Ans. There are divers Opinions about this.
1. Some think the Apostle means the evil Angels, who watch to take advantage to tempt Men by the sight of some beautiful Object: But certainly, as our A••o••ors observe, the Apostle would not have spoken of Devils under this n•tion▪
2. Others think he means the Ministers or O••• cers of the Church, who are called Angels: •ut, as Calvin observes, the word Angel is never appropriated to Ministers without some addition, as to the Angel of the Church of Ep••st••, &c.
3. Most understand by Angels here, the good Angels; they have a charge of our Churches, as Peter Martyr observes, as well as they had of the Jews:1 Michael the Prince stood up for the Children of thy People. The Angels take good notice of every person's behaviour in our Assemblies, how they demean themselves with piety, modesty, and sobriety: If any let their Eyes wander or rove ab•ut, they observe them. Hence 'tis thought the Women should cover their Faces, especially in Prayer, because of the Observation the Angels make of them and others, whilst in God's holy Worship in his Church: Brethren, like a• the Devils attend our Churches, to hinder us in our profiting under the Word; so the good Angels are there also to resist them, and to further our profiting. Satan (as one observes) is first and last at the meetings of God's People, and he hath many ways to obstruct the Souls of Men from hearing with attention; may be lu••s them asleep, or fills their minds with prejudice against the Preacher, or against the Word he preaches, or to confuse their thoughts, causing them to think of their worldly Business, perhaps ⟨p. 106⟩of their Debts, what they owe, or what is owing to them; or of Injuries sustained, and how to seek revenge; or else cause them to fix their Eyes upon one beautiful Object or another, thereby to divert them from what they should mind: But we may conclude the good Angels have as many ways to help us, as the evil have to hinder us. Observe my Text, Angels are upon the Ladder, or in our way to Heaven. Now Prayer and Hearing the Word, &c. are our way to Heaven, i. e. means of Grace to fit us for it.
Ans. There are divers Opinions about this.
1. Some think the Apostle means the evil Angels, who watch to take advantage to tempt Men by the sight of some beautiful Object: But certainly, as our A••o••ors observe, the Apostle would not have spoken of D•vils under this n•tion▪
2. Others think he means the Ministers or O••• cers of the Church, who are called Angels: •ut, as Calvin observes, the word Angel is never appropriated to Ministers without some addition, as to the Angel of the Church of Ep••st••, &c.
3. Most understand by An•els here, the good Angels; they have a charge of our Churches, as Peter Martyr observes, as well as they had of the Jews:1 Michael the Prince stood up for the Children of thy People. The Angels take good notice of every person's behaviour in our Assemblies, how they demean themselves with piety, modesty, and sobriety: If any let their Eyes wander or rove ab•ut, they observe them. Hence 'tis thought the Women should cover their Faces, especially in Prayer, because of the Observation the Angels make of them and others, whilst in God's holy Worship in his Church: Brethren, like a• the Devils attend our Churches, to hinder us in our profiting under the Word; so the good Angels are there also to resist them, and to further our profiting. Satan (as one observes) is first and last at the meetings of God's People, and he hath many ways to obstruct the Souls of Men from hearing with attention; may be lu••s them asleep, or fills their minds with prejudice against the Preacher, or against the Word he preaches, or to confuse their thoughts, causing them to think of their worldly Business, perhaps ⟨p. 106⟩of their Debts, what they owe, or what is owing to them; or of Injuries sustained, and how to seek revenge; or else cause them to fix their Eyes upon one beautiful Object or another, thereby to divert them from what they should mind: But we may conclude the good Angels have as many ways to help us, as the evil have to hinder us. Observe my Text, An•els are upon the Ladder, or in our way to Heaven. Now Prayer and Hearing the Word, &c. are our way to Heaven, i. e. means of Grace to fit us for it.
- 1Dan. 12.
