Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XI/John Cassian/Conferences of John Cassian, Part I/Conference VII/Chapter 33

Chapter XXXIII.

A question as to the origin of such differences in powers of evil in the sky.

doubt that those orders which the Apostle enumerates refer to them: &#8220;For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
 * We certainly do not

against powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against spirits of wickedness in heavenly places:&#8221; but we want to know whence comes such a difference between them, or how such grades of wickedness exist? Were they created for this, to meet with these orders of evil, and in some way to serve this wickedness?