The Holy Angels Compared to the Morning-Stars

    THE HOLY ANGELS COMPARED TO THE MORNING-STARS

    "When the Morning-Star sang together" &c., Job 38:7.

    STARS are taken two ways: first, Properly, secondly, Metaphorically.

    Some understand by Stars in this place, the Stars which God hath set in the firmament of heaven, or Stars in a proper sense; others, as Mr. Caryl ou Job 38. page 81, observes, the holy Angels, which, saith he, he may be called Stars, or Morning-Stars, by a Metaphor, &c.

    METAPHOR

    I. MORNING-STARS are full of beauty, bright, and glorious.

    PARALLEL

    I. ANGELS are very beautiful creatures, their glory is wonderful. Hence Stephen's face was said to be as it had been the face of an Angel, Ac 6:15; and very beautiful persons are said to resemble or seem like Angels. Though they have not a visible bodily beauty, yet they have a better beauty than any body.

    METAPHOR

    II. Morning-Stars give light; they are not only beautiful, but shining. The chief Morning-Star, called Lucifer, signifies a light-bringer.

    PARALLEL

    II. Angels are not only very beautiful creatures, but also full of light. We read of an Angel in the Revelations, that the whole earth was lighted with his glory. This shows that Angels are very glorious and shining. Though I understand that is not spoken of a proper Angel; yet it shows that Angels are full of light, and therefore called Angels of light.

    METAPHOR

    III. Stars are guides to mariners, by which, they know how to steer a right course.

    PARALLEL

    III. Angels are and have been as guides to the saints, and spiritual mariners. They guided or gave direction unto Lot, to escape the flames of Sodom; and led Peter out of prison, and thereby saved him from imminent danger. Abraham, told his servant, God would send his Angel to guide, or prosper his way, Ge 24:40.