§. 156. Of the excellency of the Ministers here mentioned, and of their Warrant.
IN setting down the Ministry of Angels, the Apostle mentioneth their nature, that they are spirits, to amplifie their Ministry. This Epithete a ministring in* 1.1 Greek is derived from that word which is translated b Ministers, v. 7. It sheweth that their Ministry is a speciall and publike Function, and that an honourable one also, and yet they are inferiour to Christ. See §. 79.
Spirits are the most excellent substances; of all creatures the most glorious, of* 1.2 best understanding, and greatest prudence; the purest, the strongest, freest from all bodily infirmities, such as cannot be hindred by any incumbrances. Of all these excellencies See §. 86. &c.
The act attributed to them in this word, to minister, is in Greek from another root, and so expressed as it also implieth an office, thus, c for the Ministry; So is this phrase* 1.3 translated, 1 Cor. 16. 15. 2 Tim. 4. 11. A publike Officer of the Church is set out by a d Title that is derived from the same root and translated Deacon, Phil. 1. 1. 1 Tim. 3. 8. Thus it intendeth as much as the former did. Both of them are joyned toge∣ther, and thus translated e administration of service, 2 Cor. 9. 12. This word then de∣clareth that Angels do not only some services for Saints, but that they have an of∣fice to minister for them as Deacons had for the poor, Act. 6. 1, 3. That Angels have a charge is evident, Psa. 91. 11, 12.
The ground of their Function or warrant to execute the same is in this phrase,* 1.4 f sent forth, namely, from God. g The composition of the Greek word implieth that they were sent from one. Now who can that be but their Lord in heaven? For they have no other Lord that hath power to send them; They are therefore sent of God; So are they oft said to be, as Gen. 24. 7, 40. Numb. 20. 16. Dan. 3. 28. & 6. 22. In this respect they are stiled Angels of God, v. 6. See §. 71.
This shews that they assume not this office to themselves.
It also shews that upon Gods pleasure they undertook it, Psa. 103. 20.
All the fore-mentioned Points are applied to all the Angels, as is evident by this* 1.5 generall particle ALL, Are they not All? Thus much is implied in the seventh verse, where the Creation and Ministry of Angels are joyned together, He maketh his An∣gels and his Ministers, &c. If Angels then Ministers; If made, then Ministers. What was said of the subjection of all Angels to Christ §. 73. may be applied to the Mini∣stry of them all unto the members of Christ.