Four Captains of Shaddai

"The Captains of SHADDAI’S army represent the ministers of God’s word and will, the preliminary dispensations of God’s covenant, the earlier efforts of Jehovah to win back the Soul of man. First, is the preaching of the Word; this is followed up by the convictions of the soul; these neglected, the next step is the delivery of judgment and sentence; and after this, if the soul be still impenitent, is the execution of the sentence.
These Captains are described as being “stout and rough-hewn men;” and so they had need to be—“sons of thunder,” laying bare the heart, and by the rough handling of the conscience making themselves felt. Strong, indeed, must be the assault that is to break down the strongholds of Satan; loud as thunder the voice that is to open Ear-gate; bold and demonstrative the array that is to command the attention of Eye-gate; strict, severe, and searching the ministry that is to break open the walls and gates of the Soul against the purpose of the Will, and enter the very Castle of the Heart, and take the whole man captive to IMMANUEL. And, as is the nature and character of the captains, so are the associations of their office and command."[2]