[2.] Not total ignorance of this mystery before it was brought about. They had some knowledge of it ; but now to their natural and super- natural knowledge there is added experimental knowledge, which is daily increased in them.
2. Afiirmatively.
[1.] They have such a deep sense of the worth of these things that they desire to know more : Eph. iii. 10, * To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.' By ' principalities and powers' are meant angels, so called because God maketh use of them in govern- ing the world, and because of their great power and strength. By jn-incipalities and powers ' in heavenly places' are meant good angels. Now these glorious creatures see more of the wisdom of God by his gracious dispensations to the church ; they improve and come to a more full knowledge by observing and looking unto the tenor of the gospel, and the providences that do accompany it ; though their present state of happiness doth give them full satisfaction for the time, yet it is capable of some additions, and shall be perfected more fully at the last day, when the torments of the fallen angels are also full : 2 Peter ii. 4, ' God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to liell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.' It is true they are in ierinino, not in via ; there can be
^ Qu. ' known ' ? — Ed,
208 SERMON UPON I PETER I, 12.
no change of their state ; yet as to the degree they have not their full happiness till then. There are some things in this mystery which they know not ; it is a deep treasure of wisdom, and the angels cannot see to the bottom of it.
[2.] In other things which they know they delight themselves in the view of them. It is a sweet and comfortable speculation, with the thoughts of which their hearts are ravished. They desire to look into these things out of the delight which they take therein.
But why do the angels so much delight in the mystery of redemp- tion. (1.) Because of the glory of God discovered therein. (2.) The good of man procured thereby. Both are laid down in the angel's song : Luke ii. 14, ' Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good- will towards men.'
(1.) For the glory of God. They see their creator gets a great deal of honour. God was but half discovered in the creation of the world, but now more fully in the redemption of the world. In the creation he showed his power, wisdom, and goodness ; but now he discovers more attributes, and these in a greater latitude, as his truth, holiness, and justice. His truth in that this is the greatest promise ; his holiness, for here is the greatest instance of his hatred of evil ; and his justice in the agonies, and sufferings, and shame of the Son of God. In the work of redemption God discovers his power in dissolving the works of the devil, overpowering the resistance of man. It is true, in the creation there was nothing to help, but there was nothing to let and hinder. His goodness : Bom. iv, 8, ' But God commended his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,' God commendeth his love to us in loving such unworthy creatures, and with such a love. So the apostle : Titus iii. 4, ' But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared.' His wisdom, not in ordering the creatures, but reconciling his attri- butes. When God embraced such unworthy, polluted creatures, this is that the angels are taken with, to see the wisdom, power, and justice of God shining forth in the person of our Kedeemer and in the work of our redemption ; this is an admirable looking-glass wherein to see these things.
(2.) For the good of man. The angels are without envy ; they re- joice at our welfare, when the nature of man is so much preferred before theirs. They are brought in rejoicing when man was made ; Job xxxviii. 7, ' When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.' When Christ was born: Luke ii. 13, 'And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.' When man is converted : Luke xv. 7, ' Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.' They rejoice in our salvation.
Use 1. Information. It showeth us —
1. The sublimity of gospel mysteries ; they are speculations that befit angels ; the angels that behold the face of God admire at them. Oh ! how should we admire the love of God in Christ, that he hath provided such things for us in Christ that angels wonder at ! The business of our salvation is called a mystery : Eph. iii. 4, ' Whereby,
SERMON UPON I PETER I. 12. 209
■when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ ; ' Kom. xvi. 25, ' According to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world hegan ; ' 1 Tim. iii. 16, ' With- out controversy great is the mystery of godliness.' A holy secret, transcending the reach of ordinary knowledge, such as nothing of it could be known by man or angel before it was revealod ; and after it is revealed it is a thing hidden from carnal men in the spiritual beauty of it, and in a great measure from believers themselves, if their know- ledge be compared with what it shall be hereafter : 1 Cor. xiii. 12, ' Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face ; now I know in part, then I shall know even as also I am known.' Many are scan- dalised at the scriptures because of the simplicity of them, as contain- ing only a few plain truths ; but there are mysteries whicli take up the mind and study of angels, and they think them worthy their best thoughts.