A Golden Chain

The last combat with the devil in the pang of death, is oftentimes most dangerous of all. For then he will not urge men to desperation, knowing that by this means he shall stir them up to resist him: but he labours with them that they would not resist him when he assaults them, and by this means he endeavours to extinguish hope. And this is not done in any other temptation in which faith or hope alone are impugned, whereas in this they are both impugned together. This must be thought upon, for when the devils temptation is, not to resist his temptation; it is most deceitful of all: and it is more easy to overcome the enemy that compels us to fight, then him that dissuades us from it.

THe last combat with the deuill in the pang of death, is oftentimes most dangerous of all. For then he will not vrge men to desperation, knowing that by this meanes he shall stirre them vp to resist him: but he labours with them that they would not resist him when he assaults them, and by this means he indeauours to extinguish hope. And this is not done in any other temptation in which faith or hope alone are impugned, whereas in this they are both impugned togither. This must be thought vpon, for when the deuills temptation is, not to resist his temptation; it is most deceitful of all: and it is more easie to ouercome the enemie that compells vs to fight, then him that disswades vs from it.

The temptation of M. John Knox in the time of his death is worth the marking.¹ He lay on his death-bed silent for the space of four hours, very often giving great sighs, sobs, and groans, so as the standers by well perceived that he was troubled with some grievous temptation: and when at length he was raised in his bed, they asked him how he did, to whom he answered thus: that in his life time he had endured many combats and conflicts with Satan, but that now most mightily the roaring lion had assaulted him often (said he) before he set my sins before mine eyes; often he urged me to desperation, often he laboured to entangle me with the delights of the world, but being vanquished by the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, he could not prevail. But now he assaults me another way: for the wily serpent would persuade me that I shall merit eternal life for my fidelity in my ministry. But blessed be God which brought to my mind such Scriptures whereby I might quench the fiery darts of the devil, which were, What hast thou that thou hast not received: and, By the grace of God, I am that I am: and, not I but the grace of God in me: and thus being vanquished he departed.