Page:Heaven Revealed.djvu/42

 Satan whereof the New Testament speaks. To quote again from Milton, who reflects the religious beliefs of his times:

And that prime instigator of the supposed rebellion in heaven, along with those who enlisted under his banner, are what Christians have generally understood to be meant by "the Devil and his angels," also by "the fallen angels." Nor is it in poetry alone that this doctrine respecting the angels, is to be met with. We find the same set forth in sober prose by both Catholic and Protestant writers. And we are not aware that any different doctrine on the subject, has ever gained currency among any considerable class of Christians outside of the small body known as the New Christian Church. (See the London Encyclopædia, Art. Angel.)

Now, look at this whole story about the angels, which has gained currency in the church and made a part of Christian theology-look at it in the light of reason and common sense. Does it not wear very much the appearance of ancient fable? Does it not look like the offspring of heathen superstition? For see what it requires us to believe. First, that God created an order (or several orders) of intelligent creatures—pure spirits destitute of any form or body, though capable of assuming both ad libitum—and far superior to man in knowl-