Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A92136
|
Joy of Angels. Delivered in a sermon before the Honourable Society of Grayes-Inne, on the last day of June, 1656. By Ja: Rutherford D.D.
|
Rutherford, James, D.D.
|
1658
(1658)
|
Wing R2372; Thomason E948_6; ESTC R207576
|
11,226
|
24
|
Natural the second Oeconomical the third Paedagogical and the last Martial Of which perspicuously and succinctly in their order and first of the first ground Natural or Proximity of Kindred Holy Angels are called The Sons of God Job 1.6 and true Converts enrobed with the same Title Now we are the Sons of God 1 Joh. 3.2 they Sons and we Sons of one God and Father therefore Brethren therefore near in Kindred Jacobs youngest Son was Benjamin the son of his right hand but the eldest was Reuben unstable as water But in the filiations now in hand it is quite otherwise the confirmed Angels are Gods Benjamins and converted sinners whilst they walk by faith and not by sight are as Reuben And though they are the elder brethren yet their Seniority is not such as Origen fancied created long before this visible world for by these words Before the foundation of the world Scripture denotes Eternity Eph. 1.4 yea Moses celebrates the Eternity of God in that He was before the Mountains were brought forth ere ever he formed the earth and the world Psal 90.2 Nor yet with others do we think they were created the sixth day that is to make us Twins even the productions of one birth but we hold it most consentaneous unto truth That together with the supreme Heavens they were created the first day so that they were five dayes elder than Adam who is called the Son of God S. Luk. 3. ult To which filiation having sinned we are not restored but by Repentance and then brethren of Angels they by Creation we by Conversion both by Adoption Ah silly Cosroes though the great Monarch of Persia it was thy debasement to instyle thy self Brother to the Sun and Moon Ah ridiculous hypocrite Francis of Assise in calling the Wolf thy Brother the Fire thy Brother We need not emendicate thoughts of humility from such servile prostitutions of our Nature nor need we court those great Luminaries of Heaven to own us in a Brotherhood We are exalted unto a Fraternity with the Angels by our Repentance from dead works to serve the living God the first Motive of their Joy and that Natural I adde a second taken from Family-relations they servants and we servants of the great King I am thy fellow-servant and of the Prophets thy brethren and of them that keep the words of this book saith the Angel Rev. 22.9 'T is true S. John was an Apostle of the greatest Magnitude yet was it no small dignation in the Angel who was perfect to call him Brother tending to perfection Sure I am it was much greater when the Angel profest himself a fellow-servant to the Prophets men separated to the Ministery but not assumed to the height of Apostolical Function And yet he doth not stick there he comes lower and of them that keep the sayings of this book even the meanest of Christs Menial servants The difference betwixt a Subject and a Servant is known to every one All the people of Spain are the Subjects of their King but they onely that are enrolled in the Houshold-book are properly his Servants Amongst whom some are of his Bed-chamber others of his Presence-chamber in near and dear relations above stairs yet disdain they not to call them of the Houshold which are below stairs their fellow-servants Angels Apostles Evangelists Prophets Martyrs Virgins Confessors even all the Saints departed are Servants of the King of kings and their attendance is above stairs I mean in Heaven all in Heaven for quality not equality of Glory and yet the most immediate and eminent Officers to wit Angels do not scorn to call us penitents below stairs far removed from the Beatifical Presence of our God their fellow-servants 'T is frequent in the Courts of Princes some Servant to start up and plausibly to perswade his Lord to retrench his family yet such specious counsels are often forg'd upon the Anvile of Self-interest but that Servant to whom the honour of his Lord is dear and sacred delights to see him numerously attended Good Angels for of them onely we speak all this while are most zealous of Gods glory which is most sweetly manifested in the great Court of Converts who being called out of the state of Subjects at large to be properly of the Houshold of God those ancient Courtiers those prime Servants the Angels are therewith gladsomely affected Which is the second ground viz. Occonomical 3. They instruct and men do learn The Angel Gabriel doth expound the vision of the four Beasts unto the Prophet Dan. 6.16 informs him of the 70 weeks cap. 9. ver 21. unto the end yea reveals many other great mysteries unto him in the 10 11 12 Chapters of that book So in the Old In the New Testament the very same Angel doth annunciate to the holy Virgin the Incarnation of the Son of God in her of her Luke 1.26 Angels acquaint the Shepherds with the joyful news of his Nativity the Resurrection of Christ declared by an Angel to the women Matth. 28.5 the Apostles themselves are instructed in his Ascension and his return to Judgement by two Angels Act. 1.11 yea the future estate of the Church until the day of the restitution of all things is revealed by an Angel I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie these things unto you in the Churches Rev. 22.16 Some Arminians do teach That at this day God useth the visible Ministery of Angels for the conversion of Pagans to whom Christian Pastors are totally wanting Of which I will say no more than what Gabriel Biel hath long ago following S. Hierom concluded of such speculations Whatsoever is not founded upon sacred Scripture either expresly or by just consequence and neither way in my opinion is this opinion is with the same facility rejected as affirmed When the Gospel of Christ lay hid in a Mystery when the foundations of the Christian Church were not laid when the Canon of the sacred Oracles was not completed it seemed good to the wisdom of God to relieve the infirmity of man by sensible and exteriour Revelations of Angels But now that the light of the Gospel is so clear in it self and so clearly sealed up and confirmed such vocal and outward Ministrations under sensible and assumed shapes are not to be expected and yet well are not they who deny all power to the holy Angels to act upon the inward senses of man For my part with the good leave of my Religious and Learned Brethren be it spoken I doubt not but good Angels suggest good counsels tender holy motions offer pious thoughts yea refresh the often parched spirits of gracious men with inward joy Shall wicked Angels steal the Word that was sown in the hearts of men lest they should believe and be saved Luke 8.12 Shall the Devil work in the children of disobedience Eph 2.2 Enormously disquiet the affections 1 Sam. 16.15 yea inject wicked thoughts with success in godly men 1 Chron. 21.1 Tell me if any