|
Objection 1: It would seem that this atmosphere is not the demons'
place of punishment. For a demon is a spiritual nature. But a
spiritual nature is not affected by place. Therefore there is no place
of punishment for demons.
Objection 2: Further, man's sin is not graver than the demons'.
But man's place of punishment is hell. Much more, therefore, is it
the demons' place of punishment; and consequently not the darksome
atmosphere.
Objection 3: Further, the demons are punished with the pain of
fire. But there is no fire in the darksome atmosphere. Therefore the
darksome atmosphere is not the place of punishment for the demons.
On the contrary, Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. iii, 10), that
"the darksome atmosphere is as a prison to the demons until the
judgment day."
I answer that, The angels in their own nature stand midway between
God and men. Now the order of Divine providence so disposes, that
it procures the welfare of the inferior orders through the superior.
But man's welfare is disposed by Divine providence in two ways:
first of all, directly, when a man is brought unto good and withheld
from evil; and this is fittingly done through the good angels. In
another way, indirectly, as when anyone assailed is exercised by
fighting against opposition. It was fitting for this procuring of
man's welfare to be brought about through the wicked spirits, lest
they should cease to be of service in the natural order. Consequently
a twofold place of punishment is due to the demons: one, by reason of
their sin, and this is hell; and another, in order that they may
tempt men, and thus the darksome atmosphere is their due place of
punishment.
Now the procuring of men's salvation is prolonged even to the judgment
day: consequently, the ministry of the angels and wrestling with
demons endure until then. Hence until then the good angels are sent to
us here; and the demons are in this dark atmosphere for our trial:
although some of them are even now in hell, to torment those whom they
have led astray; just as some of the good angels are with the holy
souls in heaven. But after the judgment day all the wicked, both men
and angels, will be in hell, and the good in heaven.
Reply to Objection 1: A place is not penal to angel or soul as if
affecting the nature by changing it, but as affecting the will by
saddening it: because the angel or the soul apprehends that it is in a
place not agreeable to its will.
Reply to Objection 2: One soul is not set over another in the order
of nature, as the demons are over men in the order of nature;
consequently there is no parallel.
Reply to Objection 3: Some have maintained that the pain of sense
for demons and souls is postponed until the judgment day: and that the
beatitude of the saints is likewise postponed until the judgment day.
But this is erroneous, and contrary to the teaching of the Apostle
(2 Cor. 5:1): "If our earthly house of this habitation be
dissolved, we have a house in heaven." Others, again, while not
admitting the same of souls, admit it as to demons. But it is better
to say that the same judgment is passed upon wicked souls and wicked
angels, even as on good souls and good angels.
Consequently, it must be said that, although a heavenly place belongs
to the glory of the angels, yet their glory is not lessened by their
coming to us, for they consider that place to be their own; in the
same way as we say that the bishop's honor is not lessened while he is
not actually sitting on his throne. In like manner it must be said,
that although the demons are not actually bound within the fire of hell
while they are in this dark atmosphere, nevertheless their punishment
is none the less; because they know that such confinement is their
due. Hence it is said in a gloss upon James 3:6: "They carry
fire of hell with them wherever they go." Nor is this contrary to
what is said (Lk. 8:31), "They besought the Lord not to cast
them into the abyss"; for they asked for this, deeming it to be a
punishment for them to be cast out of a place where they could injure
men. Hence it is stated, "They besought Him that He would not
expel them out of the country" (Mk. 5:10).
|
|