a spiritual being, the first in rank and dignity among created intelligences. The word angel in Greek, (ἄγγελος), signifies a messenger; the Hebrew אֵלֶּה signifies the same thing. The angels are called in Daniel, chap. iv. ver. 13, &c., רְאֵי, or watchers, from their vigilance; for the same reason, in the remains we have of the prophecy attributed to Enoch, they are named Eggregori; which word imports the same in Greek.

The term Angel therefore, in the proper signification of the word, does not import the nature of any being, but only an office; in which sense angels are called the ministers of God, and ministering spirits. That there are such beings, invisible and imperceptible to our senses, endowed with understanding and power superior to those of human nature, created by God, and subject to him,—ministering to his divine providence in the government of the world,—are truths fully attested by Scripture.

The Romans thought the tutelar genii of those who attained the empire to be of an eminent order, on which account they had great honours shown them. Nations and cities also had their several genii. The ancient Persians so firmly believed in the ministry of angels, and their superintendence over human affairs, that they gave their names to their months, and the days of their months, and assigned them distinct offices and provinces; and it is from them the Jews confess to have received the names of the months and angels, which they brought with them when they returned from the Babylonish captivity; after which, we find they also assigned charges to the angels, and in particular the patronage of empires and nations; Michael being the prince of the Jews, as Raphael is supposed to have been that of the Persians.

Although the angels were originally created perfect, yet some of them sinned and kept not their first estate, but left their habitation, and so, from the most blessed and glorious, became the most vile and miserable of all God's creatures. They were expelled the regions of light, and cast down to hell, to be reserved in everlasting chains under darkness until the day of judgment.

gold coin first used in France, and introduced into England in the reign of Edward IV. It varied in value from that period till the time of Charles I., from 6s. 8d. to 10s. It was impressed with St Michael and the dragon; whence the name.