before you Or little in grace parts and esteem as some of my Disciples Or little in their * Qui deposita altitudine se ad Modestiam ultroneam subjectionem composuerint Marlorat in Mat. 18.10 own eyes as all my Elect I say each of them is great in the eyes of God and hath a particular Angel to attend and guard him The third Scripture Proof for the Guardian-Angel is this in the Text 3 Scripture proof Acts 12.15 Acts 12.15 Behold what Christ himselfe taught the Primitive Christians do believe and declare It is his Angell They were not Heathens that spake this but Christians well instructed in the faith Not Christians infected with Errors But sound Christians in the most pure and Primitive Times Not spoken rashly by the Maid-servant Rhoda but by the Church at Ierusalem and that at a time and in a place of worship for they were assembled to pray for Peter Then it was not a conjecturall * Loquantur de petri Angelo ut de re minime nova aut ambigua Beza in Acts 12.15 p. 332. but positive speech And the golden quil of St. Luke recorded it among the grave Acts and sayings of the Apostes and Primitive Christians without the addition of any dislike or dissent as you have seen already To all which let me add that this Doctrine of Angels Deputation was not only believed and declared by the Church at Ierusalem but also it was confirmed by St Peter himself that great and famous Apostle one of the Life-guard of Christ one of his bosome Disciples one that was present at his Transfiguration and one that Christ had a very speciall eye of favour upon On the doctrine of whose reasonable and brave confession hee resolved to build his Church and to whom the Lord did shew singular kindnesse next unto Iohn Mar. 16.7 Tell his Disciples Peter that he is risen and goeth before you into Galile And lastly Peter that was chiefly concerned in this affair For they spake of his Angel If therefore Peter himself will be so farr from checking them for this saying as to ratifie and confirm it who can any longer demur his sealing of this point But Peter did acknowledg the Deputation of Angels Acts 12.11 Acts 12.11 When Peter came to himself he said Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his Angel and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod 1. One Angel came to him shall wee question but it was his Angel-guardian 2. 'T was by deputation and appointment the Lord hath sen◠him 3. 'T was to comfort and deliver him out of prison and give him in to the prayers of the Church 4. That he might be assured it was his Angel the Angel assumed a bodily shape a light shining in the Prison and he spake to Peter and smote off his chaines 5. He was herein much confirmed in our point Now I know for a certaine it is so and so Oh that such as out of zeal against Rome in pangs of mistaken zeal do oppose with some bitternes this truth would pause ponder and consider the forementioned Scriptures Then would we say with Peter Now we know for a certain that God sends unto his servants and to each of them a tutelar Angel to defend and direct them Now the objections against this last Scripture were answered in the severall expositions of this Text and therefore here we shall passe them over Thirdly and lastly 3 The Point by consent of ancient modern Writers we come now to give you the confirmation of this point by the joynt assent of many ancient and modern Writers untainted with Popish leven And here we shall consider two things 1. That this evidence is not vain 2. That of these evidences there are store 1. That the judgment of Antiquity viz. of learned pious and Orthodox Writers in severall ages doth tend very much to the right understanding of scripture-Scripture-truth We doe not say that * See Iohn Daille of the right use of the Fathers Antiquity the opinion of the Fathers and humane tradition are infallible signs pillars of Truth or that they are equall with the Scripture or that Generall Councels cannot erre Or finally that there is not such a thing as Antiquity of Errour But this wee safely may affirm That the judgment of holy learned and unbyast men is not a little to be heeded and doth exceedingly conduce to the clearing of Scripture-truth tending to settle and establish us in the true meaning of Gods word 1 Tim. 3.15 The Church is called The pillar and ground of truth Not so much a Marble pillar to support the Truth as a pillar on which is Pasted the Proclamation of Divine Truths That the judgment of the Learned and Orthodox is not to be neglected will thus easily appear unto us 1. The translation of the Bible into severall Languages hath still beene highly valued in Gods Church The generality of Gods People have no other Bible to peruse but that which is cloathed in their Mother tongue on this Bible they build their salvation Nay the most learned Linguists doe know the signification of Greek and Hebrew words only upon credit of their Teachers and Authors Therefore also the Exposition of the Scriptures by the same or like-learned or sound men is not to be suspected or vilipended in Gods Church 2. They have strong and sollid proofs of the things that they hold well back'd with Scripture Reason and intermixt with fervent exhortations to Piety 3. 1 Thes 5.20 If we must regard the Sermons Expositions and Writings of the Living then surely much more of the Dead since the Living may recant and depart from their present perswasions but the other have conveyed that to us which was their Belief both in life and death Surely the experiences of Gods people whether here or in heaven are of marvellous use and rich benefit to the Saints 4 Their joynt consent unity and harmony in things fundamentall declares that they were acted and assisted by the same spirit 5. Their difference in lesser things is so farre from abating the weight of their Testimony as that on the contrary it addes †Jo Daille of the Fathers book 2. p. 186. rather much unto the same For this clears their consenting in things Fundamental from all suspition of proceeding from Combination or Mutual Intelligence and the thing which is now stiled Interest For when you find them disagreeing in many lesser things it is an evident argument that they have not altogether sucked their knowledg from one another or combined together to deceive us But according to their best understandings they drew all from the Fountaine hewing out each particular point from the rich quarry of sacred Scripture so far as God did reveale his will to them 6. Many eyes see more then two But the Orthodox a Athanasius had so high an esteem of Conncels That writing of the
