The greatnes of the mystery of godlines;: opened in severall sermons by Cuthbert Sydenham teacher to a Church of Christ at Newcastle upon Tine.

SERMON VII.

1 TIM. 3.16.

Seene of Angels, &c.

GReat mysteries have great admirers; according as things are in themselves so they are adored. God∣linesse is the greatest my∣stery that ever was, (it being made up of various workings of the glory of God;) and it hath the greatest and most glorious Creatures for to study it, even the Angels themselves. This is one of the particulars whereby the Holy Ghost sets forth the greatnesse of this my∣stery, that it was seen of Angels. The two former expressions set forth this my∣stery in its nature, and essence, under a twofold consideration of God, as manife∣sted in flesh, and justified in spirit: But this

sets it out in regard of the outward effect it had on the highest Creatures, it was the object of their admiration; not that this is part of the mystery it selfe, but an expression which the Apostle puts in, in the midst of all, to raise our thoughts of it, because Angels did look into it, and a∣dore it; that we may therefore open this, we will consider,

• 1. What this mystery was which An∣gels saw.
• 2. What is meant by this sight, or how they may be said to see it.
• 3. How it doth magnifie this myste∣ry.

For the first; the mystery which is here held out as the object of Angels sight, is none other than Jesus Christ acting as a Mediatour for poore sinners, concerning whom all these expressions are; Christ being a visible God in the world, God ma∣nifest in flesh, a full justification for his Elect; all the working of this mystery was in the person of the Lord Jesus, and he is the sum and substance of all; the Apostle brings not any thing as a part of

this mystery which was done meerely in God, which lay in his own heart, and were immanent acts of his nature, such as Ele∣ction, Predestination, and the like; but only of the way or contrivance of this as it was acted in the person of Jesus Christ, who was God in our flesh; all these things are included, and imployed in this disco∣very; it is Jesus Christ who is the my∣stery that was presented to the eyes of the Angels as the most glorious object for their sight, God as in our nature dying, and satisfying, and being justified for poore sinners, this mystery was seen of Angels; that is,

2. (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) seene, it is not meant of a bare sight but of a sight which astonished the understanding, and takes up the heart, else it had been a poore expression to raise the glory of this mystery, that Angels saw it; but it was so great and wonderfull, that they tooke the greatest delight to behold it, it was that which they were ravished in beholding, as at some new and strange object, as we use to say of some wonder∣full apparition, it was seen by such and

such, that is, they were happy to behold it, exceedingly taken with it; therefore the Apostle Peter, when he would express the glory of this mystery, saith, the An∣gels do desire to looke into them, 1 Pet. 1.12. (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) their whole spirits were taken up with this; it was to them as the blessedest sight that they could ever be∣hold; so that the meaning of this, that he was seen of Angels is this, that Jesus Christ, who was to act out the peace and comfort of the Saints, was discovered to the Angels, and they lookt on him as so great a mystery that they could not look off, but stand and admire it. So when Je∣sus Christ was borne, there was a heaven∣ly host of Angels praising, and admiring God for this discovery, Luke 2.13, 14. leaping for joy but to bring the news of him to the world, you have no such ex∣pressions of the joy of all the world be∣sides, as they tooke but in the seeing and manifesting this great mystery. But,

3. Well may this be brought in to ad∣vance the greatnesse of this mystery in our eyes, that it was seen of the Angels;

Angels who are creatures of the highest order, who are of the finest make, of the noblest spirits, who behold the face of God himselfe, and are taken up with the immediate enjoyments of his fulnesse; for them to look into this mystery, as if no∣thing else were worthy of knowledge be∣sides; as if the face of God himself were not so sweet, nor so taking, and satisfactory, (excuse the expression) but they must see this mystery as the top of their know∣ledge, and that which went beyond all their other enjoyments; and which is more, this being a designe not so princi∣pally concerning them, they being in it as a far off, and in generall; but being a mystery of the salvation of sinners, yet that Angels should prefer this to all their sights, and sit down viewing this Christ before all their own proper happinesse; how doth it swell up the glory of this designe? Thus you have the meaning of the words in the generall opened. I shall draw up the scope of it more particular∣ly in this Doctrine.

Doct. That Jesus Christ in the mystery

of the Gospell is the object of Angelicall vision and admiration.

