INTRODUCTION. Ixi 



accompanied by any description of them. 

 They are spoken of as objects well known 

 to the Jews ; but in the prophecy of Ezekiel, 

 they are described as each having four faces 

 and four wings ; the faces were those of a 

 man and a lion on the right side ; the face of 

 an ox on the left side ; and the face of an 

 eagle ; with regard to their wings, two were 

 stretched upwards, and two covered their 

 bodies. Many other particulars are men- 

 tioned by the prophet, which I shall not here 

 enlarge upon. 1 



A great variety of opinions have been 

 held, both in ancient and modern times, 

 concerning the meaning of these symbols, 

 and what they are designed to represent, 

 some of which I shall mention in another 

 place. By most modern theologians they 

 seem to be regarded as angels of the highest 

 rank. The first mention of them in Holy 

 Scriptures is upon the occasion of the ex- 

 pulsion of our first parents from Paradise. 

 " And he drove out the man ; arid he placed 

 at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, 

 and a flaming sword which turned every way, 



* E/ek. i. 6, 10, 11. 



