SERMON XVIII.

CREATION.

ANGELS.

COLOSSIANS i. 16.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

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my last discourse, I began the examination of the works of God, with some considerations on the Heavens. I shall now pursue the same subject, in several observations concerning those beings, who were originally inhabitants of the highest heavens.

As all our knowledge concerning this subject is derived from the Scriptures, I shall confine myself in this discussion to the information, which they communicate; reserving such views, as Reason has been able to form of it, to the discourse, which I propose to devote to a consideration of the existence, and character, of Fallen Angels.

In the text it is asserted, that Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers; names, which are fairly supposed to denote different orders of the Angelic host, and to indicate, in the words of St. Paul, things in heaven; were created by Jesus Christ, for his own use and purposes. Among other things, conveyed to us by this assertion, the following Doctrine is evidently one: That the Angels are a part of the Creation of God. VOL. I.

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It is a fact worthy of observation, that the Scriptures teach us scarcely any thing concerning any of the worlds, included under the general name of heavens, except the supreme Heaven. The reason is, I think, not difficult to be divined. With other heavenly worlds, we have no direct concern. Whatever knowledge, therefore, we might be supposed to attain about them, or their inhabitants, would be a mere gratification of curiosity, and incapable of being directed to any valuable end. Under the influence of this powerful principle, we should in all probability have been led away by such communications, if they had been made, from those things, which we need, and ought, to know. Few affections of the human mind have more influence over its conduct, than curiosity. Well-directed, and carefully kept within proper bounds, it is eminently profitable to man, by prompting him unceasingly to useful inquiries, and improvements in knowledge; but, when suffered to wander without restraint, it conducts to mere gratification, and defrauds the soul of real good.

But with the Heaven of Heavens, we have a continual and most important concern. This glorious and delightful world is the place, to which all our ultimate views are directed by our Maker; the home, to which he invites us to look, as our final rest from every trouble; and the final seat of all the enjoyment, which we are capable of attaining. With its inhabitants, we shall, if we are wise, become familiarly acquainted, and intimately united; and shall live in the midst of them, through ages which cannot end. Of this world, therefore, and those who dwell in it, we need information, various and extensive. Accordingly, God has in the Scriptures, to a considerable extent, opened heaven to our view; and furnished us, in many particulars, with an account of the happy beings, who inhabit it; of the Rank, or Station, which they hold in his great kingdom; the Attributes, of which they are possessed; and the Employments, to which they are devoted. Under these three heads, I propose to consider them, at the present time. To an audience, possessed of so many advantages for estimating the comparative importance of subjects of contemplation, and particularly the comparative worth of Intelligent beings, it is reasonably hoped, that a subject of such inherent dignity cannot be indifferent. Especially, as this subject is scarcely at all intro

duced into the Desk, and is but too unfrequently, a topic of private contemplation; and, as it will of course have in some degree the advantage of novelty, as well as of nobleness; it ought to be expected to gain, at least, the transient attention, which such a discussion demands.

That Angels are the beings, intended by the phraseology of the text, will not be questioned. The four titles, by which they are here denoted, probably indicate four different orders of these heavenly beings; or, perhaps, may be used as a general representation of all the orders, into which they are divided. Beside the general name of Angels, or Messengers, derived from their peculiar employment, they are called in the Scriptures by the following; povo, Thrones; Kugiornres, Dominions; Agxa, Principalities, or Governments; Avvaμeis, Powers; Estiai, Authorities; Zwa, Living Ones; Cherubim, Knowing Ones, or those in whom is fulness of knowledge; Seraphim, or burning ones; Elohim, Gods; beside the name of Princes, used by the Angel in Dan. x. 13, and probably equivalent to one of the five first appellations. All these names, as will be evident to the slightest attention, are plainly, and strongly, significant of their great importance. With the greatest probability, however, they are names, very imperfectly descriptive of their natures; although, without a doubt, they are the most suitable, which human language contains. As words are, of necessity, expressive of such ideas, as those who use them possess; and as men, from a want of correspondence with Angels, have no direct, or original, ideas, concerning them; it is plain, that all words, chosen, from human language, to describe the nature of these celestial beings, must exhibit them very inadequately and imperfectly. Still, these names are very forcible declarations of their supreme distinction among created Intelligences, and the important character, which they hold in the Universe.

