8. God sends forth his angels unto this ministry for the good of believers, to preserve them from many dangers and ruinous casual- ties that would otherwise befall them. Much of the design of Ps, Xci. is to acquaint us therewithal; for though the charge of angels is expressed only in verses 11,12, yet as the expression there, of keeping us in all our ways, that we stumble not, is comprehensive of all the dangers which we are or may be exposed unto, so this same work of theirs respects all the evils and casualties enumerated in the beginning of the psalm. And to this purpose also is it said that the angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear him, as they did about Elisha of old,—namely, to preserve them from the dangers that they are exposed unto. Nor is this impeached by the observation of the evils, troubles, calamities, and miseries that be- fall the people of God; for God hath not given his angels a com- mission to act “ad ultimum virium,” to the utmost of their strength, “viis et modis,” for the preservation of his, but only to act accord- ing to his especial good pleasure; and this they always do. Now,
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it is the will of God that his saints should be exercised with various troubles and calamities, for the trial of their faith and obedience. But yet, in the ordering and management of these calamitous acci- dents or troubles, they have no less benefit by the ministry of angels than they have in respect of those from which they are preserved by them; for inasmuch as they also are designed and ordered for their good, their exposing to them in their seasons, supportment under them during their continuance, and deliverance from them in the appointed time thereof, are all signal mercies which they receive by the ministry of angels.
4. By this ministry of angels doth God in particular preserve us From the sudden and violent incursions of Satan. Satan in the Scripture is called a serpent, from his subtlety and lying in wait to do mischief; and a lion, from. his rage, and fury, and spoiling from his lurking-places. And as the one or the other he continually seeks the harm, mischief, and ruin of the whole man; not only of our souls, in sin and desert of punishment, but of our bodies, in our lives, health, and welfare. Hence we find so many in the Gospel troubled with bodily infirmities from the assaults and impressions of Satan. And what he prevails to do against any one, that he is continually attempting against all the whole seed of Abraham. Hereunto also belong all those hurtful terrors, affrightments, and surprisals, which he endeayoureth by himself and his agents to cast upon us. Had he his liberty, he would make our whole lives to be filled with disappointments, horrors, vain fears, and perplexities, if he could proceed no further. Now in all these designs it is more than probable that he is prevented by the ministry of angels. We find, in the Ist of Job, that in all the devil’s walks in the earth for the executing of his malice, the angels still observe him, and are ready to answer him when he comes with his accusations against the saints into the presence of the Lord. And hereon depends the safety and security of our lives, without which Satan would by all means con- tinually attempt to fill them with terrors, vexations, losses, and troubles. Not one of us should escape him any better than Job did, when God for a season suspended his protection over his rela- tions, possessions, and enjoyments.
5. They are in their ministry appointed to be witnesses of the obedience, sufferings, and worship of the disciples of Christ, that they may give testimony unto them before God, and in the great assembly of the last day; so glorifying God for the grace bestowed upon them and the assistance afforded unto them. Thus Paul tells us that the apostles in their preaching and sufferings were made “a spectacle unto angels,” 1 Cor.iv.9. The holy angels of God looked on, rejoicing to behold how gloriously they acquitted themselves in the work and ministry committed unto them. And to this end doth
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he charge Timothy before “ the elect angels” to look unto and dis- charge aright the work of an evangelist, 1 Tim. v. 21, because they were appointed of God to be witnesses of his faithfulness and dili- gence therein. And it is not improbable but he hath respect unto the presence of angels in the assemblies of the saints for the wor- ship of God, where he enjoins modesty and sobriety unto women in them on their account, 1 Cor. xi. 10. And from that particular instance a general rule may be drawn for the observation of comeli- ness and order in all our assembligs,—namely, from the presence of these holy witnesses at all our solemn worship; for church-assem- blies are the court, the dwelling-place, the throne of Jesus Christ, and therefore in them he is in an especial manner attended by these glorious ministers of his presence. And therefore, although a holy regard unto God and our Lord Jesus Christ himself be the first and principal motive unto a right and holy acquitment of ourselves in all our obedience, sufferings, and worship, yet in subordination there- unto we may have also respect unto the angels, as those who are employed by him to be witnesses of our ways and carriage,—such a respect, I mean, as may administer occasion unto them to glorify God in Christ on our behalf, that so all the honour may finally redound unto him alone.