The Holy Angels Compared to an Host, or Army

    THE HOLY ANGELS COMPARED TO AN HOST, OR ARMY

    "Jacob went on his way, and the Angels of God met him," Ge 32:1. "And when he saw them, he said, this is God's Host: And he called the name of that place Mahaniam" that is, two Hosts or camps, Ge 32:2.

    "And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God," &c. Lu 2:13.

    ANGELS, so name of the Greek, aggelov, Angelos, in Hebrew Maleac, messenger or legate, one sent or employed in any work, are in these scriptures called God's Host or Army; not that he needeth them to protect himself, or suppress his enemies, being infinitely stronger than all the armies he himself hath, and then what is the strength and force of all the armies of his enemies?

    Therefore when God is said to have armies, it is either to signify, first, that he hath all things at his command, and is full of power: or, secondly, that although he can do all things by himself, yet he will use the agency of his creature to effect his purpose.

    METAPHOR

    I. An Host or Army have a prince or general, who is the head of them.

    PARALLEL

    I. The Lord's Host, or Army of Angels, have a Prince or general, who is their Head and Leader, viz., the Lord Jesus Christ, who is called the Head of principalities and powers.

    METAPHOR

    II. An Host or Army consists of many companies, amongst which there are divers ranks and orders, and yet all in subjection to their prince, and chief leader.

    PARALLEL

    II. Angels, the Lord's Host consist of many companies or legions: "Thinkest thou, that I cannot pray to my Father, and he shall send me more than twelve legions of Angels?" Christ spake in the Roman phrase, who reckoned their armies by legions, as we by regiments. Six thousand six hundred sixty-six, was the number of a legion; then the number of twelve legions was seventy nine thousand nine hundred ninety-two, a great Army: but how many more no man can say. Christ pitched upon a great certain number, to show, saith Mr. Caryl, he could have what number he pleased, if he did not call for them. "We are come," saith the apostle, "to an innumerable company of Angels." The Lord's camp is very great. "The chariots of the Lord are twenty thousand, even many thousands of Angels," Ps 68:17. We read of many degrees or orders of Angels, which some account to be nine.

    1. Cherubims, that is, Angels of knowledge, as St. Jerom interprets the world; but others from Cherub, a figure or image. Others from Chi, a note of similitude, and a Chaldee word which signifies Puerum et Juvenem, a youth. And so, as a learned writer observes, they were usually represented in the shape of a man, to show them to be intellectual creatures; of a young man, to express their vigour and strength; with wings, to declare their agility and swiftness. These we read were placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, with a flaming sword, Ge 3:24.: and their figures were appointed to be placed over the mercy-seat, in the tabernacle and temple, Ex 25:20.

    2. Seraphims, the Angels of zeal. Their name is from an Hebrew word XXXX which signifies to burn, or burning, according to that of the Psalms, "He maketh his ministers a flame of fire," Eze 10; Ps 104:4.

    3. Thrones, which are royal seats of kings and monarchs, in their magnificence and glory

    4. Dominions, or lordships.

    5. Principalities, denoting special and peculiar jurisdiction, Col 1:16.

    6. Powers, such as have right to execute authority by God's appointment, and not by his permission only.

    7. Mighties.

    8. Archangels, 1Th 4:16.

    9. Angels, &c.

    Others account but seven orders of Angels, and some but three. The holy scriptures doth not fully open and unfold the mystery of Angels, to us in this respect, therefore it is good for us, as I said before, not to be wise above what is written; though no doubt but there is a most excellent order amongst them. And probably there are different ranks and degrees of them, and yet all are in subjection to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is their Prince, and supreme Head, whom they all reverence, worship, and adore.

    METAPHOR

    III. An Host or Army is raised to make war, and fight under the banner of their prince and sovereign, and many times do dreadful execution, and make great desolation in the earth.

    PARALLEL

    III. The holy Angels, God's mighty Host, are employed to fight his battles, and at his command to fall upon his enemies, when all terms of peace and reconciliation are rejected, and sinners, are grown incorrigible, &c. What fearful execution and desolation have they made in the world, when they have had commission from the Almighty! Was it not this Host that came against Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, "We will destroy this place," Ge 19:13; 2Ki 19:35. One of these soldiers destroyed no less than an hundred fourscore and five thousand men in the camp of the Assyrians. What cause have the enemies of the Church to tremble, when they consider what a mighty and powerful Army is raised, and always in readiness at God's command to fall upon them! What is the power of the proudest monarch here below, when compared to the strength of the Lord's Host, or Christ's heavenly army !

    METAPHOR

    IV. An Host or great Army sometimes breaks in upon a people that are secure, utterly destroying and spoiling them on a sudden.

    PARALLEL

    IV. The Angels of God come upon the wicked enemies of Jesus Christ, and his Church, sometimes on a sudden; in one night was that great Host of the Assyrians destroyed. "When he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops," Hab 3:16.

    METAPHOR

    V. An Host or mighty Army hath many slaughtering weapons; if one doth not execution, another will.

    PARALLEL

    V. So the Angels of God have many slaughtering weapons, or ways to destroy, sometimes by famine, sometimes by plague, sometimes by the sword, and sometimes make use of all these three together, against a people that God resolves utterly to destroy, Eze 9:2.

    METAPHOR

    VI. An Host, or victorious Army, sometimes meet with great opposition, and are fiercely engaged by stout and sturdy enemies, that will not quickly yield, though at last they be forced to fly, being vanquished.

    PARALLEL

    VI. The holy Angels of God are sometimes opposed by evil Angels, who are fierce, sturdy, and cruel enemies to them. "And there was war in heaven: Michael, and his Angels, fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his Angels, and prevailed not, &c. Re 12:7.

    METAPHOR

    I. An earthly Host or Army, though ever so victorious at other times, may yet meet with their match, nay, be sometimes worsted.

    DISPARITY

    I. The Lord's Host was never worsted. Though the evil Angels are mighty in power, and have been oftentimes too hard for the saints; yet they are not able to stand before the holy Angels of God.

    METAPHOR

    II Soldiers of an earthly Host are mortal men, and may be put to the sword, or lose their lives by the hands of their enemies.

    DISPARITY

    II. The Angels of God are immortal spirits, and cannot sustain the least hurt or wound, much less be slain, in any wars they are engaged in against their enemies.

    INFERENCES.

    I. What comfort may this administer to the godly! may I not say, with the prophet, "Fear not; for they that be with us, are more than they that be with them," 2Ki 6:1.

    II. And as it affords comfort to the saints, it may serve to terrify sinners, and such especially as are persecutors of the Church of God. How sad is their condition, considering whom they make war against! Can they stand before the terrible God? God is their enemy, Christ is their enemy, and the Angels of heaven are against them, and their enemies likewise.

    III. Bless God, you that are in covenant with him, for the sake of these helpers.

    IV. This shows us also what great glory is conferred upon the Lord Jesus Christ, our blessed Mediator; he is the Head and chief Leader of all the glorious Angels; they are all at his command, and ready to engage in his wars; if he but speak the word, they come with slaughtering weapons in their hands, to execute his wrath and displeasure upon the world, Eze 9:2.