Sermons upon the Book of Job

But behold (sayeth he) they be spiritual guiles that fight against us, of whom we have no sight at all, except God give us the eyes of faith to espy how Satan is against us, specially by the temptations that he triumpheth in our way, whereby he eggeth us to evil, and laboureth to mar us. So then, we must fully resolve ourselves of this point: namely that the Devils are always busy to procure our destruction: that they go about the earth, that they be never away from us, that they be ever seeking means to get into us, and that as soon as they find never §10so small a breach, they enter into us to throw us into endless destruction, and we be surprised before we mistrust that we are assailed, according as every man knoweth by experience, that we perceive not when the Devil is near us, and yet in the mean while we see our selves wounded to death. Wherefore, when we feel any wicked desire in our selves, so as we be carried, some to one lewd •ust, & some to another: we must mark that it is the enemy that worketh so craftily. And thus we find by experience, that the Devils are ever practicing against us: specially §20against those to whom God hath given wisdom and knowledge. For although the Devil possess the wicked and reprobates, and work in them with all effectualness, as Saint Paul speaketh to the Thessalonians: yet perceive they not that the Devil is any thing, and they make but a sport of their vices. They be so bewitched in evil, as they feel it not a whit. For they be become blockish as Saint Paul sayeth in another place. But when the faithful find their minds attainted with any evil affection, & that Satan hath prevailed so much as to make §30entrance into them: they know that Satan hath prevented them unawares, & that they perceived not when he gave them battle or alarm. We must not tarry till we have such an assault: but we must be afraid & take heed to that which is said. For God showeth the care which he hath of us, and how it is not his will we should be taken unawares for want of knowing our adversaries, when he sayeth that the Devils go about the earth continually hunting after their pray.

But behold (saieth he) they be spirituall guiles that fight against vs, of whom we haue no sight at all, except God giue vs the eyes of fayth to espie howe Satan is agaynst vs, specially by the tēptations that he triumpheth in our way, wherby he eggeth vs to euill, and laboureth to marre vs. So then, wee mustefully resolue ourselues of this poynte: namely that the Diuels are alwaies buzy to procure our destruction: that they go about the earth, that they bee neuer away from vs, that they bee euer seeking meanes to get into vs, and that as soone as they finde neuer