It is scarcely necessary to remark, that the names given to Angels in the text, are used metonymically: the adjunct being all along chosen to denote the subject; or the thing possessed, the possessor. Thus Thrones are substituted for those who sit on them; Dominions and Principalities, for those who hold them; and Powers and Authorities, for those by whom they are exercised.

It ought to be observed, that Angels are also called Morning Stars; to denote their peculiar beauty and splendour of character; and not improbably as Harbingers of Christ, the SUN of Righteousness and Sons of God; to teach us, that they are nearly connected with the Creator, dwell in his house as children, and enjoy his parental presence, care, and love.

From all these observations, united, it is evident, that Angels are possessed of pre-eminent dignity, importance, and distinction, in the divine kingdom: since all these names are given to them by God himself; and are used, therefore, to indicate their true and proper character. This character I shall now attempt summarily to exhibit, as it is presented to us by the Scriptures; and according to the scheme of discourse, which has been already mentioned.

I. Angels are the highest Order of Intelligent creatures,

The truth of this assertion is manifest, from a consideration of the several names, given to them in the text, and in other parts of the Scriptures. As these names respect the kingdom of God at large, without a limitation to any particular part of that kingdom; so they are to be understood, as being Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Powers, in the immense and eternal empire of JEHOVAH. Angels, therefore, who are called by these names, are the beings, who under God, the supreme Ruler, hold, throughout his dominion, authority and power. All other finite beings are, therefore, beneath them in dignity, and subordinate to them in station.

The same truth is also completely evident from the place assigned them for their residence. I am Gabriel, said the Angel, who appeared to Zachariah in the temple; I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God. And before the throne, says St. John, there was a sea of glass, like unto chrystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four Living And they rest not, day and

Ones,full of eyes before and behind. night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come! Rev. iv. 6, 8. And again, Rev. vii. 11, All the Angels stood round about the throne, and worshipped God, saying, Amen. In the year that King Uzziah died, says the Prophet Isaiah, I saw also JEHOVAH sitting upon a throne.

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high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the Seraphim; each one had six wings; and one cried to another, and said, Holy, Holy, Holy, is JEHOVAH of Hosts! the whole earth is full of his glory. In the same manner, is the same subject exhibited to us, and with a sublimity not inferior, by the Prophet Ezekiel, concerning the Cherubim; and by the Prophet Daniel, concerning the myriads of the heavenly host. gels, then, surround the throne of God, stand in his immediate and awful presence, and worship continually at his feet. What beings, let me ask, can we rationally suppose would be admitted to a communion so intimate with their Creator, an access to him so near, a distinction so wonderful? To this there can be but one answer. Every man will without hesitation say, "None, but those who sustain the first character, and the highest station among created beings."

Nor is the same truth much less evident from the glory and splendour, with which these celestial beings have customarily appeared in the present world. When the Angel came to roll away the stone from the sepulchre of Christ, his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him, the keepers became as dead men. And I saw, says St. John, another mighty Angel come down from Heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the Sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. All these circumstances of splendour, greatness, and awfulness, surrounded these illustrious beings, while employed as the Ministers of God in exe cuting his commands. They were, therefore, the proper emblems of their character, and the proper accompaniments of their station. But we cannot be at a loss concerning the suitableness of these circumstances to beings of a character and station, superior to every created thing, which we are able to conceive. Beings, of whom this is the ordinary dress, and characteristical splendour, must undoubtedly be exalted above all others, hitherto supposed by the mind of man.

II. Angels are endowed with the noblest created Attributes.
They are endowed,

1st. With wonderful Power.

This perfection of Angels is forcibly indicated by the fact.