from mankind, from the four elements, and from the celestial spheres, and that astonishing phenomena often proceed from them—how, then, can anyone claim that the causes of such marvels are limited to only three? It is therefore evident that the one who reduces every form of sorcery to sheer psychic powers is among the most ignorant and misguided of people, and whoever applies this claim to prophetic miracles is far more ignorant and far more astray.

Moreover, whether these philosophers maintain that the universe is eternal or created; whether, in the case of creation, they contend that the Lord’s action is everlasting or that it began after previously not existing; and whether, in the case of an eternal universe, they affirm for it an originating cause or deny it—none of them possesses any proof that would negate the existence of celestial spheres or of higher and lower spirits whose existence they do not yet know. They themselves concede that they have no evidence demonstrating that the spheres are limited to nine; they merely affirm whatever number they believe their arguments establish, while they have no proof at all for denying any addition beyond that. If this is their situation with respect to the spheres, which are perceptible and whose number is indicated to them by such observable phenomena as the planets eclipsing one another and the differing motions of the seven planets, then it is even more obvious that they lack proof in matters beyond sensory perception. Consequently, they have no evidence with which to deny the existence of multitudes of angels far exceeding the so-called ten intellects, nor to deny angels who oversee the affairs of heaven and earth, of clouds and rain, and the like. Were someone whose reliability is unknown to report the existence of such beings, it would not be permissible to brand him a liar without proof—so what of the truthful, trustworthy prophets who have informed us of them? The actions of these angels, then, are among the greatest causes behind extraordinary events. How, therefore, can it be said that such wonders have no cause except those three?

In addition, there are many proofs for the existence of angels besides the testimony of the prophets—among them the argument that the motions observed in the cosmos