A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

8. This Tutelage is from their first conception in the womb, till the translation of body and soul into glory; survey all the passages of life from the Womb to the Grave, nay, after death, till the Resurrection, the Ministry of Angels doth not wholly cease: their care beginneth as soon as the child is quickened in the womb, for then they have another distinct charge to look after; and as they are servants of providence by their help they are born and brought into the world, Gods providence taketh date thence, Gal. 1. 15. and they, I say, are instruments of providence, they watch over us in infancy and childhood; little ones are committed to their custody, and Babes and Sucklings have their Angels, Mat 18. Jesus Christ was provided for in his Cradle by an Angel, Mat. 2. 13. The Devil rampeth about the Elect whilst they are yet in their swaddling clothes; That expression, Rev. 12. of the Dragons seeking to devour the man▪child, as soon as he was born, is figurative, but it alludeth to what is true: Again, as we grow up they rejoice at our conversion Luke 15▪ we read of joy in Heaven over a▪ sinner that repenteth; you cannot gratify the Angels more then in your conversion to ⟨p. 369⟩God; the Devil seeks to hinder it as much as he can, but they rejoice when a brand is plucked out of the burning Zech▪ 3. Again after conversion, they watch over us in duty and danger, and temptations, in duties where Satan is most busy to hinder, Zech. 3. 1. they are most helpful; the Angels are in the Assemblies of the faithful, 1 Cor. 11. 10. So in dangers, when Peter was in prison, God sendeth him an Angel to bring him out, Acts 12