Custos Comes jam indea Nativitate usque ad finem Vitae a Deo Assignari Extra Ordinem vero plures etiam nonnunquam ad eum pro Dei beneplacito Majoris consolationis causâ mitti vero simile est cum sacris literis consentaneum c. Vniversa Ecclesia semper sic sensit It is most like to be true for it agreeth with the Scripture and the whole Church hath in all Ages held it that God doth allow every single Elect ordinarily a particular Angel to be his Keeper and Companion from his Birth to his Buriall from the Womb to the Tomb And in extraordinary cases he sends many Angels to his help and for his richer Consolation as seemeth good unto him Buchan Gu. Bucan Loc. Com. De Angelis Loc. 6. p. 70. who wrote about the year of our Lord God 1600. is expresly also for it Ordinarie cuique electo certum quendam bonum Angelum a Deo Destinatum esse ad custodiam colligi potest ex Verbis Christi Mat. 18.10 Item ex Act. 12.15 It may be gathered from the Scripture that every Elect person hath some one good Angel assigned of God for his Preservation To these Testimonies let me add some of our latter Writers Salkelds 44. Chap. of Angels Salkeld in his 44. Chapter of Angels is very cleer for his Guardian-angel Mr. Josiah Shute a late Eminent Preacher in London writes thus Iosiah Shute his Hagar p. 105. It cannot be denyed but most of the Greek Fathers and many of the Lattine and all the School-men yea some of the late Writers and those of the Protestant Party have been for the Guardian-angel Mr. Fuller thus Fuller of Christs Temptations p. 100. THEIR ANGELS that is Angels deputed to their Protection The Pages and Servants which wait on the young Children of great Persons are commonly called the Childrens Servants although their Parents hired them and give them Meat Drink and Wages Angels are Gods Angels as he employes them OUR Angels as employed about us Mr. Mr. Lawrence of our Communion War with Angels p. 20. Mr. Greenhill on Ezek 9. p. 207. Lawrence writing of Angels declares for it saying T is probable that every Elect hath his proper and peculiar Angel Reverend Greenhill on Ezekiel supposes that severall Angels have the care of Cities Kingdomes and Communities committed to them for which he urgeth Dan 10. and Clemens Alexandrinus And why not by the same reason each Beleever his Angel Mr. Mr. Leighs Body of Divinity in 4to lib. 3. Cap. 7. p. 98. Leigh therfore though he doubts this Doctrine may well Lace his Margent with this confession Vnde concludunt tum Patres tum Scholastici singulis pueris atque adultis etiam certos Angelos esse attributos From whence the Fathers and Schoolmen do conclude that both Children and men have particular Angels assigned them Thus I have given you a Taste of ancient and modern Writers untainted with Popery who have eminently appeared for the particular Deputation of Angels So that you see it is no Novel Opinion or that which hath been only embraced by the Sea of Rome And now having written thus much to free this Perswasion from ever being clogg'd with the Imputation of Novelty A Digression of Novelty in opinions I shall by way of Digression say somwhat of Novelty in Opinions before I quit this Head One hath layd down these Distinctions of Novelty in Doctrine Mr. Samael Bolton of Errors 1. Things may be sayd to be new in respect of Gods Prescription or of mans Invention Mat. 15.9 2. In respect of Institution or Restitution John 13.34 3. In respect of Creation or Apparition So the Moon may be new though long since created 4. In respect of Being or Observation And so especially this Doctrine of Angels may happly appear new to the vulgar Reader Now from these Distinctions I shal raise two Conclusions 1. Daille of the Fathers p. 188. That all Doctrines coyned and invented by men unwritten in the Scriptures and unmentioned by the ancient Fathers must needs be reputed no better then Errors That which the ancient Fathers do not touch conclude it was never preached by Christ or his Apostles For what probability is there that those holy Doctors of former Ages from whose hands Christianity hath been derived down to us should be ignorant of any of those things which had been revealed and concern our Salvation Take heed therfore of Curiosity and inordinate desires of Novelty in Religion Brinsley's Sermon on 2 Tim. 3.2 1 Cor. 4.6 that cursed Athenian humour and temper of loving to hear and tell some new thing Let us think and speak soberly and not be wise above that which is written He that quits the Bible and goeth after unwritten Revelations forsakes the Sun to follow an Ignis Fatuus that will lead him into Bogs of Error Or at least despising the Fire on Gods Altar he lyeth warming his hands at the Glo-worm of some vain Opinion that rends not unto Edification or Consolation New-lights many times prove to be old Errors But remember Pauls Resolution Though an Angel from Heaven should preach any other Doctrine then that which you have received let him be accursed 2. That Doctrines which are new not in themselves but as to Restitution Apparition or Observation are very pretious Truths that must be embraced by the Church of God And such is the Doctrine of Angellicall