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 ...

§. 98. Of the function of Angels in relation to the bodies of men in this life.

THe Functions which Angels perform to men are performed to them especially* 1.1 as they are adopted of God, and members of Christ; For all Saints have An∣gels attending on them.

Functions of Angels to such, have respect to them in this world or in the world to come: In this life they tend to the good of their bodies or of their souls; and that either by procuring positive good things, or preventing and redressing of evils.

In generall, It is the Function of Angels to attend on Saints, and to minister* 1.2 unto them, v. 14▪ In this respect they are stiled their Angels, Mat. 18. 10. They are as those servants who are appointed by a King to attend his Children, and thereup∣on are called the Princes Servants.

Particular Functions of Angels which concern the good of Saints bodies in this life, are these that follow.

• 1. Angels are as Stewards to provide for men in time of need; Hereof we have a memorable History, 1 King. 19. 5, 6, 7.
• 2. They are as Physicians to cure their maladies, Ioh. 5. 4.
• 3. They are as Nurses to bear them as it were in their arms, and to keep them from hurt, Psa. 91. 11, 12.
• 4. They are as guides to direct them in the right course, and to keep them from wandring, Gen. 24. 7. & 32. 1.
• 5. They are as Souldiers to guard them, and to keep them safe from danger, Psal. 34. 7. Hereof we have a great instance, 2 King. 6. 17. They are also as Souldi∣ers to destroy the enemies of the Church, 2 King. 19. 35.
• 6. They are as Rescuers, Saviours, and deliverers, to pull Saints out of danger, and to set them free, Act. 5. 19. & 12. 7, 8. &c.

To these may be referred their restraining of things hurtfull by nature from do∣ing hurt, Dan. 6. 22.

Obj. How may these extraordinary instances be ordinarily applied?* 1.3

Answ.

• 1. Extraordinary instances do shew what Angels are able and ready to do at the pleasure of the Lord.
• 2. They shew what God will put them to as he seeth cause; So as on these grounds we may expect the like, if God see it good.
• 3. These extraordinary instances are as pertinent to our purpose, as that reason which the Apostle useth (Heb. 13. 2.) to presse the duty of hospitality, namely, their receiving of Angels unawares.
• ...

• 4. These are visible and sensible demonstrations of their invisible and insensible care over us.
• 5. The argument follows from the greater to the lesse; For if Angels did such extraordinary matters for Saints, much more may we expect ordinary matters. Such an argument is pressed, Iam. 5. 17. to quicken us up to pray.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Omnes sancti Angelos habent. Chrys. in Mat. 18. Hom. 60.
• * 1.2

  Ipsi Angeli no∣bis servire di∣cuntur, dum pro∣pter no•…•… in mi∣nisterium mit∣tuntur. Aug. medit. l. 2. c. 3.
• * 1.3

  How extraor∣dinary works of Angels con∣cern us.