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Objection 1: It seems that an angel cannot change the human senses.
For the sensitive operation is a vital operation. But such an
operation does not come from an extrinsic principle. Therefore the
sensitive operation cannot be caused by an angel.
Objection 2: Further, the sensitive operation is nobler than the
nutritive. But the angel cannot change the nutritive power, nor other
natural forms. Therefore neither can he change the sensitive power.
Objection 3: Further, the senses are naturally moved by the
sensible objects. But an angel cannot change the order of nature
(Question 110, Article 4). Therefore an angel cannot change
the senses; but these are changed always by the sensible object.
On the contrary, The angels who overturned Sodom, "struck the
people of Sodom with blindness or aorasia, so that they could not find
the door" (Gn. 19:11). The same is recorded of the Syrians
whom Eliseus led into Samaria (4 Kgs. 6:18).
I answer that, The senses may be changed in a twofold manner; from
without, as when affected by the sensible object: and from within,
for we see that the senses are changed when the spirits and humors are
disturbed; as for example, a sick man's tongue, charged with
choleric humor, tastes everything as bitter, and the like with the
other senses. Now an angel, by his natural power, can work a change
in the senses both ways. For an angel can offer the senses a sensible
object from without, formed by nature or by the angel himself, as when
he assumes a body, as we have said above (Question 51, Article
2). Likewise he can move the spirits and humors from within, as
above remarked, whereby the senses are changed in various ways.
Reply to Objection 1: The principle of the sensitive operation
cannot be without the interior principle which is the sensitive power;
but this interior principle can be moved in many ways by the exterior
principle, as above explained.
Reply to Objection 2: By the interior movement of the spirits and
humors an angel can do something towards changing the act of the
nutritive power, and also of the appetitive and sensitive power, and
of any other power using a corporeal organ.
Reply to Objection 3: An angel can do nothing outside the entire
order of creatures; but he can outside some particular order of
nature, since he is not subject to that order; thus in some special
way an angel can work a change in the senses outside the common mode of
nature.
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