The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

2. The Malignity of their Sin was in the highest degree: For such was the clearness of the Angelical Understanding, that there was nothing of Ignorance and Deceit to lessen the voluntariness of their Sin; 'twas no mistake, but Malice: They fell in the light of Heaven, and rendered themselves incapable of Mercy. As under the Law, those who sinned with a high hand; that is,¹ not out of Ignorance or Imbecility to please their Passions, but knowingly and proudly despised the Command,² their Presumption was inexpiable, no Sacrifice was appointed for it. And the Gospel, though the Declaration of Mercy, yet excepts those who sin the great Transgression against the Holy Ghost. Now of such a nature ⟨p. 158⟩was the Sin of the Rebellious Angels, it being a contemptuous violation of Gods Majesty,³ and therefore unpardonable. Besides, they are wholly spiritual Beings, without any allay of flesh, and so fell to the utmost in evil, there being nothing to suspend the entireness of their Will: whereas the Humane Spirit is more slow by its union with the Body. And that which extremely aggravates their sin is, that it was committed in the state of perfect Happiness. They despised the full fruition of God: 'twas therefore congruous to the Divine Wisdom, that their final Sentence should depend upon their first Election: whereas Mans Rebellion, though inconceivably great, was against a lower Light and less Grace dispensed to him.

2. The Malignity of their Sin was in the highest degree: For such was the clearness of the Angelical Understanding, that there was nothing of Ignorance and Deceit to lessen the voluntariness of their Sin; 'twas no mistake, but Malice: They fell in the light of Heaven, and rendered themselves incapable of Mercy. As under the Law, those who sinned with a high hand; that is,¹ not out of Ignorance or Imbecillity to please their Passions, but knowingly and proudly despised the Command,²