clearly understand, till we mingle with the world of spirits. These different names seem, however, to imply, that some difference of degree, and possibly some subordination of rule, obtains among them. But they shall not be able, either singly or collectively, to separate believers from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

The general distribution of angels, principalities, and powers, is into good and evil. They were all created glorious and excellent creatures; for nothing but good could originally proceed from God, the fountain of goodness. But some of them “ kept not their first "estate." Sin Sin despoiled them of their glory, and changed them from angels of light into powers of darkness. And though they have a permissive liberty, subservient to the limitations and designs of divine wisdom, to influence the minds, and to interfere in the affairs, of mankind; yet they are confined in chains of darkness which they cannot break, and are reserved to the judgement of the great day.

There are likewise an innumerable company of elect or good angels, Rev. iii. 11. who were preserved by sovereign grace, and are now established (together with believers) in CHRIST JESUS, the great Head of the whole family of God, in heaven and in earth. From these, we may be sure, believers have nothing to fear. They are our brethren and fellow-servants. They join in the song of the redeemed before the throne; and rejoice in the conversion of a sinner upon earth. We cannot include these in the apostle's challenge, any farther than by way of supposition; as he expresses himself upon another occasion, Gal. i. 8. It is not possible that an angel from heaven should preach, if he came to preach, any other Gospel than that which is revealed in Scripture; but if such a thing could be supposed, we

ought not to regard him. So it is not to be thought that the elect angels of God should wish to hinder the salvation of a sinner. But if you conceive, for a moment, that any or all of them could form such a design, they would not be able to succeed: for they are all subject to "HIM who loved us, and washed us from “our sins in his own blood." So far, however, are the holy angels from designing us harm, that they are greatly instrumental in promoting our good. They are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to the heirs " of salvation;" and they rejoice in the service, and account it their honour to be thus employed.

I propose, in this paper, briefly to consider the ministry of GOOD angels; and may perhaps hereafter offer a few thoughts on the influence and interference of EVIL angels, who are continually labouring to disturb and trouble those whom they are not permitted to destroy. And I shall not attempt to amuse the reader with new and strange conjectures upon these subjects, or to intrude into those things which are not revealed, but shall confine myself to the express declarations of the word of God.

The great God works ALL in ALL in both worlds. It is he who filleth the earth with good things, causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and provides corn for the food of man. But in thus spreading a table for us,

He commands his sun to

he makes use of instruments. shine, and his rain to descend. So he is the life, strength, and comfort, of the renewed soul. All the streams of grace flow from Christ, the fountain. But, from the analogy observable in his works, we might reasonably suppose, that, on many occasions, he is pleased to use means and instruments, and particularly the ministry of his angels, to communicate good to his children. Scrip

ture expressly confirms this inference, and leaves it no longer a point of mere conjecture. He gives his angels charge over them, and they encamp round about them that fear him. In this way honour is given to Jesus, as the Lord both of angels and men; and a sweet intercourse is kept up between the different parts of the household of God. That, angels have been thus employed in fact, is plain from the history both of the Old and New Testament. They have often made themselves visible, when sent to declare the will of God, as to Jacob, Elijah, and David. Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and Mary; and a multitude joined in ascribing "glory to God in the highest," when they brought to the shepherds the joyful news of a Saviour's birth. An angel delivered Peter from prison, and comforted Paul when tossed by a tempest upon the seas. How far the sensible ministration of angels is continued in these days, is not easy to determine. Many persons have been imposed upon by Satan, through such expectations; and it is not safe to look for extraordinary things: yet I do not know that we have warrant from Scripture to limit the Lord, so far as to affirm, that he doth not, nor ever will, upon any occasion, permit his angels to be seen by men, as in former times. The apostle, pressing believers to exercise hospitality, uses this argument, that, "thereby some have entertained angels unawares;" which would hardly seem to be a pertinent motive, if it were absolutely certain that angels would never offer themselves as visitants to the servants of God in future times, as they had formerly done. But, waving speculations as to their visible appearance, it is sufficient to know, that they are really, though invisibly, near us, and mindful of us.

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May we not receive assistance from the angels in our

spiritual warfare? That evil angels have an influence and power to distress and disquiet us, is well known to exercised souls. And it seems quite reasonable to believe, that the good angels are as willing, and as able, to communicate helpful and encouraging impressions. As it is not always easy to distinguish between the temptations of Satan and the workings of our own evil hearts; so it may be equally or more difficult to distinguish these assistances from the effects of gracious principles abiding in us, or from the leadings and motions of the Holy Spirit. Nor need we be anxious about it. We can not err in ascribing all to the Lord. Yet there is something cheering in the thought, that we are accompanied and surrounded by these blessed spirits, who have both înclination and ability to relieve, strengthen, and admonish us, in ways which we cannot fully understand. Who can tell how often, and how seasonably, a promise, a caution, a direction from, or agreeable to the word of God, is darted upon our minds by these kind messengers of our Father's love?

We may warrantably think, they are employed in restraining, over-ruling, and controlling, the designs of Satan and his angels. The power, malice, and subtlety of our enemy, are very great. We may learn what he would do to us all, if he could, from the instance of Job. But the Lord rebukes him, and that most probably by the ministry of unfallen angels, who are said to encamp round his people, to deliver them; and doubtless their care is especially employed where the greatest danger lies. Much to this purpose seems to be implied in the following passages, Dan. x. 13. Rev. xii. 7. Jude, 9.

They are witnesses to the sufferings, and to the worship, of his people, 1 Cor. iv. 9. Though they do not show themselves to us, as heretofore to Peter or Paul,

they are still near, and attentive; are interested in the conflicts, and rejoice in the victories, of a poor believer. They are present likewise in our solemn assemblies; therefore the apostle charges Timothy, as "before the "elect angels;" and seems to refer to them in 1 Cor. xi. 10. This reflection should enliven and regulate our thoughts when we come together: for though the presence of our Lord and Saviour is the great consideration, yet this likewise may, in its proper place, have some influence to compose our behaviour, Heb. xii. 22.

The ministry of angels preserves us from innumerable dangers and alarms which await us in our daily path. This is expressly taught in Psalm xci. When we receive little or no harm from a fall, or when a sudden motion of our minds leads us to avoid a danger which we were not aware of, perhaps the angels of God have been the means of our preservation; nay, it may be owing to their good offices that we ever perform a journey in safety, or are preserved from the evils we are liable to when sleeping upon our beds, and incapable of taking any care of ourselves.

Finally, they are appointed to attend the saints in their last hours; and, in a manner beyond our present apprehension, to keep off the powers of darkness, and bear the children of God safely home to their Father's house, Luke, xvi. 22.

The limits of a sheet will not admit of enlargement upon these particulars. The subject is pleasing and comfortable, and well suited to encourage believers under two very common trials.

1. We are often cast down to think how few there are who worship God in spirit and in truth; and are ready to complain, with Elijah, that we are almost left to serve him alone. But Jesus is not slighted and despised in