which compose this preface, they are, indeed, very few in number; but, looking to the matter, they are of the highest importance, and are replete with mysteries.
" FATHER"] The first word which, by the command and institution of our Lord, we utter in (the Greek and Latin of) this prayer is " Father." The Redeemer, it is true, might have commenced this prayer with a word more expressive of majesty, such as " Creator," or " Lord;" yet these he omitted, as they might be associated with ideas of terror, choosing rather an expression which inspires love and confidence. What name more tender than that of Father? a name at once expressive of indulgence and love. [1]
The propriety of the word " Father," as applied to God, the faithful may be taught from the works of Creation, Government and Redemption. God created man to his own image and likeness, an image and likeness which he impressed not on other creatures; and, on account of this peculiar privilege with which he adorned man, he is appropriately designated in Scripture the Father of all men, the Father not alone of the faithful but of all mankind.
His government of mankind supplies another argument for the propriety of the appellation. By the exercise of a special superintending providential care over us and our interests, he manifests the love of a Father towards us. But to comprehend more clearly the force of this argument, which is drawn from his paternal care over us, it may be necessary to say a few words on the guardianship of those celestial spirits whom he has appointed to watch over, and protect us.
Angels are commissioned by Divine Providence to guard the human race, and be present with every man to protect him from injury. As parents, when their children have occasion to travel a dangerous way, infested by robbers, appoint persons to guard and assist them in case of attack; so has our Heavenly Father placed over each of us, in our journey towards our heavenly country, angels, guarded by whose vigilant care and assistance, we may escape the ambushes of our enemies, repel their fierce attacks, and proceed directly on our journey, secured by their guiding protection against the devious tracts into which our treacherous enemy would mislead us, and pursuing steadily the path that leads to heaven.
The important advantages which flow to the human race from this special superintending Providence, the functions and the administration of which are intrusted to angels, who hold a middle place between man and the Divinity, appear from numerous examples recorded in Scripture; which prove that angels, as the ministers of the divine goodness, have frequently wrought wonderful things in the sight of men; and from which we are to infer, that innumerable other important services are rendered to us by the invisible ministry of angels, the guar-
- ↑ Vid. D. Leon. serm. 6. de nat. Dom. D. Thorn. 1. p.qusest. 33. art. 1.