The things of the Gospell are not com∣mon or shallow things, but that which the blessed Angels have their divine spi∣rits taken up in the adoring of. Sight in Scripture is put to expresse the inward motions of the affections; Joh. 1.14. We saw his glory as of the only begotten Son of God, &c. that is, we were taken with him as with God himselfe. So Paul useth the same expression, Gal. 1. He was seene of me also, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) speaking of that glorious sight which he had of him, which conver∣ted him, and for ever tooke his heart with love to him. So here (seen of Angels) that is, Angels beheld the glory of this mystery, and were taken up with it, as the greatest joy of their hearts.

For opening this. Seeing the Apostle puts so much upon it, as to put it in one great expression to open the great∣nesse of the mystery of Godlinesse; that it was seen of Angels, I shall propound these things to handle.

• 1. What sight the Angels have of the

• mystey of the Gospell.
• 2. How they come to the knowledge of it.
• 3. That this is a mystery, that Angels should come to see this Christ.
• 4. VVhat is in this mystery, that should so affect them.

For the first. Angels being creatures of a spirituall Nature, are vast in know∣ledge, they having no bodyes to cloud their apprehensions, but are purae intelli∣gentiae, see things nakedly, as they lye in themselves, yet their knowledge is im∣perfect, being creatures, they know not all things which God knows, though they know all that is made. Now for their sight of Christ in the mystery of the Gospell; doubtlesse they see much into it; for they are said to bring the first newes of it, to wait on Christ in this my∣stery, to comfort him in his sufferings, to administer cordials to him, in these fain∣ting fits of his passion; they sate in the Grave to informe the women and his Disciples, concerning his Resurrection; when he ascends up to Heaven, they come

to the men of Iudea and Ierusalem, and aske them, Why gaze yee here? Christ is taken up into Heaven; and they spake further of his second comming; He shall come a∣gaine, as you have seen him goe up. So that Angels now know much of the mystery of Jesus Christ: They which have fol∣lowed Christ from step to step, from the birth to the grave, from the grave to Heaven, must needs be acquainted much with these things, and not only a bare Historicall knowledge, but a knowledge of the mystery of it. Only they see it not as a mystery in them. There is the diffe∣rence of Saints sight of Christ, it is as act∣ing all for them, and as a mystery within them; but not so with Angels, though yet they have some concernments in it, for they stand by this Christ, he is a head to them also. But this will be more dis∣covered in the second thing.

2. How doe the Angels come to know this mystery, whether it be naturall to them, as such creatures, or whether it be conveyed to them by some other meanes.

Some thinke that God did discover a modell of this mystery, and gave a glimps of it to all the Angels, at their first crea∣tion, and shewed them who must be their head, and thorough whom he would act all his mind, even Jesus Christ, as in our Nature, which, when the reprobated Angels saw, they could not indure to come under that mystery, or submit to Jesus Christ; they liked not the sight, and so fell, and are now Devils for ever; but the Elect Angels (of whom we speak) delighted in the sight of this mystery, and submitted to the hint of this discovery, and so stood by Christ, and he was made a head to them, and they subsist still in him. But whether that be so or no, this seems to be cleer, that this mystery in Je∣sus Christ, Angels had not the know∣ledge of it by their naturall being, but as they had it by revelation; for this my∣stery the Apostle professeth, Eph. 3 It was hid in God himselfe, kept secret in his owne breast, manifested to none out of God, before he was pleased in time to reveale it; they might see some proba∣bilities

of it, have some guesses by seeing of God's heart, that he was big with some rich design towards the creatures, but the mystery was hid in God; what it would be, and in what manner they could not tell, but by revelation, though they saw God face to face, yet they could not see this mystery in God's Nature; for it lay in his decrees and councels, which the Angels know not, and it was a design from eternity, before the Angels were acted and contrived in God, yet this must be granted, that they had a manifestati∣on of Christ, as to that which concerned themselves, as he was their head, and as they stood in Heaven by him; but as the transactions of it concerned us sinners with the mysterie of it (which is properly the mysterie of the Gospell;) they knew not but by degrees, as it was acted, and are still capable of increase. When God had broken his mind, opened his councels, in that first promise made to Adam, in re∣newing of the Covenant with Abraham, in the types and ceremonies of the Law, by all the Prophets; so they gathered out

the meanes of it, and they got more by the birth of Christ, by his ministry; but there be two great waies, by which Angels come to see much of the mystery of Christ in the Gospell.

• 1. By seeing the person of Christ.
• 2. By the Church, and the manife∣stations of Christ to them.

For the first; besides what they have seen in the action of Christ in this world, (formerly spoken of) which yet gave them abundance of insight unto this my∣stery, for they first preached the Gospell with joy and gladness to the world. Luk. 2.

