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12. I offered thy prayer to our Lord.] Here the Angel Raphael reporteth cer∣taine good offices, which he had done for Tobias. He did other like for his sonne, and for Raguel, and his daughter, which are likewise recorded in this booke. And the whole world, especially Gods seruantos, receiue continual great benefites by holie Angeles, as partly may be gathered in this holie historie, and more els where. For first the office of Angeles is, to assist, or be alwayes readie, as most diligent seruitoures of God, expecting what his diuine goodnes wil appoint them, whither to goe, and what to doe for the benefite of men: as holie Raphael was sent, when yong Tobias wanted a guide. Secondly, Angels offer the prayers of the faithful, or as the Greke text ••eadeth, v. 15 Angels pre∣sent the prayers of Sainctes, that is, of godlie men and wemen to God: so Ra∣phael testifieth here him self, that he offered Tobias prayers to our Lord. Third∣ly, Angeles ayde and assist those that loue puritie of life, sincere seruice of God, hate vice, embrace vertue, & do workes of mercie; so Raphael assisted Tobias, when he traueled to butie the dead, fleing from the kings furie, and hiding himself, ch ••. v. 21. 23. Fourthly Angels exhort to good workes, as in this 12. chapter. v. 6 8 9 10 18 Fiftly they s••••gest ••••d instruct what to do, ch 6. v. 4. 5. Raph•••••• ••••••ght yong Tobias to ••ake the fi••h, v••b wel him, reserue partes ther∣of, 〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a••••ised him to lodge at Raguels house, to demand S••ra to wife, and v. 16. 17. i••structed him, against whom diuels haue powre. Sixthly, they expel diuels from persons, and places, ch. 8. v. 3. Raphael tooke and bound the diuel Asmodeus in the desert of hiegher Egypt. Seuenthly, they deliuer men from dangers and euiles, c. 6. v. 3 as when the great fish assaulted Tobias, and Sara from molestation, and slaunder, and old Tobias from blindnes. chap. 3▪ v. 10. ch. 11. v. 8. ch. 12. v. 14. Eightly. VVhen it redoundeth to the honour and more seruice of God, and good of the soule, Angeles procure riches, and worldly commodities, ch. 12. v. 3. Yong Tobias gratfully confessed the great benefites receiued by his guide, concluding generally, by him vve are replenished (sayth he) vvith al good thinges. Ninthly, Good Angels also proue men, for their more merite, so the Angel witnesseth ch. 12. v. 13. Because thou vvast acceptable to God, it vvas necessarie, that tentation should proue thee. Tenthly, and finally (for we remite the reader to larger documentes of others) after proofe of patience, fortitude, and other vertues, holie Angeles comforte good men; so Raphael encoraged old Tobias, saying, ch. 5. v. 13. his blindenes should shortly be cured, ch. 12. v. 12. shewed him how gratful his prayers with teares and woorkes of mercie were in Gods fight. He comforted Raguel and his familie by brin∣ging yong Tobias to their house, ch. 7. v. ••. Much more, ch. 8. v. 16. both them and al Tobias his familie, by driuing away the diuel; and lastly by reuealing himselfe vnto them. So holie Angeles, especially the proper gardian patrones of euerie one, are alwayes readie to helpe men; guard them, exhort them to good, do instruct them, do expel euil spirites, and deliuer men from many euils & dangers, do procure them temporal commodities, proue their vertues, offer their prayers and good workes, assist them al their liues, and at their deathes, then also bring their soules to the Iudgement seate, and (if they die in good state) to eternal ioy and glorie, wherof the ancient fathers writinges are ful. S. Gregorie the great in his Dialogue, li. 4. c. 58▪ S. Athanasius li. de communi essentia. S. Chrisostom. ho. 3. in Epist. ad Colloss. li. 6. de Sacerdotio. Gregorius Turonen.