Forty-nine Sermons upon Colossians, Part 2 · Sermon 28
THE XXVIII. SERMON.
COL. II. Ver. XVIII.
Verſ. XVIII. Let no man maſter it over you at his pleaſure, by an humility of ſpirit, and the ſervice of Angels, intruding into things, which he hath not ſeen, being raſhly puffed up with the ſence of his fleſh.
DEar Brethren; It's a thing, infinitely ſtrange, and which ſhews the extream corruption of our nature, more ſenſibly, than any other, that men ſhould have ſo vehement, and invincible a paſſion for the ſerving of creatures. GOD the Soveraign LORD, both of them, and of the Univerſe, did manifeſt Himſelf clearly to them, cauſing the illuſtrious, and glorious marks of His goodneſs, and wiſdom, and infinite power, to ſhine forth every where, above, and beneath, upon them, and about them; yea bringing the ſame home even to their hearts; and giving them a feeling of Him, by the innumerable benefits, which He poureth out continually upon all the parts of their lives; In ſhort, He ſhewed Himſelf, and drew near, and preſented Himſelf in ſo lively a manner to their underſtandings, Senſes.and perceptions, that they could not, (if I may preſume to ſay it,) be ignorant of Him, though they would. Beſides all this, He vouchſafed to reveal Himſelf to them, at the beginning, in a particular way; ſpeaking familiarly to Adam, and Noah, and others of the primitive Patriarchs, who were the ſources of the firſt, and ſecond world. Nevertheleſs you know, that notwithſtanding all theſe lights, the rage of that paſſion men had for Idolatry, was ſo violent, that it made them forget all theſe holy, and admirable diſcoveries of the Deity; and induced them, inſtead of their great, and abundantly good, and omnipotent Creator, bleſſed for …ver, to ſerve the creature; and their phrenſie roſe to ſuch an height, that beſides the Luminaries of Heaven, and the inviſible Powers, that do govern them; as alſo beſides Kings, and Sages, and perſons, whom worth, or authority had raiſed above others, they were not aſhamed to adore yet other things, of the loweſt in nature; as Beaſts, and Plants, and Elements; and to compleat their extravagancy, they added to all the reſt, Images, and Figures, things abſolute inſenſible, and unprofitable; Changing (as the Apoſtles does reproach them) the glory of the uncorruptible GOD, Rom. 1.22.into the reſemblance, of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed Beaſts, and creeping things.
This Bruitiſh error having overwhelmed all mankind, the LORD was ſo gracious, that He drew Abraham out of it, as a brand out of an univerſal Conflagration; and afterwards, manifeſting Himſelf more clearly unto his poſterity, by the miniſtry of Moſes, and giving them His Law, He raiſed up amid this people a publick teſtimony of His truth, againſt the general miſdemeanour of the world, fulminating a thouſand, and a thouſand maledictions, againſt all ſuch as ſerved Creatures. But the love of Idolatry was ſo ſtrong, as it broke this barr of Heaven, and violated this Divine declaration; which prov'd to be ſo far from reducing the Nations to their duty, as it could not keep the very Iſraelites in theirs, but they, as we learn by their Hiſtory, often gave up themſelves to the ſerving of Creatures. At laſt, after ſo many ſignifications of His mind, GOD ſent His only begotten, the Sun of Righteouſneſs, and truth, into the world, who opened to us the manner and the reaſons and cauſes of the worſhipping of GOD, and did fully diſcover, that which, both the Gentiles were ignorant of, by reaſon of their ſtupidity, and the Jews did but imperfectly know, in their minority. Now who would think, that ſo ſhameful and groſs an errour, as the ſerving of creatures is, ſhould have the ſhameleſneſs to ſhew its ſelf, in ſo noble, and ſo glorious a light. Yet you know, this wretched paſſion found the means to content its ſelf; bringing in, under divers vain, but plauſible pretences, the worſhipping of Angels, and men, by little, and little, among Chriſtians. But however, it is not ſo ſtrange a thing, that a corruption ſhould get ſuch ground in the latter ages, when it was favoured by an univerſal ignorance, and by a decay of truth, and by the depravedneſs of men: ſuch a thing doth frequently come to paſs in their diſciplines, and conſtitutions; commonly, as they go on, they grow worſe. That, which ſurpaſſeth all admiration is, that in the time, and under the eyes of the holy Apoſtles of our LORD and Saviour, there ſhould be men found of ſo impudent a ſpirit, as to promote ſo vile an errour, in the profeſſion of Chriſtianity. We ſhould ſcarce be able to believe it, if S. Paul did not give us that teſtimony of it, which we even now read to you. And GOD permitted it, as well to exerciſe, and prove the Church, which then was, as to confirm ours; this occaſion having here drawn from the Apoſtle's pen, a clear, and magnifick condemnation of this abuſe. He hath rejected already in the precedent context, thoſe obſervances, which the falſe Teachers, he oppoſeth, had taken from the Moſaical Law; now he refu…es thoſe, which they had borrowed from the Philoſophers of the World. For as we ſhall ſhew anon, that ſerving of Angels, which theſe men would have introduced among Chriſtians, was a fruit, and an invention of Heathen Philoſophy. S. Paul ſtrikes down this vain impiety in few words. Let no man, ſaith he, maſter it ever you at his pleaſu…, by an humility of ſpirit, and the ſervice of Angels, intruding into things, which be hath not ſeen, being raſhly puffed up with the ſenſe of his fleſh.