Deputation For it is not new in it self the Scripture and ancient Fathers have it But this Orient Pearl hath lien hid in the Rubbish of Roman Errors Let not any say they never heard or observed it before for the brightest Starrs of Divine Truth do oft dis-appear But bless God this Pearl was not utterly lost Note this Star not quite extinguished Austins Doctrine of conversion meerly of Grace and without preparations in the Creatures Luthers Doctrine of Justification only by Faith Calvins Doctrine of Predestination only of Grace and not of Faith or fore-seen Works These Truths seemed new when deliverd by them But we know the Scriptures are full of them and they are now generally received except by a few Turbulent Spirits that resolve to walk contrary to all men And hold Arminius by one hand and Socinus by the other Well towards the end of the World these Truths shall grow more Refulgent God will vindicate and discover many things that as yet do seem dark in the Scriptures The way of Discipline shall grow plain and many Prophesies shal not be fully understood till unveyl'd by fulfilling In a word where the Fathers have seen a little the Future Ages like a Dwarf upon a Giants shoulders shall see further Not into new Truth but into a clearer and more ample and bright Discovery of things that have been held known For Hab. 2.14 Isa 30.26 Knowledge shall cover the Earth as waters the Sea The Light of the Moon shall be as the Light of the
Mornaeus etiam â—nd Dr. Hammond of the reasonableness of Religion See Tertul. de Carne Christi lib. 5. cap. 5. others do abundantly shew in divers particulars too many here to recite Although Bleer-eyed Nature cannot pry into the Trinity Incarnation and Resurrection 4. The same Object may be known by the Light of Nature and by Faith I may know there is a God and but one by Nature and Scripture Revelation And yet for all that hath been said we dare not affirm with Socinians that Reason is the Rule and Pillar of faith For in many things Ideo credendum Quia Incredibile You see what is taught by the Light of Nature in Religion is not to be neglected 2 What the Light of Nature saith to our Point nor rested in I am now to shew you what the Light of Nature hath seen and said to our Point I answer It is well known to the Learned that Heathens have talked much of ones good Genius which waits on every man from his Cradle to his Grave And perhaps Plato's Genius differed little from Aristottle intellectus Agens For the Peri-pateticks write much of immateriall Substances Intelligences abstracted and separated forms Servius saith that the Genius was given to be a Guide and Conductor of those that were born * Camerarius lib. 4. cap. 15. Stoici Singulis Cenium Junonem dederunt That is saith Lipsius Viris Genii attribuebantur Foeminis Junones Seneca in Epist 110. p. 640. Censorius saith that we have a Genius given to us for a continuall Controller and Assistant and that he never with-draws a Minute from us but doth alwaies accompany us from the time we are committed to his charge which is at our first coming into the World to our last Gasp Socrates Empedocles Plutarch held the same In a word The Heathen Poet Menander is most express Cuique homini simul ac Natus est statim assistit Daemon Ductor vitae bonus This Eusebius thinks they learned of the Jews But others say they read it by the Light of Nature In the ancient Coins of Trajan and Adrian there is seen a Genius holding in his right hand a Cup which he reaches out over an Altar strewed with flowres And in his left hand a Whip or such like thing In the Coins of Dioclesian there is seen in the left hand of the Genius a Cornucopia or Horn of plenty and in the right hand a Cup with this Inscription * Genius Populi Romani Camerarius lib. 4. Plutarch in vit a. M. Ant. GEN. P. R. Also Cities and Nations had each of them a speciall Genius saith Camerarius in his Learned Historicall Meditations Plutarch saith that an Aegyptian advised Antony not to contend with Augustus any longer because the Angel or Spirit that had him in keeping as he found by casting their Nativity if we may beleive him did fear and redoubt the Angel of Caesar and being couragious and lofty when he was alone became Timerous by approaching the other This good Genius they called Lares Apulejus writes much De Deo Socratis Aug. de Civ Dei lib. 8. cap. 14. of Socrates his God which saith he ever attended upon him as his freind and forbad him to proceed in any Action that was to be unfortunate in the end Now there saith Austin he plainly affirms that this is no God but an Aiery Spirit Much more might easily be written of this subject if it were needful T is sufficient that Heathens have this truth from the breast of Nature From thence they sucked it though pulling indeed somewhat hard they have drawn blood with the milk yet who doubts but the good Genius of the Heathen and the Christians Angel-guardian are one and the same thing Secondly 2 The point proved by the clear beams of Scripture As the Doctrine of Angels Deputation was seen by the dim light of Nature so also is it evident by clear beams of Scripture I say not only by Heathenish conjecture but Scripture Revelations And here I shall premise three things 1. That all Doctrines must be brought to the beame and ballance of the Sanctuary * Trapps Treasury p. 103. See Doctor Whitaker of the Scripture against Bâ—llar And Reynolds de sacra scriptura Ecclesia The Chineses use to say of themselves That all other Nations see but with one eye they only with two so I may say poor Heathens see but with one dim eye of Râ—ason Christians with two Eagle eyes The Old and New Testament Sinne and Death have defaced very much blotted the volume of Creation but the Bible is a Fountaine clear and unmudded Let the Jew go to his Cabala The Mahumetan to his Alchoran and the Papist to his simple Legend But