and of pure declaration in himselfe, as it is possible to take and declare goodnesse that is hidde. He is named the Image of God, for lykenesse and shape in vnderstanding and readinesse: For lyke as God seeth all things without aduice and conference, so doeth Angells, for they see not by meane, neither apprehend by bodelye wit. Also hée is called the shewing of hidde lyght: for he taketh by influence the sight of the Godhead, that is in it selfe incomprehensible and hidde, and sendeth it foorth, and sheweth it to other, and maketh it knowen to them that are lower. And he is called a myrrour, for he is able to receiue the lyght of God, and is called a pure myrrour, for the kindly purenesse of his substaunce, for he hath no bodelye filth, he is immaculate, he hath no went of originall sinne, he is not defiled with contagion of deadlye sinne, he is without spot of veniall sinne. He is sayd receiuing fairenesse of the likenesse of the Godhead.
In a speciall manner of knowing, he is lyke to the Godhead, and also hee declareth to them that are lower the incomprehensible and hidde: swéetenesse of the goodnesse of God. For what hée taketh in contemplation and tasting by the gifte of God, he sendeth it forth, and maketh it knowen to them that are lower.
Damascene[1] in his seconde Booke and third Chapter sayth, That Angells are lights intellectuall, hauing lyght of the first lyght, and they néede no tongue neither eares: but without words and voyce they vnderstande and know euery others thought and will. And they are not contayned in a bodelye place, not within walles neither cloyster bodelye inclosed, and be not bodelye long, neither broade, neither thicke, but they be intellectuallye nigh and present, and worke in euerye place where God biddeth them. Also they are spirites kindlye strong and swifte to doe Gods will: and they are sodainelye founde in euerye place, where God willeth and bethinketh, dispensing those things that be about vs, and helping vs after Gods owne will. They are aboue vs, and neuerthelesse about God. It were harde to mooue them to euill, for thereto they are contrarye: & that is of grace, though it be not of kinde.
And as it is possible, they bée in contemplation of God, and haue theyr delyght and lyking in him: and séeing they are spirituall and bodilesse, they néede neyther, wedding nor corporall ioyning.
¶How an Angell in bodely shape is painted. Chap. 3.
Also though Angelles kinde haue no matter neyther lyneations and shape of bodye, yet by a morall deuise, many things are imagined, as God lyke an olde man: euen so Angells bée paynted in bodely lykenesse, and Scripture maketh mention, that they haue diuers lymmes and shapes. But by denominations of lymmes that are séene, vnséene workings of heauenlye perseueraunces, are then thereby vnderstoode. For when Angells are paynted with long lockes and crispe haire, thereby is vnderstoode their cleane affections and ordinate thoughts. For the hayre of the head betokeneth thoughts and affections that doe spring out of the roote of thought and minde.[2]
Men saye that they haue cares, because they receiue the inspiration of God, and that they knowe and vnderstande. Paynters make to them nosethrilles, and not without cause: For they voyde vices and: sinnes as it were stinking thinges: and they loue vertues, as it were swéete smelles. And they seperate trueth from falshood, making distinction betwéene cleane and vncleane, stinking and sweete smellyng.
Ofte men make mention that they haue mouthes, tongues, and lyppes, because they shewe, tu vs as it were in speaking the priuities of God: and they
