Milton

¶1Dictum est de PROVIDENTIA COMMUNI. SPECIALIS est, quæ spectat præcipue angelos et homines; ut qui cæteris creaturis longe præcellant.

¶2Sunt autem angeli boni vel mali. Luc. ix. 26. et viii. 2. eorum enim quamplurimos ante hominis lapsum sua sponte a Deo defecisse constat. Joan. viii. 44. in veritate non perstitit; non est enim veritas in eo: de suo loquitur, pater mendacii. 2 Pet. ii. 4. angelis qui peccarunt non pepercit. Judæ 6. angeli qui non conservarunt originem suam. 1 Joan. iii. 8. a principio diabolus peccat. Psal. cvi. 37. sacrificarunt dæmonibus.

¶3Angeli boni non plane suis viribus, sed potius gratia Dei nonnullis videntur nunc stare. 1 Tim. v. 21. electorum angelorum, id est, non apostatarum. Eph. i. 10. ut sub unum caput recolligeret omnia in Christo, tum quæ in cœlis sunt—. Col. i. 20. ut reconciliaret per eum omnia sibi, tum quæ in cœlis sunt—. Job. iv. 18. angelis suis tribuit stultitiam. et xv. 15. idem.

¶4Unde in mysterium humanæ salutis libentissime inquirunt. 1 Pet. i. 12. in quam cupiunt angeli introspicere. Eph. iii. 10. ut nota fiat per ecclesiam imperiis ac potestatibus multiformis illa sapientia Dei. Luc. ii. 13, 14. multitudo exercituum laudantium Deum; propter natum scilicet Christum, et xv. 10. gaudium est in conspectu angelorum super uno resipiscente. p. 155 {¶5} Unde etiam Christum adorant. Heb. i. 6. adorent eum omnes angeli Dei. Matt. iv. 11. angeli ministrabant ei. Philipp. ii. 10. omne genu se flectat cœlestium—. 2 Thess. i. 7. cum angelis suis. 1 Pet. iii. 22. subjectis sibi angelis. Apoc. v. 11, 12. dignus est agnus ille mactatus—. Verum rationi congruentius videtur, stare suis viribus non minus angelos bonos, quam stetit homo adhuc integer; electos non alia ratione quam dilectos vel eximios dici; charitatis, non indigentiæ suæ causa mysterium salutis nostræ cupere contemplari; reconciliatione non comprehendi angelos; sub Christo tanquam sub capite, non redemptore censeri.

¶6De cætero velut ministri circa thronum Dei stant circumfusi. Deut. xxxiii. 2. cum adveniret turba e myriadibus sanctorum. 1 Reg. xxii. 19. vidi Jehovam insidentem solio, et totum exercitum cœli a dextra et a sinistra ejus. Job. i. 6. venientibus filiis Dei, ut sisterent se coram Jehova. et ii. 1. idem. Dan. vii. 10. cui millies mille ministrabant. Matt. xviii. 10. angelos per omne tempus intueri faciem Patris. Luc. i. 19. ego Gabriel qui adsto in conspectum Dei.

¶7Laudantes Deum. Job. xxxviii. 7. cui vociferati sunt omnes filii Dei. Psal. cxlviii. 2. laudate eum omnes angeli ejus. Nehem. ix. 6. exercitus cœlorum tibi se incurvant. Isa. vi. 3. clamans alter ad alterum, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus. Apoc. iv. 8. idem. et vii. 11, 12. procubuerunt in facies suas ante thronum.

¶8Sunt per omnia Deo obsequentissimi. Gen. xxviii. 12. ecce angelos Dei ascendentes et descendentes per eum. Psal. ciii. 20. efficientes verbum ejus. Zech. i. 10. hi sunt quos misit Jehova ad perambulandam terram.

¶9Ministerium eorum præcipuum circa fideles est. Heb. i. 14. omnes sunt spiritus ministrantes qui emittuntur ministerii causa propter hæredes salutis. Psal. xxxiv. 8. castrametantur angeli Jehovæ circa timentes eum. et xci. 11. angelis suis præcipiet de te. Isa. lxiii. 9. angelus faciei ejus p. 156 servabit eos. Matt. xviii. 10. angeli illorum. et xiii. 41. mittet angelos suos, qui colligant ex regno ejus omnia offendicula. et xxiv. 31. congregabunt electos ejus a quatuor ventis. Act. xii. 15. angelus ejus est. 1 Cor. xi. 10. propter angelos; tutelares nempe in cœtibus fidelium, ut nonnulli putant. Exempla item suppetunt innumera.

