before God in prayer ? an angel flies from the highest heavens to give him assured intelhgence of the ac- ceptance of his prayers".
Under the New Testament dispensation also, we find them alike attentive to the welfare of God's peo- ple. Is the child Jesus in danger of being involved in the common ruin of the infants whom Herod slew? an angel appears to Joseph, and directs him to flee to Egypt with his wife and child ^. Is Peter kept in prison to be brought forth the very next day for ex- ecution ? an angel opens for him the prison doors, and liberates him from his confinement y. Is Paul ready to be overwhelmed in the waves of the tem- pestuous ocean ? an angel comes to assure him, that both he, and for his sake all the ship's company also, shall be saved ^
We might adduce a great many other instances of their friendly interposition for the people of God : but sufficient has been spoken to shew, that the office of ministering to the saints has not been assigned to them on one or two occasions only of extraordinary magnitude, but that it has been in every successive age their uniform and willing employment.
By the view we have taken of their ministry in former times, we shall be prepared to contemplate it,
II. As still exercised towards the heirs of salvation —
The vision of Jacob's ladder, with the angels as- cending and descending upon it, is still realized throughout the world, even as our blessed Lord has taught us to expect it should be^ As soon as we embrace the Gospel, we are brought into actual com- munion with them, even with that " innumerable company of them" that are before the throne of God". But, as ubiquity is the prerogative of God only, there are some who have a special charge of particular saints, and whose office it is to watch over them in a more especial manner ^
^ Dan. ix. 21 — 23. "^ Matt, ii, 13. v Acts xii. 7.
2 Acts xxvii. 23. * Gen. xxviii. 12. John i. 51.
*> Heb. xii. 22. c Matt, xviii. 10. and Acts xii. 15.