The righteous man's habitation in the time of plague and pestilence being a brief…

But what need God make use of angels to protect his people? he is able to do it alone; and is it not for Gods dishonour to make use of them for the protection of his people? no, 'tis for the honour of God: for the more honourable the servants are, the instruments are, that a King or Prince doth use for the protecting of his people, the more honourable is that King or Prince. Now the angels, they are honourable creatures; frequently they are called Gods: thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, in the Hebrew 'tis a little lower ⟨p. 6⟩then the Gods: worship him all ye Gods (in the Hebrew) all ye Angels. Well! but why are the Angels called into this protection, into this Nursery, into this Ministry? God hath several creatures that he can use to protect and safe-guard his people; why are the Angels in a special manner called into this work of protection of the Saints?

They are the fittest people in the world for this employment; fittest in regard of themselves; fittest in regard of the Saints. They are fittest in regard of themselves; for, first, they are an exceeding strong and potent people; who more fit to look to, and care for the concernments of the Saints and people of God, than those that are strong and potent? 'Tis said of the Angels in the 103. Psalm, that they excel in strength; Bless the Lord ye his angels that excel in strength, vers. 20. They are called, powers in the Host of God, they are the chariots and the horse-men, in the 68. Psalm, verse. 17. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels; thousands of Angels: they are the chariots and horsemen in the Host of God: other foot-companies he hath, but his Chariots and horsemen, they are the Angels. One Angel (you know) destroyed an hundred and fourscore thousand of the Host of Assyria in a night; as one Constable will scare away twenty thieves, so one good Angel invested with Gods authority, is able to drive away a thousand evil Angels, Devils; they are an exceeding strong and potent people.

They are the fittest people in the world for this employment; fittest in regard of themselves; fittest in regard of the Saints. They are fittest in regard of themselves; for, first, they are an exceeding strong and potent people; who more fit to look to, and care for the concernments of the Saints and people of God, than those that are strong and potent? 'Tis said of the Angels in the 103. Psalm, that they excell in strength; Bless the Lord ye his angels that excell in strength, vers. 20. They are called, powers in the Host of God, they are the chariots and the horse-men, in the 68. Psalm, verse. 17. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels; thousands of Angels: they are the chariots and horsemen in the Host of God: other foot-companies he hath, but his Chariots and horsemen, they are the Angels. One Angel (you know) destroyed an hundred and fourscore thousand of the Host of Assyria in a night; as one Constable will scare away twenty thieves, so one good Angel invested with Gods authority, is able to drive away a thousand evil Angels, Devils; they are an exceeding strong and potent people.