The Deputation of Angels, Text (3 of 3)

The Deputation of Angels · Text (3 of 3)

p. 147Having anſwered all the Objections that I ever yet met withall, or can poſſibly think of; The way is now ſufficiently layd out, that we may paſs unto the profitable Inferences of this Diſcourſe, for our further inſtruction and edification.

Firſt, Ʋſe. 1 here will be matter of confutation, as to certain Romiſh additions and miſtakes about this very Point of the Guardian-Angel: Although I do not remember that Conradus Vorſtius in his Index errorum Eccleſiae Romanae; Or Ameſius in his Bellarminus enervatus, do touch at the Errors of the Romiſh Synagogue in relation to Angels or their Deputation, yet Dr.Dr. Andr. Willet. Vis Synapſis Papiſmi. Willet (who omits nothing) in his Synopſis Paptiſmi doth write particularly of them, although ſo ſmartly and vehemently, as withall to reject the Guardianſhip of Angels; the Romiſh Errors wherabout are theſe four.

p. 1481. The Papiſts ſay that Michael is the Pr…tector and Keeper of the whole Church of Chriſt: This we reject for Jeſus Chriſt is the HEAD of Angels▪ the Protector and Defender of his Spouſe, the Church: All power is given unto him in Heaven and Earth; He is the Crowned King of aints: Tis true, there are Degrees among Angels, ſome are Angels, and others Arch-angels, but Chriſt (not Michael) is the Head of them all, and ſole Saviour and King of his Church.

2. Romaniſts do hold that every man hath his Guardian-Angel from God; So Clictoveus, Cuique Hominum ſigillatim, and Deſignatus eſt Angelus: Doway. Expoſ. Gen. 18.16.Gen 18:16And our Doway men affirm the very ſame; We beleive (ſay they) that this Priviledge belongs not to Gods Elect only. But Heb. 1 14. tis moſt expreſly affirmed that Angels are to attend the Heirs of Salvation. Scil. Such Poſitively, and excluſively; Such and no other, not Reprobate Heirs of Perdition. Good Angels may have treated with evil men (as with Baalam) p. 49And ſo the holy Spirit doth often ſuggeſt good things to them; but all this is for their conviction and greater confuſion at the laſt: We cannot from hence affirm that either the holy Spirit, or elect Angels do abide with and watch over them.

3. The Pontificians hold that each man hath two Angels allot…ed him by God, one to vex and puniſh him,Bucan Loc. Com. de Angelis Loc. 6. Sect. 35. p. 74. the other to guard and comfort him: But this is abſurd, God appoints not an evil Angel conſtantly to attend his Elect, and if Satan Depute him, the Elect Angel ſet by God will continually expel and vanquiſh him; So that though the evil Angels do very often aſſault the Righteous, yet no one evil Angel can quietly and conſtantly be neer unto him that fears God: Therfore Satan bad particular Commiſſion to moleſt Iob for a time; and to give a BUFFET to Saint Paul: Now a Buffet is a ſudden blow or ſurpriſe; No evil Angel can long be neer Gods Elect, becauſe Michael is ſtronger then the Dragon: There is no communion between Light and Darkneſs, p. 150Chriſt and Belial, Elect Angels and Reprobate; and there is not a ſyllable in the Book of God, that ſpeaks of two Angels the one good the other bad, about a Child of Light.

4. And laſtly, moſt of them hold Invocation and Adoration to be due unto the Guardian-Angel; and many Arguments they urge to this end, here take the chief.

Firſt, Arg. 1 Joſhuah fell down before the Angel and worſhiped. Joſh. 5.14.

We ſay,Origen. 6. Homil. in Joſh. he Worſhipt non an Angel but Chriſt their Captain: But Origen thus expounds it, Joſhua non adoraſſet niſi Agnoviſſet Deum, He would not have Ador'd, if he had not known him to be God.

Secondly, Arg. 2 Baalam adored the Angel, Numb. 22.31.

1. We ſay, this might be an exceeding great Reverence, and no Adoration,1 Reg. 1.23.1 Kgs 1:23 as Nathan bowed down to David, where the ſame word, Shacha, is uſed.

2. Tis but a weak Argument that is taken from the example of a falſe Prophet and Sorcerer, that was accuſtomed to proſtrat himſelf before his evil Spirits

p. 151Thirdly, they urge Rev. 8.3. Arg. 3 Dr. Willets Synop. Pap. in the 8. Gen. Cantr. Queſt. 3. p. 395.I ſaw another Angel that came and ſtood before the Altar, and much Odors were given unto him, to offer with the Prayers of the Saints, upon the Golden Altar. We anſwer.

1. Though the Angels ſhould preſent our Prayers to God, yet it is not in their own name, but Chriſts. Much Odors were mingled with the Prayers, i. e. Chriſts Merites. It follows not that therfore we may Invocate Angels, For the Saints on Earth may and do invocate God for us, yet are not to be Invocated by us.

2. This place is better expounded of Chriſt himſelf, the Angel of the Covenant, who offers up our Prayers unto God; which is Auſtins judgment on that Text.

Fourthly, Arg. 4 Gen. 48.16.Gen 48:16They ſay Iacob ſeems to pray unto the Angel, Gen. 48. But we anſwer, He is not there praying at all, but bleſſing his Children, and wiſhing all good unto them: And in caſe his Bleſſing comprehend Invocation, he prayeth only to God to bleſs them, and that his Angel may inſtrumentally p. 152be employed to do them good.

Theſe be the Arguments of Romaniſts which they ſharpen and boaſt of: For the Adoration and Invocation of our Guardian-Angel.

We Proteſtants have many weighty reaſons againſt it, as,

1. Divine Worſhip is due only to(a)(a)Pſal. 50.15. Mat. 4.10.Ps 50:15Matt 4:10 God.

2.(b)(b)Heb. 1.…. Aug. de Ver. Relig. Cap. 55.Heb 1 Angels do worſhip God; Quod ergo colit ſummus angelus, id colendum etiam eſt ab Homine ultimo, ſaith Auſtin truly: That therfore which is worſhiped of the higheſt Angel, the man of loweſt degree ought alſo to worſhip.

3. Chriſt is our(c)(c)1 Joh. 2.2.1 John 2:2 Only and Allſufficient Advocate, no need of other Mediators.

4. John fell down to the(d)(d)Rev. 19.10. & 22.9.Rev 19:10Rev 22:9 Angell, but the Angell ſuffered him not, ſaying, See thou do it not, I am thy fellow Servant, worſhip God.

5. Tis moſt expreſly forbidden of God: A man would bleſs himſelf to think how Romaniſts can ſwallow and digeſt that Text, Col. 2.18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary p. 153humility, and worſhipping of Angels, &c.

**Sine Authoritate Scripturaram Garrulitas non habet fidem. Hieronan cap. 1. ad TitumObſerve firſt, Tis Voluntary or Will-worſhip, no where appointed in Gods word; for which Chriſt will not thank you at the day of Judgment, but ſay,(e)(e)Iſa. 8.20.Isa 8:20 Who required this at your hands?

2. It hath in it a ſhew or pretence of humility: No Hook is c…ſt among the Fiſhes without a Bait: Tis common for Vice to go clad in the Robe of humility.

3. It is flatly forbidden; Let not any man (not he in the Porphiry Chair in his triple Crown, nor any one elſe) beguile and deceive you in this Point.

4. The Puniſhment is hinted if you do it, you looſe your reward. If you worſhip Angels here you ſhall not ſing with them in Heaven. The Papiſts do know that this Scripture cuts**Davenant Expoſ. Coloſ. 2.18 p. 238.Col 2:18 very deeply, and they would fain either evade it quite, or blunt the edge if they could: To that end,

1. Caranza unworthily reads it, De ijs qui Angulos colunt (inſtead of p. 154Angelos) that prize and meet in Corners, not in Publick Aſſemblies, well knowing how much this prace makes againſt him.

2.Rhemiſh Annot. on Col. 2.18. Vol 3. p. 540.Col 2:18 The Rhemiſts ſay, that the Apoſtle ſpeaks here againſt the wicked Doctrine of Simon-Magus, who affirmed that the Angels both ill and good were Mediators for us unto God. We anſwer, Theodoret ſufficiently declares, that in that place, all Wilworſhip is forbidden, and the Worſhip of good Angels as well as bad, what fear or likely-hood was there, that the Primitive Chriſtians ſhould be ſo unreaſonably ſottiſh as to worſhip the Divel? This therfore is a very Cobwebb excuſe, a very ſlender and pitifull evaſion for ſuch Learned men to offer unto the World.

I conclude this Point with a Golden Saying of Auſtin, and an humble confeſſion of Cajetan, no ſmall one among them.

Honoramus Angelos Charitate non Servitute, Auguſtinus de vera Relig. cap. 55.ſayth Auſtin: We Honour the Angels with ſincere love, not ſervile Adoration. What ſhall I ſay p. 155more? Cajetan himſelfe confeſſing, Certa ratione neſcimus an noſtra vota cognoſcant: We cannot certainly ſay, that the Angels know or heare our prayers: And ſo far of the neceſſary confutation of Romiſh Additions and Errors about this Point.

Secondly, Ʋſe 2 here wil be matter of Information about ſeveral other truths, as

1. The great number of Angels.

2. The goodneſſe of God in allottingus ſuch Aſſociates and Tutors.

3. That hence it will follow (as a moſt probable truth) that Cities, Counties, Iſles, Provinces, and Kingdomes have their particular Angels.

And 4. by the rule of contraries, That perhaps wicked men have their evill Angels to follow them.

