Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/53

 rejoice unceasingly  in  His  infinite  beauty  and  majesty,  and  are  thereby made inexpressibly  happy. They have  lived  in  this  state  of  rapture  for thousands of  years,  and  will  do  so  for  all  eternity. It is  thus  that  God rewards those  who  are  faithful  to  Him,  and  overcome  evil.

The number  of  the  Angels  created  by  God  is  inconceivably  great. The prophet Daniel  saw  them  in  spirit,  and  wrote  thus:  “Thousands of thousands  ministered  to  Him  (i.  e.  to  God),  and  ten  thousand  times a hundred thousand  stood  before  Him”  (Dan.  7,  10). The prophet means by  these  words  that  the  angels  cannot  be  counted. And as  the stars in  heaven  vary  in  size  and  splendour,  so  are  there  differences of degree  among  the  holy  angels. They are  divided  into  nine  choirs, according to  each  one’s  degree  of  wisdom,  power  and  glory. These are, beginning  with  the  lowest:  Angels,  Archangels,  Virtues,  Powers, Principalities, Dominations,  Thrones,  Cherubim,  Seraphim.

Probation of  the  Angels.  The  angels  are  by  their  nature  like  to God,  being  highly  gifted  and  pure  spirits. To these  natural  gifts  God added the  supernatural  gift  of  sanctifying  grace,  by  means  of  which  they became sons  of  God,  thoroughly  holy,  and  wonderfully  beautiful. Their state was,  even  at  first,  one  of  great  happiness;  but  by  faithfulness  in the  service  of  God  they  were  capable  of  winning  for  themselves  an eternal  happiness  in  the  beatific  vision  of  God. God will  not  have  any forced service; so  He  gave  to  the  angels  the  gift  of  free-will,  by  which they were  at  liberty  to  choose  between  good  and  evil,  and  could  freely side either  with  God  or  against  Him. When the  decisive  moment  came, a portion of  the  angels  made  a bad  use  of  their  freedom,  rebelled against God,  lost  sanctifying  grace,  and  were  cast  into  hell,  their  wills having become  perverted  and  bad. But the  good  angels,  who  stood  the test, were  admitted  into  the  immediate  presence  of  God,  and  were confirmed for  ever  in  supernatural  happiness.

God is  just  and  punishes  sin. How is  it, then, that  you  think  so  little  of  sinning  and  offending  God? You are still  young,  but  you  have  committed  many  sins,  and  have deserved punishment  at  God’s  hands. Repent, therefore,  of  your sins, ask  pardon  of  God,  and  never  say  again  to  yourself:  “It  is only  a trifle!”  It  never  could  be  a trifle  to  intentionally  offend the great,  holy  and  just  God! Resolve, then,  most  firmly  never again to  sin  wilfully. If you  are  ever  tempted  to  commit  a mortal sin, think  of  the  fallen  angels  and  their  eternal  torment. Die rather than commit  a mortal  sin! Fear the  just  God,  and  keep  His commandments faithfully.

The fall  of  the  bad  angels  should  be  a warning  to  you,  and the faithfulness  of  the  good  angels  should  be  an  encouragement to you. If you  are  disobedient  to  God,  and  do  not  observe  His laws, and  if  you  think  lightly  of  sin,  you  will  some  day  join  the