They were the first Ministers of the Gospell, in the affirmative, that Christ was come, they preached more of Christ, then all the Prophets did, and with grea∣ter joy, they were in a multitude toge∣ther, praising God, and saying, peace on earth, &c.

But besides that, the now seeing Christs person in Hea••••n, as glorified, and he being the expresse image of the Father, that which expresseth all his heart, and opens all his cabinets, upon

whom, all the glory of God to man is acted, the Angels cannot, but by behol∣ding Christ in this consideration, know much of the Gospell from him, Christ being the Epitome, and summe of this mysterie; but yet,

2. The great knowledge, Angels get in these mysteries, is from the Church, from the discoveries of Christ to the Saints. That place of the Apostle, de∣serves to be opened to this purpose. Eph. 3.1, 2. where it is said, that one intent of preaching the Gospell is, that Princi∣palities and powers, (names given to An∣gels) might know by the Church, the manifold wisdome of God. The Apo∣stle had before magnified the preaching of Christ, as the opening of the greatest mysterie, that ever was to be revealed, and to set it forth, he saith, first, that it was kept hid from Ages and Generations of men, and •…•…id in God, laid up as the great secret of Gods heart.

2. He saith, that the Angels come to get their knowledge of it from the Church; the opposition is this, that as

it was hid from ages of men, from the be∣ginning of the world, so it was also hid from the Angels; and as men have the knowledge of it by the preaching of it, so have Angels; only the Church hath first, they at second hand. The Church is the great subject on which all this is to be acted, it is that which concernes them, they are folded up in it, it is a mysterie in them, as none have been privie to the first contrivance of this mysterie, but these three which bare witnesse to it, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit; so none have the manifestations of it, so glo∣rious as the Saints who are the subjects of it: The manifestations and openings of the mysterie of the Gospell, are not pro∣perly in Heaven, but in the Church, there∣fore the meeting of the Saints are called Heavenly places, because there Christ makes his Heaven; and though the An∣gels see the mystery of it, as Christ hath acted it by himselfe, and in his own per∣son; yet they cannot see it as it is acted on the hearts of the Saints, which is a new mystery, therefore it is called a dis∣covery,

of the manifold wisdome of God; and the apostle saith, Col. 1.27. That the riches of the glory of this myste∣ry, is Christ in us. There is a depth in this mysterie, and such manifold actings of the infinite wisdome of God, that it is impossible for men or Angels to know it all at once. It was so vast, that God himselfe was faine to open it by degrees, to act it in parts, by manifold, and di∣vers actings of his wisdome: And all this to the Church. If a man will know the mystery of such an Art, he must goe to schoole where that Art is taught. The great things of Christ are taught in the Church, Christ reveales that there, which he doth no where else; if Angels will see into the depth of this mysterie, they must goe to school as it were unto the Church. When a company of poor Saints are together, Christ stands in the midst of them, comes downe by the spi∣rit, makes a throne, brings to light, glo∣ries that were prepared for them, before Angels had a being, kept warm, as it were in Gods heart all this while. It is

said, in (1 Cor. 2.) None knowes the things of God, save the spirit, he only searcheth these deep things of God, none exclusively, no not Angels. Now the spirit is only promised to the Church, and hath his offices on purpose in relation to the Church, and herein lies the excee∣ding glory of God, that he will discover such a mystery to his poor creature man, which he will make his highest creatures admire.

Thus you see how Angels get their knowledge by the Church. When Christ is preached, and his glory laid forth, and soules are taken into it as it were, why Angels come down, and li∣sten, hold their spirituall eares unto the whisperings of the Spirit in the Gospell to us; and yet you must not understand it as if the knowledge they got by the Church were meerly a deduction of con∣clusions from principles, but when they heare and see the Spirit speaking to the Churches, and opening these eternall glo∣ries of God in Christ, they see intuitive∣ly into it, as we see when beames of the

Sun on a sudden breake out on the world, they are exceeding quick, and take it as by revelation; they catch up, as it were, the words that are spoken to us, and before they come to our eare they are in their hearts; for they being spi∣rits know the meaning of the Spirit as soone as ever it is but revealed; neither is it to be understood as if they had no knowledge of Christ without the Church; for they knew Christ before the Church, and preached Christ unto them; but it is meant of the degrees and en∣crease of their knowledge in these my∣steries, the depth of them is laid out be∣fore them in the Church; because the mystery of Christ concerned man, it was first revealed to him after his fall, though but very darkly, and unto none else; and so now in the discovery of it in the per∣fection of it there be some things that God reveales to none, but those who are the subjects of it; As we know not the nature of Angels, nor their condition, though we know Christ, because it con∣cernes us more peculiarly: neither do