Firſt,11It informs us in the vaſt. number of Angels. Mat. 26:53. Revel. 5.11.Matt 26:53Rev 5:11 It may ſerve to inform us in the vaſt number of elect Angels, ſeeing every Believer hath one at leaſt to defend him, and upon extraordinary occaſions many troops to guard him, beſides thoſe that look to Cities and Provinces, and the main body all this while is reſident in heaven, before the p. 156Lamb, Revel. 5. and Iude 14. doe expreſſe their multitudes by the greateſt and roundeſt numbers in uſe among men:Dan. 7.10Dan 7:10 ſo alſo Dan. 7. Thouſand thouſands miniſter unto him, and ten thouſand thouſands ſtand before him. Heb. 12.12 Pauperis eſt numerare pecus.Heb 12:12But the Author to the Hebrews aſcends higher yet; The innumerable company of Angels. How ſurpaſſing glorious will the Throne of Chriſt be, when he ſhal come riding in the clouds of heaven, Mat. 25.31Matt 25:31& all his holy Angels with him. Not an Angel ſhall be left in heaven that ſhall not attend him. This Doctrine of the multitude of Angels doth marvellouſly tend to the Churches comfort and terrour of her enemies: For how truly may we ſay, There be more with us then againſt us! Thou that haſt few friends on Earth, maiſt have many friends in Heaven.Iob 38.7.Job 38:7 Iob 38. when the morning Stars ſang together, and all the ſons of God ſhouted for joy. The Angels are there called Stars for their great number and gliſtering perfections; They all ſing with one mouth, and Nightingale throats, their Halelujas to the Lamb that ſits upon the Throne for ever.

p. 157Secondly,2 In the goodneſs of God. it may ſerve to inform us in the goodneſſe of our gracious God towards us, for allowing us (who are worms, and no men) the ſociety and tuition of Angels. Lord what is Man that thou art mindfull of him! Tygers and Dragons might deſervedly be our companions, when lo! Angels come and miniſter unto us, (But of this ſubject ſomething††In my Spirituall …aſt, on Pſal. 34 8. p. 11, 12.Ps 34:8 I have ſpoken elſe where): So then briefly the free grace of God doth eminently ſhine in the guardianſhip of Angels.

1. In regard of our meanneſſe and ſinfulneſſe, that God ſhould paſſe over that, ſend his Son to bleed for us; and charge all his Servants in heaven and earth to ſhew tender love and reſpect to us.(g)(g)Rom. 5.10.Rom 5:10

2. In regard of Angelicall excellency;**Pſal. 104 Creat miniſtros flammam …g…is; Quia Diaphaenia, Pulchritudine, incorruptibilitateque, Agilitate item, Celeritate, puritateque, ſunt Ornatiſſimae & Praeſtantiſſimae creaturae. Bullingeri. Deead. 4. Serm '9 fol. 249.Ps 104 Angels are in Chriſts School of an higher form then man: So when Angels attend us, 'tis as if Men (perhaps) ſhould be ſent to wait upon the Beaſts. Man in his greateſt honour, p. 158nour, and advanced on the higheſt pinacle of happineſſe, was, and ſhall be very much below the bleſſed Angels; For even Chriſt (in reſpect of his humanity) was made a little lower then the Angels, Heb. 2.7.

3. In regard of the freeneſſe of this life, it was beſtowed on Man unmerited, undeſired; placed on him in the Infancy, yea in the dark womb.

4. The conſtancy of this favour; Angels muſt not leave us till Death; We ſhall be ſure of one Angel at leaſt till we launch into the harmony of millions.

5. This gift is an earneſt of further kindneſs: If one of the Nobility place Officers and ſervants of all kinds about a Child of meane birth, it preſages he will breed him up, and make him Heir of all that he hath. And thus the Lord deales with his Elect (as in that notable place Heb. 1.14.) The Angels do miniſter to the HEIRS of ſalvation. Iſa. 65.24Isa 65:24The Saints then are joyntheyrs, Co-heirs with Chriſt, Heaven is indeed their Inheritance; This is the time of their minority: And hee that p. 159conſiders this, that God hath ſent his Angels to attend & tutor them, muſt needs conclude, That certainly God hath ſome further Deſign, then that his Saints ſhould be born (and thus bred) only to be under hatches, to be hated and vilified in this world.

6. And laſtly, this is a ſingular kindneſſe and priviledg, that belongs only to the Elect; He hath not dealt thus with all Adams children.

In theſe reſpects the glorious free grace of God doth appear in the Guardianſhip of Angels over us.

Thirdly,3 That Communities have their Angels. Angeli ſunt Principes & Moderatores hujus Mundi, non futuri. Gerhard. Notae in Heb. 2.5. p. 48.Heb 2:5 It may inform us that Communities alſo (where there be any belonging to the election of Grace) have their Angels guardian placed by God over them. Hath the Lord care of Oxen, and not Paſtors? is the reaſoning of the holy Ghoſt: So ſay I, hath the Lord care of particular perſons (to allot them their Angels) then much more of all Chriſtian communities and Religious Societies: It is therefore moſt probable, that Cities, Shires, Provinces, Iſlands, Churches and Kingdoms have particular Angels p. 160to be preſidential over them, and that each Republick hath an Angel to be its protector: ſome ſay that Angels are ſet over the ſeverall**Rev. 14.18. & 16.5.Rev 14:18Rev 16:5 Elements, for which Scriptures are urged; but Pareus will none of it. Learned Mede thinkes,(i)(i)Medes Diatribae. p. 172. that there be ſeven Arch-Angels that rule & govern the whole world, which alſo he proves(k)(k)Zech 4.10. Rev. 5.6.Zech 4:10Rev 5:6 out of Scripture. One thing you may obſerve, that divers who do queſtion the Deputation of Angels o're particular perſons, do yet believe that Communities have their Angels that are allotted them. The Scripture is not altogether ſilent in this point:(l)(l)Mr. Lawrence of Angels, p. 22, 23. That place of the tenth of Daniel is famous, where mention is made of the Prince of the Kingdome of Perſia, and of the Prince of Greece; and of Michael their Prince. So Dan. 10.13.20, 21. verſ. The Prince of the Kingdome of Perſia withſtood him, and Michael their Prince came to help him. The ſame may be ſaid of CHURCHES, which are Communities very deare to God, They have their Angels: Some of the Fathers were of this mind, and bring p. 161thoſe places of the Revelation, Apoc. 2.1.8.12.18.Rev 2:1Rev 2:8Rev 2:12Rev 2:18To the Angell of the Church of Epheſus, &c. which they underſtood to be mentioned of the Guardian Angel, much cannot be ſaid againſt it: And that place, 1 Cor. 10.11. may as probably be urged, where the women were to have Power over their heads, becauſe of the Angels. And we may frame an argument from the leſſe to the greater; Doth the Lord take care of Kingdomes, and not for Churches? If civil Communities have their particular Angels, then much more, Religious.

Now here that you may ſee this is no Novel or Heterodox opinion, I ſhall ſpread before the Reader the judgment and aſſent of very learned Men:

Clemens Alexandrinus ſaith thus,Clem. Alexand in. Stromatum lib. 6. Per gentes & Civitates ſunt diſtributae Angelorum Praefecturae; The guardianſhip of Angels is diſtributed by Nations and Cities.

Theodoret thus;Theod. 11. Orat. p. 715. Sicut unicuique noſtrum deſignatus eſt Angelus; Sic unieuique Provinciae unus praeſertim eſt p. 162Archangelus: As every one of us hath (by deſignation) his Angel, ſo every Province his Arch-angel.

Jerom writing on Dan. Hier onymus apud, Lawrence of Angels, p. 22. Chemnit. Harm. Evang. cap. 92. p. 174010. ſaith thus; Hence it appeares that Angels are deputed to the care of Provinces and Countreys.

Chemnitius ſaith thus, Sufficit nobis in hac Regione mortalium hoc ex Scriptura noviſſe, quod non tantum Regionibus & Populis, Angeli a Deo ſunt cuſtodes & Tutatores conſtituti; ſed etiam Pii de Praeſidio Angelorum, ſive Ʋ nius, ſive plurium, certi eſſe poſſunt. He ſaith that ſeveral Nations and People have their Angels, as alſo particular Believers one or more.

Peter Martyr on 1 Cor. 11.10.Pet. Mart. Com. in 1 Cor. 11.10. fol. 1511 Cor 11:10 ſaith thus; Nec vetat quidpiam, ut per Angelos bonos ſpiritus accipiamus, quos ex Daniele ſcimuus Provinciis ac Regnis praefici; quin & Eccleſia illos habet ſe tuentes, ſuique Defenſores: Nothing hinders, but that by Angels we may underſtand good ſpirits, who as we know out of Daniel, are placed over Provinces and Kingdomes; yea Churches alſo have them for their Guardians.

p. 163Bullinger thus; Dominationes, Bullingeri Decad. 4. Serm. 9. & Fol. 250. & 252.Principatus & Poteſtates nuncupari videntur, quod Deus Imperium ſuum per Angelorum Miniſterium in mundo adminiſtrat, ſuamque potentiam exercet. And again thus; Apud Danielem inducuntur Angeli Regnorum Principes aut Praeſides; Ʋt Michael cum Gabriele, Regni Iſraeliti; Alius autem quidam Regni Perſici, & alius quidam Regni Graecorum. Angels are called Dominions, Principalities and Powers, becauſe God doth rule the world by the Miniſtry of Angels: In Daniel the Angels are brought in as having the government of Kingdoms, &c.

Calvin thus;Calvin. Inſtit. lib. 1. cap. 14. Sect. 7. fol. 47. Caeterum an ſingulis Fidelibus ſinguli Angeli ſunt Attributi ad eorum Defenſionem, pro certo Aſſerere non auſim: Certe quum Daniel Angelum Perſarum, & Graecorum Angelum inducit, ſignificat certos Angelos Regnis ac Provinciis quaſi Praeſides Deſtinari. He will not be confident that each Believer hath his Angel; But he ſaith, for certain Daniel declares, that Kingdoms and Provinces p. 164have Angels ſet over them, as Preſidents or Rulers.

