Discourse on the Angels or Spirits of Empires

...like one of the princes you shall fall: original: "sicut unus de principibus cadetis" — a quotation of Psalm 82:7. namely, imitating the devil, who was made the prince of all for their ruin. From this it is clear that it was transgression that made them accursed, not their nature. Therefore to you, O people of Israel, who are God’s portion and have become the cord of his inheritance; funiculus hæreditatis; a Latin expression for a measuring line used to allot land, symbolizing a chosen or measured-out people "There shall not be," He says, "other gods besides me." Because truly God is the one God, and truly the Lord is the one Lord. To the others, however, who were created by Him, He bestowed this name [of "god"] not by nature, but by grace.

But do not think these things are said only to that Israel born according to the flesh; they are said much more to you, who have become Israel: by seeing God with the mind The author relies on a common medieval etymology of the name "Israel" as "the man who sees God." and being circumcised in the heart, not in the flesh. For even if we are Gentiles in the flesh, we are Israel in the spirit, because of Him who said: Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. Quoting Psalm 2:8. And because of Him who said again: Father, all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them; Quoting John 17:10. provided, however, that you act in such a way as to be worthy to be a portion of God, and to be measured within the cord of His inheritance.

Otherwise, if you act unworthily, let those be an example to you who had been called to this—to be the portion of God—but by their sins deserved to be scattered among all the nations. And those who were previously led out from the house of bondage, A reference to Egypt. now again (since whoever sins is a slave to sin) serve not only the Egyptians, but all nations. Therefore it is said also to you, who through Jesus Christ have come out of Egypt and have been led out from the house of bondage: you shall have no other gods besides me, etc.

These are lofty matters and they exceed my grasp; but let us hear further from the same author. The author likely refers to Origen, a 3rd-century theologian whose homilies are being cited here. From the Homilies on Luke, Chapter 2, Homily 12. Concerning that which is written: that an Angel came from heaven and announced the birth of the Lord to the Shepherds.

"God," he says, "has appointed in the Church Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers, all for the perfecting of the saints." Quoting Ephesians 4:11-12. And these things indeed are spoken quite simply. But if it is necessary to ascend to a more sacred understanding, I would say there were certain Angel-Pastors who were to govern human affairs. And when