¶10Et septem præcipue orbem terræ perlustrant. Zech. iv. 10. septem isti oculi Jehovæ sunt, peragrantes terram; cum Apoc. v. 6. qui sunt septem illi spiritus Dei emissi in omnem terram; de quibus etiam cap. i. 4. et iv. 5.

¶11Præsidere etiam populis, regnis, et certis locis angelos credibile est. Dan. iv. 13, 17. ex decreto vigilum verbum hoc. et xii. 1. princeps ille qui stat pro popularibus tuis. et x. 13. ego relictus ibi apud reges Persiæ. 2 Pet. ii. 11. cum angeli non ferant adversus dignitates apud Dominum maledictionis judicium. Gen. iii. 24. ad custodiendam viam arboris vitæ.

¶12Sunt et nonnunquam divinæ ultionis ministri ad peccata mortalium punienda cœlitus missi. Urbes et populos exscindunt: Gen. xix. 13. 2 Sam. xxiv. 16. 1 Chron. xxi. 16. vidit David angelum Jehovæ stricto gladio Hierosolymæ imminentem. Exercitus totos inopina clade sternunt: 2 Reg. xix. 35. et his similia.

¶13Ergo militari specie sæpius apparuerunt. Gen. xxxii. 1, 2. acies Dei. Jos. vi. 2. princeps militiæ Jehovæ. 2 Reg. vi. 17. cum equis et curribus igneis. Psal. lxviii. 18. curruum Dei duæ sunt myriades. Luc. ii. 13. multitudo exercituum cœlestium.

¶14Describuntur etiam Isa. vi. Hos. i. 7. Matt. xxviii. 2, 3. Apoc. x. 1.

¶15Bonorum angelorum princeps aliquis videtur esse, isque Michael sæpe nominatur. Jos. vi. 2. ego princeps militiæ Jehovæ. Dan. x. 13. Michael p. 157 primus e principibus primariis est. et xii. 1. princeps ille maximus. Apoc. xii. 7, 8. Michael cum angelis suis.

¶16Plerique Michaelem volunt esse Christum. Sed Christus victor solus et conculcator diaboli; Michael angelorum ductor principi dæmoniorum veluti ἀντίπαλος introducitur; quorum utriusque copiæ in aciem eductæ æquo pene certamine discedunt. Apoc. xii. 7, 8. De quo Judas, contendens, inquit, de corpore Mosis non ausus est—: quod dici de Christo minus conveniret, præsertim Deo: et 1 Thess. iv. 16. ipse Dominus cum voce archangeli descendet. postremo, alienum esset evangelii apostolum tam obscure de Christo atque alio sub nomine nova quædam et inaudita prius narrare.

¶17Angeli boni non intuentur in Deo omnia, ut fingunt Papistæ, sed tantum per revelationem ea quæ visum est Deo, alia per eminentem quandam ratiocinationem; multa tamen ignorant: sciscitabundus enim angelus quærit Dan. viii. 13. quousque ista visio? et xii. 6. quousque terminus erit? Matt. xxiv. 36. de die illo nemo scit, ne angeli quidem. Eph. iii. 10. ut nota fiat per ecclesiam imperiis. Apoc. v. 3. nemo poterat neque in cœlo aperire librum—.

¶18Angeli mali ad pœnam reservati sunt. Matt. viii. 29. venisti huc vexatum nos ante constitutum tempus? 2 Pet. ii. 4. in tartarum detrusos catenis caliginis tradidit damnationi servatos. Judæ 6. judicio magni illius diei vinculis æternis sub caligine reservasse. 1 Cor. vi. 3. an ignoratis fore ut angelos judicemus? Matt. xxv. 41. in ignem æternum qui paratus diabolo et angelis ejus. Apoc. xx. 10. torquebuntur in sæcula sæculorum.