Protestants must go to the Scriptures as a well of Life 2. That many things are firmly believed which the Scripture doth but touch in a few places As the creation of Angels and fall of one moiety of them Christ the believing Jewes Saviour and Heaven as wel as Canaan their portion after this life which is seldome mentioned in the Old Testament The famous Doctrines of the Trinity Lords Supper Infant-Baptisme the Christian Sabbath and Lotts but touched in the New God not once named in the book of Esther yet who doubts but it is Canonicall * Hoc non vult de mo le Librorum sed quod spiritus sanctus nostri babuerit Rationem c. Aust Iohn 21.25 If all the things that Christ did were recorded how vast a volume would they make So if all Truths in the Scripture should be largely treated of not the Pocket but a Cart should carry the Bookes The Rabbins say that on every sillable or tittle of the Law hangs a mountaine of sense and holy Doctrine And a good servant will minde what his Master once bids him do without expecting a second command The rarity of Pearls and Jewels makes them the more precious 3. That which is mentioned in both Testaments is not only a Truth but eminently so And that which in the New Testament was expressed by the lips of Christ the way truth and life you must account written not with Inke but a Sun-beam or in letters of Diamonds To apply these Rules to the comfortable Doctrine of Angels Deputation It is clearly expressed in Gods word It is not much or very often mentioned therein yet of equall authority and truâ—h as if it were It is in both Testaments and in the New Testament was uttered by Christ Jesus himselâ— Hunc audite Letting passe some others that are urged we â—hall chiefly insist on three Texts of Scripture Gen. 48.16 Mat. 18.10 And our Text Acts 12.15 To begin with Gen. 1 Scripturt proof Gen. 48.16 48.16 Jacob blessing his son Joseph speaketh thus to him blessing both him and his two sonnes Chrysost Hom. 7. in Laudem Pauli Ephraim and Manasseh The Angell which redeemed me from all evill blesse the Ladds Chrysostome quotes this
very Place for the Deputation of Angels Basil contra Eunom lib 3. And Basill shewes from this Scripture That an Angell is present with every one as a Pedagogue and Pastor ordering and directing his life Rivius de Praesid Ang. p 720 Loquitur Patriarcha de eo Angelo quem peculiariter ipsi tutorem custodem comitemque addiderit Deus so Rivius writing on that place Now because some modern Writers are very confident this makes not for our Turn let us see and weigh their Objections It is sayd this is spoken of God Object 1 blessed for ever I answer Sol. God is named as a distinct person in the foregoing verse Gen. 48.15 And he blessed Joseph and said God before whom my Fathers Abraham and Isaac did walke the GOD which fed me all my life long to this day The Angell which redeemed me from all evill blesse the Lads Behold he first mentioneth God and after that an Angell so that 't is evident he speakes not of one and the same person here In case he had he would not have varied the Terms much lesse have called Jehovah God blessed for ever by the name of an Angell Jacob could distinguish between the Potter and the clay and put a difference between God the Person sending and an Angell the creature sent If it be replyed that Christ is called the Angell of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 I answer 1. Christ is indeed called an Angell in Scripture but seldom without a note of Difference To let you know he is more then all Angells so he is called the Head of Angells and the Angell of the Covenant 2. Richard Stock on Mal. 3.1 p. 165. God the Father is never in the Scripture called an Angell Christ is called an Angell bâ—cause saith Austin he is the Messenger of the New Testament wherein heavenly blessings are promis'd Aug. de Civ Dei Christ was to reveale his Fathers will to his people But how God the Father of whom Jacob speaks can be called an Angell I see not what person is there to send him Again it is objected Object 2 This Angell mentioned by old Jacob is joyned in Blessing with God therefore it is Christ not an Angel Besides the Angel with whom Jacob wrestled in prayer Gen. 31. 't is like was this Angel I answer God blesseth and redeemeth efficiently Angels and Men instrumentally If this were spoken of eternall Redemption it were peculiar to Christ but Jacob here speaketh of Redemption and Deliverance from temporall Evils which is confessed to be a main office of Angels Ps 91.11 Therefore Mercerius saith it was an Angel to whom Jacob ascribeth his Deliverance as to Gods Minister Who is there that doubteth whether Ministers or Pastors may blesse their people Parents their children as old Jacob here blesseth Joseph If so then certainly Angels may instrumentally be said to bless and do us good as well as men But how doth it appear that this Angel was he with whom Jacob wrestled long before when it is plain that he was prayed to by Jacob and was called The God of Bethel Gen. 31.13 32. But this Angel is neither prayed to nor stiled God Only in blessing Joseph he wisheth that God and his Angel may also blesse them The one in commanding a blessing and the other in the execution of Gods will 'T is again objected Object 3 How was this Angel peculiar to Jacob when Jacob wisheth that he may blesse and help Ioseph and the Lads his sonns I answer 1. Although that Angel did principally attend Iacob yet now also he might be helpful to Ioseph his sons being locally as well as morally neer unto him 2. At Iacobs death he being now very old that Angel of his would wholly be free and at liberty to help them 3. Iacobs Angel by further looking to him and cherishing him in his old age and weaknesse Secundus in sentent p. 89. and in the Dreggs of his time for old age is Viva mors Cadaver spirans Mobile cadaver might therein not onely do good to him but also to his children that hee might have strength to give them a more particular blessing as afterward in Gen. 49.22 Lastly Object 4 it is objected that Iacob met an Host of Angels sent for his defence and he accordingly called the place Mahanaim Gen. 32.1 that is two Hosts or two Camps Therefore some hastily conclude Iacob had not ONE Angel to guard him But this is no consequence For as a King sometimes appeareth with a vast or stately Retinue and at other times is alone with a speciall Favourite So it was with Iacob in extraordinary cases two hosts of Angels were about him and yet he might have one Angell for ordinary and hourly attendance which was sufficient of which more in its place So that you see the Objections being removed that an Angel was Iacobs Guardian for he redeemed him instrumentally and ministerially from those temporal evils that otherwise had befaln him The second Scripture Proof that I shall urge for this truth 2 Scripture proof Mat. 18.10 is that illustrious passage of our Saviours Mat. 18.10 Take heed that yee despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in Heaven THEIR Angels do alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Observe it 1. Not their ANGELL but their ANGELS Every one hath his Angell 2. Nor the Angels in generall but Their Angels in particular 3. Christ saith not the Jewes and Heathens have such Observations But I who am truth it self and at the coming of which Sun all the shadows of Error and Superstition must flye away I say unto you that this doctrine of Angels Deputation you must receive as an indubitable truth 4. Then he chargeth the world not to goe about to molest or trouble his People because their particular Angels are not onely titular but tutelar Their Angels watch over them and will protect them Grotius Hugo Grotius in Mat. 18.10 P. 314. although hee be not very zealous for the Deputation of Angels as to particular persons yet was forced to write very favourably of it from that cleare Scripture Probabile admodum est eam sententiam hic a Christo approbatam It is very probable saith he that Christ doth here approve of that commonly received opinion P. Lomb. lib. 2. Dist 11. The Master of the Sentences doth chiefly insist on that place for the proof of this Point Angelos dicit eorum esse quibus ad custodiam Deputati sunt And the place is so clearly for it Rivius P. 717. that with Rivius we may demand Quid clarius Quid Apertius Etiamne firmius aliquod ad hujusce Rei fidem Argumentum quaeris What can be clearer or plainer Will you after this seek for any Argument to prove it And Bullinger thus Bullingeri Dâ—cad 4. serm 9. Clare dicit puellis additos esse Angelos hand dubie custodes In a word
Austin Chrysostome and Zanchy say the same from this clear Text of our Saviours But because some endeavour and bend their wits to blunt the edge of this Scripture also and unpin the wheel of this Charret that it may drive the more heavily whilst they escape it I shall answer their Objections and Nicities tending to corrupt this Text. 1. It is thus glossed by some Object 1 Not their Angels as if every one had an Angel but theirs in common As divers Children of a rich great Man may have three or four servants to attend them in common and yet each child may not have his particular servant I answer 1. Sol. 1 This most slender Objection doth sufficiently grant the Deputation of Angels For the objectors do confesse that those Angels mentioned be their Angels not the Angels in generall of Gods Church There is then a peculiar Designation and Deputation of some certaine Angels to their attendance 2. If they be their Angels then it followeth that when all those Disciples were dead except one there still remained one Angel to attend the surviving person Note who was so his Angel that he was not anothers which clearly proves the particular deputation of Angels For if it can so clearly appear that one Disciple out-living the rest had Angels peculiar to him then I pray what false Divinity is this to say each Believer hath one Angel at least to guard him For Omne majus continet in se minus the greater comprehends the lesse We doe not affirme that an Elect hath never more then one Angel For in arduous and difficult cases a whole troop of those Angels that attend the Church in generall or such as worship before the Throne do flye to our relief But this we may say that every Believer hath one at least to be near him It is thus also objected by some Object 2 If these Angels did attend the Disciples on Earth as a shadow the body how do they behold the face of God in heaven 'T is the heaven of Angels to see Gods face who is omni-present Sol. and to be doing and fulfilling his will This doth not eclipse the happinesse of Angels To retain their Primitive excellency To attend on the Church which is part of Christ Mystical To be free from all distraction sinne and misery To see know and love God to do his will readily faithfully and cheerfully Oh this is an heaven to elect Angels whilst they are dispersed busied and employed upon earth Lastly 't is objected Object 3 Let the scope of Christ be well observed what doth he drive and aime at Was he before talking of Angels or their Deputation No but he would not have his Disciples offended despised or injured Now how doth the Doctrine of Angelical deputation contribute any light or vigour to that discouse and design of our Saviour Sol. I answer much every way in foure respects 1 Offend them not do not despise or undervalue them †Ab homine mortali despici vel pro Nihilo duci quos Deus in tanto pretio habet nimis absurdum feret Mart Bucer in Mat. 18.10 Because each of them though never so poor mean in the world and voyd of external pomp and glory or humane assistance hath an Angel of Light glorious in power and wisdome design'd to his particular attendance For as the