Dissertation on the Natural Knowledge of Angelic Existence

nor on the part of the efficient. 2. They contribute most to the perfection of this Universe, and 3. they approach very closely to the likeness of God as the first cause. E. It is at the very least probable and convenient that angels were produced by God.

There are those who do not hesitate to ascribe apodictic demonstrable/certain truth to this argument, to whom, however, we are not compelled to subscribe, as other arguments of greater weight are available; although meanwhile, a certain evidence, as they call it, of a moral nature is not denied to it, as well as great probability, which will shine forth even more from the proof of the premises. As far as the connection of the major premise is concerned, it rests on this foundation, that it is probable that God, as the best and most perfect cause, produced this whole universe in the most perfect and convenient way. But regarding the minor premise: 1. that God could indeed create angels, no one, unless impudent, will deny. That angels 2. contribute not a little to the perfection of this Universe is manifest from the fact that otherwise something imperfect—and which is ordained to supply for another (namely, the separated soul, which always retains an inclination toward its body)—would constitute the supreme and therefore most noble species of the world. Now, however, since nothing imperfect can complete the ultimate grade of creatures, another grade of complete and perfect spirits must be given, which are the Angels. Then, ($β$) loc. cit. n. 7. as Suarez infers ($β$), because since there are in the Universe creatures that are entirely material, and a creature composed of material and immaterial, it was fitting that there should also be creatures that are entirely immaterial so that the perfection of the Universe might be fulfilled. That 3. they approach very closely to the likeness of God as the first cause is evident from the fact that they are spirits, and indeed complete, and far more excellent than separated souls, even if meanwhile they are also finite: for everything that has been created is finite. And although God can always make something better, as that Master of Subtleties Scaliger speaks—