Dear Brethren: Here is a notable ſentence pronounced, which overthrows, in expreſs words, all the worſhip, that the ſuperſtition of men, whether ancient, or modern doth attribute unto creatures; it being clear, that there is not any one of them, whom we may lawfully ſerve in Religion, ſince the Apoſtle forbiddeth us to ſerve the Angels themſelves, who are without difficulty, of all creatures the moſt excellent. You know the intereſt we have in this cauſe; thoſe of Rome anathmatizing us in it, under colour, that content to adore and ſerve GOD our Creator, and Redeemer only, we refuſe to render unto Angels and Saints departed that Religious Worſhip, and thoſe Divine honours, which they decree, and deferr daily to them, to the great prejudice of the glory of GOD and the irreparable offence of men: Let us therefore exactly conſider this Oracle of the holy Apoſtles; and that we may leave nothing in it behind us, we muſt ſee firſt, what the Doctrine of thoſe Seducers is, which he condemneth. (He expreſſeth it in theſe words, Let … man maſter it over you, by an humility of ſpirit, and the ſervice of Angels:) and then we are to examine, in the ſecond place, the marks he gives theſe falſe Teachers which are contained in the following words; intruding into things he hath not ſeen, being raſhly puffed up with the ſenſe of his fleſh: and not holding the head. But we will ſatisfie our ſelves, for this time, with the former of theſe parts, remitting the ſecond to another opportunity, by reaſon of the cavils, and inventions our adverſaries make uſe of to corrupt this paſſage, which we muſt refute as briefly, as we can.
The word, that S. Paul uſeth at the entrance, and which we have tranſlated, Maſter it, is difficult, and ſeldom found in the Authors of the Greek Tongue. S. Hierom, one of the learnedſt of the ancients, ſayes, Ep. ad Alg. 9, 10.it was peculiar to the Country of Cilicia; whereof S. Paul was, as being born at Tarſus, the Capital City of that Provi…ice. However it be, the derivation of the word is clear, and doth ſufficiently diſcover, what is well-nigh its ſignification. For ſuch, as underſtand the Greek, do know, that this term comes from another, which ſignifies the reward, that was given to thoſe who won the victory in thoſe games, or combats for prize, at which certain Judges, and Moderators did at that time preſide, who had the ſuperintendance of the whole action, regulating and bounding the race, aſſigning the ground, and receiving the Champions into it, judging of their courſes, and combats, proclaiming that man victorious to whom they yielded the advantage, and ſolemnly putting a Crown upon his head. Whence it comes that themſelves were called by a name, that ſigni…ies Givers of the reward; and the term, which ſignifies what they did on ſuch occaſions, is generally uſed to expreſs, governing, regulating, ruling, and having the ſuperintendance of a matter. It is expreſly from this term, that that which the Apoſtle uſeth here, is formed; ſaving that it ſeems to ſignifie governing, and ordering, not ſimply, but to the prejudice, and damage of the concerned. Therefore ſome have thought, that S. Paul, comparing here the Faithful unto Racers, or Combatants, as he very often doth elſewhere, does exhort them, not to let the prize, or reward of the Victory, to be taken from them by the artifice of Seducers, who made it their buſineſs, to turn them out of the true, and lawful liſts of their race, which are no other, than believing, and obeying the doctrine of the Goſpel; and make them enter into another carriere, to wit, that of their own inventions, and ſervices; in the ſame ſenſe, that he elſewhere ſaid to the Galatians, who were abuſed by a like impoſture: Gal. 5.7.Ye did run well, who did turn you aſide, that you ſhould not obey the truth? If this expoſition were adapted as well as to the Apoſtles phraſe, as it is to his ſenſe, it would be excellent: ſhewing us, that I may ſay it by the way, how this ſerving of Angels here forbidden us, is an error of no ſmall importance, ſince it maketh thoſe, who turn aſide unto, or employ themſelves in it, to loſe the prize of their Heavenly calling.
