useful and laudable occupation.

Even with

out a knowledge of the Original Language, a diligent reader may trace in the Prophecies of the Old Testament the various dispensations of the Almighty, preparatory to the introduction of that great "Mystery of Godliness," which brought Light and Salvation to mankind. To them who have the advantages of a more liberal education, and whose professional business it is to search and interpret the Scriptures, a task of greater difficulty is assigned. They should be well acquainted with the style of the Prophetical Writers, should labour to dispel their obscurities, and point out the remarkable manner in which their predictions have been fulfilled. But when the accomplishment of a Prophecy, is still future, extending to distant ages; "when once the general subject is ascertained, at that point," says the learned Prelate above mentioned, "Interpretation ought to stop, reverently expecting the farther comments of Time, the authorised and infallible Expositor."

The Apostle, speaking of "the word of Prophecy," recommends his disciples to "take heed to it, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn; "* until, by its accomplishment, the meaning and intent of it

* 2 Peter i. 19.

be clearly revealed.

"Knowing this first," laying down this as a first principle, "that no Prophecy is of any private interpretation:" it cannot depend upon the bold assumption, or unauthorised conjecture, of any individual, but must be justified by the event. Let us rest assured that there is a treasure of Heavenly Wisdom in the Prophetical Writings, which cannot be exhausted: and as we have reason to believe that some of their predictions reach to the end of the World, so it is reasonable to expect that in every age Providence should open some new scene, which will give further light to the meaning of these Sacred Oracles.*

* See W. Lowth's Preface to Commentary on the Prophecies.

SERMON XVII.

ON THE NATURE AND MINISTRATION OF

ANGELS.

HEB. I. 14.

Are they not all ministering Spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

IT has been argued upon the ground of Reason alone that, as there appears to be a gradation in the nature and properties of all creatures upon earth, of which man is the chief; so it is probable that in the Universal System a similar gradation is preserved, and that there is an order of Beings as much superior to man as he is to other animated parts of creation. Beings of this kind are frequently mentioned in Scripture under the name of Angels, that is-Messengers, or Ministering

Spirits; though no inquiries seem to have been made concerning them until the fourth or fifth Century after the birth of Christ. At that time came forth a Book, professing to be the work of Dionysius the Areopagite, (the Convert and Disciple of Saint Paul, mentioned Acts xvii. 34,) the subject of which was the Celestial Hierarchy, or a Discourse on the nature and properties of Angels. This Book

was either not much known to the Catholic Doctors of the next succeeding Ages, or not much regarded by them, as appears by the sentiments which they entertained of the Angelic Host, very different from those of the pretended Dionysius. But, afterward, some Divines of the Church of Rome, taking the Book to be really the work of that person, whose name it bears, revived all the groundless opinions contained in it for important Truths, and not only fell into many fruitless inquiries concerning the Nature of Angels, but proceeded to such a religious adoration of them, as is condemned by the express authority of Scripture.* This, among some other erroneous doctrines of the Church of Rome, having lately become the subject of frequent discussion, it may not be amiss to state, as clearly as I can, what we are to believe in

*Coloss. ii. 18.

respect to these Celestial Beings, and what was received by the primitive Church, as to their nature and the offices in which they are employed. But it is to the Scripture that we must adhere as closely as possible, and admit no conclusions on this somewhat obscure subject, but such as are suggested by Divine Revelation.

Although the existence of Angels is clearly demonstrated in the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament,* and although they are mentioned very early in the writings of Moses, there is no notice taken of them in his account of the Creation. How they came to be omitted is uncertain; the principal reason assigned for it is the propensity of an ignorant and uncivilized people to Idolatry. But it is sufficiently clear that they must be created Beings; inasmuch as there is but one Being, uncreated and self-existent : quently Angels, as well as all inferior Creatures must be derived from, and owe their existence to, the same Universal Cause.

conse

When they were created, is indeed a question of great difficulty: it is not one however of any importance; though both Jews and Christians have, on this subject, given ample

* Exodus iii. xiv.; Judges vi. xiii.; 1 Kings xix.; 1 Chron. xxi.; Matth. i. xxviii; Luke i. ii. xxiv.; John i.; Acts v. etc. + Genesis, xvi. xix. xxi. xxii. xxxii. etc.

See Pearson on the Creed, p. 50. 11th Ed.