Grotius, Hugo Grotius in Annot. Mat. 18.10. p. 314.Matt 18:10who writing of particular Believers, ſaith only, Singulos donare videtur cuſtode Angelo, writing of humane Societies and Common-wealths, he ſaith thus: His autem ſingulis ſuos attributos eſſe Angelos ex Daniele, Magno conſenſu & Judai & Chriſtiani veteres, colligebant; Illud vero extra omnem Controverſiam ponit Clemens Alexandrinus.

The Ancients, both Jews and Chriſtians gather out of Daniel by joynt conſent, that to every one of theſe certain Angels do belong, and tis put out of queſtion by Clemens Alexandriuus.

Bucan having declared that each Believer hath his Angel-keeper,Bucani Loc Com. de Angelis, loc. 6 p. 71. doth add this: Idem de ſingulis Provinciis ſentiendum: The very ſame is to be thought of Provinces, which he there proves out of Daniel.

Let me adde to this ſome late Engliſh Authors.

Paul Bain ſaith,Paul Bain on the Epheſ. pag. 374. That Angels have a great ſtroak in ſwaying theſe earthly p. 165kingdoms in w^ch we live: God dothuſe the miniſtry of Angels, and give them a Preheminence under him, & a power in ordering theſe inferiour things:Dan. 10.12. Iſa. 37.36Dan 10:12Isa 37:36 The Angels are therefore called great Princes, Dan. 10. Angels reſcued Ieruſalem from the force of the Aſſyrians, Iſa. 37. And an Angel created, led the people into Canaan, as is gathered by comparing the 20. and 21. of Exod.

Wilſon ſaith,Wilſon in Chriſtian Dict. that Angels are preſent with, and preſident over, as countries, ſo Churches.

Mr. Lawrence ſaith,Lawrence of Angels, p. 22. that Provinces, Communities and Churches have their Angels-guardian, that cleare place of Dan. 10. may ſuffice to confirm it. I will conclude with the Teſtimony of Reverend Mr. Greenhill; Mr. Greenhils 2 vol. on Ezek. 9. p. 207.Ezek 9Angels (ſaith he) have the care of Cities, Kingdoms, and Communities committed unto them; Angels were employed in the government of the world. Deut. 32.8. He ſet bounds according to the number of the children of Iſrael. The Septuagint hath it, According to the number of the Angels of p. 166God; As if they had the Land firſt divided among them, and then the people were ſetled according to thoſe diviſions: That in Dan. 10. is more clear and full, where the Angel tels Daniel that he would fight with the Prince of Perſia, hee would prevent his hindering their return to Jeruſalem: And when he ſhould go forth and leave the care of that Country, the Prince of Grecia ſhould come, namely Alexander the Great, and overthrow that Monarchy: Epiphanius ſaith,Five deductious. Regna & Gentes ſub Angelis poſitae ſunt; Thus far Mr. Greenhill. Well, if it be thus, that Cities, Kingdoms, and Republicks have Angels to Protect them, then five things will follow.

1. That we owe much to them that are deare to God; It is for their ſakes that God aſſigned Angels to defend any Nation: Believers are the marble Pillars of a State. The whole ſhip, and all the wicked Saylors in it were preſerved for St. Pauls ſake; If there had been a few righteous men in Sodome, it had not been deſtroyed.

p. 1672. This conſideration may ſerve to comfort us; If at any time we ſee the foundations of the earth out of courſ, the pillars of Kingdoms to be ſhaken, and the wicked ſtriving to bear ſway, and trample Religion, Order, and Government (according to Law) under foot. There are yet in ſuch Kingdoms more and greater with, then againſt the Lords People.

3.P. Bain on Epheſ. p. 374. We muſt acknowledg then ſaith Bain, That when things are tollerably carried in theſe evill Times, that it is not effected without the Miniſtry of Gods Angels.

4. We muſt pray to God, that he would cauſe his celeſtiall Principalities and Powers to encircle thoſe who ſit at the ſtern, to keep them from lawleſſe liberty and Libertines, and to encline them to act faithfully and vigorouſly for the uſe of Church and State.

5. And laſtly, This may quiet us in the many great mutations and changes in the frame of civill Adminiſtrations: Let us hope the Lord is yet bringing great and good things to p. 168paſſe for us. Let not any repine and murmure, and hanker after the Garlick and Fleſh-pots of Aegypt, and turn arrant Unbelievers & Apoſtates, as do too many, the more is the pitty; Miſtruſt not the continuation of Divine Providence over us; God is emptying the Nation from veſſell to veſſell, till our filthy dregs be purged out: If the motions of a little Sparrow be ordered by Providence, then much more the mighty turnings of Nations and Kingdoms are diſpoſed and over-ruled by Chriſt and his holy Angels. In the tenth of Ezekiel, Ezek. 10.10.12. Greenhill in Locum, p. 305. & 311.Ezek 10:10Ezek 10:12you read of a wheele within a wheele, and that the wheels were full of eyes round about. The workings of Providence are very myſterious: By wheels you may underſtand all the motions and Turnings here below; And the four wheels are all the foure parts of the world. All things in the world have dependency on higher cauſes: The wheels are by the Cherubims; That is, the Angels do move and order them, next under God: Things may ſeem to be confuſed, but the Cherubims are neer unto p. 169the wheels, and the Angels have no ſmall influence upon them. The Lord is Methodicall in diſpoſing the affayrs of the world, for each one of the Angels hath his wheel to govern. Note. The foure Angels do not promiſcuouſly look to the four wheels; But (God is the God of Order) each wheel hath his Cherubim; They act methodically, & look to their wheels in their ſeverall quarters. Man is not able to judg of Gods works and wayes, which are past finding out. There is a wheel within a wheel: Ezekiel ſaw one wheel intangled in another: Or thus, A wheel within a wheel; one change follows upon the neck of another; There may be a ſucceſſion and concatenation of puzling Providences in the world: Bees make a confuſed humming, and a thouſand croſſe motions when they ſwarm: The little Ants run confuſedly up & down and over one another, yet every Bee in the Hive, every Ant on the Mole-hil hath his place and work; There is a ſweet harmony in thoſe Common-wealths: So it is among the Nations, in the midſt of confuſion, p. 170quoad nos, there is exact order as to God: Obſerve, Theſe wheels were full of eyes round about. The motions of all cauſes and creatures here below is not caſual or diſorderly as to God: Both the wheels and Cherubims are full of eyes, they ſee and know their way, and the work they have to do: The glorious eye of Divine Providence that never ſlumbers: And the eyes of**Deus enim per Angelos Regit & Moderatur Orbem; Sicut Dominus per aurigam Regit & Moderatur Equos & Currum. Corn. A. Lapide ad Apoc. 7.1. p. 143.Rev 7:1 Angels are over and in all creatures and all Motions; and in all the ſudden windings and myſterious turnings of the wheels: Things appear to us to be caſuall and diſorderly, but, There be eyes in the wheels: No motion is injudicious or out of courſe to God. Theſe eys of Angels do ſparkle with Divine luſtre, they are cleare, open, and intent, nothing eſcapes their obſervation. Laſtly, ſee the beauty of Divine providence; All the wheels and Cherubims were full of eyes; The bodies, backs, hands, and wings of the Cherubims are ſayd to be full of eyes: So alſo Rev. 4.8. They are full of eyes within. Mans eyes adde not ſo much glory and beauty to his face, as p. 171theſe eyes do to Angels & the wheels: The Peacocks Train (which is full of eyes) how beautifull and glorious is it when expanded and ſhaken in the Sun? It is far ſhort of the beauty and glory of elect Angels, who (as it was feigned of Argus) are full of eyes, gliſtering like ſtars: And the ſame is affirmed of the wheels, viz. the Acts of Divine Providence in the world: How blind then, and ſottiſhly perverſe are we, that have not an eye to ſee theſe eyes, and patiently to wait and hope, and expect great things from God, when his ſet time is come? Well, let the ſerious beliefe of this Truth, that Republicks and Kingdoms are over-ruled and diſpoſed by Angels, ſilence and huſh all our peeviſh and mutinous complaints amidſt all our changes, and after all our ſufferings: By conſidering there have been eyes in the wheels, and that all the croſſe and rugged providences of our God ſhall work together for the good of his Church and People.

As for Cities, that they alſo have their Angels, why ſhould we doubt, p. 721when Jeruſalem was deſtroying, a voyce was heard, Fly to Pella, Fly to Pella! Who doubts but this was the laſt ſummons of her Guardian Angel, calling and bidding the faithful to depart with him?††See Paul Bain on Epheſ. pag. 374. Let us ſee, Iſa. 37.35, 36. I will defend this City Ieruſalem to ſave it for my owne Names ſake: Then the Angell of the Lord went forth and ſmote the Aſſyrians: Mark, The Angell; It was one Angel, and he went forth, namely out of Jeruſalem, to ſlay her Enemies: This then was the Angel Guardian of that City Ieruſalem, as is moſt probable. Great and populous Cities are as it were the eyes of the earth (as Athens and Sparta were ſayd to be of Greece) and there is no queſtion but Divine Providence hath a ſpecial eye upon them for their preſervation, and that Angels take care for them: Witneſſe that excellent Government, and exact order that is in thoſe gallant Cities, which elſe would crumble into confuſion and deſolation in one hour.

Let London therefore lift up her head, and not be caſt downe at the p. 173fooliſh Propheſies of her Aſtrologers; But know and follow the things that belong to our peace: The Lord hath much honoured that City, and made it an Aſylum, and City of**Jam Seges eſt ubi Troia fuit. Refuge to his perſecuted Miniſters and People in our late Troubles; many thouſands are therin to God as the Aple of his eye; And therfore we have reaſon to hope that the Lord will not remove her good Angel from her.