Angels know all that Christ doth, and will reveale to his Saints. There is in the things of the Gospell the things them∣selves in the generall nature and use of them, and the glory, and depth, the my∣stery and fulnesse of them; the first An∣gels knew long since that God should come in our flesh, and procure peace, and that he was justified in the spirit, and will save soules; but the depth of this myste∣ry, the riches of the Glory of it, the se∣verall mysteries contained in it, they doe not know, but as it is opened to them, and that by the Church; for herein God shewes, as his prerogative, so his distin∣guishing love, that some choice and bles∣sed things of Christ, shall never be ma∣nifested out of God's heart, but to the Saints first, and none shall know them, but by him, in converse with them. As the mystery of Christ to the Saints, is a peculiar design, so they shall have the pe∣culiar discoveries of it, and others by them. And the manner whereby they know things, by the spirituall species, wherein they are manifested, and by the

seeing of that glory which shines on them in their manifestation.

3. This may well be put in as a myste∣ry among the rest, that God thus disco∣vered, is seen of Angels; for it was a new design, that was carried on in the most unvisiblest way that could be; It be∣ing a mysterie so remote from their par∣ticular natures, they having no need of such a discoverie, and that God should act a thing unknown unto these high creatures, not discover unto them but at second hand as it were, that the greatest design of God, should be hid from these creatures, which lay in his owne bosome as it were, for so long a time; this is the mysterie which the expression seemes to imply. (Seene of Angels) And then when God had acted it, and laid out his glory in it, he presents it as a sight of glory to the Angels, that they might see and ad∣mire at what God had been doing all this while; this comes nighest the meaning, God hid it from them, untill he had set up Jesus Christ in state and glory, and then shewes him in a mysterie to his An∣gels,

that they might fall downe before him, and see the unspeakable wisdome of God.

To this alludes that phrase, Heb. 1.6. When he brings in the first borne into the world, he saith, let all the Angels wor∣ship him; God shews the Angels this first begotten of his love and wisdome, and they worship him.

As Nebuchadnezzar, to shew his state and glory, set up an image, that all his Subjects must bow downe before: So did the great God make an image of him∣selfe in Jesus Christ, by whom he acted the greatest designes of his heart, and set it before the Angels to adore; but,

4. Let us see what this mysterie con∣taines, that it should thus affect the An∣gels; why, if it were nothing else but the manner of its acting, it were enough even to fill them with admiration, that God himselfe should come and assume flesh, and be one with it, taking the forme of a servant, emptying his glory as it were, and making himselfe of no reputation. This cannot but astonish the highest apprehen∣sions,

meanes to do, the very outside intimates that this is a depth that cannot be soun∣ded. It is a mystery of unsearchable ri∣ches, Eph. 3. In this dispensation there are all the riches of the great God contained; It is a way which God hath found out to bring the poore creature into the bosome of all his treasures.

It is a mystery in which all the decrees, and purposes, and thoughts of the heart of God himselfe are acted, in which the manifold wisdome of God is most ope∣ned; whatever he hath been acting in all the world hath been but in reference to this, to set it forth; the choisest love in the utmost act, in the greatest variety, at the extreamest disadvantages, is manife∣sted here; and as it hath been a casting, and contriving in God from eternity, so it will be acting to eternity, and there will be no end of it, new wonders of glory will be brought forth through it the lon∣ger it is look'd into.

And for what concernes their particu∣lar, they may well wonder at what God is about in this, when he passeth by the

most glorious of all the creation, and acts out the brightest of his glory on poore sinners, and takes them up to an onenesse with himselfe, and advanceth them with Christ far above principalities and powers, when they see such a designe towards those so far below them, and which had never been so nigh God as themselves; when flesh shall be set down at Gods right hand, and exalted above all the Glory of the Creation, and by that to let out eternall love, to manifest infinite treasures of glory; and all this over and above, and besides what God hath to bestow on them; how can the An∣gels choose but look about them at such a sight? But no more for the opening of it; we had need now to apply this, and re∣flect on our selves.

