What names are giuen to the Angels?
Of their nature they are called spirits, because of their spirituall essence. For Angell is a name of office, Spirit of nature, Augustine. They are called also shining starres, or morning starresa 1.1: because they are of a most pure, cleare, and shining nature. The sonnes of God, not by essence or nature, as that onely begotten Sonne: but by adoption and grace, or discretiuely, to the end they might be distinguished from the sonnes of men. Of their office they are called Angels.
For their dignitie and power they are called gods, and Satan is called the god of this worldb 1.2: so also they are called principalities and powers in heauenly placesc 1.3.
By the effect they are called Seraphim, whom Dionysius calleth* 1.4 fierie, because they burne with the loue of God, and in loue to∣wards godly men. They are called a flame of fire, Hebr. 1.7. not as though they were of a fierie nature and substance, but because they be the auengers of Gods anger, which do like fire consume the wic∣ked, as often as need requires.
From the manner of appearing they be called Cherubin, of this word Cherub, which signifieth any figure that hath wings, whether it be of a man or of a beastd 1.5: also mene 1.6: and the men of Godf 1.7: From