The Latin Interpreter, Canonized by thoſe of Rome, having reſpect to the effect of ſuch falſe doctrine, which is a driving of the faithful out of the right way, doth Tranſlate it ſimply. Let no man ſeduce you. There is no need to report the thoughts of all others. But I do affirm, that there can be hardly found an expreſſion more proper, more commodious, and according better with either the term or the ſcope of the Apoſtle, then that of the French Bible, Let no man maſter it over you; which doth naturally expreſs the magiſterial authority, that theſe Seducers aſſumed to themſelves, enjoyning, and commanding their fancies to the faithful, as if they had been inſtalled Superintendants of their Religion, and their lives; and willing them to underſtand, that without practiſing what they preſcribed, it was not poſſible to obtain the prize of their high calling. Wherein the Apoſtle giveth them a blow, and renders them ridiculous, as men who having, in truth, no lawful authority, would yet make it be believed, that they had; and did ſpeak, and command with as much confidence, as if it belonged to them to diſtribute the Crown of Heaven at the laſt day; or that they had it already in their hands to impart it, to whom it ſhould ſeem them good. But that which S. Paul addeth, doth diſcover their folly much more; let no man (ſaith he) maſter it over you, at his pleaſure, or at his will; which may be referred, either to their office, or to their Doctrine, or, as I think, to them both. To their Office; meaning, that they are voluntary Superintendents, and that their own will alone, not the voice of GOD, or men, did elevate them to this pretended Maſterſhip; well night as the Roman Orator calls a certain man a Voluntary Senator, who did thruſt himſelf into the rank of the Senators, but had no right to be there, having been elected only by himſelf. But this reſpects alſo their Dectrine, and ſignifies that the ſerving of Angels, which they commanded, was founded meerly on their own good-pleaſure, and not upon any precept of GOD; that their will alone, was the reaſon, and ground of it, not the will of the LORD; that it was nothing but an imagination of their own head, and a fruit either of their melancholy, or their malice. Whence we may obſerve, by the way, That thoſe, that teach in the Church, ought to ſet forth nothing, but what is founded on the word of GOD. Iſa. 8.20.To the Law and to the Teſtimony; but if they ſpeak not according to this word; of a truth there ſhall be no morning for them. This rule is enough to caſhier all the doctrines of Rome which we conteſt with her. For if you examin their ſerving of Saints, and Angels, their Sacrifice of the Maſs, their Papal Monarchy, and other like opinions, you ſhall find, that they have no foundation but their will; and when they are preſſed, they go ſo far themſelves, and boldly aſſert, that they are judges of all things; judges of the faith of men, and of the Scriptures of GOD: and that a Declaration of their Popes ought to ſuffice for the reaſon of any thing; into which alſo their whole religion, and belief is finally reſolved. So as if ever there were a generation, of whom it might be ſaid, that they maſtered it over the faithful, at their pleaſure, without doubt it is they; who do call themſelves their Judges, their Lords, and their Monarchs; who make their will paſs with them, for the ſupream law of the Church; who put off to them an end leſs multitude of traditions and ſervices, upon the ſole credit of their good-pleaſure: and undertake to diſtribute to them the rewards of their piety, after their death, meerly according to their phantaſy, exalting ſome to be Saints, others to be Beatiſied; ordaining for ſome the ſervice of Hyperdulia, for others of ſim… Dulia; (as they call it): commiſſioning ſome to be over one Country, or City, or over one ſort of Diſeaſes, or Affairs, and others over another. (As Kings diſ…ibute according to their good pleaſure, the Honours, Charges, and Dignities of their State) while they cannot produce, for one particular of all this, any command, or foundation from the Word of GOD But come we to our Apoſtle, who declareth in that which followeth, what the Diſcipline was, that theſe voluntary Maſters of the Faithful, did pretend to impoſe upon them. Let no man (ſaith he) maſter it over you, by an humility of ſpirit, and the ſervice of Angels.
In theſe words, he ſhews us, what it is, to which they would oblige Chriſtians, namely, the ſervice of Angels; and what the pretext was, upon which they promoted this new ſervice, to wit, an humility of Spirit; As for the former of theſe; the word uſed in the original, doth ſignifie, not in general all kind of ſervice, but particularly that of Religion; whence it is, that the Latin Interpreter doth render it, the religion of Angels. This religious ſervice comprehendeth in it thoſe pieces of worſhip, and thoſe ceremonies, which are peformed to the Deity, and the actions by which homage is done it in that quality, as adoration, invocation, thankſgiving, truſt, and ſuch others. Theſe mens meaning therefore was, that beſides that ſupream ſervice, which Chriſtians do render unto GOD the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they ſhould ſerve Angels alſo, as their Mediators, and Interceſſors with GOD, and that under this quality, they ſhould addreſs prayers, and thanſgivings, and other duties of religion to them. This was their error. The pretext they took up, to authorize this ſervice, was, an humility of ſpirit; alledging, that we are too poor a thing, to preſent our ſelves directly unto GOD, and addreſs us, by our ſelves, to ſo ſublime a Majeſty; as alſo, that JESUS CHRIST being the Son of GOD, and GOD with Him, bleſſed for ever, it would be preſumption in us to pretend the preſenting our ſelves immediately to Him: whereupon they concluded, that we muſt have recourſe to Angels, who are middle natures between GOD, and us, to the end that they receiving our prayers, may preſent them to our common Soveraign, and intervening with Him on our behalf, obtain acceſs for us to His, otherwiſe inacceſſible, Throne. Such was the falſe, and fair-ſeeming diſcourſe, wherewith theſe people painted over their Tradition.
