The Institution of Christian Religion

And that we should be the more stirred up and enforced so to do, the ⟨image 57⟩§14Scripture warneth us, that there are not one or two or a few enemies, but great armies that make war with us. For it is said, that Mary Magdalene was delivered from seven devils,¹ wherewith she was possessed. And Christ saith, that it is the ordinary custom, that if after a devil be ones caste out, a man make the place open again, he bringeth seven spirits worse than him self,² & returneth into his possession, finding it empty. Yea it is said that a whole legion besieged one man. Hereby therefore we are taught, that we must fight with an infinite multitude of enemies, least despising the fewness of them we should be more slack to enter in battle, or thinking that we have some respite in the mean time granted, we should give our selves to idleness. Where as many times Satan or the devil is named in the singular number, thereby is meant that power of wickedness which standeth against the kingdom of Justice. For as the Church and the fellowship of saints have Christ to their head, so the faction of the wicked is painted out unto us with their prince, that hath the chief authority among them.³ After which manner this is spoken. Go ye cursed into eternal fire that is prepared for the devil and his angels.

And that we shoulde be the more stirred vp and enforced so to do, the ⟨image 57⟩§14Scripture warneth vs, that ther are not one or two or a fewe enemies, but great armies that make warre with vs. For it is sayde, that Mary Magdalene was deliuered from seuen deuyls,¹ wherwith she was possessed. And Christe sayth, that it is the ordinary custome, that if after a deuill bee ones caste out, a man make the place open agayne, he bryngeth seuen spirites worse than him self,