Satan's compassing the earth. By Henry SmithSatans compassing the earth. By Henrie Smith

Three things I note: wherefore the devil may be said to compass the earth. First, because he tempteth all men. Secondly, because he tempteth to all sins. Thirdly, because he tempteth by all means: So that whosoever sinneth, wherein soever he offendeth, whereby so ever he is allured, the sin, and the sinner, and the bait, are compassed, and contrived by this Archpolitique, which calls himself a Compasser. Many have their names for naught, because they do nothing for them, like Labans images, which were called Gods, though they were but blocks: but the devil deserves his names, he is not called a tempter, and a liar, and a slanderer, and an accuser, and a deceiver, and a murderer, and a compasser in vain, like Saint George. ⟨image 7⟩which is always on horse-back, and never rides: but he would do more then by his office he is bound to. Other are called officers because they have an office: but he is called enemy because he showeth his envy. Other are called Justicers, because they should do justice: but he is called a tempter because he practiseth temptations. Other are called pastors because they should feed: but he is called a devourer because he doth devour: and we call him a Compasser, because that he doth compass. Ever since he fell from heaven he hath lived like Cain, which cannot rest in a place, but is a runagate over the earth, from door to door, from man to man, begging for sins as the starved soul begs for bread. He would have dwelt in heaven, and not been compassing the earth, he should have sung with the Angels, & not bin quarrelling with men, but he hath changed his calling, & is become a con passer, that is, to lay fetters upon men, as God hath fettered him, left they should ⟨image 8⟩ascend to the place from whence he is fallen. Therefore in this the Liar spake trueth, when he said, I come from compassing the earth: as if he should say to God, I come from the slaughter of thy servants, not to ask forgiveness for all the souls which he hath slain already, but to get a commission that God would make him knight Marshal over the world, to slay and kill as many as he hated: like the bramble, which set it self on fire first, and then fired all the wood.

Three things I note: wherfore the deuill may bee saide to compasse the earth. First, because hee tempteth all men. Secondly, because hee tempteth to all sinnes. Thirdly, because he tempteth by all meanes: So that whosoeuer sinneth, wherein soeuer he offendeth, whereby so euer hee is allured, the sin, and the sinner, and the baite, are compassed, and contriued by this Archpolitique, which calles himselfe a Compasser. Many haue their names for naught, because they doe nothing for them, like Labans images, which were called Gods, though they were but blocks: but the deuill deserues his names, he is not called a tempter, and a lyer, and a slaunderer, and an accuser, and a deceiuer, and a murtherer, and a compasser in vaine, like Saint George.