Sermons upon the Book of Job

For we should be cast up as a pray without any remedy. And where should our faith be? what certainty or assurance of defence should we have? for our enemy is overmighty. So then, one of the necessariest articles that we have, is to know that the Devil is held short, and that how soever he play the mad fiend against our salvation, yet can he do nothing, further than is permitted him from above. And also the Scripture telleth us rightly both these §10things: that is to wit, that Satan is the Prince of the world, that he reigneth in the air above us, that we be of no power, that he is able to devour us, that we be as subjects unto him, and finally that we be his bondslaves by nature, fast tied in his fetters: and yet notwithstanding, that he is subject unto God whither he will or no. These two points are divers, but yet have they no contrariety: and both of them are right profitable for us, and bring us good instruction. For when the Scripture telleth us that the Devil hath such a power, and that he reigneth here, that men are §20as it were under his feet, and under his tyranny, and that he holdeth them in his bonds: it is to the end that we should know our own wretchedness. For we see what the pride of men is. They glorify themselves in such wise as if they would sty up above the clouds both in wisdom, and in virtue, & in all things. But when men be so hoised aloft, God on the contrary part avoucheth them to be the bondslaves of Satan, and held in bondage and slavery under him. Go now and challenge great nobility. Go your ways and advance your selves: yet shall the Devil have §30dominion over you, how so ever it be. Lo how God cutteth mens combs, and maketh them ashamed. After he hath so brought them down, he waketh them up again, to the end they should walk in more fear. For if we thought we had not an enemy that would make war upon us, or that were so puissant: we would be slothful, and we should live here as it were in peace. But behold, God telleth us that Satan is like a roaring Lion, which hath his throat ever open to swallow us up: and that we have no weapons to resist him, except he give us them: so as §40our force must come of him: and that is to make us bethink our selves well, and stand upon our guard, and not to be sleepy, for them the Devil will straightways take us unprovided.