IN holy Scripture there occurr Apparitions of Angels. Angels, that they may suit with the Condition of Men, who are bodily, and to whom they appear, must assume Bodies.
I observe: When Angels assume Bodies, that they may perform God's Commands, and converse with us here upon Earth, they never assume Bo∣dies of Fire. (If a Spirit attempts to make a Compact, he is a Devil; if he takes a Body of fire, he is a Devil: they are two notable Marks of a Diabolical Apparition.) The great Aquinas administers the Reason; * 1.1 Because, if they should take Bodies of fire, comburerent ea quae contingerent, they would then set on fire all they should touch.
The Angel's Business, is not to be an Incendiary, and to in∣flame and fire all where he comes; but proportionably and sweet∣ly to attemper himself to our bodily and qualified Condition, in the performance of God's holy Will and Commands.
Our Priests from beyond the Alpes, boldly stile themselves Angels; because Angelus est Nomen Officii, Angel is the Name of their Office. They derive this their honourary Title, chiefly from the Prophet who is named Angel, and whom Origen there∣fore thought to have been an Angel; * 1.2 the Prophet Malachy. Who speaks thus, ch. 2. v. 7. Labia enim Sacerdotis custodier•…•… Scientiam, et legem requirent ex ore ejus: quia Angelus Do∣mini Exercituum est. The English repeats it after this manner, For the Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts. * 1.3 In the Greek it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Angel of the Lord of Hosts. And in this sense Christ saith of John the Baptist, Mat. 11. 10. Behold I send my Messenger. * 1.4 The Greek alloweth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Behold, I send and commissionate my Angel.
I believe, It is the hearty Wish of all Christian People, that these Italian Angels would not come to us in Bodies of Fire, and burn all as they go.