angels and Puritans

[Doug Millison]

The Angel as colonial American Big Brother. From an article of interest to
GR readers, perhaps:

[...] Angels' powers were as broad as they were elusive. Increase Mather
denied them any independent activity but nonetheless suggested they could be
useful to the faithful. "There are Thousands of Thousands, yea, Myriads of
Myriads of them," he contended. "This we are sure of." Angels were
"serviceable" to believers, in order that they might better serve God, and
thus wielded extraordinary power, enough "to manage and apply all the
Elements, to make Thunders and Lightenings, and Earthquakes!" They answered
believers' prayers; they protected them from enemies; and they relieved
people of "Wants, of Straits, of Difficulties." Like God, angels watched
over. Yet they also simply watched. Increase Mather warned, "Remember, that
the Angels are the Spectators of your Behavior. Behave your selves, as
having the Eyes of the Angels on you. Often think, Is not an Angel standing
by?"

http://www.common-place.org/vol-01/no-03/reis/