knowledge will breathe a cautionary word, when the purport of this remonstrance becomes evident: but I desire my reader to go no farther with me than scripture plainly leads me by the hand.

The subject before me is our exceeding slowness to avail ourselves, practically and consolatorily, of what is revealed to us in God's word, concerning the vast company of disembodied spirits; and, more especially, that of the angels. I often hear such investigations cried out against, as unprofitably speculative, while points that God has wrapped in impenetrable majesty, and our intrusion into which invariably leads to open strife, or secret disunion, are hunted after and dwelt upon as though on our knowledge of them hinged the whole business of our salvation.

Now I firmly believe, and because I believe therefore I speak it, that we offend in passing over so inconsiderately what occurs in every part of the holy scriptures, and what would assuredly not be so fully enlarged on there, if it was unprofitable for us. The ministry of the angels is a theme so humbling, so animating, so everyway cheering to us poor pilgrims who look, through grace, to be one day "made like unto the angels," that I would solicit attention to a few of the points, particularly referred to in God's word concerning it. Those blessed creatures are described as shouting for joy, when the world which we inhabit emerged from chaos, and clothed in light, beauty, vegetation and life, commenced its mighty revolutions through the regions of unmeasured space. At the predicted "end of the world," they are displayed as going forth to make a last and awful separation of the righteous from

among the wicked; forming themselves into a dazzling host of attendant spectators, and surely of active agents, in the tremendous closing scene of judgment and condemnation. The first direct mention of them is in that passage, where an angel with a flaming sword that turns every way, is set to keep the path to the forfeited tree of life: the last is in the final clause of the bible, where the Lord Jesus declares that he has sent his angel to shew unto the churches the things that must shortly be: among which, nearly first and last in the book of the Revelation of St. John, we find the re-opening of the path to that tree of life by the power of Immanuel: and, after these heavens and this earth shall have utterly fled away from before the Judge's face, and no more place shall be found for them, we know from the most explicit testimony of the Holy Ghost, that the angels shall be, with the saints, fellow-worshippers for ever. Even as now they are fellowservants of the same glorious Master.

Let the question be fairly considered,-can a subject whereon scripture throws much light, in a continued stream of uniform and cheering brilliancy, be an unprofitable study for God's children? The trite remark, we know very little about it,' is justly applicable to every part of the mystery of godliness; but furnishes us with no rational excuse for wilful ignorance, as far as it is revealed to us. The broad fact is this: a race of happy beings, who, preserved by sovereign grace, keep their first estate, and remain in unbroken allegiance to God, are continually about us, though unseen. They have an especial charge concerning us who believe in Jesus: they ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to

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them that shall be heirs of salvation." They execute God's wrath upon the enemies of his church; and perform a multitude of gracious offices for its members. Whom does our blessed Lord describe as peculiarly rejoicing over a penitent sinner? "The angels of God." Who is said to encamp about him that feareth the Lord, to deliver him? "The angel of the Lord." To whom does he give charge concerning his servants, to keep them in all their ways, to bear them up in their hands, lest at any time they dash their foot against a stone? "His angels." By whom was the soul of Lazarus borne to its rest in Abraham's bosom? "By the angels." Who encircle the throne of the Lamb, and the saints there worshipping their glorified Redeemer, and add to that hymn an ascription of the loftiest praise that lip can utter, or heart conceive? "Many angels.... ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.'

treme.

The church of Rome, "blaspheming them that dwell in heaven," by blasphemously investing them with honours that belong to their king alone, has robbed us of much comfort, and them of much grateful love, justly their due, by driving us into an opposite exBecause the papist says an idolatrous prayer to his 'angel guardian,' we must be taught to forget that such guardians are appointed to attend us. Because he worships our fellow-servants, we must turn our faces from them. This is absolutely childish; unworthy of those who have been taught to choose the good while refusing the evil. Of all things not one can be named so sweet to the human heart, as sympathy. Investigate your feelings, when turning in faith and love to your blessed Saviour.

What is it that draws you nearest to him?-the assurance of his sympathy. "Touched with a feeling of our infirmities." "In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin: "-oh, which among us could endure to see those words obliterated from the record of his love! Human sympathy, however imperfect, cold, low, and defiled, is, except in some few possible cases of unaccountable perversity, an indispensable ingredient in our cup of earthly comfort. Who can bear to see others laugh while he weeps, dance while he suffers, make light of his troubles, mock at his fears, and sneer at his enjoyments? Some do bear this, because their lot is so cast that they cannot avoid it; but does it not add wormwood to their gall, and throw a cloud over their joy? If it be so, why do we slight the explicit assurance given by our Lord, that he has appointed a band of tenderly sympathizing creatures, who are in his immediate service and presence, to be the ministers of his precious bounty, the gentle companions of our weary, and often lonesome way? Why do we prefer almost any topic of meditation and discourse to that which would render us more grateful for his providential care in thus surrounding us? We fear, perhaps, to dishonour him by looking to any intermediate object, as though he was not himself present with us at all times, according to the promises of his gracious word but this is a vain fear. As well might we despise our visible guardians and guides: the child its parent, the flock their pastor, on the same grounds. God would not spread a snare for our souls in every part of the book which he has given to be a light unto our feet: but it may be well imagined that Satan would find a powerful inducement to dissuade

us from the subject; because our minds, if much conversant with the world of spirits, would oftener revert to the legions of his angels, which also compass us about, and so be stirred up to much greater vigilance against their devices. That such is the case, I firmly believe.

To refer even to a small part of what is revealed of angelic agency in the Old Testament, would occupy many pages; but may I not glance at a few prominent instances in the New? There is a fervor in the address of Gabriel to Mary, which reminds us forcibly of his mission to Daniel, so promptly and lovingly fulfilled. There is a rapture in the sudden outburst of angelic praise, when the stupendous mystery of God manifest in the flesh, "wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger," was announced to the shepherds at Bethlehem, which strikes to the heart. What was it to those sinless, happy creatures, if we wretched worms of the earth should perish in our guilt? No loss would have been theirs; nor could our infinite gain affect them, otherwise than as it brings glory to their Lord; and gratifies, on our behalf, the benevolence of their peaceful natures. I cannot without deep emotion picture to myself the angels, restrained from ministering to their King during his forty days of painful abstinence, and while the tempter assailed him; and then permitted to fulfil the wondrous office of ministering to HIM. My soul sinks at the contemplation of that more wondrous scene where an angel, a single angel out of heaven, was enabled to strengthen him-to strengthen his Creator! I cannot fathom the depth of the humiliation that stooped so low.

As man, I well know he would receive