PROPOSITION. II. That there is an Order among the Angels of Heaven.

PROPOSITION. II. That there is an Order among the Angels of Heaven.

This is implied in the Text before us, which compares the Angels unto an Army: that shows there is an Order among them. Though for men to take upon them to declare the particulars of that Order; or to show by what Laws the Invisible World is Governed, is presumption, and sinful Curiosity; such are condemned by the Apostle, as intruding into those things, which they have not seen. There is a Book, which passeth under the counterfeit name of Dionysius the Areopagite ▪ wherein the Author ventures to describe the Celestial Hierarchy, as if he had Lived and Conversed many years among them; pretending that there are nine distinct Orders amongst the Angels of Heaven. He has taken his Notions partly from the Jews, and partly from the Pythagorean and Platonic Philosophers. But we may not assert any thing in Subjects of this nature, beyond what we have Scripture Light for. Now though the Holy Angels may, for ought any thing that the Scripture declares to the contrary, be all Equal in respect of Nature; it is certain, that some are in respect of their Office, and Employment superior to others. There are some, who are as Captains and Leaders, and others follow them, according as God is pleased to Employ them: It is said in the Text, The Angel of the Lord Encampeth round about them that fear him. One Angel cannot make a Camp, but many Angels under the Conduct of one, under one as a Leader, may do it, and they do ⟨p. 17⟩do it. Hence the Angel which came unto the Shepherds, and brought them the Tidings of the Birth of Christ, said, I bring you glad Tidings, Luk. 2. and in v. 13. it is said, that there was with the Angel, a Multitude of the Heavenly Host Praising God. So that there was an Host, a Multitude of Angels, who were under the Conduct of one Angel. That there is a distinction among the Angels, in respect of Office, and that some are Superior to others, is clear from that Scripture, in Col. 1.16. where the Apostle speaking concerning the Creatures in the Invisible World, doth distinguish them into Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers. Now Thrones are Superior to Dominions; Dominions to Principalities; and Principalities to Powers: The words allude to Earthly Governments. In Civil Polities, Kings or Vice-Royes sit upon Thrones, Dukes and Princes, are called Dominions;