Indeed Magnificent Cities rebelling againſt God have been brought to deſolation; As in the caſe of**Jam Seges eſt ubi Troia fuit. Troy, (a)(a)Theatre of Gods Iudgments. cap. 50. p. 407.408.Niniveh, Babylon, and Carthage; Yea, that great and everlaſting City of Rome (as one calls it) ſhall become as other Preſumptious Cities; A dwelling for Hedghogs, an habitation of Owls and Vultures; Thorns ſhall grow in her Palaces, and Nettles in her ſtrong Holds: The voice of Harpers and Muſitians ſhall no more be heard in thoſe dwellings.

But as Rome was not built, ſo neither will it be pulled down in a day; The Lord is now (as it were) undermining the Walls of that Idolatrous p. 174City and Neſt of Images: And our Song ſhortly will be this, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; Amen Halelujah! Thoſe evil Angels that are in and over Rome, ſhall not be able to ſhield her from the wrath of God, and the power of his Angels. And ſo much of the third thing, that 'tis very probable that not only Perſons but Communities have their Angels.

Fourthly,44That wicked men have their evill Angels. Tertullian ſaith, That thoſe Lemures were Daemones. It may inform us, that wicked men have their evil Angels to draw them (on all occaſions) into ſin and miſchief; For Eadem Ratio contrariorum, If good men are under the Tuition of Angels, Reprobates are under the power of Devils. The Heathen did not only ſpeak of Lares, that were good Angels, but alſo of the Lemures, or evil Spirits, that vexed and purſued men, and ſtirred them up unto evil: Satan is evermore Gods Ape, and in Imitation of his Providence o're the Elect; In a ſutable way will he apply himſelf to his Vaſſals and Veſſels of Wrath. This evil Angel is permitted by God, but placed by Satan the Prince of Devils; And I p. 175ſhall eaſily confeſs (with Bucan) that as one evil Angel hath moleſted and plagued many men, and many evil Angels (even a Legion) have tormented one**Bucan de Angel. Loc. 6. p. 71.. So it is not abſolutely expreſſed in the word, that every evil man hath an evil Angel ſet over him; And yet it is probable that Satan poſſeſſing the Caſtle of a wicked heart, will never utterly and willingly withdraw, but leave (at leaſt) one evil Spirit to ſecure it:1 Sam. 16.1 Sam 16 Thus a Devil entred into Judas, and Saul was often vexed with an unclean Spirit. You ſhall hear what a late**Mr. Lawrence of Angels. p. 80.81. Writer ſaith to this diſcourſe; Some diſtinguiſh the Miniſtry of Devils as to Vices; Therfore you read of an unclean, a lying, a dumb, and a ſeducing Devil: others divide their Miniſtry according to the Object of it, Perſons, Families, Societies, and States, and therfore(b)(b)Dan. 8.20.21.Dan 8:20Dan 8:21 quote thoſe places in Daniel, where mention is made of the Kings of Perſia and Grecia, which oppoſed Michael their Prince; And ſo alſo they take that place of Saint(c)(c)2 Cor. 12.7.2 Cor 12:7 Paul, There was given to me a Meſſenger of Satan to p. 176buffet me; And that curſe of the(d)(d)Pſal. 109.6.Ps 109:6 Pſalmiſt, Let Satan ſtand at his right hand! There is no doubt of Satans wil for this Method (which he ſeeth ſo advantagious for the Saints in the other Miniſtry, of which we have treated.) If his power fail him not, if God permit it, he wants not Diligence, Malice Wiſdom, and Inſtruments for that Work.

Wicked men and Reprobates are(e)(e)Eph. 2.2. 2 Cor. 4.4 2. Tim. 2.26.Eph 2:22 Cor 4:42 Tim 2:26 then in a very ſad condition, voyd of the favour of God and preſence of his holy Angels, but grievouſly moleſted and captivated by evil Spirits: The Devil works in them mightily, they are hood-winkt and beſotted and blinded by the God of this World, led captive by his will, having no power ſo much as to groan or wiſh for deliverance. But now if Satan direct his Angels to Beleevers, they dare not, they cannot long abide with them; Their good Angel expels and chaſes them away, they ſoon retire routed and confounded. Here alſo I might declare how wicked men have been hanted with evil ſpirits in moſt ſtrange p. 177and fearfull**See Baxters Reſt. Edit 2. p. 271. Apparitions: Sozomen writes of Apelles, a famous Egyptian Smith who was tempted to uncleanneſs by a Divel in the ſhape of a woman. Ludovicus Vives ſaith, among the Indians in America, nothing is more common then to ſee and hear Spirits in bodily ſhapes day and night: And Sleidan tells of a Popes Legat that was feared into a deadly ſickneſs, by a ſtrange Apparition in his Chamber. We read alſo in the Scriptures of divers that have been actually poſſeſſed of Divels: Zanchius 3. Tom. lib. 4. cap. 10.Zanchy thinks it was the very ſubſtance of Divels that entred men. Camerarius and others do ſhew us, that in**See Theatre of Gods Iudgments. 431. to 437. former times of darkneſs theſe things were very uſuall, although now (bleſſed be God) the very**Camerarius his Hiſtoricall obſervat. lib. 4. cap. 15. p. 288. Relation therof is ſo terrible unto us. The Divel makes a ſecret compact with a World, but an open one with Witches and ſuch as have familiar Spirits but eſpecially ſome one reſorts to them: A Witch gives an Angel of Darkneſs full power over Body and Soul for ever; Satan doth not thirſt p. 178for a few drops of blood from the body, but hereby doth contrive and ſeal the ruine of the Soul: He doth not only (as Porphiry imagined) aime at Honour and Principality, and to have ſome to worſhip him in the world, but he undermines the Salvation of many Souls: And every Witch is a ſworn Vaſſal and Factor of Hell. And ſo much of the ſecond Uſe.

Thirdly, Uſe. 3 here will be matter of Admonition unto many Duties. 1. To baniſh all ſlaviſh and baſe fears. 2. Not to deſpiſe the pooreſt and meaneſt Spirit. 3. To make ſure of Chriſt the head of Angels 4. To depend on God chiefly. 5. Greive not your Guardian Angell. 6. Let us imitate the Angels in owning and protecting, and cheriſhing the Saints (this chiefly ſpeaks to Magiſtrates and Miniſters.)

Firſt,11Baniſh all ſlaviſh and baſe fears. Let the people of God be admoniſhed to baniſh all ſlaviſh, improfitable and ſinfull fears, ſeeing Elect Angels are their Keepers. Alexander the Great, was obſerved to ſleep very ſoundly one night, when the Enemy was neer him, and being asked p. 179how he could do it, he anſwered,Weems of the Cerem. Law. cap. 9. p. 39. becauſe Parmenio waked: So may the people of God lay them down in peace and ſafety, becauſe the Vigilant Angels that keep them are ſtill awake; None ſleep ſo ſoundly and ſecurely as the people of God. King Salomon ſlept with ſixty valliant men by his ſide, having Swords becauſe of fear in the night. But one Angel is ſtronger then ſuch a Guard: Angels keep the Elect from**Gen. 19.16. &. 18.12. & 25.7. & 32.1, 2. Pſal. 34.7. & 91.11. 1 Reg. 19.7. 2 Reg. 6.16. Exod. 26.1. & 34.24.Gen 19:16Gen 18:12Gen 25:7Gen 32:1Gen 32:2Ps 34:7Ps 91:111 Kgs 19:72 Kgs 6:16Exod 26:1Exod 34:24 many dangers of Soul and body, both in the Curtains of the Tabernacle, and Wall of the Temple, Cherubins were painted up and down; To ſignifie what Protection we may expect in Gods Service from the bleſſed Angels: If the Peſtilence rage in the City. Angels often keep it from the Tabernacles of the Righteous; yea, the Angels and Stars in their courſes do ſight for us againſt the Churches Enemies: Fear not men, Diſeaſes, Poverty, Death or Divels: But learn to fear the mighty Jehovah, Let him be your Dread, Timor, Timore, ut clavus clavo pellitur: Fear is expelled by fear, as one Nail is driven out by p. 180another.Mat. 10.28.Matt 10:28 Fear not man whoſe breath is in his Noſtrils, and who can but kill the Body with Permiſſion; not touch an hair of your head without leave from Heaven; But fear him, who is able the next Moment, To caſt thy body and ſoul into Hell-flames, Away then with idle, pannick, and unprofitable fears to which many are prone. Zeno, Diog. Laert.being askt why he feared the barking of a Dog? returned this anſwer, Perdifficile eſt hominem prorſus exuere: No man is ſo ſtout, but ſomtimes he ſhews himſelf to be a man in weakneſs: There are more things ſaith**Saepius opinione laboramus quam Re. Seneca in Epiſt. 13. Pſal. 56. 2 Reg. 6.16.Ps 562 Kgs 6:16 Seneca that do affright then aſſault us. What David ſayd to Abiathar, that, thy Angel-Guardian ſaith to thee, Abide thou with me and fear not, for with me thou ſhalt be in ſafe-guard! Hear the Pſalmiſt, I truſt in the Lord and fear not what man can do unto me! Feare not thou Worme Jacob, I will help thee, ſaith the Lord. All his attributes, all his Angels are engaged for our good: When Eliſha prayed, and ſaw the Mountain full of Horſes and Charriots of fire, he ſoon p. 181revived his Servants by ſaying, Fear not, for they that are with us are more then thoſe that are againſt us. So then the preſence and tuition of Angels ſhould baniſh and diſcard all unworthy and degenerate fears, which ſhrivel up the ſinews of good Endeavours to ſecure our ſelves.

