Dissertation on the Natural Knowledge of Angelic Existence

§. I.

(α) on Psalm 103.

(β) on chapter 1.

(γ) book 2, chapter 1.

(δ) P. Sp. Metaphysics, book 2, chapter 4.

The explanation of the name, which, since it is not without its own difficulties, must not be ignored here, comprehends three things: 1. etymology, 2. homonymy, and 3. synonymy. The origin of the word Angel is not obscure, for it is derived from ἀγγέλλειν to announce, from announcing, so that Angel is the same as messenger. Hence Augustine early Christian theologian (α) says: Spirits are angels, and when they are spirits, they are not angels; but when they are sent, they become angels. For Angel is the name of an office, not of a nature. And Ambrose early Christian theologian (β) says: You ask for the name of the nature, it is spirit; you ask for the office, it is Angel. From the Hebrew, because he IS, he is a spirit; from what he DOES, he is an Angel. Although this name expresses not the nature but the office of Intelligences, and occurs most importantly in the Sacred Scriptures, it was nevertheless used not only by Greek interpreters but also long before them by Hostanes of Proconnesus ancient Persian sage, whom Minucius Felix Latin apologist cites in Octavius, and also by Porphyry Neoplatonist philosopher, Iamblichus Neoplatonist philosopher, Chalcidius philosopher and translator in his commentary on the Timaeus, Aristides rhetorician in his hymn to Minerva, and before them by Onomacritus Greek poet, the disciple of Pythagoras, in those verses which Clement of Alexandria Christian theologian reports, Stromata Book 3, as Henr. Kipping scholar (γ) testifies. Scheibler theologian (δ) also reports from Langius commentator in his annotations on Justin Martyr early Christian apologist that Trismegistus Hermetic sage also called evil angels demons.

§. II.

The equivocation of the word is various. First, it is taken generally for any messenger and envoy who is sent by someone to announce something, just as in Genesis 32:1, where those messengers whom Jacob sent to his brother Esau are called ἄγγελοι angels. In this way, also, spies are called ἄγγελοι, James 2:25. Second, metaphorically, for a minister of the Church, in which way John the Baptist is called the Angel preparing the way of the Messiah, Malachi 3:1 and the Pastors of the Churches in Revelation, chapter 1, verse 20, chapter 2, verse 1, and other places. Third, κατ' ἐξοχὴν by way of excellence, for the Son of God, which theologians teach and observe throughout the exposition of the places of Holy Scripture. Fourth, finally, it is taken for a spiritual...