Whereupon you may obſerve; firſt, in general, that the alledging of ſome ſpecious, and ſeeming reaſons, is not ſufficient for the authorizing a worſhip, or an obſervance in religion. All that is propoſed to us in this kind, muſt be founded on the word of GOD, who alone hath the wiſdom, and the authority that is neceſſary, for the ſetting up of things religious. For if we once licence the mind of man, to rely upon its own imaginations, there is no error, nor extravagancy, but it will put ſome colour upon. Sure the diſcourſe of theſe Seducers doth not want ſhew; and men have found ſo much of that in it, as both Heathens, and the Hereticks, which have troubled Chriſtianity, and in ſine thoſe of Rome, have all of them made uſe of it, to colour their Superſtitions. Yet you ſee, the Apoſtle, without ſticking at all this vain luſtre, without vouchſafing ſo much as to examine it, does reject, and abſolutely condemn that ſervice, for which it was taken up: only becauſe ſuch ſervice was not ordained of GOD, but founded ſolely only on the will of men. Let this example make us wiſe, to abhor, and refuſe without delay, whatſoever men would introduce into religion, without the order, and the word of GOD. Let us not ſtay at all upon thoſe gaudy reaſons, wherewith they endeavour to paint over their inventions. Let us not ſo much as hearken to them. It is ſufficient warrant for our rejecting of their ſervices, that they are not ordained in the word of GOD. From hence alone it follows, that they aſſuredly are vain, and unprofitable; neither is there any pretext, how ſpecious ſoever it be, that can or ought to authoriſe in religion, a thing that GOD hath not appointed.
Again, you ſee here in particular, that that Humility of Spirit, wherewith our adverſaries do at this day colour over, the ſervices they perform to Angels, and Saints, is but an old paint, which ancient hereticks did uſe to bad purpoſes, and the Apoſtle long ago expreſly rejects; ſo as it is not only a vanity; but a very impudence for them to ſerve themſelves of a thing ſo decried. Let them ceaſe alledging unto us, that we are too poor to preſent our ſelves directly unto GOD; Let them forbear to lay before us the Courts of earthly Kings: where men make uſe of the mediation of Officers, before they ſpeak to the Princes themſelves; to inferr thereupon, that we muſt betake us to the the interceſſion of Saints, and Angels in like manner, that they may lead us unto GOD, and preſent Him our perſons, and requeſts. S. Paul hath blaſted all this artifice; and they ſhould be aſhamed to uſe a pretext, which the firſt hereticks took up, for the covering of their errors; and this great Apoſtle hath manifeſtly taken from them. In very deed, all this pretended humility of ſpirit, wherewith the one, and the others mask themſelves, is but a cover of real preſumption, which diſdaining to be ſubject to the commands of GOD, would ſerve Him after its own fantaſie, and not as He hath appointed. Iſai. 7.11, 12.It's the humility of Ahaz, who haughtily refuſed the grace, that the goodneſs of the LORD offered Him, upon pretence, that He would not tempt Him. GOD, in His great mercy, giveth us His Son JESUS to be our Mediator; He humbleth Himſelf, and is made man, that He might be more acceſſible unto us. Joh. 14.1, 6. Eph. 3.12.He proclaimeth in a thouſand places, that He is the way, the truth, and the life; and that no man cometh to the Father, but by Him, that it is He, by whom we have boldneſs, Mat. 11.28.and acceſs with confidence, by faith in Him. He calleth us unto Himſelf. Come unto me, ſaith He, and I will give you reſt. And His Miniſters do, not only permit us to go to Him; Heb. 4.16.they command, and preſs us to do ſo. Let us go (ſay they) with boldneſs to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain grace, and mercy to help in time of need. Inſteed of obeying theſe holy and divine calls of GOD, and His Miniſters, you ſay, No, I will not do it. I am not ſo preſumptuous, as to go either to GOD or to His Son. I muſt beg the interceſſion of Angels, and Saints, to preſent me before that ſupream light. In conſcience, is not this an exalting of your ſelf above GOD? Is it not a preſuming, that you know better than He what belongs to your duty, and His ſervice? Is it not an hiding, under the fine words of a feigned humility, plain rebellion, and diſobedience to His Holy Majeſty? which is in effect the higheſt pride, a creature can be guilty of; ſince it is, at the bottom, a pretending, that you are wiſer than He; and that the way, He preſcribes you, is neither ſo good, nor ſo reaſonable, as that which you have choſen. But let us forbear any further arguing. For where the Apoſtle ſpeaks, there is no need, that we ſhould diſcourſe. His authority relyes not on the ſuccour of our reaſons. Here (you ſee) it is expreſs againſt our adverſaries corrupt uſage. He formerly condemns the thing they do. For they approve, and daily practiſe this ſervice of Angels, which S. Paul forbids us: and ground it upon that ſame humility of ſpirit, the pretexture whereof He hath voided, and deſtroyed; becoming doubly culpable, both for rebuilding (if I may ſo ſay) this Jericho of ſuperſtiſtition, which he hath domoliſhed, and for employing in it the very ſtones which he hath blaſted from Heaven. What can error ſay againſt ſo clear a determination? By what charms can it turn away this flaſh of lightning from falling on its head? Dear Brethren, it is too much in love with its own inventions, to give glory to GOD; and will rather renounce His word, than quit its ſuperſtitious imaginations. In the preſent matter, ſeeing its ſelf preſſed, it hath recourſe to ſubtilty; and though it both maintain, and practiſe the worſhipping of Angels, and cannot deny but … the Apoſtle condemns thoſe, who teach, and practiſe it; yet it pretends with an … …ible boldneſs, that it is not it, the Apoſtle doth condemn. It hath turned its … ways, to effect this illuſion; all which, to ſay the truth, have more hardi… in them. And, to begin at this one; the famouſeſt of its laſt Advocates, … …ink, ill ſatisfied in his conſcience with the ſubtilty of his fellows, hath bethought himſelf of a new gloſs, unheard of till now in all the Schools of Chriſtianity, both antient, and modern; born of his own conceit alone, a very fruitful breeder of ſuch productions, and begotten by meer deſpair of his bad cauſe. Du Perron, in His Repl. to K. James. p. 909.This man then affirms, that S. Paul doth mean, by the ſervice or religion of Angels, not (as all the Fathers, and all the Modern have believed) the worſhiping of Angels, but, as he all alone will have it, the Law of Moſes. Firſt, the novelty of this gloſs, and the very conſideration, that for the ſpace of neer ſixteen hundred years, not ſo much as one ſingle man hath been found, that was aware of it, doth ſufficiently ſhew, that it is the heat of diſputation, and not the truth of the thing, which ſuggeſted it to the author of it, and the maxims of his Church, he doth evidently renounce too; which willeth, that Scripture be not interpreted, but by the Fathers; whereas he, laying by their expoſition, brings in one here, that is not only undiſcernable in any one of them; but alſo directly contrary to the moſt, Chryſo…. Th…odoret. O…um…. T…philact.and moſt renowned of their number; who do underſtand theſe words of the Apoſtle, of the worſhip done to Angels, by thoſe Seducers, whom S. Paul doth in this place oppoſe. But I ſay moreover, that it is for good reaſon, that no man ever thought upon it: ſince in very deed it is not maintainable; nor can be at all accorded, either with the Apoſtles words, or with his ſcope and deſign.