Secondly,22Deſpiſe not the meaneſt Saint. Mat. 18.10.Matt 18:10 Deſpiſe not the pooreſt and meaneſt of Gods Children; So our Saviour applies this Doctrine of Angellical Deputation, Mat. 18. Deſpiſe not one of theſe little ones, for in Heaven their Angels do alwayes behold the face of my Father. q. d. Take heed that you do not ſlight and undervalue the bleſſed Heirs of Salvation, on whom the Lord hath caſt ſo much honour as to ſend Angels to be their Tutors, and on whom Elect Angels do not diſdain to attend. Deſpiſe not then the little ones of Chriſt: Not ſuch as are little in years and ſtature, ſcornfully to think them unworthy of the Seal; Not ſuch as are little in the world, love Grace in Ruſſet before Vice in Velver; God is no Reſpecter of perſons: Nor laſtly ſuch as are little p. 182in gifts and graces; You may not deſpiſe the day of ſmall things, The very filings of Gold are pretious; And beſides true Grace cannot be at a ſtand.

O deſpiſe not theſe little Ones of Chriſt;Dr. Sibbs Fountain opened. p. 110.111. Voſſius Inſtitut. Orat. lib. 4. cag. 7. p. 166. Why? Becauſe Angels more Glorious Creatures then you do not, dare not; and Chriſt more Glorious then they, will not. Angels are willing to tend the meaneſt Saint, to provide things needfull for us: Therfore ſaith Voſſius is Manna called Angels food, Quia Angelorum Miniſterio fuerit Productum: Angels had a hand in the Production. Well to comfort, and feed, and releive one another is the work of an Angel: Shall any one think himſelf too good to hear or help any poor Chriſtian? or to ſettle and reſolve his doubts? O the pride of our Nature! When Angels diſdain not to tend and rock little Babes; To viſit and cheriſh Job full of Sores: What Deviliſh qualities are Pride and Envie? They make us to neglect others, advance our ſelves; we know it was the ſpeech of wicked Cain, Am p. 183I my brothers Keeper? Shall I ſtoop to him; Fleſh and blood begins to take ſtate upon it: Let us bluſh and be aſhamed of this churliſh Humour, when we ſee Angels attending poor Beggers and Orphans; and Chriſt himſelf, waſhing and wiping his Diſciples feet! When the great God became MAN, ſhall we wonder that Angels ſhould attend the Nature that God had ſo honoured? rather let's ſuppoſe that the Devils left their firſt Stations, being proud Spirits and diſdaining their Calling; For the good Angels do humble themſelves to this work: What Deviliſh ſins then are Pride, Envie, and Diſdain, that ſtand a Tiptoe and over-look the poor Members of Chriſt? The Angels rejoyce in the Salvation of Souls, ſhall we ſlight the Image of God? Shall the well-fare of others and their thriving ſpiritually, or outwardly be cauſe of joy to the Angels, and yet matter of trouble and griefe to us? Shall we envie the proſperity of Gods people, & look a ſquint on their enjoyments? and ſhall we dare to ſcorn and trample p. 184on thoſe who are caſt down? This be far from us: Let us rather honour thoſe whom God hath ſo loved, and reverence thoſe whom Angels attend, You value men for externall Pomp, the glory of their Apparel, Chariots, and Retinue; The Number and Gallantry of their Pages and Servants: O conſider this, that Beleevers have Elect Angels for their Servitors and daily Attendants.**2 Kings 6.16.2 Kgs 6:16 Poor Eliſha had a Mountain full of Horſes and Chariots of fire.

Thirdly,33Make uſe of Chriſt. make ſure of Jeſus Chriſt, who is the LORD and head of the Angels; Him they worſhip, and at his diſpoſal are they,Col. 2.10.Col 2:10 Col. 2. The head of all Principality and Power. There is a vaſt difference ſaith Lactantius between this Son and other Angels;Magna inter hunc filium caeteroſque Angelos, differentia eſt. Lactant: Inſtit. lib. 4. cap. 8. You muſt chiefly apply your ſelves unto Chriſt, He was that Iacobs Ladder which touched Earth and Heaven, and joyned them both together by his Mediation; And on him Elect Angels deſcend upon us, becauſe of our Relation to him: They attend us as the Kings Daughter, and as the p. 185Royal and Loyal Spouſe of Chriſt Jeſus. Clear up then your Ingrafture into Chriſt and bleſſed intereſt in his Propitiatory Mediation and Merits, if you deſire to be aſſured of Angelical Attendance. Ʋt Angeli noſtri ſint, Calvin. Angeli ſine Dei ipſius irradiatione obire per ſe Proprium munus intelligentiae nequeant. Pi…rius in Hieroglyph. lib. 33. cap. 6. Calvin Harmon. Evang.Chriſti Membra nos eſſe oportet, ſaith Calvin: That Angels may be ours, it concerns us that we be Members of Chriſt; Which way the Meſſiah goes that way go all the Promiſes and Angels: If Chriſt be ours, we need not to queſtion the love of his Servants: Angels ſaith Pierius without a new Irradiation of God upon them can do nothing: And Calvin in his Harmony ſaith thus; That Promiſe, He ſhall give his Angels charge ouer thee, doth indeed appertain to all the faithfull, but eſpecially to Chriſt, who as he is the head of the whole Church, ſo in his own right he governeth the Angels, giving them chargeover us. Let it therfore be our particular care to get a part in Chriſt, to be able to ſay, Chriſt is mine; is beter then a Mine of the Gold of Ophir.

p. 186Fourthly,4 Admire and truſt chiefly in God. Let us chiefly admire and truſt in God: As Angels can do nothing without him, ſo he can do all without them: In the midſt of their encampings, eye Jeſus Chriſt their Lord and Captain, who hath all power given him in Heaven and Earth. If Angels be ſo ſtrong, ſo wiſe, ſo beautifull, how glorious is God that made and maintains them? Oh, if theſe ſtars of the morning be ſo bright and gliſtering, how full of light and ſplendor is the Sun of Righteouſneſſe? Iob 38.7. Mal. 4.2.Job 38:7Mal 4:2All that hath or can be ſaid about Angels, ſhould ſerve as a glaſs to diſcover unto us the glory of God: We doe not goe about to extoll the creature, and derogate from the Creator; God forbid!Calvin. Inſtit. lib. 1. cap. 14. ſect. 10. Let us heare Calvin; Videmus Chriſti gloriam ſuperioribus aliquot ſeculis fuiſſe multis modis obſcuratam, quam immodicis elogijs Angeli Praeter Dei verbum cumularentur. We ſee (ſaith he) that Chriſts glory was many ways darkened in former Ages, by reaſon of thoſe high prayſes heap'd upon Angels beſides the Word. Therfore St. Paul declared againſt worſhipping p. 187Angels, Coloſ. 2. A ſinne, it ſhould ſeem, that ſome in thoſe pureſt times were leaning unto: Now God forbid that this Fly ſhould fall into our box of Oyntment! Let us rather climb up to God by the ladder of his creatures, the uppermoſt round whereof is the Doctrine of Angels: How ſhould we joyne in that Angelicall employment of prayſing, adoring, and admiring for ever that God whom we love and honour, and in compariſon of whom we muſt vilifie and nullifie all things that we may magnifie, omnifie Chriſt Jeſus? Oh that this might be the fruit of our Meditations on this ſubject; Truſt not in Man, no nor in Princes, ſaith the Pſalmiſt: So may I go on, Truſt not in Princes, no nor in Angels, or Arch-Angels abſolutely, but ſtill in ſubordination to God: Look not ſo much on the Angel Gabriel, as on the glad tydings that he brought: Look not on the Arch-Angel Michael, ſo much as Chriſt his Maſter. In a word, Look not on any Angel ſo much, as Chriſt the Angell of the Covenant. As p. 188a Stranger that comes to the Courts of Princes, obſerves the Nobility, the Favourites, and all the Followers; but yet chiefly enquires for the Prince, and ſtill looks through them all, to receive a fuller Idea of the King. So it muſt be here; we may look upon the Angels and Saints, and admire the image and graces of God in them; but we muſt chiefly look at Chriſt the King of his Church, before whom the Angels fall down and worſhip, the 24. Elders piling up their Crowns at his feet. Thus God in Chriſt by the Spirit muſt be all in all with us.

Fifthly,5 Grieve not your Guardian Angell. grieve not, offend not your Angel by doing any thing unworthy of his preſence: As it is wondrous humility that Angels will ſtoop to us, being of a meaner and inferiour nature: ſo it is marvellous patience, that after ſo many ſinns and miſcarriages, they will continue their preſence with us. Theophilact ſpeaking on that Text, Their Angels behold the face of God, Theoph. Enar. in Mat. 18.Matt 18hath this Obſervation, Peccatorum tamen Angeli, quaſi propter nos confuſi, minus fidentes ſunt; neque ipſi poſſunt p. 189tam libere videre Faciem Dei. The Angels (ſaith hee) of them that do ſin do even bluſh, and are aſhamed to look in the face of God, Namely, that they can give no better account of their charge.

Would you not grieve your Guardian Angel?Chemnit. Harm. cap. 92. p. 1741 then you muſt doe five things, viz.

1.Cavendum eſt ne tam fidelem cuſtodem, tam amantem noſtri Paedagogum noſtris delietis at que inver…cunda pos candi libidine a nobis alienemus. … de Praeſidio Angelico, p 724. Beware of inordinate and libidinous affections, as of Luſt, Envy, & Wrath, that give place to the Devill: Caveamus ne vel ſermonibus obſcaenis, vel vitae impuritate hoſce ſanctos cuſtodes a Nobis abigamus: We muſt beware, leaſt by obſcenity of ſpeech, and impurity of life, we chaſe away theſe holy keepers from us, ſaith Chemnitius: And we muſt take heed, ſaith Rivius, leaſt by our ſinnes and luſts we breed a kind of ſtrangeneſs in our Angel-keeper and Tutor towards us: Let us not live as the Sadduces that denyed the Reſurrection, and would not believe there was any Angel or Spirit.

