V g x. 7. Ep/le to the HEBREWS. i °3 $utbefore we proceed to the confderation of the milting Testimonies we may makeCome Obfervations on that which we have already pilled through r as, h Our conceptions of the Angela, their Nature, Office and lro* is to be regulated by the Scripture. The Jews of old had many curious fpeculations aboutAngels, wherein they greatly pleafid, and greatly deceived themfelves. Wherefore the Apoftle in his dealing with them calls them off from all their foolish imaginations, to attend unto thole things which God hath revealed in his word concerningthem. This the Holy Ghll faith of them, and therefore this we are to receive and believe, and this alone s For, r. Thiswill keep us unto that becoming Sobriety in things above us, Which both the Scripture greatlycommends, and is exceedingly United unto Right Reafon. The Scripture minds us, d vsaggtoviïv crag' ° ,Pn` sgovîev, áN,á opóvelv in zd vompoveiv , Rom. 12. 3. To keep our felves within the bounds of Modefiy, and tobe wife to fobriety. And. the Rule of that Sobriety is given us for ever, Deut. 29. z8. ins i7i t 711n7 motors ]t1 1r331 137 n7MMill, Secret things belong to the Lord our God, but revealed things to us and our Children. Divine Revelation is the Rule and meafure of our knowledge in thefe things, and that bounds and determines our fobriety. And hence the Apotile condemning theCuriofity of men in this very fubjed about Angels, makes the nature of . their fin to confft in exceeding thefe bounds , by an enquiry into things un- revealed, and the rife of that evil to lye in Pride, Vanity and Flefhlinet , and the tendency of it to be untofalfe Worfhip, Superftition and Idolatry, Col, 2. 18. Neither is there any thing more averfe from Right Reafon, not more condemned bywife menof former times, than a curious humour of prying into thofe things wherein we are not concerned ; and for whofe invelligation we have no certain, honest , lawful Rule or medium. And this evil is encreafed where Godhlmfelf bath given bounds to our enquiries, as in this cafe he hash. 2. This alone will bringus untoany Certainty and Truth. Whileft men indulge to their own imaginations and fancies, as too many in this matter have been apt to do, it is fad to confider how they have wandered up and down, and with what fond Conceits they have deceivedthemfelves and others, Theworld hath been filled with monftrous Opinions and Doctrines about Angels; their Nature, Offices andEmploy- ments ; fome have Tiro/hipped them, others pretended I know not whatCommunion and entercourfe with them, in all which conceits there hath been littleofTruth, and nothing at all ofCertainty. Whereas if men according to the Example of the Apo- file, would keep themfelves to thewordofGòd, as they would know enough in this matter for the difchargingof their own Duty, fothey would have Affurance and Evi- dence ofTruth in their conceptions, without which pretended high and railed noti- ons, ase but afhadow. ofadream, whrfe thenprofefcd ignorance. . Id. We mayhence obferve, That the Glory, Honour and Exaltation ofAngels lye: in their fubferviency to the Povidence ofGod ; It lyesnot fomuch in their Nature, as in their work and fervice. The intention ofthe Apoftl.eis to thew the Glory ofAngels and their Exaltation, whichhe dothby the inductionof this Teftimony , reporting their terviceablenefs in the workswherein of God they are employed. God hath en- dowed the Angels with a very Excellent Nature; furnished them with many eminent propertiesofWifdom, Power, Agility, Perpetuity ; but yet what is hereby glorious andhonourable herein, confits not meerly :in their nature it felt, and its Effential Proper- ties, all which abide in thehorrideft and molt to be detefted Part of the whole Crea- tion, namely, the Devils ; but in their conformity and anfwerableneg unto the Mind andWill oaf-God, that is in theirmoral, notmeetly natural Endowments; Thefe make them amiable, glorious,excellent. Unto this their Readinefs for , and compliance with the will of God, that Godhaving made them for his fervice, and employing thorn -inhis work, their dilcharge of their Duty therein, with Cheerfulnefs, Alacrity, Readinefs and Ability, is that which renders them truly honourable and glorious. Their Readinefs and Ability to ferve the Providence of God is their Glory. For, r. Thegreateft Glory-that any Creature can be made partaker of is, to ferve the Will, and let iforth the Praife of its Creator. That is its Order .and Tendency to- wardsits Principal End, in which twoall .true Honour.confi(ts. It is glorious even w the Angels to ferve the God of Glory; what is there above this lot a creature to
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