Ʋse 1. Is to shame all our hearts that we are no more affected with Christ, and the mysteries of the Gospell; who can say that ever they saw this mystery with admiration? it is rather a mystery in this regard to us, that we see little of it that takes our hearts; Shall Angels see this

mystery, and be so taken with it, and not we? It concernes not them so particular∣ly, they are not wrapt up in it, yet are exceedingly longing for to know it; yea, cannot be content with a bare sight of it, but pry into it; Oh hearts that the Sons of men have, that magnifie no more this great mystery! God is come downe among us in a mystery of mercy, riches, love, glory, wisdome, come to let out a fulnesse of all this on our hearts. And this is preached in the Gospell, and yet who looks into it? how few hearts are but or∣dinarily taken with it? who searcheth in∣to it as to the blessedest Cabinet in the world? Christ is not as much esteemed as swine, it is sad to say it; men respect toyes, notions, any thing before it; con∣sider sinner, dost thou make little of that which hath taken up the heart of the great God from eternity, on which he hath set the highest designe of his owne glory, which Angels, creatures of surpassing glory, thinke it their happi∣nesse but to see, as it were, though they enjoy not? Oh how unworthy art thou

ever to have a glimpse of it! Angels be∣hold the face of God immediately, want nothing, are filled with immortall glory, yet they come down to the Church to heare the manifestations of this mystery, the openings of this Christ: They think they are not happy enough in heaven, but must know what Saints enjoy of this Christ, as if it were a glory above their attainments. There be two expressions to this purpose which the Apostle makes use of in Peter, 1 Pet. 1.12. That the Angels desire to look into the things of the Go∣spell; the word for desire signifies the ut∣most coveting, or longing after a thing which a man cannot be without; Christ is so sweet and blessed an object, and the Gospell so filled with the glory of God, that these blessed creatures cannot con∣taine without seeing of him; their pure spirits would faine be in the bosome of them, and leave their heavenly glory but to converse with Saints about the myste∣ry of God in Christ: So the other word intimateth, they desire to looke into them, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) the word signifies bow∣ing

down, to pry heedfully and narrowly into a thing. It is used for the Disciples stooping down and looking into Christs Sepulchre, Joh. 20. (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) the poore disciples did not more heedfully look into Christs grave, to behold their Saviour, than Angels do to see Christ in the Gospell. So you have it typified of them, Exod. 25. the Cherubims were made looking down towards the mercy-seat, shewing how Angels should desire to peepe into Christs heart, where the seat of mercy is, as if they longed to have one glimpse on them; Oh blush you hearts which have made so light of the concern∣ments of the Gospell!

Use 2. How happy are you who have had under the Gospell any manifestations of Christ, any discovery of this myste∣ry to your hearts; blessed are your eyes for they see, and your eares for they heare; you have seen that which never eye saw which is naturall, and what the purest spirits see and wonder at; Angels envy not your happinesse, but they vaile to your glory, they are not your corrivals

but admirers; you have these sights laid before you, that Angels would leave their habitations above but to see; such dainties spread before you to eat, which Angels every day long for; certainly Saints are kept very high, that these blessed spirits long to feed with them, the leavings of your enjoyments they take up. Oh hath God discovered his love to thee in Christ, given thee a sight of his face in Christ, justified and sanctified thee in him; he hath done that for thee that Angels won∣der at; know thy own happinesse, pry into thy priviledges: And if thou canst not wonder enough thy selfe, take in An∣gels to blesse, and praise, and admire with thee, they desire no better employment; these celestiall, Seraphicall spirits love to sing the tune of the Gospell most, they do service to the Church, administer to them, and all their waies, as it were, is to heare something of Christ among, and to know more of this mystery by them.

Use 3. Let your whole hearts be laid out in the studying of the mysteries of the Gospell, there must needs be some

rich jewels in it of unspeakable worth, that God makes Angels to dig for, and above all things labour to see the mystery; content not thy selfe with any bare Histo∣ricall knowledge, or outward apprehen∣sions of it, but strive to be in the bosome of the injoyments of them, and let no sight satisfie thee, but what is raising and astonishing thy heart; this sets out the worth of Christ, that he was seen of An∣gels; what, barely presented to their sight? no, they saw him with delight, with joy, they were rapt up above themselves, to see such a glorious object.

Consider it is a mystery, wherein your happinesse is included, your joyes, and comforts, and all your concernments lie in it as in so many folds. All the wisdome and love of God is laid out in reference to the making of you happie; the Angels are but in it secondarily, as Christ is their head, that benefit they get by it, which is a high advancement, but Christs heart is particularly opened to you, and all his riches made over to you; and if you will not get to see much of Christ for your

selves, to adde to your owne joy, why get Christ opened to you, for the Angels sake, that they may know more of Christ by thee.