tions of Angels were not very refined in those Days, nor could they have born their sensible and free Converses, it they had lookt on them as Creatures of a Nature so distant from their own.
And therefore afterward, when they were better understood, those to whom they appeared were struck with great dread and amazement, and thought they should presently Die. Nor do we, as I remember, read any more of the Angels Eating or Drinking, after what seemed to Abraham and Lot. Indeed Manoah invited the Angel to Eat, Judg. 13. 15. but it was before he knew he was an Angel, and it is set down in excuse of the offer, v. 16. For Manoah knew not that he was an Angel of the Lord, implying, that the Invitation had been absurd if he had known it.
I have said this in Answer to the Objection, though the main Cause is not concerned; for though I should grant that Abraham's and Lot's Angels were Men, yet the other Instances in which that could be said or supposed, are more than enough to carry my Point, That real Angels, Inhabitants of the invisible World, did sometimes sensibly appear.
SECT. IV.
That Angels are still ministring Spirits as well as of old.
But it will be said, when they did appear, it was upon Divine Errands, and God sent them to serve the ends of his Government and Providence; which I grant, and God Almighty hath the same ends to serve still, he Governs the World now, and his Providence is as watchful as ever, and the Angels are the chief Ministers of that Providence, and ministring Spirits for our good. The Gospel was ushered in by the Apparition of Angels, and many things done by them in the carrying of it on; and why we should not appear on occasion now, I do not see; but this is more than I need say yet, being for the first step only to shew, that Spirits have transacted with Men.
