A treatise of mans imaginations Showing his natural evil thoughtsA treatise of mans imaginations Shewing his naturall euill thoughts

Thirdly, we must consider our own particular Temptations wherewith we are most assaulted through the malice of Satan, and our own corruption. Be sober and watch (saithⁱ Peter) for your adversary the devil goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour. This was Pauls practise towards the incestuous man, whom he had enjoined to be excommunicate, ⟨p. 218⟩for after he heard of his repentance, he gave direction that he should be received into the Church again, least he were swallowed up of over much heaviness, and so Satan should circumvent them: for (saith^k he) we are not ignorant of his enterprises. If foreign enemies should seek the invasion of our land, not only our magistrates, but every ordinary man well affected to his Country, would bethink himself what coast were the weakest, that thither present defence might be sent to keep out the enemies; even so, seeing the devil doth assault us daily, we must enter into serious consideration of our thoughts, wills; and affections, and see in what part we be most weak, and in ⟨p. 219⟩what inclination Satan may most easily prevail against us, which we shall best espy by observing the sins of our lives; and this will make us arm our selves against him by Gods grace, even in the weakest parts, that he break not into our hearts, to the ruin of our souls.