[ 1190] Angells, ministring unto Gods people for their good.
IN the stories Ecclesiasticall,* 1.1 there is mention made of one Theodorus, a Martyr, put to extream torments by Iulian the Aposta••e, and dismissed again by him, when he saw him unconquerable.* 1.2 Ruffinus, in his history, saith, that he met with this Martyr a long time after his tryall, and asked him, Whether the pains he felt were not unsufferable? He answered, that at first it was somewhat grievious, but after a while, there seemed to stand by him a young Man in white, who with a soft and comfortable handkerchief, wiped off the sweat from his body, (which through extream anguish, was little lesse then blood) and bad him, Be of good chear; insomuch as that it was rather a punishment then a pleasure to him, to be taken off the Rack, sith when the Tormentors had done, the Angell was gone. Thus it is, that the blessed Angells of God have ministred from time to time to his People, in the daies of their distresse, it may be, bringing food to their bodies,* 1.3 as once to Eliah; but certainly, comfort unspeakable to their souls, as to Iacob,* 1.4 Hagar, Daniel, Zecharias, Ioseph, Cornelius, Paul, &c. and to our mo∣dern Martyrs, in their prisons, at the stake, and in the fire: They pitty our human frailties, and secretly suggest comfort, when we perceive it not; they are as ready to help us, as the bad Angels are to tempt us; alwaies they stand looking on the face of God to receive orders,* 1.5 for the accomplishment of our good, which they no sooner have,* 1.6 than they readily dispatch, even with wearinesse of flight.