Metaphor. | Parallel.
A Watcher or Watchman imports such as sleep not, or but little; their Business is to watch, which they cannot do unless they keep themselves awake. | Angels are not subject to sleep, as Men are; they always are awake, beholding the Evil and the Good, hence said to be full of Eyes.1
II. Watchers import such as have a Charge committed to them, of great importance, which they are continually to look after. The Apostle speaking of the Care of Ministers,2 saith, They watch for our Souls, &c. |
II. Angels have a great Charge committed to them, they are employed about great and weighty Affairs; and that, First, in reference unto God; Secondly, in reference unto Saints; Thirdly, In reference unto wicked Men.
First; In reference unto God.
1. They are his Courtiers, attending upon Him continually for his Honour, and to set forth his Magnificence. I saw the Lord sitting on his Throne, 3and all the Host of Heaven standing by him, on his right hand, and on his left hand.
2. They wait for his Word, and do receive Commandment from him.
3. They oft-times declare God's Mind and Will to Men. Thus they were employed to give the Law on Mount Sinai, and to reveal God's Mind to Abraham, to Hagar, to Lot, to Elijah, to the Virgin Mary, to the Shepherds, to the Apostles, to Philip, to Paul, to John, &c.
4. To govern the Kingdoms of the World; for it is not to be doubted, but God makes use of them upon this account. Hence they are called Princes, yea, glorious Princes, and are much above the Kings and Potentates of the Earth, Dan. 10.13. Eccles. 5.8.
⟨p. 51⟩5. They are God's Warriors, to execute his Decrees, whether of Mercy, as 2 Kings 6.17. or of Judgment, 2 Sam. 24.17. 2 Kings 19.35. Rev. 16.7.
6. They are continually employed in praising of God, crying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. Isa. 6.3. Rev. 4.8. & 7.11, 12.
Secondly; In reference to the Church and People of God, they have a great Charge committed to them, and much Business and Work to do.4 He hath given his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
1. They are as Nurses, to bear up and to keep the Godly from Hurt:5 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy Foot against a Stone.
2. They are as Stewards, to provide for the Godly in their Need. How graciously was Elijah fed by Angels, with a Cake baked on the Coals, and a Cruse of Water,6 when he was faint, and ready to die!
Metaphor. | Parallel.
A Watcher or Watchman imports such as sleep not, or but little; their Business is to watch, which they cannot do unless they keep themselves awake. | ANgels are not subject to sleep, as Men are; they always are awake, beholding the Evil and the Good, hence said to be full of Eyes.1
II. Watchers import such as have a Charge committed to them, of great importance, which they are continually to look after. The Apostle speaking of the Care of Ministers,2 saith, They watch for our Souls, &c. |
II. Angels have a great Charge committed to them, they are employed about great and weighty Affairs; and that, First, in reference unto God; Secondly, in reference unto Saints; Thirdly, In reference unto wicked Men.
First; In reference unto God.
1. They are his Courtiers, attending upon Him continually for his Honour, and to set forth his Magnificence. I saw the Lord sitting on his Throne, 3and all the Host of Heaven standing by him, on his right hand, and on his left hand.
2. They wait for his Word, and do receive Commandment from him.
3. They oft-times declare God's Mind and Will to Men. Thus they were employed to give the Law on Mount Sinai, and to reveal God's Mind to Abraham, to Hagar, to Lot, to Elijah, to the Virgin Mary, to the Shepherds, to the Apostles, to Philip, to Paul, to John, &c.
4. To govern the Kingdoms of the World; for it is not to be doubted, but God makes use of them upon this account. Hence they are called Princes, yea, glorious Princes, and are much above the Kings and Potentates of the Earth, Dan. 10.13. Eccles. 5.8.
⟨p. 51⟩5. They are God's Warriors, to execute his Decrees, whether of Mercy, as 2 Kings 6.17. or of Judgment, 2 Sam. 24.17. 2 Kings 19.35. Rev. 16.7.
6. They are continually employed in praising of God, crying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.
- 1Ezek. 1.18
- 2Heb. 13.17
- 31 Kings 22.19. Act. 7.33. Gen. 16.7. & 10.12. 2 King. 1. L••. •.26. Acts 10.3. & 1.11. & 8.26. & 27 24. Rev. 1.1.1 Kings 22.19. Act. 7.33. Gen. 16.7. & 10.12. 2 Ki•g. 1. L••. •.26. Acts 10.3. & 1.11. & 8.26. & 27 24. Rev. 1.1.
- 4Psal. 91.11
- 5Psal. 91.12
- 62 Kings 19.4, 5.
