And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.
Ver. 8. And there appeared the form of a man's hand under their wings.] Quasi gladius intra vaginam, as a sword within the scabbard, ready to be drawn out for execution. The hand, saith Aristotle, is the instrument of instruments. Nature hath given us hands, saith Cicero, multarum artium ministras, &c., to act and do business. Angels have neither hands nor wings, to speak properly, yet are said here to have both, to show their activity and celerity in God's service. Hands of a man they are said to have, to show that they do all prudently and with reason; and these hands are under their wings, saith one, to signify their hidden nature and operation. A good man, like a good angel, saith another, a hath the wings of contemplation, the hands of action, the wings of faith, the hands of charity, wings whereon he raiseth his understanding, and hands wherewith he exciteth his will, &c.
a Essays Mor. and Theol., p. 33.