- as an angel:
- This is very much like the hyperbolical language which is addressed by the Hindoos to an European when they desire to obtain something from him: "Saheb," say they, "can do every thing. No one can prevent the execution of Saheb's commands. Saheb is God." Though the expression may be imputed to the hyperbolical genius of these countries, yet there was, perhaps, more of real persuasion than we are apt to suppose. Sir John Chardin states, that having found fault with the king of Persia's valuation of a rich trinket, the grand master told him that if a Persian had dared to have done such a thing, it would have been as much as his life was worth. "Know," said he, "that the kings of Persia have a general and full knowledge of matters, as sure as it is extensive; and that, equally in the greatest and smallest things, there is nothing more just and sure than what they pronounce." "Toª fetch aboutª°¹ this formª of speechª hath thy servantª Joabª doneª°¹ this¹ thing:ª and my lordª [is] wise,ª according to the wisdomª of an angelª of God,ª to knowª°¹ all¹ [things] that¹ [are] in the earth.ª" {2Sm 14:20} + "And he hath slanderedª° thy servantª unto¹ my lordª the king;ª but my lordª the kingª [is] as an angelª of God:ª doª° therefore [what is] goodª in thine eyes.ª" {2Sm 19:27} + "And Achishª answeredª° and saidª° to¹ David,ª I knowª° that¹ thou¹ [art] goodª in my sight,ª as an angelª of God:ª notwithstanding¹ the princesª of the Philistinesª have said,ª° He shall not¹ go upª° with¹ us to the battle.ª" {1Sm 29:9} + "[As] the fining potª for silver,ª and the furnaceª for gold;ª so [is] a manª toª his praise.ª" {Prv 27:21} + "A manª that flatterethª°¹ his neighbourª spreadethª° a netª for¹ his feet.ª" {Prv 29:5}
|
