As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Ver. 10. They four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion.] Hereby is set forth the wisdom, strength, serviceability, and perspicaciousness of the holy angels for the Church's good, all things requisite to great undertakings; neither forbear they to serve us, though we have the scent of the earth and hell about, us. Quantumnis eos, proh dolor, foetore peccatorum non raro laedamus, Deumque offendamus, a Though, by the stench of our sins, we do frequently annoy them, and offend God.
And they four had the face of an ox.] Angels are obsequious, painful, patient, useful. The ox is of those beasts that are ad esum et ad usum; to consume food and to be useful, and is truly called Iumentum a iuvando, the beast of burden from help.
They four also had the face of an eagle.] Angels are sharp sighted, 2Sa 14:20 vigorous and vivacious, swift beyond belief, Dan 9:21 and if they be once upon the wing, there is no escaping for any wicked people or person.
a Polan. - Would any great prince attend a lowly man full of sores and vermin?