Chapter 8. Of Angels.
WILLIAM PERKINS
Chapter 8. Of Angels.
The Angels, each of them being created in the beginning, were settled in an upright estate. These things are to be noted in them:
First, their nature.
Angels are spiritual and incorporeal essences. Heb 2.16, For He in no way took the Angels, but he took the seed of Abraham. Heb 1.7,
And of the Angels he says, he makes the spirits his messengers, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Secondly, their qualities.
1. They are wise. 2Sam 14.17, My lord the king is even as an Angel of God in hearing good and bad.
2. They are of great might. 2Th 1.7, When the Lord Jesus shows himself from heaven with his mighty angels. 2Sam 24.17, David saw the Angel that struck the people. 2Kng 19.35, The same night the Angel of the Lord went out and struck the camp of Ashur, a hundred-eighty-five thousand.
3. They are swift and of great agility. Isa 6.6, Then one of the Seraphim flew to me with a hot coal in his hand. Dan 9.21, The man Gabriel whom I had seen before in a vision, came flying and touched me. This is why the Cherubim in the Tabernacle were painted with wings.
Thirdly, they are innumerable. Gen 31.11, Now Jacob went forth on his journey, and the angel of God met him. Dan 7.10, A thousand thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand thousands stood before him. Mat
26.53, Do you think I cannot pray to my Father, and he will give more than twelve legions of Angels? Heb
12.22, To the company of innumerable angels.
Fourthly, they are in the highest heaven, where they ever attend upon God, and have society with him. Mat
18.10, In heaven their Angels always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Psa 68.17, The chariots
A GOLDEN CHAIN
of God are twenty thousand Angels, and the Lord is among them. Mar 12.25, But are as Angels in heaven.
Fifthly, their degree. It is most plain that there are degrees of Angels. Col 1.16, By him all things were created which are in heaven and on earth, things visible and invisible, whether they are thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers. Rom 8.38,
Neither Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, etc. 1Th 4.16, The Lord shall descend with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trumpet of God. But it is not for us to search who or how many are of each order; nor should we curiously inquire how they are distinguished, whether in essence or qualities. Col 2.18,
Let no man at his pleasure bear rule over you by humbleness of mind, and worshipping of Angels, advancing himself in those things which he never saw.
Sixthly, their office. Their office is partly to magnify God, and partly to perform His commandments. Psa
103, 20-21, Praise the Lord, you Angels who excel in strength, who do his commandment in obeying the voice of his word. Praise the Lord all you his hosts, you his servants who do his pleasure.
Seventhly, establishing some Angels in that integrity in which they were created.