The Soul's Conflict with Itself

Again, what Satan cannot do himself by immediate suggestions, that ¹he labours to work by his instruments, who are all for casting down of those who stand in their light, as those in the Psalm who cry, down with him, down with him, even to the ground; a character and stamp of which mens dispositions, we have in the verse before this text, Mine enemies (saith David) reproach me. As sweet and as compassionate a man as he was, to pray and put on sackcleth ²for them, yet he had enemies, and such enemies, as did not suffer their malice only to boil and concoct in their own breasts, but out of the abundance of their hearts, they reproached him in words. There is nothing the nature of man is more impatient of, then of reproaches; for there is no man so mean, but thinks himself worthy of some regard, and a reproachful scorn shows an utter disrespect, which issues from the very superfluity of malice.

Againe, what Satan cannot doe himselfe by immediate suggestions, that ¹he labours to work by his instruments, who are all for casting down of those who stand in their light, as those in the Psalme who cry, downe with him, downe with him, even to the ground; a character and stamp of which mens dispositions, we have in the verse before this text, Mine enemies (saith David) reproach me. As sweet and as compassionate a man as hee was, to pray and put on sackcleth ²for them, yet he had enemies, and such enemies, as did not suffer their malice only to boile and concoct in their own breasts, but out of the abundance of their hearts, they reproached him in words. There is nothing the nature of man is more impatient of, then of reproaches; for there is no man so meane, but thinkes himselfe worthy of some regard, and a reproachfull scorn shews an utter disrespect, which issues from the very superfluity of malice.

1. 13. Satans instruments, who are all for casting down.3. Satans instruments, who are al for casting dovvne.
2. 2