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The angels were not created from eternity; they were
probably created with corporeal creatures, because they
are part of the universe, and no part is perfect separated
from the whole.[1193] They were probably created in
the empyrean heavens. They are a very great multitude,
"Thousands of thousands ministered to Him (God), and
ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before
Him."[1194] Their number exceeds the number of
the species of material substances and is comparable to the
number of the stars. A greater number of the more perfect
things was created for the perfection of the
universe.[1195] This principle refers to the more
important parts of the universe which God produced without
the intervention of secondary causes, the stars, the
constellations, and the angels. It does not follow from
this principle that there is more gold than silver, or
more silver than lead in the universe.
They were created that they might attain eternal happiness
and glorify God, and that they might assist and guard men
and rule over corporeal creatures. This second reason is
not an end but result of their superiority, since it is
fitting that inferior beings be ruled by superior beings.
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