Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Afterwards he manifests the effect of this care, namely, in that he always saved them by his Angel, whom he calls the angel of his face: because he was a witness of Gods presence; and as it were his herald to execute his commandments.¹ To teach us, that the Angels run not before they be sent, neither that they intrude themselves into this office of succouring us, by any private motion of their own. For the Lord useth their services; and manifests his presence to us by their means. The Angels can do nothing of themselves, neither do they yield us any succour further forth then as the Lord sends them to be the Ministers of our salvation: Heb. 1.14. Les us not stay our thoughts upon them then, seeing their office is only to lead us directly unto God.

Afterwards he manifests the effect of this care, namely, in that he alwaies saued them by his Angell, whom hee calles the angell of his face: because he was a witnesse of Gods presence; and as it were his herald to execute his commandements.¹ To teach vs, that the Angels runne not before they bee sent, neither that they intrude themselues into this office of succoring vs, by any priuate motion of their owne. For the Lord vseth their seruices; and manifests his presence to vs by their meanes. The Angels can doe nothing of themselues, neither doe they yeeld vs any succour further forth then as the Lord sends them to bee the Ministers of our saluation: Heb. 1.14. Les vs not stay our thoughts vpon them then, seeing their office is only to lead vs directly vnto God.

1. 1The service of Angels.The seruice of Angels.

If any had rather say that the lively image of God, is here noted out by this Angel; who being the conductor and protector of the people, did therein openly manifest the face and presence of Gd as in a glass; such a sense will not be amiss. And for my part I doubt not but that the office of saving ought to be attributed unto Christ,