The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

IN combats even with flesh and blood we have especially to do with Satan: ¹Flesh and blood is but Satan's instrument, he is the General, he the Captain, he setteth flesh and blood on work, he assisteth flesh and blood, so as he is the author and finisher of the evil which they do: they being but his vassals, though they seek to annoy us; yet we wrestle not with them, but with an higher power. ^bWhen the Serpent tempted Eve, she had to do with the Devil; and therefore the^c Devil is said to be a murderer from the beginning. The Sabeans and Chaldeans robbed Job, yet^d is the deed attributed to Satan. Though a maid and a man brought Peter to deny his Master, yet therein^e Satan winnowed him.^f Christ saith to Peter who tempted him, Go behind me Satan. The persecuting Jews hindered Paul from coming to the Thessalonians, yet he saith^g Satan hindered him. ^hSatan is said to cast some of the Smyrnians into prison, yet men-persecutors did it. In this respect he is calledⁱ the god of this world, ^kthe father of murderers, ^la spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience: and false Apostles are called^m ministers of Satan, That which is said of flesh and blood, in regard of others soliciting us to sin, or hindering us from good, may be applied to our selves in regard of our corruption and evil lusts, which provoke us to evil: Satan hath an hand in them; yea he is the author and finisher of the mischief which they do, so as in those temptations which arise from our flesh, we have to do with Satan. Therefore the Apostle dehorting us from anger saith,