REMNANTS OF TIME. 503 body, and face of aman, and it has also the face and feet of an ox : It has nothing of a lion but the face, and that is not always mentioned : It has indeed the wings of an eagle alwayß, but an eagle's face is mentioned as one part of a cherub no where else but in this vision. Note, This vision does not describe whether each of those animals had four feet or two ; but it is probable they had but two feet, because it is said, they had the likeness of a man, that is, the figure of his body. It is plain they had four wings, ver. 6. two of their wings were stretched upward as for flight, and two covered their bo- dies, that is, the lower part of their body, for which decency requires a covering. It is very ridiculous to describe them, as some painters do, like naked boys with little wings on their shoulders only. In "these four various faces, the various properties of angels seem to be represented, namely, The understanding and beauty of a man, the obedience and labour or diligence of an ox, the courage and strength of a lion, together with the sharp sight and swiftness of an eagle in fulfilling the commands of God, and in administering his providence. It may not be improper also to take notice here, that these four creatures, namely, a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle, are unani- mously reported by the Jews, though not with sufficient proof, to have been wrought upon the standards of the four leading tribes of the camp of Israel as they are ranged, Numb. ii. namely, a lion the standard of Judah, a man the standard of Reuben, an ox the standard of Ephraim, and an eagle the standard of Dan. And these also were the figures of the four living creatures, in Greek ?cm., which ought not to be translated beasts ; Rev. iv. 6. which are before the throne of God ; who had each of them six wings ; and were full of eyes, and are ever engaged in divine worship. These figures in these several places may denote that wherever God is, the creatures that attend him, whether they be men or angels, should be furnished with these qualifications, namely, understanding, obedience, courage and swiftness. But let us proceed to search out what is said yet further concerning a cherub in seriptuee. In Ezek. xli. 19, 25. The inner part of Ezekiel's temple was adorned with intermingled cherubs and palm -trees carved on the walls and the doors. Here every cherub had two faces, namely, that of a man and that of a lion ; but as they are called cherubs, we may still conclude their feet were the feet of a calf or ox. And why may not Solomon's temple be adorned with the same sort of cherubs and palm - trees; 1 Kings vi. 29. that is, with the faces of a man and a lion, and the feet of an ox, though their faces are not expressly mentioned in that place.
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