it, to be made Attendants, on such a Creature as man, so much inferiour to them. But the Elect Angels think no Service too mean, that the glorious God shall see meet to imploy them in: and they do by this become Patterns of Obedience unto us. If the Angels that are so much above us, do most willingly and gladly comply with the ⟨p. 50⟩Will of God in whatever He shall appoint them unto, men ought to do so. If Angels do not think much to look after them that fear God▪ then it doth become the Greatest man in all the World, to be willing to serve or promote the Welfare of the meanest Saint, that is upon the Earth: Angels set a pattern of Obedience in thi• respect; and thus their Obedience is exercised▪ even from the beginning, to the end of the World: for they continue their Ministration from the beginning to the end of the World: and when they have accomplished the course of thei• Obedience, they shall have their Reward: the• (as a Great Divine of our own, does well an• truly express it) They shall be Rewarded with th• contemplation of the Infinite Excellencies of God, an• the Enjoyment of him, throughout Eternal Ages which is the greatest happiness, that any Creature is capable of. And in the mean time, it is no small honour to the Angels of Heaven, that the should be used in such a Service; that they shoul• joyn with the most High God, in that which 〈…〉 of all his Works the most glorious, namely, the Preservation and Salvation of his Elect.
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⟨p. 51⟩
speaking of a word. You see in the ninth verse of Judes Epistle, that when the Devil was contending about the Body of Moses, the Arch Angel did but speak a word; He did but say, The Lord rebuke thee, Satan, and all the Devils Design was at an end presently. The Evil Angels know the power of the Holy Angels: they know, that they are able to withstand them: And they do not know, but that they may meet with them at every turn, and disappoint all that they have been contriving, which must needs be a perpetual vexation to those Evil Spirits: It is a torment to the Devil to see and behold an Host of Angels Encamping round about all them that fear God; so that the Devil is not able to destroy one of them all, because there are Holy Angels Encamping round about them. And it is a torment and vexation to the Devil, to see the Holy Angels gloriously and triumphingly imployed in Service for the Great God, and rewarded by him; whilst they in the mean time are made to Eat the Dust, being rejected and abdicated to the vilest Services, that any part in the whole Creation are exercised in. It cannot but cut the Devil to the heart, to see those very Angels, that are of the same nature with him, and with whom he was once a Companion in Heaven, thus triumphingly Serving God. And what a tormenting reproach must it needs be, when at the same time he shall hear it said to him, this might have been thy Employment, and should have been
⟨p. 52⟩
so, if thou hadst not by sinning against the Great God, brought eternal damnation upon thy self.
. They that Fear God are the Family on Earth: the Angels of the Lord are of the Family in Heaven: it is meet that there should be a Communion between those that are of the same Family. We cannot any way be helpful to the Angels, nor do they need our help in any thing: all our help, it is limited unto the Saints on the Earth,
. My Goodness (saith David) extendeth not to thee, but unto the Saints, the Excellent in the Earth, in whom is all my delight. We cannot be beneficial to the Saints in Heaven, or to the Angels there: But the Angels can help us, and w• need their help. In that way therefore must the Communion, which becomes the Members of this Glorious Family, be maintained. And therefore the Love of Angels unto the Children of God, is confirmed and increased: Love is increased by kind offices: we see, that Nurses have a special affection, to the Children that have been fostred by them. So
⟨p. 53⟩
have the Angels of God unto His Children, that have been under their Care and Education; those Heirs of Salvation, whom from their Cradle unto their Graves, they have been fostring and taking care of, they must needs have a great affection for. Holy Angels, and all such as truly fear God, shall live together in the same Heaven, World without End. It is meet then, that there should be a great Love and Friendship between them: This Ministry of theirs must needs cause it to be so. Thus have we seen the Doctrine Explained and Confirmed.
