Angels: God's Messengers--Our Attendants (3)

Let us think and make use of this; that now in Christ we have the attendance of angels. We do not see them, as in former times, before Christ's incarnation. It is true; because now, since Christ has come in the flesh the rule of Christ is spiritual; and we are not supported with those glorious manifestations, instead they are about us in an invisible manner. We have 'Elisha's guard' (2 Kings 6:17) about us continually, but we see them not. There were more appearances in the infancy of the church because the plan and work of Christ then was according to the weak state of the church. But now Christ has come in the flesh and has been received up in glory and there is more abundance of the Holy Spirit. We should be more spiritual and heavenly-minded, and not look for the visible appearance of angels; but be content that we have a guard of them about us. 'Despise not,' said Christ, 'these little ones for their angels behold the face of your heavenly Father' (Matt 18:10). There are angels even of children. Let a man be poor, even as Lazarus, yet he has the attendance of angels, in life and death (Luke 16:22). There is not Christian of low degree, of the lowest degree, that can think himself neglected of God, for the very angels attend him.
Likewise, this may comfort us in all our extremities, in all our desertions. The time may come when we may be deserted by the world and deserted by our friends, so that we have nobody in the world near us. But if a man be a true Christian, he has God and angels about him always. If a man has nobody by him when he dies but God and his good angels, is he neglected? Every Christian, if he has no one else with him, he has God, the whole Trinity, and the guard of angels, to help and comfort him, and to convey his soul to the place of happiness.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Fountain Opened, Works, vol. 5, pp. 496-501
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