Not with his words; for they muſt be interpreted according to the ſtile of the Authors of that tongue, wherein he writes. Now there are but two or three places in Scripture, where the word uſed by the Apoſtle doth occur ſo conſtrued, as it is in this place. One is in S. James, Jam. 1.26.If any man among you (ſaith he) ſeems to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceiveth his own ſoul, that mans religion, or ſervice is in vain. Another is in the book of the Acts, where S. Paul ſaith, that from the beginning, he lived a Phariſ…e, Act. 26.5after the accurateſt ſect (ſaith he) of our religion. The word is found again ſo conſtrued, in the book of Wiſdom, held for Canonical by our adverſaries, and which though it be not ſuch indeed, yet is writ in Greek, with the ſame language and the ſame ſtile, that the Books of the New Teſtament are. This author then makes uſe of the word in the ſame manner. Wiſd. 4.27.The abominable ſervice, ſaith he, or religion of idols, is the beginning, the cauſe, and the end of all evil. In all theſe places, the religion, or the ſervice of any one, doth ſignifie, either the ſervice he does to ſome other, as in the two former paſſages; or the ſervice that is done to him by others; as in the latter of them. Here therefore, except you think, the Apoſtle ſwerved from the ſtile, wherein he wrote; the ſervice, or religion of Angels, muſt, of neceſſity, ſignifie one of thoſe two things, either the ſervice, which the Angels do perform to GOD; or the ſervice, which men perform to them. The firſt of theſe two ſenſes, cannot take place, by the confeſſion, of our adverſaries themſelves, and of every ſober perſon. They muſt then neceſſarily admit the ſecond, and confeſs with us, and with all the Ancients, that by the ſervice of Angels, S. Paul intends, not the Jewiſh religion, or the Law of Moſes, but the religious ſervice, which theſe Seducers rendred to Angels, under pretext of humility.
Moreover, in what Prophet, in what Apoſtle, in what rational Author, either Antient, or even Modern, have theſe men ever found this novel, and extravagant manner of ſpeaking, the ſervice of Angels, that is to ſay, the Jewiſh religion? Verily it is called the Law of GOD, becauſe GOD inſtituted it: the Law of Moſes, becauſe Moſes was the Mediator, and Miniſter of it; the religion, or ſervice of the Jews, becauſe that people made profeſſion of it; the elements, or rudiments of the world, becauſe it contained but the Alphabet, and the firſt, and loweſt leſſons of piety, and was affixed, for the moſt part, to the corporeal things of this world. But that it was ever called the religion, or ſervice of Angels, we read not. And as for that, which thoſe people do alledge, out of … Epiſtle to the Galatians, namely Gal. 3.19. Heb. 2.2.that the Law was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator, and its being called, in the Epiſtle to the Hebrews, the word ſpoken by Angels, this, I ſay, doth not juſtifie their pretention at all. For in theſe two places, the Apoſtle does declare, only the ſervice which the Angels did to GOD, when He gave the Decalogue upon Sinai; where theſe heavenly Miniſters accompanied Him, and ordered all the Pomp of that admirable manifeſtation of His; forming the lightnings, and the thunders wherewith the Mountain did reſound; elevating in the air the ſmoke, and darkneſs, which covered it, ſhaking its foundations, and making all of it to tremble, and diſtinguiſhing the thunders, into thoſe articulate words, which the mouth of GOD it ſelf pronounced. So far did the operation of Angels extend, and no further. For, as to the reſt, it was GOD that ſpake in His own Perſon, I am (ſaid He at the beginning, the LORD thy GOD; and that gave, and uttered all the other precepts, which the Iſraelites heard; ſo as the Law, or the religion, which He then eſtabliſhed, might well be termed the religion, or the ſervice of GOD. But it would be an evident injuring of His Majeſty, to call it the religion, or the ſervice of Angels; ſince it was given neither in their perſons, nor by their mediation Beſides, though it were otherwiſe in this particular; yet it is clear; that this title would be proper to the Decalogue only, and not reach that part of the Law which is called Ceremonial, in the eſtabliſhing whereof the Angels did not intervene at all, GOD having delivered it immediately to Moſes, and Moſes, to the Iſraelites; and yet it would be this preciſely, that S. Paul ſhould underſtand here, if His purpoſe were to ſpeak of the Moſaical Law, as our adverſaries believe. Since then this name The religion of Angels, can no way belong unto it, it muſt of neceſſity be aſſerted, that it is not the Law of Moſes, that the Apoſtle means in theſe words.
