Page:History of the devil, ancient and modern (3).pdf/6

 (6) Is needful we ſhould go back to his original, as far as hiſtory and the opinion of the learned world will give us leave. It is agreed by all writers, as well ſacred as profane, that this creature we now call a Devil, was originally an angel of light, a glorious ſeraph: perhaps the choiceſt of all the glorious ſeraphs. See how Milton deſcribes his original glory: Satan, ſo call him now; his former name Is heard no more in heaven: be of the firſt, If not the firſt archangel, great in power. In favour and pre eminence. Par. Left book v. And again the ſame author, and upon the ſame ſub- ject; --- Brighter once amidſt the hoſt Of angels, than that ſtar the ſtars among 1b. book vii. The glorious figure which Satan is ſuppoſed to make among the thrones and dominions in heaven, is ſuch as we might think the higheſt angel is that ex- alted train could make; and ſome think as above, that he was the chief of the archangels. Hence that notion that the firſt cauſe of his diſ grace, and on which enſued his rebellion, was occa- ſioned upon God's proclaiming his ſon generaliſſimo, and with himſelf ſupreme ruler in heaven: giving the dominion of all his works of creation, as well already finiſhed, as not then begun to him which poſt of honour (ſay they) Satan expected to be conferred on himſelf, as next in honour, majeſty, and power, to God the ſupreme. In a word, Satan withdrew with all his followers malcontent and chagrined, reſolved to diſobey this new command, and not yield obedience to the Son The learned agree in opinion, that the number of an- gels which rebelled with Satan was infinite : and Mr Milton ſuggeſts in one place that they were the great eſt half of all the angel body, or ſeraphic hoſt.