as the means and instruments by which the Divine glory is to be the more illustriously displayed. As they surveyed God's finished work of creation, why did these sons of the morning shout for joy? What was celebrated in that joyful hymn, which broke so sweetly over a new-created world? They had been witnesses of an awful rebellion in their own ranks :* they had seen a great number of their compeers banished from their habitation into darkness, reserved unto the Judgment of the great day. They looked upon the new creation with adoration and joy, as the theatre from which the Supreme Being might replenish His kingdom, with holy and happy subjects. This, we may rationally suppose, was the secret of the joy they expressed, when they came to view this new product of the Divine power and skill. It was here that a race of beings, made but a little lower than themselves, might be trained up for the joys of immortality, and to replenish their own decimated ranks. The prospect dilated and kindled fresh joy in their souls; and, with more than ten thousand voices, they pealed forth a new anthem of praise to HIM that sitteth on the throne.

When sin entered into the world, it can not be supposed that these active, watchful spirits could long remain ignorant of the catastrophe. They would be still strong in their confidence towards

* Rev. xii. 7-9.

the blessed and only Potentate, that He could bring light even out of this darkness, order out of this moral chaos; and where sin abounded, make His grace and glory much more to abound. It was when Jehovah revealed His plan of saving rebel man, by the promise, that the Seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, that their wonder and amazement were excited, more than by all the works of God. A new song was then heard in heaven; Gabriel's lyre seemed to find a sweeter melody. Redemption, from that moment, became the study of the angels, and the subject of their holiest meditations and divinest strains. "Which things," i. e. the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow, "the angels desire to look into.” * In this expression the Apostle represents them as in the attitude of the cherubim over the mercy-seat, bending over to pry into the things hidden by their vastness and incomprehensible excellence, from the view. To fathom the deep "mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh" tasks their immortal faculties. They, however, understand much of its glory; in no other instance have they seen such a display of the character of the Divine Being; they admire His perfections displayed in the cross of Christ. Although sinless themselves, they rejoice in the grace manifested to sinful men; whilst they veil

* 1 Pet. i. 11, 12.

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their faces, in secret amazement, that the brightness of the Father's glory should condescend to be led as a lamb to the slaughter. Calvary is the spot around which cluster the deepest sympathies of angelic minds.

If they were the protectors of patriarchs, the prophets, the martyrs of the ancient church, it was because they were the "heirs of salvation." They encamped round about them, and delivered them, because they feared the Lord. They delight to be employed in carrying out the gracious designs of their glorious King. They are swift messengers; they are willing ministers. In the salvation of apostate man, as a work which lies near His heart, and which illustrates His perfections of holiness, love, power and truth, it affords them the highest bliss to be permitted to have an instrumentality. We have the same reason to believe that the agency of angels, in the affairs of men, is continued, as that it ever existed. The day of miracles is, indeed, passed; the age of inspiration is also passed; but let us not suppose that all supernaturalism is at an end, or that the day of angelic instrumentality, in the providential kingdom, is over. Prophecy, which remains unfulfilled, recognizes its employment; and it will be employed so long as there are heirs of salvation to be ministered to-to be conducted and welcomed to the courts of glory.* It is a thought of thrilling interest

Ps. xxxiv. 7. Heb. i. 14.

that we often, in a literal sense, entertain in our very houses, "angels unawares." In our places of business and of rest,-in our seasons of sorrow and of joy, they are present with us. O, could we penetrate the veil that hides invisible realities, we should discover, that even in our most secret retirement, we are surrounded with witnesses. Nor do they visit this world as curious idlers, to watch the various success of men in the battle of life; but possessed of holy natures, and the keenest sensibility, their most lively emotions are excited on occasions, when men betray the utmost indifference. With what sadness must they gaze upon many a scene of unholy pleasure! With what joy would they rescue the deluded victim of the wine-cup, or of meretricious art! They make no false estimates, and are never imposed. upon, by mere gaud, or by disguises. They form a right judgment of the importance of events which are taking place in this world. The various contests which we watch, with absorbing interest, may be regarded by them as comparatively unimportant. They judge of events as they stand related to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the salvation of human souls.

When He who was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, left His throne and assumed our nature, we may

* Heb. xiii. 1.

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rationally suppose that the angels were filled with the. highest astonishment. We may almost imagine these bright spirits, now for the first time fully apprehending the import of the promise respecting the Seed of the woman, suddenly arrested in the execution of their several ministries, to watch this strange spectacle. "What new wonder this?" they inquire, as amazement spreads along their shining ranks; and legions stand ready to become an invisible bodyguard to the Son of the Highest, in His humiliation. One of their number was selected and sent, by God, to make the annunciation to the Virgin, that she should bring forth a Son, who should be the Redeemer of the world. When the birth of the Redeemer was published to the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem, keeping their flocks by night, as they beheld with wonder the glory of the Lord, shining round about them; suddenly they heard " multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON This song finished, they went away again into heaven; but the holy Child was not without His invisible retinue to shield HIм from the malice which hunted HIM while yet in His cradle. Legions of angels would have been sent at His call when encompassed, in after life, by the assembly of the unjust. In the wilder

EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN.

Matt. xxvi. 53.

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