children of Noble men are discerned by this that each one hath particular Servants so it is with the people of God You have no reason to despise or vilipend them whom God hath thus owned and honoured 2 Offend them not in any place though alone for in all places God is present with them and a Believers Angel is his faithful Associate 3 Offend them not at any time For though extraordinary guards may with-draw yet their Guardian Angel will not forsake them 4 These particular Angels are placed by God and are daily accountable to him for their charge They always behold the * Id est astare Deo tanquam Regi observantes ejus nutum ut capessant ejus Mandata de ipsis emittendis ad custodiam Puerorum Piscator Annal. Schol. Mat. 18.10 p. 182 185 face of my father which is in heaven So that you see the Doctrine of Angels designation did most directly advance the scope and design of Christ in this place namely why his little ones should not be despised or offended The objections being removed let us be careful how we despise the Doctrine of Angels Deputation For if it be unsafe to despise the Christians so attended it will be more dangerous to contemn the Doctrine whereby they are secured For in slighting this Doctrine take heed least yee be found among the slighters of Christ who delivered it Shall the ipse dixit of Aristotle be of force in our schools How much more the Ipse dixit of Christ in our hearts Let these words of our Saviour I SAY VNTO YOV be as a clap of Thunder most hideous for sound to awaken and startle the contemners of this Truth yet so as that it may be accompanied with harmlesse Lightning and flashes of Divine conviction that they may no longer suspect or question what is here uttered by Truth it self I who am the King and Law-giver of the Church who am Truth it self and so cannot lie or countenance the lies and errors of others Wisdom it selfe and so do not speak rashly Holinesse it self and so do it not partially Power it selfe and so am able to punish those that will not believe me I that am your Redeemer and shall seale all my Sermons and sayings with my blood Finally I that am the Head and Captain of Angels and best know what Orders and Instructions I have given them I SAY I doe not only and inwardly see and know it who know all things but I think it fit to speake and promulgate this truth to you Heathens and Jewes have ever said it but now remember Christ the Eternal Son of God hath confirmed it to you Many things I know that yet ye are not able nor fit to heare but this I will reveal from the Father unto you as a Doctrine doubted by some but of rich consolation to all the Elect. VNTO YOV My dear Disciples I speak it unto you my hearers as before many Witnesses as before those that must record and publish this Truth to the world and all its nations and ages For what is spoken to you in obscure corners see that ye trumpet and proclaim it on the house top THEIR ANGELS DO ALWAYES BEHOLD THE FACE OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN Which words as you have seen do most clearly hold forth with both hands the particular Deputation of Angels For he saith not The Angels that attend Gods Elect but THEIR Angels Nor is it sayd their Angel as if one were allotted to many but their Angels each of these little ones that belong to me whether little in stature as this Childe here
Believer It is evident from the Scripture That the mayn Host or chiefe body of the Angels are in Heaven above waiting before the Throne yeelding personal attendance on their Head and our Husband Christ Jesus continually lauding and praysing God skreening their faces with their wings and crying Holy Holy Holy standing ready prest to execute his Will Therefore there is in * Mat. 22.30 2 Thes 1.7 Scripture so frequent mention of the Angels of Heaven Heaven is the Palace and Throne of God Angels are his guards Elect Angels do continue there unlesse they be sent and otherwise employed by God to execute his will upon Earth or in the Aire or in the deep waters Iacob in a vision saw a Ladder reaching up to Heaven and Angels continually ascending and descending on it That Heaven is a PLACE we need not doubt for the body of Christ is there And that the main host and corporation of Angels in that place wil evidently appear from the sacred Text Dan. 7.10 Dan. 7.10 The Ancient of days did sit his throne was like the fiery flame A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him Thousand thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him It seems that Daniel in a Vision saw the glory of God in Heaven and his full Court of Angels about his Throne The like expressions are in Rev. 5.11 And I beheld and heard the voyce of many Angels round about the Throne c. Now if the main knot and corporation of Angels be in Heaven then it is not probable that each Believer should have Troops upon earth Or that all the blessed Angels watch over every Believer as some have affirmed 7. Rev. 12.7 opened And lastly let us grant that many Angels attend each particular Saint Yet it would not be a vain or fruitlesse Doctrin that one of them is chiefly intrusted with his preservation to place conduct and excite the rest as need shall require for 't is certain the good Angels fight with the evill in our behalf Rev. 12.7 Aug. Hom. 9. in Apoc. Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and his angels 1. Austin Tertullian Tertul. de carne Christi and our Modern Writers do by Michael understand Christ Jesus the head of all Principalities and Powers The Noble Captaine of our salvation 2. Brightman and Trap on Rev. 12.7 Some by Michael and his Angels understand Constantine and his Armies as learned Brightman and others 3. Others affirm that Michael is to be taken literally For Michael the Arch-Angel being commanded of the rest in the vision which is not altogether improbable 1. Because Michael is stiled an Arch-Angel in the ninth verse of St. Iudes Epistle 2. 