¶19Ita tamen ut nonnunquam ad exsequenda Dei judicia tota terra, aere ac cœlo etiam vagari possint. Job. i. 7. a peragrando terram. 1 Sam. xvi. 15. Spiritus Jehovæ recesserat a Saulo; perturbabatque eum spiritus malus a Jehova. 1 Pet. v. 8. ut leo rugiens obambulat. Joan. xii. 31. princeps hujus mundi. 2 Cor. iv. 4. deus hujus sæculi. Matt. xii. 43. p. 158 ambulat per arida loca. Eph. ii. 2. principem cui potestas aeris. et vi. 12. spirituales improbitates quæ sunt in sublimi. Etiam in conspectum Dei veniunt. Job. i. 6. et ii. 1. 1 Reg. xxii. 21. prodiit quidam spiritus. Zech. iii. 1. ostendit mihi Jehosuam stantem coram angelo Jehovæ, et Satanam stantem ad dextram ejus, ut adversaretur ei. Luc. x. 18. spectabam Satanam ut fulgur e cœlo cadentem. Apoc. xii. 12. væ incolis terræ; nam diabolus descendit ad vos.

¶20Proprius tamen eorum locus est abyssus, unde nisi permissu exire non licet. Luc. viii. 31. rogabant ne imperaret ut abirent in abyssum. Matt. xii. 43. per arida loca quærens requiem. Marc. v. 10. precabatur ne eos mitteret extra eam regionem. Apoc. xx. 3. conjecit eum in abyssum, quam conclusit. Nec injussu Dei tantillum possunt. Job. i. 12. ecce in manu tua sunto. Matt. viii. 31. permitte nobis abire in gregem porcorum istorum. Apoc. xx. 2. apprehendit draconem et vincit.

¶21Habent scientiam quidem magnam, sed quæ eos torqueat potius quam consoletur; ita ut de salute sua plane desperent. Matt. viii. 29. quid nobis tecum, Jesu? venisti huc vexatum nos ante constitutum tempus? Luc. iv. 34. idem. Jacob. ii. 19. dæmonia credunt et horrescunt: reservantur enim ad pœnam, ut supra.

¶22Dæmones etiam habent suum principem. Matt. xii. 24. Beelzebus princeps dæmoniorum. Luc. xi. 15. idem. Matt. xxv. 41. diabolo et angelis ejus. Apoc. xii. 9. draco ille magnus et angeli ejus.

¶23Suos etiam ordines retinent. Col. ii. 15. exspoliata imperia ac potestates. Eph. vi. 12. adversus imperia, potestates—.

¶24Quorum qui summus, hic omnis auctor maleficii et impeditor boni. Job. i. et ii. Zech. iii. 1. Satan. Joan. viii. 44. pater mendacii. 1 Thess. p. 159 ii. 18. impedivit nos Satanas. Act. v. 3. implevit Satanas cor tuum. Apoc. xx. 3, 8. ut seduceret gentes. Eph. ii. 2. spiritus qui nunc agit in contumacibus.

¶25Hinc multa sortitus est nomina factis suis haud indigna: passim Satan, Job. i. 6. 1 Chron. xxi. 1. id est, hostis et adversarius appellatus; et draco ille magnus, serpens ille antiquus, diabolus, id est, calumniator, Apoc. xii. 9. κατήγορος τῶν ἀδελφῶν, v. 10. spiritus immundus, Matt. xii. 43. et tentator, Matt. iv. 3. et Abaddon, Apollyon, id est, perdens, Apoc. ix. 11. draco magnus, rufus, xii. 3.

¶1The GENERAL GOVERNMENT OF PROVIDENCE has been hitherto the subject of consideration. The SPECIAL GOVERNMENT is that which embraces with peculiar regard angels and men, as beings far superior to the rest of the creation.

¶2Angels are either good or evil, Luke ix. 26. viii. 2. for it appears that many of them revolted from God of their own accord before the fall of man. John viii. 44. he abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him: when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it. 2 Pet. ii. 4. God spared not the angels that sinned. Jude 6. the angels which kept not their first estate. 1 John iii. 8. the devil sinneth from the beginning. Psal. cvi. 37. they sacrificed unto devils.