But his deſign, and the thread of his diſcourſe, is no leſs oppoſite to this gloſs, than his words. For firſt, having already refuted, what the Seducers took from the Law of Moſes, in the verſe immediately foregoing, in theſe words, Let no man condemn you in meat, or in drink, or in the diſtinction of feaſts, or of new Moons, or of Sabbaths, which are ſhadows of things to come, whereof the body is in CHRIST; having I ſay, ſo magnificently depoſited this, for what cauſe, or to what purpoſe ſhould he go repeating the ſame again? How ſhould the Apoſtle be capable of ſuch vain babling? Let us ſay then, that the errour, he rejects here, is diverſe from that, which he condemed juſt afore. That which he condemned afore, is the obſervation of the Jewiſh law, or religion: certainly then this is not the thing meant in this place. Beſides, that which he addeth, can no way refer unto it. Let no man (ſaith he) maſter it over you, by humility of ſpirit, and the ſervice of Angels, intruding into things he hath not ſeen. Where the Apoſtle evidently ſheweth, that the ſervice of Angels enjoyned by the Seducers, was founded upon hidden things, and ſuch as they could have no knowledge of, either by their own reaſon, or by Scripture: whereas the Jewiſh Ceremonies are ſo clearly, and ſo diſtinctly explained in the books of Moſes, that there is not a man, but may ſee them there. Laſtly, the Apoſtle ſhews us, at the beginning of this diſcourſe, that theſe Seducers had drawn ſome of their obſervances from Philoſophy: which will not find place, if by the ſervice of Angels, you underſtand the Jewiſh religion, which, as all know, was delivered by Moſes, and not by the Philoſophers. …. p. 910.For whereas our adverſaries underſtand the diſcourſes of the Jews, by the vain deceit of Philoſophy, this is abſurd and rediculous in the higheſt degree; it being evident, that the Jewiſh Doctors are ſometimes called, Sages, 1 Cor. 1.20.and their ſcience, wiſdom; as when S. Paul ſaith Where is the wiſe? GOD hath made fooliſh the wiſdom of the world. But never are they called Philoſophers, or their Doctrine Philoſophy; Theſe names being every where conſtantly referred, to the learned men of Greece, and of the Heathen, and unto their Doctrine.
Be it then concluded in fine, that the Apoſtle means here, by the religion, or ſervice of Angels, not the religion delivered to the Jews by Moſes; but the worſhip, and invocation, and ſervice, which theſe Seducers would have men addreſs unto Angels, under pretext of humility; they having drawn this abuſe out of the Greek Philoſophers, in whoſe Books it is ſtill found to this day; Plato, one of the chief of them, writing expreſly, that ſervice muſt be done to the Daemons; (ſo called they the Angels) as holding a middle place between the GODS, and men; and ſerving us for Interpreters, to the Divine Nature; and all his School hath …ver thus hold, and practiſed, as doth appear by the works of the lateſt of his diſciples. And this abuſe was common among all the heathen. They founded it too, juſt as the Seducers here taxed by the Apoſtle did, and as our Adverſaries do, upon pretended humility of Spirit, A…b os. p. 1807. c. 4.5.as we underſtand, by an ancient commentary upon the Epiſtle to the Romans, publiſhed under the name of S. Ambroſe. The Author ſpeaking of the Heathen of his time, ſayes, They are wont to make a miſerable excauſe, ſaying, that by means of them (that is, of the petty Deities, they ſerved) they might go to GOD; as men come to a Prince, by means of His Counſellors of State, and His Maſters of Requeſts. But, ſaith he a little after, men go to a King by means of His Officers, becauſe after all a King is a man, that knoweth not whom he may truſt with His eſtate: whereas GOD is ignorant of nothing, and knoweth the diſpoſition, and actions, and capacity of all men: ſo as to obtain His favour, we want not the ſuffrages of an Interpoſer; there needs, but a devout ſoul. Such a one He will ſurely hear, whereſoever he ſpeaks to Him.
It's from the ſinks of this Philoſophy of the World, that the Seducers, here oppoſed by the Apoſtle, had drawn their pretended humility, and their ſerving of Angels.
