CHAP. 29.
To supply the places of the Angels that fell, certaine are chosen by God, out of the number of mor∣tall sinners vpon earth, to inioy euerlasting life and heauen.
IT pleased therefore the Crea∣tor of the whole world, and moderator thereof, Almighty God; that, because the whole company of the angels did not sinne by forsaking God, that the number of them which pe∣rished, should remaine in e∣uerlasting destruction: And that the number of them which stood firmely vnto God, should dwell in securitie of their most certaine, knowen, and euerla∣sting felicitie: and that the o∣ther reasonable creature, which was man, because hee was ge∣nerally in the state of perdition Page 71 by reason of sinnes and punish∣ments, as well originall, as per∣sonall, by that part of mankinde which was restored, that which the fall of the diuell had dimi∣nished from the societie of an∣gels, might be supplied againe. For, so it was promised to the Saints at their resurrection, that they should be equals with the angels of God. That heauenly Hierusalem therefore, beeing our mother, and Gods citie, shal not be destitute of the full num∣ber of 〈◊〉 citizens, but rather shall be more populous in her kingdome. For, we knowe not either the number of holy men, or of these fowle fiendes that fell; in whose places, the succeeding sone of the Church, that holy mother, who see∣med to be barren vpon carth, shall haue their perpetuall ha∣bitations, in that peace and tranquillitie, from whence they fell; and that without either terme, or limitation of time. Page 72 But the number of those citi∣zens, which either now is, or hereafter shall bee, is inwardly seene to their maker and work∣man; who calleth those which yet are not, as wel as those which now bee: disposing of all things in measure, number, and weight.