¶3–5Some are of opinion that the good angels are now upheld, not so much by their own strength, as by the grace of God. 1 Tim. v. 21. the elect angels, that is, who have not revolted.⁶ Eph. i. 10. that he might p. 218 gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. Job iv. 18. his angels he charged with folly. See also xv. 15. Hence arises, in their opinion, the delighted interest which the angels take in the mystery of man's salvation;⁷ 1 Pet. i. 12. which things the angels desire to look into. Eph. iii. 10. that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Luke ii. 13, 14. a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, namely, on account of the birth of Christ. xv. 10. there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. They assign the same reason for their worshipping Christ. Heb. i. 6. let all the angels of God worship him. Matt. iv. 11. angels came and ministered unto him. Philipp. ii. 10. at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven—. 2 Thess. i. 7. the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 1 Pet. iii. 22. angels being made subject unto him. Rev. v. 11, 12. worthy is the Lamb that was slain. It seems, however, more agreeable to reason, to suppose that the good angels are upheld by their own strength no less than man himself was before his fall;—that they are called elect, in the sense of beloved, or excellent;—that it is not from any interest of their own, but from their love to mankind, that they desire to look into the mystery of our salvation;—that they are not comprehended in the covenant of reconciliation;—that, finally, they are included under Christ as their head, not as their Redeemer.⁸

¶6For the rest, they are represented as standing dispersed around the throne of God in the capacity of ministering agents.⁹ Deut. xxxiii. 2. he came with ten thousands of saints. 1 Kings xxii. 19. I saw Jehovah p. 219 sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. Job i. 6. there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah. See also ii. 1. Dan. vii. 10. ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. Matt. xviii. 10. their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Luke i. 19. I am Gabriel who stand in the presence of God.

¶7Praising God. Job xxxviii. 7. all the sons of God shouted for joy. Psal. cxlviii. 2. praise ye him, all his angels. Neh. ix. 6. the host of heaven worshippeth thee. Isai. vi. 3. one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, holy. See also Rev. iv. 8. vii. 11. the angels fall before the throne on their faces.

¶8They are obedient to God in all respects. Gen. xxviii. 12. behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Psal. ciii. 20. his angels ...... that do his commandments. Zech. i. 10. these are they whom Jehovah hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.

¶9Their ministry relates especially to believers.¹ Heb. i. 14. are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Psal. xxxiv. 7. the angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him. xci. 11. he shall give his angels charge over thee. Isai. lxiii. 9. the angel of his presence saved them. Matt. xviii. 10. their p. 220 angels do always behold the face of my Father. xiii. 41. the Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend. xxiv. 31. they shall gather together his elect from the four winds. Acts xii. 15. it is his angel. 1 Cor. xi. 10. for this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels, namely, as some think, (and numerous examples in confirmation of their opinion are not wanting) those angels whose office it was to be present at the religious assemblies of believers.²

¶10Seven of these, in particular, are described as traversing the earth in the execution of their ministry.³ Zech. iv. 10. those seven are the eyes of Jehovah which run to and fro through the whole earth. Rev. v. 6. which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. See also i. 4. and iv. 5.

¶11It appears also probable that there are certain angels appointed to preside over nations, kingdoms, and particular districts. Dan. iv. 13, 17. this matter is by the decree of the watchers. xii. 1. Michael ...... the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. x. 13. I remained there with the kings of Persia. 2 Pet. ii. 11. whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. Gen. iii. 24. to keep the way of the tree of life.

¶12They are sometimes sent from heaven as messengers of the divine vengeance, to punish the sins of men. They destroy cities and nations. p. 221 Gen. xix. 13. 2 Sam. xxiv. 16. 1 Chron. xxi. 16. David saw the angel of Jehovah ...... having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. They lay waste whole armies with unexpected destruction. 2 Kings xix. 35. Compare also other passages to the same effect.

¶13Hence they are frequently represented as making their appearance in the shape of an armed host. Gen. xxxii. 1, 2. this is God's host. Josh. v. 15. the captain of the host of Jehovah. 2 Kings vi. 17. the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. Psal. lxviii. 17. the chariots of God are twenty thousand. Luke ii. 13. a multitude of the heavenly host.

¶14Angels are also described Isai. vi. Hos. i. 7. Matt. xxviii. 2, 3. Rev. x. 1.

