Batman vppon Bartholome his booke De proprietatibus rerum, newly corrected, enlarged and amended: with such additions as are requisite, vnto euery seuerall booke: taken foorth of the most approued authors, the like heretofore not translated in English. Profitable for all estates, as well for the benefite of the mind as the bodie. 1582.

¶ Of the order of Cherubin. Cap. 9.

THe second order is called Cherubin, and is to vnderstand, plentie of cun∣ning. Isidore lib. 7. saith, Duely excepted Seraphin, Cherubin are the highest companies of Angelles. For the neerer they be set to the wisedome of God, the more large gifte in them appeareth of the fulnesse of God. Therefore worthe∣ly the order of Cherubin are ordayned after the order of Seraphin. For after the gifte of Charitie, of which gift Se∣raphin hath the name, the most excellent gifte is the gifte of wit and wisedome, and of the knowing of the dignitie of God: of the which gifte Cherubin hath the name. For the beame of the lyght of God, shineth principally in the Angells of this order, touching the farre excéeding participation of the knowing of God. Therefore Denys sheweth the proper∣ties and effects of the Angelles of this order. cap. 7. where he sayeth, That the knowing of Cherubin teacheth what he knoweth. And these words signifie, that Angells of this order are called Angells that knowe and be knowing, for they passe other in the gifte of the wisedome of God: also he nameth them De•• vidi, God seeing, for the excellent sight that they haue of God. For they haue a more cleere contemplation, then other haue of Gods maiestie: and they be said, Altis∣sime dacio racionis luminum accepturi: Of the highest gift of reason receiuers of light. Thereby he meaneth, that the or∣der of Cherubin, is passing other filled of the light to God. Also these Angels haue the gift of the fairenesse of God in the first vertue that worketh: for by the lyght of diuine wisdome, they be in con∣tēplation of y^e fairnee of god. Also therby he meaneth, that in them & by them the first vertue y^e worketh, y^t is to say God, is séene most clearely. Also he is called, Sapientifica traditione repleti, full of giuing of wit and of wisedome, for by the wise tradition of the Creator, they deale the gifte of diuine wisedome, to some more, and to some lesse. Also they haue communicatiue cunning. For the lyght of wisedome, that they receiue largelye, it passeth by them, to diuers others. For the fulnesse of lyght that they receiue, they giue forth and commit to other.

And also they are named takers of

lyght of pure contemplation and of sim∣plicitie without meane. He calleth the lyght the illumination and glistering, by the which lyght he commeth to y^e pure and cleare contemplation, where the ver∣tue of God is, not in image, in figure, or in anye meane creature: but by it selfe, and in it selfe. Also they are called filled of the food of God, and of his house, and of the vnitie that giueth lyfe of the feeding of God. For in that they be fed with the lyght of knowledge, they be re∣freshed with the swéetnesse of loue. For it were no great profite to inspire with knowing, but there followed therewith soode of the holy spirit, that is, of féeding by loue. Also this feeding is called house∣hold, liuely, and onely refection. House∣hold, for that it is prepared for friends & so; meynie, belonging to y^e house. And it is sayde lyuelye, because it maketh and giueth lyfe to each, that is feddé with such meate. And it is onelye and singu∣lar: for it is not tasted with straunge lyking, that is to meane, not with flesh∣ly sweetenesse. And though it bée onely feeding or meate, yet manye manner of feeding is found in this onely meate.

That when this one meate is taken,* 1.1 full and very feeding is found.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The rai••••de sa∣•••• ••m God, is 〈…〉〈…〉 feeding.