18d. Powers

We come now to the second hierarchy of the holy angels, and here the first or lowest place is commonly assigned to the powers. It is not easy to see just in what their office differs from that of the principalities, but we may say with Saint Denis (Dionysius) or his namesake, that in the spiritual warfare waged by the demons against the human race, the planning and directing of the campaign whereby their designs are frustrated, belongs to the powers, and the execution thereof to the three inferior choirs, each according to its grade.

Saint Gregory furthermore assigns to the powers a special efficacy in curbing the demons, who are forced to submit to their authority. Nor is their power over the demons indirect, but it is exercised directly by way of command, constraint and, if need be, by confining them in fetters.

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