·630 THE HOLY ANGELS CALLED THE SONS OF GOD. Book IV. Objert. But fome -object that Paifage of the Apoll:!~, 'To which of the Angels Jaid he -at any 'Time, 'Thou art -my Son. Anfw. 1. Angels are not the Sons of God, as the Apof1:1e there exprefTeth, i. e. as Chri!t is the Son of God, "viz. by eternal Generation. For fo, 'To which of the /In– gels Jaid be at any 'Time, 'Thou art my Son, this Day have I begottw thee? J efus Chrif1: is the Son of God from Eternity. 2. Angels are not the Sons of God by Regeneration, nor by Adoption, as Believers are. The holy Angels need not Regeneration, they never fell from their fir!l: E!late. Chrift i• •not to them a Redeemer for their Refloration, but only a Head for their Confirmation. But why Angels are called Sons of .God, will appear in the following Parallel. M ET A PHOR. I. A Son is the oft:fpring of the Father. •IJ. A Son is greatly beloved by the Father. IlL Sons attend, honor, and wait upon their Father; they are about his Table, and at his Com– · mand. IV. Sons are greatly dignified; they are near to thei r Father, and have great Power and Authority in ;the Family. ·v. SonsfervetheirFather cheer– fully, willingly, and readily; they obey not as Slaves or Servants. VI. Sons are like their Father; they have fome R efemblance of : him in Nature and ~alifications. PARALLEL. I. ANGELS are the Off-fpring of God: Adam was called the Son of God by Creation; fo may the Angels, becaufe created by God. I!. Angels are greatly beloved uf the i\lmightr. Ill. Angels wait upon God, they !land about his Throne, and are always ready to obey his Command, and icek his Glory. IV. Angels are greatly dignified; they are very near to God, always beholding his Face, and are mighty in power. Mr. Caryl faith, They are cal– led Sons of God becaufe of Power, being called Principalities, and Powers, &c. M att. xviii . 10. V. Angels ferve God with abundance of Cheer– fulnefs and Willingnels; they go about their Work with a Filial or Son-like Cheerfulnefs and Delight. VI. Angels have fome elfential Likenefs to God. God is a Spirit, and incorporeal; the Angels are Spirits in their Nature, and incorporeal. Though the Difference between God and them is as great . as can be conceived in this refpeCl:; God is the creating Spirit, and they are created Spirits; God is an infinite Spirit, they finite Spirits: Yet the Angels bear, as the Learn– ed obferve, fome Refemblance to God in their EfTence, as well as in their ~•alification, and may in this refpett be calkd the Sons of God likewife. VII. And la!lly, Sons imitate VII. Angels imitare God in Mercy, in Love · their Father. Do good to them that and Compaflion, as alfo in their good Works; · hate you, faith Chrilr, tbat you may their Ways being all holy, juft and good, pure be the Children ofyour Fatber which and righteous; and fhewing much Kindncfs and is in Heavm: That is, imitate God, Tendernefs to the Children of Men. They doubt– as fome Children do their Fathers; !efs are patient towards the froward and undeferv– carry it towards evil Men, as God ing Mortals; they are of moft excellent Natures doth; and this will be an Evidence and Difpootions. No Creatures do imitate God that you are the Sons of God, and fo plainly and fully as they do ; and from hence he will honor .you with the Title they may be called the Sons of God. ...of his Sons. l N F E R E N C E S. ' THIS may teach us how ro carry ourfelves towards God, our Father. We fhould.. · labor to be like the Angels. Our Savior hath taught us to prav, 'That the Will of God may be done on Earth, as it is done in Heav en, Matt. vi. to. We who are God's Sons on.Earth, fii ould imitate the Sons of God in Heaven. We fi1ould krve God as cheerfully, and with the like Alacrity of Heart as the holy Angels; and labor not only·_ to imitate the Angels, and be like them, but alfo to imitate God himfelf; for he hath fct himfelf before us, for our direct and immediate Example, Matt. v. 44· And hereby God-will not be afi1amed to be called our God; he will not grudge .us the Honor and Title of Sons, which, as it appears by this, is a moO: glorious Dig111ty and Privilege, even fuch a one as is conferred upon the holy Angels of Heaven, Ejc. THE
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