And our Adverſaries well perceiving, that for the main it cannot be denyed, but ſuch was the doctrine here condemned by the Apoſtle, do advance another phancy of theirs; telling us, that in his time, there was a certain Sect, which ſome call the Judaique Sect, and others otherwiſe, conſiſting of people, who neither ſerved GOD, nor JESUS CHRIST, but Angels, under the quality of Chiefs, and ſupream Patrons, and Protectors of their Religion: that it is at theſe S. Paul aimeth here, and not at them, who, its true, do ſerve Angels, but do alſo ſerve GOD the Father, and His Son JESUS CHRIST. Firſt, all this Sect is an Idol, which never had ſubſiſtence other-where, than in their fond conceit; neither could it indeed be any other where. For if they were Jews, who can believe, that they ſerved not GOD, whoſe ſervice the whole Judaical Law, and Religion did expreſly command throughout, in the beginning, in the middle, and at the end? Again, if they were Chriſtians, how ſerved they not JESUS CHRIST? And if they were either Jews, or Chriſtians, how did they own no other chief of their Relgiion, then the Angels? All this is nothing, but a meer fiction of our Adverſaries, who endeavour to put a Changling upon us, and do ſet up this chymera, that it may take the blow which the Apoſtle dealeth them. It is not lawful for us to forge Sects at our pleaſure. There muſt be proof of them produced from good, and creditable witneſſes, if we would be believed about them. But ſo far are they, from having any warrant, of this fine ſtory, in Antiquity; that on the contrary, the ancient Interpreters of the Apoſtle, ſuch as Theodoret, Photius, and Theophylact, do overthrow it, affirming, that thoſe, whom S. Paul aimeth at, alledged, that GOD is great and incomprehenſible, and that it's a thing unworthy of the Majeſty of the Son, to conduct ſo mean Creatures unto Him, as men are: whereupon they added, that application muſt be made to Angels, for our having acceſs by their means, and for the gaining of the favour, and good-will of GOD. How did not they ſerve GOD, ſince it was for acceſs to Him, and for the becoming gracious with Him, that they employed the Angels interceding? and how did they not adore JESUS CHRIST, ſeeing they accounted themſelves unworthy to go immediately to Him? In fine, how did they own the Angels, for the ſupream Heads of their Religion, ſeeing they made uſe of their intervention, only for to come to GOD thereby? ….This very thing was the motive of their erring practice. And of the fore-named Ancients adds expreſly, that the ſervice they did to Angels was, Praying to them; as alſo this abuſe reigned a long time in Phrygia, and Piſidia; and that …ven in his dayes there were Oratories found, Dedicated to S. Michael. A relation, ….which hath ſo ſtung one of the great Cardinals of Rome, that all in Choler againſt this Author, (who lived almoſt twelve hundred years ago, and was beſides one of the greateſt and moſt knowing ſpirits of Antiquities) He ſaith, with his leave he hath had ill luck in this particular. Whence you may ſee the reſpect that theſe Gentlemen do bear the ancient Fathers, whom they have perpetually in their mouth, When they favour them, they are Oracles. If they ſpeak otherwiſe, their antiquity doth not ſ…ve them from being treated as ignorant, and unlearned. Now whereas they alledge, the Apoſtle's ſaying of thoſe he ſpeaks of, that they held not the head, (that is CHRIST JESUS) I grant it: But I affirm, that this doth not interr, they made profeſſion of acknowledging Him not: as from his ſaying, that they were puffed up with the ſenſe of their fleſh, and did intrude into things they had not ſeen, it follows not, that they did acknowledge, either the one, or the other of theſe things. So far were they from it, that they made profeſſion of humility, and it was under this very pretext, that they would ſerve Angels; and boaſt, without doubt, they did, of knowing well the things, that they divulged. But the Apoſtle ſpeaketh here of that, which follows truly, and ligitimatly from their doctrine, and not of what they avowed. For doubtleſs, they made profeſſion of JESUS CHRIST, and of His Goſpel, and S. Paul, doth clearly preſuppoſe it, through his whole diſcourſe. But by the addition of their errours, they denyed in effect, what they confeſſed with the mouth; and by this ſerving of Angels, took away from CHRIST the quality of being Head of the Church, which in word, they gave Him. It's this, the Apoſtle here chargeth them withall; and thereby foundeth evidently this maxime, That whoſoever takes the Angels, or any other ſuch whom you will, for His Mediators, and Interceſſors with GOD, he doth in effect renounce the Mediation of JESUS CHRIST, and taketh from Him the glory He hath to be the Head of the Church. This dignity no more admitting an aſſociate, then that of His Regality; and being ſuch, as cannot be poſſeſſed, by any one alone.
