Page:The New View of Hell.djvu/184

 every page of the Bible, the existence of a realm above nature—of a world peopled by spirits, good and evil—is clearly implied if not distinctly asserted. Angels and devils are spoken of as often, and with as much familiarity, as are any other objects whose reality no one ever dreamed of questioning. Their existence is everywhere assumed. There is never an attempt to prove it, any more than there is to prove the existence of the sun, moon or stars.

Angels are spoken of as often seen by persons in the flesh; as conversing with and sustaining an intimate relation to them; as feeling a lively interest in humanity, and exerting an influence upon the condition of mortals. They were seen, for example, by Jacob, Gideon, Manoah, Zacharias, the shepherds of Bethlehem, and the women "who were early at the sepulchre." Myriads of them were beheld, and their voices heard, by John when he was in the spirit. And as evidence of their interest in and their sympathy with people here on earth, we are told in the gospel of Luke that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

Equally explicit, too, is the Scripture in its teaching respecting evil spirits or devils, and their malign influence upon the inhabitants of this world. When our Saviour was on earth, multitudes were possessed by them; and we are told that "He cast out the devils with his word." He also gave his disciples "power over unclean