The Institution of Christian Religion

Here also this ought to stir us up to a perpetual war with the devil, for that he is every where called the enemy of God and of us. For if we have regard of God's glory, as it is mete we should, then ought we with all our force to bend our selves against him, that goeth about to extinguish it. If we be affectioned to maintain the kingdom of Christ as we ought, then must we needs have an unappeasable wat with him that conspireth the ruin thereof. Again, if any care of our own safety do touch us, then ought we to have neither peace nor truce with him that continually lieth in wait for the destruction of it. Such a one is he described in the .iii. chap. of Genesis where he leadeth man away from the obedience that he did owe to God, that he both robbeth God of his due honour, and throweth man him self headlong into destruction. Such a one also is he set forth in the Evangelists,¹ where he is called an enemy, and is said to scatter tares, to corrupt the seed of eternal life. In a sum, that which Christ testifieth of him, that from the beginning he was a murderer, and a liar, we find by experience in all his doings. For he assaileth the trueth of God with lies, obscureth the light with darkness, entangleth the minds of men with errors, raiseth up hatreds, kindleth contentions and strifes, doeth all things to this end to overthrow the kingdom of God, and drown men with himself in eternal destruction. Whereby appeareth, that he is of nature froward, spiteful and malicious. For needs must there be great frowardness in that wit, that is made to assail the glory of God and salvation of men. And that doeth John speak of in his epistle, when he writeth, that he sinneth from the beginning. For he meaneth that he is the author, captain and principal workman of all malice and wickedness.

Here also this oughte to stirre vs vp to a pepetuall warre with the diuell, for that he is euery where called the enemy of God and of vs. For if we haue regarde of Goddes glory, as it is mete we shoulde, then ought we with all our force to bende our selues against hym, that goeth about to extinguishe it. If we be affectioned to maintain the kingdome of Christ as we ought, then must we nedes haue an vnappeasable wat with him that cōspireth the ruine therof. Again, if any care of our own safetie do touch vs, then ought we to haue neither peace nor truce with hym that continually lieth in waite for the destruction of it. Such a one is he described in the .iii. chap. of Genesis where he leadeth man awaye from the obedience that he did owe to God, that he bothe robbeth God of his due honor, and throweth man him self headlong into destruction. Suche a one also is he set foorth in the Euangelistes,