2. Take heed not only of open and ſcandalous ſin, but even ſuch as be ſecret, and under the view of men: ſay, p. 190**Drexel.Ʋnus mihi Angelus, unica conſcientia, Deus unus; Pro urbe pro orbe toto, pro omnium oculis & auribus. There is one Angel, one Conſcience, one God that ſees, and that is as much as if an whole City, or the whole world beheld me. When thou art alone, or in the dark, and no eye of man can diſcern thee, know God and the Angels are ſpectators and witneſſes of thy carriage. Thy moſt ſecret ſins are as irkſome to the Angels, as ſmoak to Bees.bbƲt fugat apes fumus, & abigit columbas fae tor; Ita Angelum vitae noſtrae ſe gregat Faetens Peccatum. Baſil. Chemnitij Har. cap. 92. How ſhould theſe Meditations awe us, when ſolicited ſecretly to ſin againſt God? Cavendum ne coram his cuſtodibus dicamus vel faciamus, quod coram hominibus honeſtis pudere poſſet, ſaith Chemnitius: Let us forbear to ſpeak or do that before our Angels, that we would not be found doing in the ſight of honeſt and grave men: A wall may preſerve from the eyes of men ſaith another;Rivius de Praeſid, Ang. p. 724. But whither canſt thou flee from the piercing eyes of God and his Angels? This ſhould make us to abhorre ſecret ſins, and never to neglect Cloſet duties.

3. Be not irreverent and remiſſe in p. 191the publique Aſſemblies of Gods people, ſeeing many Angels eyes are then and there upon you:Medes Reverence of Gods Houſe, Sect. 2. p. 18. Not onelyonly your own Angels, but the Angels of others there aſſembled, beſides the Angels that belong to the whole Congregation. Learned Mede thinks that Gods extraordinary preſence in the publick Aſſembles doth conſiſt in his Train or Retinue of Angels. Pſalm. 138. 1. I will praiſe thee in the preſence of the Gods. The ſeventy read it thus, foreign, In conſpectu Angelorum pſallam; I will ſing unto thee in the preſence of the Angels. The apprehenſion of Angels preſence will make us ſing, and pray, and hear with Devotion. 1 Cor. 11.10. The woman ought to have power on her head (viz. to be modeſtly veyled) Becauſe of the Angels. Elect Angels are exact and carefull obſervers, and eye-witneſſes of our Behaviour and Deportment in the publique Ordinances. This was ſhadowed of old; for you read in Exod. 31. That the Curtains of the Tabernacle were pictured full of Cherubims: To ſignifie, that about our ſolemn meetings, p. 192whole troops of Angels take notice of our carriage. Therefore looke to your feet, when you come into Gods houſe, I mean your Affections, for there you ſet your ſelves in the preſence of the great God and his mighty Angels. Surely if this were conſidered, we ſhould be a little more ſerious in Gods worſhip; Not ſit unconcerned under the Word, nor caſting our ſelves into variety of ſluggiſh and irreverend poſtures as do too many, unbecoming the preſence, of Angels ſhall I ſay? Nay even of Men, Miniſters, and fellow-Chriſtians.

4.See Bullinger decad. 4. ſer. 9 f…o. 252 Let us not grieve our good Angels by thinking of them above that which we ought: See thou doe it not, ſaid the Angel to John, I am thy fellow ſervant, worſhip God. How was Paul troubled, when the Heathen came and would have ſacrificed unto him? Cannot Angels be loved, but they muſt be grieved? Nothing is ſo grievous unto them as to be adored.

5. Note. Let us not only not diſpleaſe, but let us ſtudy to pleaſe and rejoyce the Angels, that the end of their guardianſhip p. 193and ſolemn Deputation thereto, may be attained. Laetantur Angeli Caeleſtes quod vident cuſtodiam ſuam, quam impendunt in eos qui hereditatem capiunt ſalutis, non male eſſe collocatam; Et quod in Coelo, loco deficientium Diabolorum, plures recipiunt ſodales, ſaith Chemnitius ſweetly: When you reap good by Angelical attendance, then thoſe bleſſed Spirits rejoyce; for that their Vacant ſeats out of which the fal en Angels were caſt, are like to be repleniſht with new aſſociates: And ſo much of the fifth admonition, not to grieve your Angels.

6. Let us imitate the Angels,6 Let us imitate Angels. as in other things, ſo principally this, of guarding and regarding the people of God. This ſpeaks to all, but chiefly to Magiſtrates and Miniſters, who are to be a Fence and wall to the Church.

Firſt, this ſpeaks to all,1 This ſpeaks to all. that we ſhould endeavour to imitate the Angels,**In Angels ſervice there is, 1. Sincerity. 2. Integrity. 3. Alacrity. 4. Sedulity. 5. Ardency. 6. Humility, and 7. Conſtancy. Dr. Gouge his guide, 89, 90. as in their ſwift, conſtant, and moſt cheerfull obedience, ſo eſpecially p. 194in comforting and protecting the Saints. Angli tanquam Angeli, was the old Obſervation; Oh that it might be verified of this Nation! Let all our delight be in them that excell in vertue: And let us do good to all, but eſpecially to the houſhold of Faith. Oh let us aſpire to Angelical work! Wee have Angels to guard us, why ſhould we not be guardians of one another? How ſhould we inſtruct the ignorant, reduce the Erronious, confirme the Weak, comfort the feeble-minded, & relieve the neceſſities of the Saints? In a word, on all occaſions take part with them againſt the violence and oppreſſion of wicked men? But chiefly,

Let every Chriſtian have one particular faithfull friend to watch over his ſoule, Note. to deale ſincerely and moſt impartially with him. The word calls for it, Two is better then one; Let us conſider and obſerve one another; Let us watch over one another, and provoke to good works. Ineſtimable is the fruit of this courſe as the experience of Saints can witneſſe. Auſtin had his Alypius, p. 195Bernard his Gervaſius, Baſil his Nazianzen, Jerom his Heliodorus, Euſebius his Pamphilius. David his Jonathan, and Paul his Barnabas, for this end. Among the properties of a ſpeciall boſom friend this is the chief; To imitate our Guardian Angel in watching over us, and not ſuffer ſin to paſſe unreprooved; This is true, durable and profitable Friendſhip. Laſtly as good Angels take part with us againſt the evill, ſo we muſt ſide and take part with the Church againſt all her Enemies: When the wolfe comes, all the ſheep run together: We muſt own the Righteous not only in proſperity, but in their Troubles and Oppreſſions from men:Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur, ſaith Tully. Many uſe their Friend like a Diall, they paſſe by him if the Sun of Proſperity do not ſhine upon him. Amicos res opimae parant, adverſae probant, A friend is born for Adverſity, and to ſtand by when others forſake one: Such a friend may be neerer then a brother. **Secundus, p. 89Res inventu difficilis; but being found, he is Anguſtiarum Solatium, miſeriarum fomentum; a choiſe ſupport in the time of trouble.

p. 196Secondly,2 To Magiſtrates. this ſpeaks to Magiſtrates; That they eſpecially doe imitate the bleſſed Angels, and be Defenders of the Faith, and Protectors of the Faithfull: Here I ſhall declare, 1. That the Godly and Orthodox muſt by them be protected and cheriſhed in Gods wayes. 2. That the blaſphemous and Hereticall, (though they call themſelves Saints and People of an high Adminiſtration) muſt not be protected in uſurping the Ephod, diſperſing and divulging their damnable Opinions.

1. The godly, Orthodox, and Peaceable muſt be protected, encouraged, and cheriſhed by the Civil Magiſtrate in wel-doing: Magiſtrates muſt feed, and defend, and provide for the flock of God, and be a wall and fence to the godly; If any do injure them, they with the Angels muſt take their part. The Magiſtrate muſt provide for their ſouls, by ſetting up lights in the dark corners of the Land, by building and cauſing to be well repaired the places of Publicke worſhip; By ſetting up a convenient maintenance p. 197for the Diſpencers of the word, by contending for the Sabbath, and ſubduing all known Prophanations, by their cauſing all of all ſorts ſomewhere to heare the word; By defending and encouraging the publique Aſſemblies of Gods people; by providing for Provinciall and Nationall Councels to be called and held for the preſervation of Truth, Order, and Peace. In a word, by ſuppreſſing houſes of Rioting, and all kind of wickedneſſe and prophaneſſe, which gets the upper hand. Then, as the Magiſtrates muſt look to the Soules, ſo alſo to the Bodis, Eſtates, and properties of men: That Righteouſneſſe run down as a ſtream: That the poor be employed and maintayned: That Corn in plenty be layd up againſt a time of dearth: That ſuperfluous Comodities be ſent abroad in Ships, and other needful things brought home in their room: By ſetting up Judges and Magiſtrates as at the firſt: Exod. 18.21, 22, 23.Exod 18:21Exod 18:22Exod 18:23That juſtice may runne down by our doors: Finally, that the Nation be able to defend it ſelfe from invaſion, or inteſtine p. 198Mutiny: Hear whataaDr. Featly his Sermon, p. 817 one hath ſaid to this point; Angels are our Guardians, Magiſtrates, Parents, Tutors, and Maſters, Keepers in a time of Peace; Generals, Captains, and Souldiers in a time of War: but if you ask with the Poet, Quis cuſtodes cuſtodiet ipſos? We anſwer, Cuſtos Iſraelis: Iſa. 49.23Isa 49:23That God which hath ſaid, Kings ſhall be thy nurſing Fathers, & Queens thy nurſing Mothers, will certainly ſtand by his Ordinance of Magiſtracy. 'Twas one of the ſeditious Lawes enacted at Munſter; Note. Magiſtratibus ac Principibus nullus ſubjiciatur: Let no man be ſubject to Magiſtrates and Princes. There are a world of theſe Caterpillars now abroad upon every green leafe, and therefore it concerns us to be the more vigilant and unanimous againſt them.

