4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.



Ver. 4. The smoke of the incense] The saints’ prayers perfumed with Christ’s odours ascended, that is, were highly accepted in heaven, Act_10:4; Exo_3:9, as well appeared by the answer they had here in the next verse. The Church is said to ascend out of the wilderness of this world with pillars of smoke, Son_3:6. Elationibus fumi, with raised affections, and with strong supplications, wherein how many sweet spices are burned together by the fire of faith, as humility, love, &c. All which would stink worse in God’s nostrils than the onions and garlic of Egypt, did not Christ perfume and present them.