Discourse on the Angels or Spirits of Empires

This treatment [of the subject] seems proper to the Cabbalists; The Cabbalists (or Kabbalists) were followers of a school of Jewish mysticism. In the 17th century, many Christian scholars were fascinated by "Christian Cabbala," believing these ancient traditions held keys to understanding the divine order of the world. but nevertheless, Political writers also deal with this argument. I shall now conduct myself as a mere reporter: for one must decide upon these mysteries soberly, and only if illuminated by a singular grace. But what harm is there in investigating what others have felt—great men, even holy and pious men. See Casmann, Astrology, part 1, chapter 1, question 1. original: "Casman. Astrolog." refers to Otto Casmann (1562–1607), a German schoolman and polymath who wrote extensively on the intersection of theology and natural science. And from this the profane [uninitiated] shall learn: that kingdoms are not given or taken away by clever counsels and human prudence, but in a more sublime court of justice; original: "dicasterio," a term for a tribunal or court, suggesting that political shifts are legal decrees issued from heaven. and that matters are decided there not according to our rights and laws. The pious shall learn to place their hope in God, and to despise the world and worldly things; they shall learn to cling to Christ alone, and to follow only our Savior: the true and eternal God, the uncreated Angel of the Covenant. The "Angel of the Covenant" is a biblical title (from Malachi 3:1) often interpreted by theologians of this period as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, distinguished here from "created" angels.

Add John Napier, in his Opening of the Apocalypse, chapter 12, letter g, page 239 and following. original: "Ioh. Napeir. en l' ouvertur. de l' Apocalyps." John Napier (1550–1617), the Scottish mathematician who invented logarithms, was also a famous Protestant theologian; his work on the Book of Revelation was widely translated.

2. Most of the Church Fathers say that individual Angels are placed in charge of individual provinces and kingdoms, even those of the infidels; and they confirm this from the 10th chapter of Daniel. Where four Angels are introduced; of whom one was the Prince of the Persians, another the Prince of the Greeks, the third Gabriel, the Prince of the captives in Persia, the fourth Michael, the Prince of the people of God. There was a disagreement between the Prince of the Persians and Gabriel: whether the Jews should be liberated from Persia? The Prince of the Persians denied it; Gabriel affirmed it. Clearly each was pleading the cause for the nation committed to him. For Gabriel contended that the Jews must be liberated, lest if they remained longer in Persia, they would gradually soak up the customs of the Persians, and having abandoned the true God, turn themselves