2.See twenty Reaſons in Dr. Cheynell of the Trinity, 461. & 480. Hereticks muſt not by Magiſtrates be protected in uſurping the Ephod, running unſent, divulging and diſperſing their damnable Errors, which wil eaſily appear by Scripture and ſound Reaſon.

1. By Scripture. Rev. 2.20. 'Twas p. 199Thyatira's ſinne to ſuffer Iezabel to teach and ſeduce the people. Jobs Wife bid him curſe God and dye; Job 2.9.Job 2:9intimating that if he did curſe God, he ſhould ſoon be put to death for his paines. Under the Law the Blaſphemer was ſtoned to death; And the Goſpel ſaith his mouth muſt be ſtopt, Tit. 1.11.

Firſt by ſollid Reaſons and Arguments.

Secondly (if that will not ſerve the turn) by Baniſhment or Impriſonment.

Thirdly, in ſome extraordinary caſes by Death; If the Magiſtrate ſhall judg the blaſphemy ſo heynous. Gal. 5.12. I would they were cut off that trouble you; A corpore Chriſti, ſaith Piſcator; But Peter Martyr compares with it, Pſal. 55.15. Let Death ſeize on them, and let them goe quicke downe into hell.

2. This alſo may be cleared by ſound reaſon, grounded on the word of God, and experiences of the Church.

1. No Hereſie can thrive, Arg. 1 or be p. 200well hatcht, but under the wing of pretended piety; Therefore that muſt not be a cover to the monſtrous brood of errour.

2. Arg. 2 Qui non vetat, jubet: He that having power forbids not evils, commands them.Tacit. Hiſt. Othoni nondum authoritas inerat ad prohibendum ſcelus, jubere jam poterat, ſaith Tacitus; He had not yet full power to forbid an evill, command it he could. Let fire fall into tinder it needs not blowing; Not hindering an evill is ſufficient Approbation.

3. Arg. 3 Of old they were not to plough with the Ox & the Aſs,Deut. 22.10, 11.Deut 22:10Deut 22:11 nor to wear a garment of divers colours, or one made of linnen & woolen; all this God forbad in relation to diverſities of worſhip, & to declare how he hates an impure medly and mixture in Religion;Zeph. 1.5.Zeph 1:5 Hee will cut off thoſe that ſwear by the Lord and by Malcham.

4. Arg. 4 This was a grievous blot on Solomon and moſt of the ſucceeding Kings of Judah, 1 Reg. 15.14.1 Kgs 15:14That the high places were not remooved: But 'tis recorded to the everlaſting honour of good Ioſiah, p. 201That he brake down the Altars and Images of Baalim.2 Chron. 34.2 Chr 34

5. The Mr. Arg. 5 of the feaſt in the Parable ſent into the high wayes and hedges, Luke 14.Luke 14and compelled men to come in to the Feaſt: So ſhould Magiſtrates conſtrain men to come to the Word, and give an account where they hear:Auguſt. in Luc. 14.Luke 14 Find not fault (ſaith Auſtin) that they be haled, but ſee whether they be haled into the Sheep-fold of Chriſt.

6. Arg. 6 Magiſtrates are bid to keep the flock of Chriſt from Wolves, & that the Garden of Gods Church may be ſecured,Cant. 2.15.Song 2:15 To catch the little Foxes that nibble the Vine: For peſſimi canis ne catulus relinquendus.

7. Arg. 7 Heathens have beene ſenſible of the honour of their Gods; The Romans enacted that no man ſhould have a private Religion to himſelfe: The Athenians baniſhed Protagoras, and put Socrates to death for diſhonouring and changing their Religion: And Nebuchadnezzar who had newly puniſhed thoſe that would not worſhip p. 202his Goulden Abomination, being at laſt convinced about the true God,Dan. 3.16Dan 3:16 Enacted, That if any Man did ſpeak againſt That God, himſelfe ſhould be cut in Peeces, and his houſe be made a Dunghill.

8. The Renowned Examples of Godly and zealous Magiſtrates, who have oppoſed the Inundation of Hereſyes and Atheiſme, are very many: Hezekiah and Aſa demoliſh Idols and ſtampt them to Powder: Conſtantine the Great defaced all the Temples of Hereticks, and would not let them Aſſemble in Publick or Private; Theodoſius fined the Lord Deputy an hundred pound if he permitted Hereticks to meet any where, day or night.

9. A boundleſſe toleration would be the occaſion of many euills, and a World of miſchiefs in the Church of God; as Atheiſme, Prophaneſſe, Rebellion, and all confuſion. Tolleration of divers Religions; like Pandora's Box, is full of deadly Poyſons; From thence, (like the Trojan horſe) innumerable and incurable evills, p. 203have iſſued on the Church of God; Tearing and mangling the Seameleſſe Coat of Chriſt, and treading under Foot all that is ſacred.

You may obſerve that Hereticks go three ſteps before they come to be Devills incarnat. Note.

1. They make all callings common; by declaring firſt againſt the Miniſtry, and next the Magiſtracy.

2. They proceed and make all dayes common; by ſaying every day (which in effect is no day) a Sabbath.

3. They go on to make all Books common, by Ʋndervaluing the very Charter of eternall life; And whilſt they be taken up with unwritten Revelations, all ſober men are ſtyled Litteriſts, and Vowaliſts.

Principiis obſta; cruſh the Cockatrices Eggs, before they break out to be flying and ſtinging Serpents.

10. And laſtly, Magiſtrates muſt uphold Peace, and Order; But there can be neither, in a Generall tolleration. Jerom ſaith, Becauſe Arrius p. 204(who was but a ſpark of fire in Alexandria) was not quenched, but ſuffered to Run and ſpread in the Tinder of the multitude; he kindled ſuch a fire as devoured almoſt the whole Chriſtian world.

Therefore Mecoenas adviſed Auguſtus to puniſh innovators in Religion not only in regard of Piety, but for reaſons of ſtate, and to ſettle the Foundations of Civil Government, that elſe would be ſhaken.

But here let me adjoyn two neceſſary cautions. Note.

1. Circumſtances in the true Religion may be borne withall: They ſay, Diſcords in Muſick (binding wiſe) do increaſe the Harmony; A Garden is rendred beautiful by Variety of flours and colours; ſo in things circumſtantiall and that do not raze the foundation, ſome latitude muſt be given to Peaceable ſouls:Jud. 22.23. ver. Of ſome making a difference, ſaith Jude. Call not every Diſſent in Doctrine or Schiſme in Diſcipline, by the ougly Name of Haereſie; He is blinder then Midnight, that cannot put a difference between the p. 205Foundation and Tyling or Painting of the houſe; between the Garment and the Lace, or Fring.

Therefore if foundationall ſtones be ſecured, and all neceſſary truths maintained; both Magiſtrates and Miniſters muſt wink at all Leſſer diſſentings; waiting untill the Lord ſhall reveale the reſt unto them: Elſe we ſhall be of a Rigid and Ungoſpell ſpirit. I have heard of a certaine Tyrant, Note. that ſaid eminent Priſoners on his Bed, and in caſe they were ſhorter then his Bed, he cauſed them by Engines to be ſtretched out to it, but if longer he ordered that ſo much as exceeded the Bed ſhould be cut off. A Meek and humble deportment is better then an Over-rigid and humerous zeale, that gives no latitude to others, although in very ſmal things; though the Gold be true, they will not give one Graine of allowance.

2. Caution. 2 The Poor Jews muſt be conſidered, That they may peaceably live among us, and enjoy their Worſhip, (ſacrifices excepted) in their private Synagogues; ſo they do not upon p. 206paine of death, either 1. Openly blaſpheame Jeſus Chriſt: Nor 2. Suffer Chriſtians to come unto their Worſhip, unleſſe ſuch as are Authorized by the Magiſtrate to ſee it:See Weems 1. Vol. 2. Book. Traps treaſury cap. 7. Sect. 2 Hilderſham on John Lect 38. Nor 3. So Privatly to ſeduce any Chriſtian from the Faith; to which may be added, in the fourth place; That if any Chriſtian turn Jew he ſhall be put to death.

Theſe Proviſos caſt in; why may not the poor Jews (that have a vayle ore the head and heart) be permitted to live among us? conſidering,

1. They were formerly Gnammi, My people, Therefore now Ruchama, A people to be pitied.

2. They carefully preſerved the Scriptures uncorrupted for us; To them firſt were committed thoſe lively Oracles; and by them they were tranſmitted and brought ſafe to us.

3. They have bin greivousccSee Joſephus de Bello Judaico. lib. 6. & 7. ſufferers ſixteen hundred yeares, and have groaned under unſpeakable miſeries; being Vagabonds over the Face of the Earth to this day.

p. 2074: They wonderfully enrich the Places where they are ſuffered to live, As Holland, Portugall, &c.

5. They ſhall undoubtedly beddRom. 11.25, 26.Rom 11:25Rom 11:26 Reſtored and converted in Gods due time:

6. The ſame ſhall be effected, not by Miracles which are ce…ſed;Theod. Beza's Prayer for the Jews. but by ordinary means; looking upon Jeſus (whom they peirced) in the Word. Lord ſaid Beza. Remember thy covenant, and look upon thoſe wretches for thy Names ſake; Let not us be Inſtruments of thy wrath againſt them, But rather grant that by the Knowledge of thy Word, and our good Converſation, they may at laſt be brought home unto thee.

7. They wiſht our converſion and prayed for it.Cant. 8.8.Song 8:8 We have a little Siſter that hath no breaſt, (a plaine deſcription of the Gentiles that had no Ordinance) What ſhall we do for our Siſter in the day that ſhe ſhal be ſpoken for?

