May 16

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?—Heb. l. 14.

Are they not? It is not a doubtful question, but the strongest way of affirmation; nothing is surer than that they are.

All. Not one of that heavenly company excepted. The highest angel thinks it no disparagement to serve a soul for whom Christ died; well may they all stoop to serve them when they see Christ their Lord hath stooped, even to death, to save them. They are all of them

Ministering spirits. Public officers, to whom their tutelage is committed: To them it belongs to attend, serve, protect, and relieve them. The greatest barons and peers in the kingdoms of this world, think it not below them to wait upon the heir apparent to the crown, in his minority; and no less dignity is stamped by God upon the souls of men whom he calls

Heirs of salvation. And in some respects nearer to Christ than themselves are; on this account it is, that the angels delight to serve them. Christ's little ones upon earth have their angels, which always behold the face of God in heaven, and therefore saith our Lord, "Take heed you despise not one of these little ones;" they are greater persons than you are aware of. Nor is it enough that one angel is appointed to wait upon all, or many of them, but many angels, even a whole host of them, are sometimes sent to attend upon one of them. As Jacob was going on his way, the angels of God met him; and when he saw them he said, "This is God's host."

The same two offices which belong to a nurse to whom the father commits his child, belong also to the angels in heaven, with respect to the children of God, viz., to keep them tenderly whilst they are abroad, and bring them home to their Father's house at last. And how clearly doth all this evince and demonstrate the dignity and value of souls? Was it an argument of the grandeur and magnificence of King Solomon, that he had two hundred men with targets, and three hundred men with shields of beaten gold for his ordinary guard every day? And is it not a mark of far greater dignity than ever Solomon had in all his glory, to have hosts of angels attending us? In comparison of one of this guard, Solomon himself was but a worm in all his magnificence.

"And is there care in heaven? and is there love In heavenly spirits to these creatures base, That may compassion of their evils move? There is:—else much more wretched were the case Of men than beasts; but, O, th' exceeding grace Of Highest God that loves his creatures so, And all his works of mercy doth embrace, That blessed angels he sends to and fro, To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe!

"How oft do they their silver bowers leave, To come to succor us, that succor want! How do they with golden pinions cleave The yielding skies, like flying pursuivant, Against foul fiends to aid us militant! They for us fight, they watch and duly ward, And their bright squadrons round about us plant; And all for love and nothing for reward; O why should Heavenly God to men have such regard!"