But why do I ſtand conſidering, what the opinions of theſe falſe Teachers in other reſpects were? Let them have believed whatever elſe you pleaſe: ſure it is, they worſhipped Angels; and that S. Paul accuſeth them of it, and reprehends them for it; and will not have the faithful follow them in this particular. He doth not ſay, that they were Sorcerers, or Atheiſts; that they did not ſerve, or not invocate GOD, and His Son JESUS CHRIST. He ſaith, they ſerved Angels, and takes them up for it extream ſharply. You do the ſame. Judge then, whether the Apoſtle's Thunder does not fall on you. But you will ſay, I do adore GOD, and JESUS CHRIST. In Conſcience, do you not mock the world, in defending your ſelf after that manner? As if you were accuſed of not acknowledging the Divinity of the Father, or of the Son, and not of Worſhipping Angels? But it is alwayes the cuſtome of theſe Maſters, to ſubſtitute one, or other of the Ancients in their place, when they are taken with tranſgreſſing the Ordinances of GOD, and His Apoſtles. The LORD forbids the bowing down ones ſelf before Images. They avow they do it; but for all that, do pretend, that the Law Thundereth againſt the Heathen of former times, and not againſt them. S. Paul condemneth, with heinous words, ſuch as enjoyn abſtinence from meats. They confeſs, it is their practice: but do add, that it is, the old Encratites, and Montaniſts, and Manichees, whom the Apoſtle means, and not they. In like manner here, being accuſed of worſhipping Angels, they franckly confeſs it, yea boaſt of Worſhipping them, and Excommunicate us, for that we do it not with them. And whereas S. Paul proteſteth ſo clearly, that we muſt not ſerve them, they pay us off with this brave excuſe, that it is not of them he ſpeaks, but of I know not what old race of Jewiſh Hereticks; as if it were not manifeſt, that he ſpeaks in general of all thoſe, who at any time, and in any place whatever, do take upon them to ſerve Angels: forbidding us, under an heavy penalty, to let them maſter it over us, upon any pretext.
As for us, Dear Brethren, who do know, that the Laws of GOD are univerſal, and eternal; and that no Age, nor Climat can diſpenſe with men for them, or exempt the Violaters of them, from that righteous curſe, they threaten; let us faithfully obey this holy, and ſacred order which the Apoſtle hath given. Hearken we not to the vain gloſſes, and frivolous diſtinctions, by which humane ſubtilty endeavours to elude it, and colour over its own abuſes. Obſerve we ſincerely, what this great Miniſter of JESUS CHRIST enjoyneth us. He forbiddeth us to Worſhip Angels in point of Religion. There is no reaſon, that either the eloquence, or the ſubtilty, either the ſplendor, or the power of men, much leſs their pleaſure, and uſurped domineering, ſhould have more efficacy upon us, than this Heavenly Authothority. And praiſed be GOD, for that He hath given us the courage to obey His Apoſtle in this particular, and to put away the Worſhipping of Angels, and men from among us, notwithſtanding the ſtrong contradiction of fleſh, and blood. Let us abide firm in this reſolution. Let us adore none, but GOD; ſince there is none adorable, but He. It's juſt, that He alone ſhould be ſerved among us; ſince it is He alone, who hath created, and redeemed us.
But, Beloved, remember, I beſeech you, that rightly to render Him His due glory, it is not ſufficient, to have renounced the errour of thoſe ancient Phrygians, whom the Apoſtle here oppoſeth, and of our Adverſaries of Rome, to wit, the adoration of Angels, and men departed; There muſt alſo be baniſhing of all ſtrange ſervice, all Idolizing of any thing whatever. For if GOD cannot ſuffer thoſe, who ſerve Angels, and deceaſed Saints, that is, the moſt excellent natures that be, and ſuch as have the image of the Deity moſt clearly reſplendent in them; how much leſs will He endure thoſe, that adore Gold, and Silver, the excrements of the earth? or their own belly, the ſhamefulleſt, and moſt infamous of all idols? or the fleſh, which is but a vain, and periſhing figure; or the grandeurs of the world, which are but exhalations? And we, that have renounced the firſt fort of theſe falſe ſervices, how can we be excuſable, if we retain, and exerciſe the ſecond? Now would to GOD we were as free from the one, as we are from the other. But it muſt be confeſſed to our ſhame; theſe latter kind of Idols have ſtill a great many Devoto's, and Servitors among us. That avarice, which S. Paul calls an Idolatry is but too much exerciſed among us: the fleſh, and vanity are here publickly ſerved. Wretched men, where is your judgement? You do not ſerve the Angels of Heaven, and you ſerve the mettals of the earth! You do not adore Spirits made perfect, and you do adore profane fleſh! Neither the light of the Sun, nor the brightneſs of the Moon, hath been able to ſeduce your hearts; and you have ſuffered your ſelves to be ſeduced by the glittering of Gold, and Silver, the falſe Sol, and Luna of the Chymiſts! You have put your hope in Gold, and ſaid unto fine Gold, Thou art my confidence, You that have diſdained to put your confidence in Saints. The belly, (with ſhame, and horrour do I utter it) the belly is your GOD; yours, who have made this glorious promiſe, to have none but the Eternal only for your GOD? How can you hope, that the LORD ſhould ſuffer you, to give Him ſuch Monſters for companions? He, who is ſo jealous of His glory, that He cannot ſuffer the Angels themſelves to be aſſociated with Him? Dear Brethren, I pray, let us deceive our ſelves no longer. Let us once for all put clean away all theſe falſe ſervices, and exterminating every Idol from among us, adore and ſerve none but GOD alone. Let Him have the entire poſſeſſion of our whole hearts; let Him reign, and exerciſe an abſolue dominion in them, governing all the ſentiments, and motions of them, at His will; that after having conſtantly adored Him in Spirit, and in truth, we may one day receive from His holy faithful hand, the Crown of Glory, and Eternity, which He hath purchaſed for us by the merit of His only Son our LORD JESUS CHRIST; To whom, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the true, and only GOD bleſſed for ever, be honour, and praiſe unto Ages of Ages: Amen.