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NOw consider we the particular branches of this de∣scription of our enemies. There are foure distinct branches distinguished by this particle against.* 1.1 Much ambiguitie and obscuritie is in this description. I will therefore as plainely as I can cleare the meaning of the words.
From these seuerall branches many collect diuers and distinct orders of Diuells, one subordinate to another: as among men there be diuers orders, some Kings, some Dukes, Earles, Barons, &c. Thus they make the Di∣uell, mentionedb 1.2 before, the head and Monarch of all the rest: Principallities vnder him: powers vnder them, and so in the rest. For my part, I thinke these distincti∣ons in this place ouer-curious: I deny not an order to be amongst Diuels, euen as amongst theeues, pirats, conny∣catchers, &c. There is an head andc 1.3 Prince of them. For mention is made of thed 1.4 Diuell and his angels. There may bee also distinct and seuerall offices among them (as a∣mong the forenamed pirats) as some to tempt, some to accuse, some to execute vengeance, &c. For if all should doe the same thing, how should the other things bee done? but that certaine bee alwayes tyed to one place, person and function, is both vncertaine and vnlikely. Further, that heere in this place there should be so many orders and ranckes of Diuels, as are distinct branches, is also vncertaine; neither can any such thing by any iust consequence be collected.
I rather take these titles to bee vsed by the Apostle, to set forth their conditions and effects.
The first title is Principallities, or gouernments: so ter∣med, because they haue great rule, power, and dominion, not so much ouer other Diuells, as ouer wicked men.
The second is powers, to shew that their principallitie is not a meere titular matter, but is armeed with power, so as with their powerfull gouernment, they are able to doe great matters.
These two titles, principallities and powers, area 1.5 thus set downe, rather thenb 1.6 powerfull gouernours, to amplifie both the one, and the other.
The third is worldly Gouernors. This I take to be added as an exposition of the first, or rather as a limitation there∣of, shewing ouer whom the Diuels are gouernours: not ouer the chosen and called of God; but ouer the world (Forc 1.7 Christ maketh a direct opposition betwixt these:) therefore the Apostle vseth a compound word, which ex∣presseth not onely their gouernement, but also their subiects.
But thed 1.8 elect also are counted to be of the world while heere they liue,* 1.9 because in the world they were bred, brought forth, brought vp, and ended their dayes.
They are in the world,* 1.10 but not of the world,c 1.11 after that they are effectually called: therefore for more per∣spi••uitie sake, the Apostle addeth this clause, of the darke∣nesse of this world, whereby particularly he sheweth whom the Diuels gouerne in this world; namely; such as are darknesse: here againe for emphasis sake, he rather vseth this wordf 1.12 darknesse theng 1.13 darke: and hee vnderstandeth the darknesse of ignorance and wickednesse: so that in plaine termes they are the ignorant and wicked men of the world, ouer whom the Diuels reigne.
The fourth is spirituall wickednesse. This declareth their nature, that they are spirits, and their condition, that they are euill, and malicious. The phrase which the Apostle v∣seth is somewhat strange, word for word it is this,a 1.14 Spiri∣tuals of wickednesse, or spirits of wickednesse, that is, most monstrous wicked spirits.
Lastly, is added a phrase somewhat ambiguous, be∣cause that whereunto it hath reference, is not expressed: it is this, word for word,b 1.15 in heauenlies. Heere some to make vp the sence adde places, whereby is implied that these euill spirits are ouer vs in the ayre: for there are three places in Scripture termed Heauen.* 1.16 First the ayre where
fowles are.* 1.17 Secondly, the firmament where the ••tarres are. Thirdly, that place of glory, which is called Gods Throne,* 1.18 where Christ in his body, and the soules of the iust and perfect men departed are. This is called the third Heauen,* 1.19 the highest Heauen.
Now if the place of spirits be heere meant, by heauen∣ly places must needs be meant the ayre, which is the low∣est heauen: forc 1.20 out of the highest heauen they are ex∣cluded. Other adde things, whereby is implied the cause of this combate, which is not any light, fading earthly trash, but heauenly and spirituall treasure. Of the diffe∣rence of these expositions, I shall speake more fully, when I come more distinctly to handle this clause.
Of these foure fore-named branches; two, namely the first and the third doe in the generall scope set foorth one and the same point; namely the dominion of the Diuels▪ the fourth containeth three distinct points. First, the na∣ture of Diuels. Secondly, their qualitie. Thirdly, the place, or cause of the combate.
Our enemies then are in this affirmatiue part described by fiue arguments; 1. Their gouernment: 2 Their power: 3. Their nature: 4. Their qualitie: 5. Their place of abode, or cause of fight.
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Vers. 11.
Mat. 9. 34.
Mat. 25. 41.
In abstracto.
In concreto.
John 17. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Iohn 3. 16.
Obiect.
Answer.
Ioh. 17. 6, 16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
In abstracto.
In concreto.
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Mat. 6. 26.
Gen. 22. 17.
Matth. 6. 9.
2. Cor. 12. 2.
Reu. 12. 8, 9, 10, & 21. 27.