The Institution of Christian Religion

As for such things as the Scripture teacheth concerning devils,§13 they tend in a manner all to this end, that we may be careful to beware aforehand of their awaits and preparations, and furnish our selves with such weapons as are strong and sure enough to drive away even the strongest enemies. For where as Satan is called the God and prince of this world, where as he is named the strong armed man, the Spirit that hath power of the air, and a roaring lion: these descriptions serve to no other purpose: but to make us more ware and watchful, and readier to enter in battle with him. Which is also sometime set out in express words. For Peter after he had said, that the devil goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, by and by addeth this exhortation, that we strongly resist him by Faith. And Paul after he had given warning that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with the princes of the air, the powers of darkness, and spiritual wickednesses, by and by biddeth us put on such armour as may serve for so great and dangerous a battle. Wherefore let us also apply all to this end, that being warned how there doth continually approach upon us an enemy, yea an enemy that is in courage most hardy, in strength most mighty, in policies most subtle, in diligence & celerity unweariable, with all sorts of engines plenteously furnished, in skill of war most ready, we suffer not our selves by sloth and cowardice to be surprised, but on the other side with bold and hardy minds set our foot to resist him: and (because this war is only ended by Death) encourage our selves to continue. But specially knowing our own weakness and unskilfulness let us call upon the help of God and enterprise nothing but upon trust of him, for as much as it is in him only to give us policy, strength, courage and armour.

As for suche thynges as the Scripture teacheth concernyng deuilles,§13 they tende in a maner al to this ende, that we may be careful to beware aforehande of their awaites and preparations, and furnishe our selues with suche weapons as ar stronge and sure enough to driue away euen the strongest enemies. For where as Sathan is called the God and prince of this worlde, where as he is named the strong armed man, the Spirite that hath power of the ayre, and a roaryng lyon: these descriptions serue to no other purpose: but to make vs more ware and watchefull, and readier to entre in battayle with hym. Whiche is also somtyme set out in expresse woordes. For Peter after he had sayd, that the diuell goeth about like a roaryng lyon, sekyng whom he may deuoure, by and by addeth this exhortation, that we strongly resiste hym by Faith. And Paul after he had geuen warnyng that we wrastle not with fleshe and bloud, but with the princes of the ayre, the powers of darkenesse, and spirituall wickednesses, by and by biddeth vs put on suche armoure as may serue for so greate and daungerous a battayle. Wherfore lette vs also applie all to this ende, that beyng warned howe there dooth continually approche vpon vs an enemie, yea an ennemy that is in courage most hardy, in strength most mighty, in policies most suttle, in diligence & celeritie vnweriable, with all sortes of engins plentuously furnished, in skill of warre most ready, we suffer not our selues by slouthe and cowardise to be surprised, but on the other syde with bolde and hardy mindes set our foote to resist him: and (because this warre is only ended by Death) encourage our selues to continue. But specially knowyng oure owne weaknesse and vnskilfulnesse let vs call vppon the helpe of God and enterprise nothyng but vpon trust of hym, for as muche as it is in hym onely to geue vs policie, strengthe, courage and armour.