¶15–16There appears to be one who presides over the rest of the good angels, to whom the name of Michael is often given.⁴ Josh. vi. 14. as captain of the host of Jehovah am I come. Dan. xi. 13. Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. xii. 1. Michael shall stand up, the great prince. Rev. xii. 7, 8. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. It is generally thought that Michael is Christ. But Christ vanquished the devil, and trampled him under foot singly; Michael, the leader of the angels, is introduced in the capacity of a hostile commander waging war with the prince of the devils, the armies on both sides being drawn out in battle array, and separating after a doubtful conflict.⁵ Rev. xii. 7, 8. Jude also says of the same angel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him a railing accusation,—which would be an improper expression to use with reference to Christ, especially if he be God. 1 Thess. iv. 16. the Lord p. 222 himself shall descend from heaven with the voice of the archangel. Besides, it seems strange that an apostle of Christ, in revealing things till then so new and unheard-of concerning his master, should express himself thus obscurely, and should even shadow the person of Christ under a difference of name.

¶17The good angels do not look into all the secret things of God, as the Papists pretend; some things indeed they know by revelation, and others by means of the excellent intelligence with which they are gifted; there is much, however, of which they are ignorant. An angel is introduced inquiring Dan. viii. 13. how long shall be the vision? xii. 6. how long shall it be to the end of these wonders? Matt. xxiv. 36. of that day knoweth no man, no not even the angels in heaven. Eph. iii. 10. to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Rev. v. 3. no man in heaven was able to open the book.

¶18The evil angels are reserved for punishment. Matt. viii. 29. art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 2 Pet. ii. 4. God cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement. Jude 6. he hath reserved them in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day. 1 Cor. vi. 3. know ye not that we shall judge angels? Matt. xxv. 41. everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Rev. xx. 10. they shall be tormented for ever and ever.

¶19–20They are sometimes, however, permitted to wander throughout the whole earth, the air, and heaven itself, to execute the judgements of God.^6-2 p. 223 Job i. 7. from going to and fro in the earth. 1 Sam. xvi. 15. the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him. 1 Pet. v. 8. the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about. John xii. 31. the prince of this world. 2 Cor. iv. 4. the god of this world. Matt. xii. 43. he walketh through dry places. Eph. ii. 2. according to the prince of the power of the air. vi. 12. against spiritual wickedness in high places. They are even admitted into the presence of God. Job i. 6. ii. 1. 1 Kings xxii. 21. there came forth a spirit, and stood before Jehovah. Zech. iii. 1. he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. Luke x. 18. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Rev. xii. 12. woe to the inhabiters of the earth, for the devil is come down unto you. Their proper place, however, is the bottomless pit, from which they cannot escape without permission.^7-2 Luke viii. 31. they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. Matt. xii. 43. he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Mark v. 10. he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Rev. xx. 3. and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up. Nor can they do anything without the command of God. Job i. 12. Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power. Matt. viii. 31. suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. Rev. xx. 2. he laid hold on the dragon ...... and bound him a thousand years.

¶21Their knowledge is great, but such as tends rather to aggravate than diminish their misery; so that they utterly despair of their salvation.^8-2 Matt. p. 224 viii. 29. what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? See also Luke iv. 34. James ii. 19. the devils believe and tremble, knowing that they are reserved for punishment, as has been shown.

¶22–25The devils also have their prince. Matt. xii. 24. Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. See also Luke xi. 15. Matt. xxv. 41. the devil and his angels. Rev. xii. 9. the great dragon was cast out ...... and his angels. They retain likewise their respective ranks.^9-2 Col. ii. 15. having spoiled principalities and powers. Eph. vi. 12. against principalities, against powers. Their leader is the author of all wickedness, and the opponent of all good. Job i. and ii. Zech. iii. 1. Satan. John viii. 44. the father of lies. 1 Thess. ii. 18. Satan hindered us. Acts v. 3. Satan hath filled thine heart. Rev. xx. 3, 8. that he should deceive the nations no more. Eph. ii. 2. the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Hence he has obtained many names corresponding to his actions. He is frequently called Satan, that is, an enemy or adversary,^1-2 Job i. 6. 1 Chron. xxi. 1. the great dragon, that old serpent, the p. 225 devil, that is, the false accuser, Rev. xii. 9. the accuser of the brethren, v. 10. the unclean spirit, Matt. xii. 43. the tempter,^2-2 iv. 3. Abaddon, Apollyon, that is, the destroyer,^3-2 Rev. ix. 11. a great red dragon, xii. 3.