'T is likely an Angel there was called an Arch-Angel as being Captain in the skirmish with Satan So saith Basil very fully to our purpose Basil advers Eunemium lib. 3. A celestial spirit is called an Arch-Angell when being accompanied with many other Angels in the work of the Lord he is guide and leader to the rest for inter Angelos est Ordo among the Angels and especially in Battail there is very great Order 3. Mark well the opposition Michael and his Angels against the Dragon and his Angels Who questions but the DRAGON is Beelzebub the chief the Prince of Devills Therefore also by MICHAEL may be meant an Arch-Angel since it is plain there are Degrees among the blessed Spirits And if there be Order in Hell sure there is no confusion in Heaven I might mention other places where an Angel in chief is mentioned Josh 5.14 and other good Angels with him see only two places Josh 5.14 15. There you see the Captain of the Lords Host appeared and spake to Ioshuah Gods host of Angels that came to the relief of Ioshua had over them a Commander or Chieftain and this Captain appeared and spake to Ioshua See also Luke 2. Luk. 2.9.13 at the ninth verse The Angel of the Lord appeared unto the Shepheards to convey unto them the news of a Saviour Now observe when the message of this chiefe Angel or Ambassadour was ended Then suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praysing God and singing ver 13. One Angel sang of Christ as the chief Musitian and a full Quire bore the burden of the Song Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and good will towards men Luk. 2.16 It is said that the Angels went into Heaven that is the Quire of them went but 't is likely the first Angel continued with one of the Shepheards to conduct them to the place where the babe lay So then if a man have many Angels about him 't is a comfort that one who is chiefe will be his guardian to guide counsell and order the Angels that are sent and to abide with him when the rest are disbanded and depart Perhaps for some other expedition as Providence shall dispose or else to joyne in the Halelujahs above I have been the larger in answering the second doubt because I find that it is generally urged against our point by the Antagonists thereof A believer hath many Angels hath all the Angels what need we confine his safety to One Thirdly Quest 3 Some may aske is not this a Popish and Antichristian point maintained chiefly by Jesuites and Papists and rejected by Protestants and sober men To this we answer Answ 1. There are many points in Divinity wherein the Romanists and wee doe agree We do not think the worse of Foundationall Truths if we find them owned by the Pseudocatholick Church But rather we say these things are so Our enemies themselves being Iudges They have the main body of truth so are called Christians only the pearl of divine Truth is hid in the endlesse rubbish of humane Traditions But whilst we have their Blindnesse Idolatry and Superstition let 's not extend our hatred to their persons but pitty and pray for them nor to the many Truths which they hold but cleave to them still A man will not reject a piece of Gold though he find it on the Dunghill and a Mother will love and take up her Child although bemired in the street among rude Play-fellows So it must be here we must love and embrace the truth whersoever we find it 2. Tertullian Clemens Alexandrinus Origen and many others who approved of the Guardian Angel and breathed in the three first Centuries after Christ could not be infected with Popery which then had no being For as wee prove the Sabbath to be more then Ceremonial for being constituted observed from the beginning Gen. 2.2 Exod. 16.23 30. before the promulgation of the Law So it is as easie to prove that the Doctrine of Angels Deputation is not Popish because it was maintained by the Primitive Christians as the Text declares And by the ancient Fathers that breathed in the purest ayre of Primitive times before
the plague of Popery brake out 3. It hath been and is maintained by divers of the Orthodox since the man of Sin was revealed Not only Chrysostome Austin Bernard and others of the Fathers but also by our Modern Divines and soundest Protestants as Bullinger Peter Martyr Beza Zanchy Bucan and by divers yet living Let not this Doctrine therfore any longer be clogged and branded with the odious name of Popery 'T is the subtlety of Satan thus to disfigure the Truth and beget a prejudice in us For as Errors do often pass when they have the trimming of Truth so Truth is often pelted under the Vizard of errour Fourthly Quest 4 some ask whether Adam in the state of Innocency had an Angel Guardian Here are two questions 1. Whether Adam had a tutelar Angel 2. If so whether before or after his Fall To the first Answer 1 I answer All Gods elect have such communion with Angels And 't is most likely that Adam was elected and saved Dr. VVillet on Gen. 3.47 because the Promise was made to him concerning Christ Gen. 3.15 That the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head From whence Dr. Willet concludes That though our first Parents finned yet they were restored and saved by faith in the Messiah and not utterly condemned * Danaeus super Aug. de Haeresibus cap. 25. p. 107. which was the uncharitable heresie of the Tatianes saith Danaeus concerning whom thus he writes Primus eorum Maximus proprius error Quod Adamum Primum Hominem Damnatum Nec ex-lapsu suo saluti restitutum putant Docent But Irenaeus hath * Irenaeus lib. 2. cap. 39. Resutat Tacianos well confuted them And generally the Auncient Fathers doe think more charitably of our first Parents hoping and affirming that they were saved from three Texts of Scripture viz. Gen. 3.15 That there should be enmity between the seed of the Woman and