A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

And let us further consider,

2. The inexpressible numerousness of the other Worlds Inhabitants, with the excellencies wherein they shine, and the orders they are ranked into, and how unlikely is it, that Holy Souls that go thither, should want employment? Great concourse, and Multitude• of People, make places of business in this World, and must much more do so, where creatures of the most Spiritual, and active Natures, must be supposed to have their residence. Scripture speaks of Myriads (which we read an innumerable company) of Angels, besides all the Spirits of Just Men Heb. 12. Who are sometimes said to be more than ⟨p. 145⟩any one, (which we causelessly render Man) could number, Rev. 7.¹ And when we are told of many Heavens, above all which our Lord Jesus is said to have ascended; are all those Heavens, only empty solitudes? uninhabited glorious deserts! When we find how full of vitality this base Earth of ours is, how replenished with living creatures, not only on the surface, but within it, how unreasonable is it to suppose the nobler parts of the universe to be less Peopled with Inhabitants, of proportionable spirituality, activity, liveliness and vigour to the several Regions, which, the remoter they are from dull Earth, must be supposed still the finer, and apt to afford fit, and suitable habitations to such Creatures? Whether we suppose pure, unclothed Spirits be to the Natives in ⟨p. 146⟩all those Heavens, all comprehended under the one Name of Angels, or whether (as some think of all Created Spirits) that they have all vital union with some or other vehicles, Ethereal, or Celestial, more or less fine, and pure, as the Region is, to which they belong, having gradually associated unto them the Spirits of Holy Men gone from us, which are said to be [Greek or Hebrew], Angels-fellows, Luk 20.36. it is indifferent to our purpose.