Catechistical Guide to Sinners and Babes in Christ, Part 2 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Of God's Work of Government in General; and in Special as relating to Angels.
Q. LEt us now ſpeak of God's Work of Government, concerning which I ſhall firſt ask you this Queſtion; What mean you by God's Work of Government?
A. By God's Work of Government, I mean, that Work of his, in which by his Power he ruleth and reigneth over all, throughout all Generations for ever and ever, as Lord of Heaven and Earth, and as a great King above all Gods.
[God ruleth or reigneth (or does exerciſe Dominion and Kingſhip) over all. Pſal. 103.19, &c. The Lord hath prepared his Throne in the Heavens; and his Kingdom ruleth over all. Bleſs the Lord, ye his Angels that excel in ſtrength, that do his Commandments; hearkning to the Voice of his Word. Bleſs the Lord all ye his Hoſts; ye Miniſters of his that do his pleaſure. Bleſs the Lord, all his Works in all places of his Dominion: Bleſs the Lord, O my Soul. See Job 25.2, 3. Joſh. 2.11. Iſa. 66.1.
God by his Power ruleth and reigneth throughout all Generations for ever and ever. Pſal. 66.7. He ruleth by his Power for ever; his Eyes behold the Nations. Pſal. 145.13. Thy Kingdom is an everlaſting Kingdom, [or a Kingdom of all Ages] and thy Dominion endureth throughout all Generations. Pſal. 93.2. Thy Throne is eſtabliſhed of old, thou art from everlaſting. Pſal. 10.16. The Lord is King for ever and ever. 1 Tim. 1.17. Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Inviſible, the only Wiſe God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. See Pſal. 29.16. Jer. 10.10. Pſal. 146.10. Dan. 4.3, 34. Jude 25. 1 Cor. 15.24, 28. Then cometh the end, when he ſhall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, &c. And when all things ſhall be ſubdued unto him, then ſhall the Son alſo himſelf be ſubject unto him, that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
God ruleth and reigneth as Lord of Heaven and Earth, and as a great King above all Gods. Gen. 14.19. The Poſſeſſor of Heaven and Earth. Deut. 10.14. Behold, the Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens is the Lords thy God; the Earth alſo, with all that therein is. Pſal. 95.3. The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all Gods. See Pſal. 97.9. 1 Chron. 29.11, 12. Thine, O Lord, is the Greatneſs, and the Power, and the Glory, and the Victory, and the Majeſty; for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine: thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as Head above all. Both Riches and Honour come of thee, and thou reigneſt over all, and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give ſtrength unto all. 1 Cor. 11.3. But I would have you know that the Head of every Man is Chriſt; and the Head of the Woman is the Man, and the Head of Chriſt is God. Pſal. 113.4, &c. The Lord is high above all Nations, and his Glory above the Heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high? who humbleth himſelf to behold the things that are in Heaven, and in the Earth. 1 Tim. 6.15. He is the bleſſed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. See Pſal. 93. & 97. & 99. Pſal. 24.7. & 145.12. Rev. 19.6. 2 Chron. 20.6.]
Q. What have you learned more particularly touching God's Government in reſpect of Angels?
A. Touching God's Government in reſpect of Angels, I have learned a few things that are more eaſy and needful to be known: as this in the general, that part of thoſe Spirits, called Angels, having ſinned, God ſpared them not, but caſt them down to Hell, and deliver'd them into Chains of Darkneſs, to be reſerved unto Judgment; but that part of thoſe Spirits abode in the Truth, and are now called the Holy Angels, and the like; when the name of Devils, and the like, is given to thoſe that ſinned. 2 Pet. 2.4. Jude v. 6. Joh. 8.44. Deut. 32.17. 1 Cor. 10.20. Mat. 25.31.
Q. What have you learned in ſpecial concerning thoſe Spirits that ſinned not?
A. Concerning thoſe Spirits that ſinned not, I have learned, that there is an innumerable company of them, and that God hath made them to be his Angels, [that is, Meſſengers] and his Miniſters in the exerciſe of his Government, and hath made them all ſubject to Jeſus Chriſt, even thoſe that were among them, Thrones and Dominions; that is, Kings and Lords. Heb. 12.22. Heb. 1.7. 1 Pet. 3.22. Epheſ. 1.20.
Q. What have you learned in ſpecial concerning thoſe Spirits that ſinned?
A. Concerning thoſe Spirits that ſinned, I have learned, That their number is very great; that one of them is the Prince or Chief, and that the reſt are his Angels. He is called, The Devil, Satan, and the like; who as a roaring Lion walketh about ſeeking whom he may devour; but is now under the Power of Jeſus Chriſt.
[Mark 5.9. Epheſ. 2.2. Mat. 25.41. Mark 1.13. Mat. 12.28. Heb. 2.8, 14. Phil. 2.9, &c. The name Devil ſignifies a Slanderer, or one that ſeeks to deceive by lies; and Satan ſignifies an Adverſary. See Rev. 12.9.]