the Serpent Luke 3.38 Adam is called the Son of God but surely after his fall and before faith he was the child of Hell and Perdition 2 Cor. 15.45 The first Adam was made a living Soul the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit We may here mention as an humane testimony Wisdom 10.1 Where it is sayd See Coll. of Doway's Annotaâ—ions Tom 2. p. 356. that Wisdom preserved the first Father of the World and brought him out of his Offence So then if Adam was elected and saved as t is probable by that which hath been sayd what should hinder but that he as well as others had a Guardian-Angell To the second part of the Querie Answ 2 whether this Angel did attend him in the time of Innocency in Paradice Aquinas is for the Affirmative Tho Aquinas Parte prima Qust 113. p. 239. Homo in statu Innocentiae non patiebatur aliquod Pereculum ab interiori quia interius erant Omnia Ordinata Sed imminebat periculum ei ab exteriori propter insidias Daemonum ut rei probavit eventus ideo indigebat custodia Angelorum Though there was an Harmony within yet there were Tempters without Though he stood he might fall He had a Posse non Mori but never a Non posse Mori His danger was great because many Angels were become Apostates and would still be laying snares for him as the issue declared This Guardian-Angel peradventure counselled him when he had sinned to hide and cloath himself Glorious was the Communion between man in Innocency and Elect Angels Fifthly Quest 5 Some do ask whether Jesus Christ had a Guardian Angel The School-men answer warily in this Point Answer Tho Aquinas ut ante in Artic. 4. Christus Ratione Passibilitatis erat Victor secundum hoc non debebatur ei Angelus custos tanquam superior sed magis minister tanquam inferior Christ in regard of his Humanity and sufferings was a Pilgrim upon earth yet the Angel that therfore attended him was not his Superior or Ruler Hugo Cardin Tom. 6. fol. 262. but meerly his obedient Vassall trusty Squire and diligent Servant Therfore when the Angel is sayd to strengthen him Hugo doth thus expound it Confortans eum id est Ad modum confortantis se habens Forte aliqua verba consolatoria dicendo after a manner he is sayd to strengthen him perhaps by speaking comfortable words to him Now here we shall endeavour to prove two things unto you 1. That the Angels were much about Christ 2. That one Angel especially did belong to him 1. Mat. 4.11 26.53 John 20.12 Mat. 13.41 1 Tim. 3.16 For the former it is evident Elect Angels were very busie about Christ in the dayes of his Pilgrimage their Ministrations was used upon all occasions They did comfort him in the Desert after his Temptations in the Garden after his Agony They were busie about the Sepulcher and gave attendance at his Resurrection They treated with divers about Christ they brought news of his Birth to the Shepheards of his Resurrection to the Women and of his Ascention to the Disciples Upon all occasions the Heavenly Host came and ministred unto him of which divers Reasons may be given 1. Jesus Christ is their Head and Generall all Angels Arch-angels Seraphins and Cherubins are subject unto Christ 2. Where the King is there is the Court kept though in the meanest Village 3. By attending on Christ in the Flesh they declared his Divinity From the greatest abasements of Christ certain sparkles of Glory and Divinity flew out 4. They came to comfort and strengthen his Humanity when the Divinity was hid and ecclipst in his Sufferings which were very great not only from men but God See Luke 22.43 T was the Humane Nature that received strengthening here from an Angel The * Fuller of Christs Temptations Angel saith one being in a Calme Christ in the Tempest of an Agony no wonder if the Meaner give support to the Superior 5. The Angels attend Christ * Col. 1.20 2.10 Eph. 1.10 3.10 1 Pet. 1.12 because of their Interest in his Mediation for in that Glass they read their confirmation in grace and happiness So that now there is no fear nor possibility of their Apostacy and falling This makes them to pry into the Mysteries of Christs Mediation 6. By Christs †Incarnato Christo Angeli Deum laudaverunt quia viderunt Numerum corum impleri Hugo Cord. Tom. 1 p. 447. Col. 2. Redemption The vacant and empty Rooms of fallen Angels will be supplyed by Saints saith Hugo to make their maimed Society compleat For Christ saith that Beleevers shall be as the Angels of Heaven So the order of Angels will be replenished and the Gap filled up not with Thorns and Rubbish but very pretious Jewels You see there are many reasons why the Angels were so officious about Christ Jesus 2. For the latter that one Angel did especially belong to Christ may appear probable to us Luke 22.43 It is sayd Luke
feast in the Parable sent into the high wayes and hedges Luke 14. and 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. 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 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 his Goulden Abomination being at last convinced about the true God Dan. 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 have 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 Vndervaluing 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 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 Foundation 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 paine 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 greivous c See 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 4 They wonderfully enrich the Places where they are suffered to live As Holland Portugall c. 5. They shall undoubtedly be d Rom. 11.25 26. Restored and converted in Gods due time 6. The same shall be effected not by Miracles which are ceâ—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 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 the 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