A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

3. We are the more bound for their sakes, because of their Tutelage, they are present with us: we are awed by a man of gravity, much more should we be by the presence of an Angel: When Cato was upon the Stage, they durst not call for their obscene Sports; there is an Angel always by you; What reports (think you) will they carry to Christ, if they should see any thing that is unseemly? 1 Tim. 5. 21. I charge you before God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, &c. The holy Angels are as it were, the Spies, and Intelligencers of Heaven, and do acquaint Christ not only with our miseries, but our sins: Gods omni-presency is a great depth, we cannot fathom it with our thoughts, and therefore it worketh but little with us; the nearer things come to the manner of our presence, the more do they affect us: consider the Angels are present with you in the Room where (it may be) you are acting your privy wickedness.

Again we had need be holy, the rather for the Angels sake, because else we shall lose their Tutelage; they care not to take notice of an impure, obstinate sinner, Psalm 34. • ▪ The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him: they that fear God themselves, delight most in them that do likewise: suitableness of Spirit and life, breedeth an holy and sweet familiarity between us; they delight to keep us, and go with us here, that they may lay a Foundation for a more familiar acquaintance in Heaven: Now shall we grieve such blessed companions! When Balaam went to curse the people of God, a good Angel resisteth him, Num. 22. 22. If an Angel stood in the way of a Sorcerer, much more do they seek to stop and prevent the miscarriages and offences of Gods children; will you break forth or go on violently, when an Angel standeth in the way? and leave their Tutelage for a lust? they are holy, and disallow all carnal enterprises, and would withstand the execution of them: will you constrain them to forsake you? You know