A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 101. Of the benefits which Saints receive by the Ministry of Angels.

THe Benefits which we receive by the Ministry of Angels concern the good of our bodies or of our souls, and that in this life, and in the life to come; They may all be reduced to these heads.

• 1. An exceeding high honour to have such attendants; For they are ministring* 1.1 spirits for us, v. 14. It was counted the highest honour that could be done to him whom the King delighted to honour, that one of his noble Princes should wait up∣on him; But all the noble Princes of God attend on Saints: Well weigh their fore∣mentioned properties (§. 87.) and this honour will conspicuously appear to be the greater; Surely this is an undoubted evidence that Saints are the Spouse of Christ, Members of his body, and adopted to be Gods children, and heirs of his kingdom. These are the true and proper grounds of this high honour. Mortall Kings use so to honour their Spouses and Children: Adam in his Innocency had not such honour.
• 2. Protection from dangers; For the Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them, Psa. 34. 7. And God hath given them a charge to keep his Saints in all their waies, &c. Psa. 91. 11, 12. There are many many dan∣gers from which we are time after time protected by Angels, though we do not vi∣sibly see it That which the Scripture revealeth we may as safely, and ought as con∣fidently believe, as if visibly we saw it. The benefit of this protection is the great∣er, in that it is against spirituall enemies and spirituall assaults, Eph. 6. 12. This is a great amplification of the benefit; For good Angels are more in number then de∣vils, and stronger in power; They are more prudent then devils are subtle; They are more speedy in coming to our succour then devils are or can be in coming to an∣noy us; They are more fervent and zealous for our good then devils are or can be fierce and malicious to our hurt; They do more carefully and constantly watch for our safety, then devils do or can do for our destruction, though like roaring Lions they walk about seeking whom they may devour: In regard of these Angelical

• Protectors, we may say as Elisha did, 2 King. 6. 16. They that be with us are more then they that are against us; yea, though all the wicked of the world and all the fiends of hell be against us.
• 3. Supply of all our wants; They can do it; They are willing and ready to doe it; yea, they do indeed actually do it, though we do not sensibly discern it: Abra∣hams servant saw not the Angell which went before him and prospered his journey, yet an Angel did so, Gen. 24. 7. Angels invisibly do many good offices for us: As devils do oft work in us doubting and despair, so the good Angels do oft put▪ life and spirit into us; whereby we are comforted and established; An Angel strength∣ned Christ in the extremity of his agony, Luk. 22. 43. The like they do to the mem∣bers of Christ: They are sent forth to minister for them, ver. 4. Surely their Ministry extendeth to such things as are needful for Saints and useful unto them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An honour to Saints that Angels attend them.