8. And laſtly. Their converſion will tend very much to the Glory of God and comfort of his Church; To the compleating of Chriſt Myſticall, and p. 208the unveyling of many Truths; God ſhall then be more purely worſhipt; The fulneſs of the Gentiles ſhall come in and ſo all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved.

Thus you have ſeen that though Magiſtrates muſt protect the Good, & therin imitate our Guardian-Angels, yet they muſt not give like Protectiont to Wolves and Foxes; where yet we have ſhewed, that Diſſenters in things circumſtantiall; And the poor Jews ſhould be conſidered, in order to their converſion.

Thirdly,33To Miniſters. This ſpeaks to Miniſters, who are**Rev. 2. & 3. chap. See Laurentii Homil. 8. in Apoc. p. 76.Rev 2 called Angels of the Churches; They are like unto Angels in name and employment, for they carry Meſſages from Heaven and Glad-tidings to men; They ought therfore to ſhine and ſparkle as Angels in ſound Doctrine and holy converſation, and carefully look unto the Flock over which God hath made them Overſeers. He that is properly a Paſtor hath a particular Flock to attend: Tis likely when the Apoſtles had command and commiſſion from Chriſt to preach the Gospel to the whole World; p. 209They accordingly divided their walks, not at all adventures, but according to the four parts of Heaven; Each Apoſtle had his walk, and ſo each Paſtor muſt have his Flock; It is ſayd the Galathians received Paul as an Angel of Chriſt. Gal. 4.14.Gal 4:14Every City and Town muſt have one Paſtor at leaſt to deal out unto them the bread of life: Angels keep cloſe unto their charge, and ſo muſt Miniſters unto their people. If Mothers (being able) do not nurſe & ſuckle their Children; They are judged proud & unnaturall: And much more are thoſe Miniſters to be blamed, that neglect their people and live far from them, committing them to any one, perhaps a dry Breaſt. Let our ſtately and covetous Non-reſidents look upon the Angels, who attend their charge as a ſhaddow the body: And oh that we might ſee the day, that as every Province, City, & Town hath its Angel: So every golden Candle-ſtick might have a bright burning Tapor in it; And every leaden Candle-ſtick be made a Golden One by additionall means; That every p. 210Gloomy corner may not only have a Miniſter, but one that is faithfull and watchfull. Note. Satan well knowing how much this undermines his Kingdoms, doth alſo imitate God in his Deſigns; He will have his Factors and moſt buſie and truſty Agents diſperſed into all places: Some have obſerved, that every Pariſh or conſiderable Town hath one at leaſt that is ſuſpected of Witchcraft: Satan will have no place free from his Imps and Emiſſaries; To countermine the Miniſtry, the chief Underminer of his Kingdome. Let therfore the man of God beſtir himſelf, let the Watchmen of Iſrael cry aloud, lift up their Voice as a Trumpet, To tell Judah of her ſin.

**See Mr. Fenner of Chriſts Alarm to drouzy Saints. p. 7. ad 20Let Miniſters be like Angels ſet over the Churches of Chriſt, in twelve things.

1. The name Angel, ſignifies Meſſenger; God the ſender. Let Preacher be ſure of Miſſion from**Joh. 1.6.John 1:6 God and Commiſſion from men.

2. Angels are(a)(a)Pſal. 104.4.Ps 104:4 Spirits, their nature, Communion, Food, Delights are p. 211Spiritual(b)(b)Gal. 6.1. Miniſtri Eccleſiae dicuntur Angeli, quia ad mandata Dei annuncianda ab co legantur, & Debent in eodem ſtatu Iuſtitiae ſtare, & converſatiouem in caelo habere Gerhard. Not. ad Apoc. 1.20. p. 13.Gal 6:1Rev 1:20 every Chriſtian and much more every Miniſter ſhould be ſpiritual; A formal and dead Miniſtry, is like a Carkaſs without a Soule.

3. Angels are the higheſt Rank of Creatures, and the Miniſtry is (of all other) the moſt honourable Function: Such are worthy of double honour as labour in the word and Doctrine. What ever ſome do ſpeak in Derogation, and Vituperation of ſo high a Function, of old the ſame man was King and Prieſt.

4. Angels are Creatures of another World, though they move up and down in this: So Miniſters ſhould not be delving and rooting in this, nor intangled in the Thicket of Secular Affairs; But their hearts and minds ſhould be in Heaven, and at leaſure for Divine Contemplations.

5. The Angels ſtand before God, and ſo ſhould Miniſters, to enquire and know his will, Jer. 15.19.Jer. 15.19.Jer 15:19 They muſt be very much in Prayer, every Sermon ſhould ſmel of Heaven; And look like a Child of Prayer: John wept and the Book was opened.

p. 2126. Angels are very(c)(c)Mat. 25.31.Matt 25:31 holy Creatures;(d)(d)Pſal. 50.16, 17.Ps 50:16Ps 50:17 unholy Miniſters pull down in ſtead of building up; They make the offering of God to be abhorred. It is ſayd of Chriſt, our Type, Caepit facere & docere. Act. 1. So the Miniſter muſt firſt Do, then Teach, being unreproveable.

7. Angels are winged in Gods Service, and Miniſters muſt be ready preſt to every good word and work.

8.2. Tim. 4.16.2 Tim 4:16 Angels are to gather the Elect, and is not this alſo the work of Miniſters? 'Tis better to convert one, then civilize a thouſand: Miniſters are Chriſts Paranymphs, who muſt not ſpeak two words for him, and ten for themſelves.

9.1 Theſ. 2.19, 20.1 Thess 2:191 Thess 2:20 Angels rejoyce at the converſion of a ſinner; So Paſtors in the ſeale of their Miniſtry: Ye are, ſaith Paul, Our glory and joy.

10. The chiefe charge of Angels is over the(d)(d)Pſal. …1.11.Ps 1:11 Elect, and ſo the Miniſters of the Goſpel are chiefly ſent to p. 213call home, and build up(e)(e)Epheſ. 4.11, 12. 2 Tim. 2.10.Eph 4:11Eph 4:122 Tim 2:10 the Elect of God, and for the perfecting of the Saints; 'Tis then a very dreadfull thing if any Miniſters ſhall count ſuch the worſt of their Flock, as doe too many.

11. Angels doe mainly heed their Deputation, Note. and watch over thoſe Cities, Provinces, and perſons committed to them (as you have ſeen in this Tract) And ſo faithfull Miniſters will attend their owne Flock, and employ their chief care at home; They'l be fixed ſtars, and gliſter in their own Orbes; They may be called to help deſolate corners, and are not denyed the liberty of journeying, but ſtill their hearts be at home, and they dare not in body be long abſent, leaſt Wolves in ſheeps cloathing enter the Fold, weary and worry Chriſts Lambs. Of all things they abhorre idleneſs, and the people ſhall not only have their preſence, but pains and ſweat, and teares. The Angels on Iacobs Ladder were ſome aſcending, others deſcending, none ſtanding or ſitting ſtill: So faithfull Paſtors are p. 214ever ſtirring, watching, and contriving (by all meanes publick and private) the peoples good; I ſay deſiring their good, rather then their goods.

12. And laſtly, the Meſſages of Angels have ſtill been heeded, and ſo ſhould the Sermons of faithfull Miniſters, for ſuch ſhould be received, As an Angel of God, Gal. 4.14Gal 4:14yea even as Chriſt himſelfe. They are Ambaſſadors, and muſt be heard; of good tydings, and ſo ſhould the rather be heeded.

We ſhall end all with a uſe of conſolation to the Saints; Ʋſe 4: Every Believer hath invincible guards of Angels to help, and relieve him in his ſtreights; but one hath ſpeciall Commiſſion ſtill to be with him, and watch over him: Whereſoever thou goeſt,See Dr. Sibs Light from Heaven, of the myſterie of godlineſse, p. 103. this Angel moveth, marcheth after thee, ready to counſell and comfort thee, reſolved to ſtay by thee in the greateſt extreamities: Perhaps the time may come that the world will deſert you, and friends may forſake you: You may come into ſtreights, and no body neer you; yet a true Chriſtian is never p. 215alone, for God and his are with him: Kings are never without their Guard, nor Believers without their Angels. Here is rich comfort for you in health and ſickneſſe, in Life and at Death; For then Angels are moſt buſie to be our convoy to Chriſt, and to lodg us in Abrahams boſome; Therefore let us never be diſconſolate, let us never deſpaire, whatſoever our eſtate or condition may prove; Though our Carkaſſes be tumbled and crumbled into Earth, be not diſmayd, Angels ſhall gather up our bones & duſt, not any part ſhall be miſſing at that day. Sweet and myſterious is our communion with elect Angels here, glorious and eternall ſhall it be with them in heaven, lauding and prayſing God ſo long as the circle of Eternity ſhall laſt.

To wrap up all, here is comfort for you, for your Children, and for the Nation.

1. For your ſelves, your whole Man ſhall be ſhielded from††Defendunt nos adverſus Diabolos & impios homines. VVendelin. Theol. lib. 1. cap. 8. many Dangers; There is a daily conflict between good and evill Angels about p. 216you, but Michael is ſure to prevail againſt the Dragon.

2. For your Children, if they belong to God:Dr. Sibbs ut ante. In our Infancy, in our tender years (ſaith Doctor Sibbs) we are committed to the cuſtody of Angels.

3. For the Nation, God hath hitherto wonderfully appeared, witneſs our Peace and great plenty, That a ſtranger cannot find the foot-ſteps of War; Wee truſt a ſtop is ſet to that Confuſion (in things ſacred) which was over-flowing the Land; Therefore let us ſtill truſt and wait upon our gracious Father for the perfecting of our mercies for us, that our good Angels may not depart from us, and that England **Diu deſiderata, dulcius obtinentur.at laſt may be made a moſt glorious Church.

FINIS.