cf. 133. Another example of self delusion. The rebel angels fail to see that their release from the amercement of the "Stygian flood" is due to the "sufferance" or allowance of God, ascribing this release to their own power "as Gods". Milton makes explicit that this is not the case.

An instance of the inherent atheism behind the rebellion of Satan and the other fallen angels. They cannot comprehend or choose not to see that God upholds his throne not by "strength, or chance, or fate" but by right of his eternal nature - a nature that sets him apart from all creatures.