An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

We may hence learn, first, What the sin of Angels was, God charged his Angels with folly; The possible sin, which God saw and still sees, in the nature of Angels, was the actual sin of Angels. Pride & self confidence were the sins of Angels, and these are the most proper sins of Angels; Angels cannot fall into every sin. The Schoolman questions, Whether the first sin of Angels was pride? He argues and concludes that howsoever in regard of guilt, the Devils, ¹or fallen Angels, have all sins upon them, because they tempt man to every sin (For he that tempts another to a sin which himself commits not, or is incapable to commit is as guilty, as if he had committed it) yet in regard of the act it self, evil angels can only commit those sins, which are suitable to a spiritual nature.

We may hence learne, first, What the sin of Angels was, God charged his Angels with folly; The possible sin, which God saw and still sees, in the nature of Angels, was the actuall sin of Angels. Pride & selfe confidence were the sins of Angels, and these are the most proper sins of Angels; Angels cannot fall into every sin. The Schooleman questions, Whether the first sin of Angels was pride? He argues and concludes that howsoever in regard of guilt, the Devils, ¹or fallen Angels, have all sins upon them, because they tempt man to every sin (For he that tempts another to a sin which himselfe commits not, or is incapeable to commit is as guilty, as if he had committed it) yet in regard of the act it selfe, evill angels can only commit those sins, which are sutable to a spirituall nature.

1. 1Aquin pa•. 1. q. 63. art. 1.

Now a spiritual nature, is not affected with those sins, which belong to a corporal or sensitive nature; Devils are not adulterers, they are not drunkards; theirs are spiritual sins, and their chief spiritual sin, was pride; Their first sin consisted in not submitting themselves to that condition, wherein God placed them, and whereunto they were appointed. All agree it was pride, though there be different opinions about what this pride showed if self; whether in affecting a higher degree, then God created them in refusing the work and office God set them about, (which some conceive, was the ministration to, or the guardianship of man, which trust they deserted or scorned) or whether it were in affecting a further condition upon their own strength, not looking to the strength and grace of God, whatsoever the particular was, the general is plain, they abode not in the truth, they kept not their station: Pride and ambition swelled them, till they brake and fell.