we have many indications in scripture. Our blessed Lord, speaking of the future state, says to his disciples, “I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke xxii. 29, 30. When we consider into what surpassing fragrance and beauty the coarsest elements of earth and water are transformed by their mysterious circulation through the delicate framework of a plant, we may readily divest our minds of all that pertains to the grosser act of eating and drinking, and the common properties of such nutriment as man is accustomed to take, and believe that in heaven as on earth, the brightest, most perfect of the Lord's works is hourly dependent on his sustaining mercy, formed by his power, upheld by his grace, and nourished by the rich provision of his bountiful care.

III.

ANGELIC OBEDIENCE.

THERE is not, in the whole Bible, an instance where an angel appears to act independently of the divine command. Perfect submission is the unvaried character of the heavenly host. Our Lord expresses this, in the prayer which he has taught us to use: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." When John would have worshipped the angel who showed him the wonderful things that he has recorded for us, he was prohibited in these words: "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book." Rev. xxii. 9.

We cannot doubt that the Holy Spirit has so framed the word of truth as to be a perpetual antidote to every form of error that should creep into the world: and the "worshipping of angels," which constitutes a prominent mark of the Romish apostacy, is provided against by continually setting forth their entire dependence and subordination. They never appear but as messengers:

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"God sent an angel into Jerusalem to destroy it." Chron. xxi. 15. "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me.” Dan. vi. 22. "The man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.” Dan. ix. 21. "At the beginning of thy supplication the commandment came forth, and I am come.” v. 23. "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God, unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth." Luke i. 26. "Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews" Acts xii. 11: and in the last instance that is recorded by inspiration of an angelic mission, we read, "I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches." Rev. xxii. 16. However willingly performed for men, it is still a service appointed of God, and by him specially directed : they are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them that shall be heirs of salvation” Heb. i. 14 ; and it is on this principle of holy obedience that we find them zealously executing God's righteous displeasure against the rebellious.

When the way to the tree of life was to be closed against fallen man, cherubims were set to guard the entrance, and with their flaming swords they rendered it unapproachable: when that way was again to be thrown

open, and the twelve manner of fruits yielded in their season, and the leaves to be applied for the healing of the nations, twelve angels are represented as standing at the gates that are never to be shut, day or night; not armed to bar the passage, but as guards of honour, welcoming the happy comers to that scene of everlasting felicity. The variety of commissions which we know the angels to have executed among men, sufficiently attest their prompt obedience to every command of their glorious King, whom to serve is their privilege and joy; for "he doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven." Dan. iv. 35. "Thinkest thou," said our Lord to the disciple who smote the high priest's servant, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than ten legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Matt. xxvi. 53, 54.

We now proceed to review the instances of angelic interference, not already exhibited in these pages, as they occur in the Holy Scriptures; and as the work of vengeance is in no way consonant to the character of a holy angel, except when executed in loyal obedience to the command of his righteous King, who will punish evil-doers, we may class under the present head all the destructive operations of the heavenly hosts. In the song of Deborah, we have a curse sternly denounced, in language highly expressive of this feeling. "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the

inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." Judges v. 23. The Lord needs no help of men or of angels; yet the armies of heaven stand around, eager to be employed against the enemies of his name, and of his people; and to withhold the hand when such work is to be done, seems to them so hatefully unthankful, as to draw forth the most emphatic anathema against such offenders. To render a recompense to those who afflict Christ in his members, is indeed a part of the angelic office; as David shows, when, speaking of those who sought to destroy his soul, he says, "Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord persecute them." Psalm xxxv, 5, 6. In virtue of this office, they will fulfil their terrible commission in the last days of the present dispensation. "The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matt. xiii. 42. They will come fully prepared for the terrible work of that great day: "It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey