Wesley Corpus

9. May not some of these evil spirits be likewise employed, in conjunction with evil angels, in tempting wicked men to sin, and in procuring occasions for them yea, and in tempting good men to sin, even after they have escaped the corruption that is in the world Herein, doubtless, they put forth all their strength; and greatly glory if they conquer. A passage in an ancient author may greatly illustrate this: (Although I apprehend, he did not intend that we should take it literally:) "Satan summoned his powers, and examined what mischief each of them had done. One said, `I have set a house on fire, and destroyed all its inhabitants.' Another said, `I have raised a storm at sea, and sunk a ship; and all on board perished in the waters.' Satan answered, `Perhaps those that were burnt or drowned were saved.' A third said, `I have been forty years tempting a holy man to commit adultery; and I have left him asleep in his sin.' Hearing this, Satan rose to do him honour; and all hell resounded with his praise." Hear this, all ye that imagine you cannot fall from grace! 10. Ought not we then to be perpetually on our guard against those subtle enemies Though we see them not, -- A constant watch they keep; They eye us night and day; And never slumber, never sleep, Lest they should lose their prey. Herein they join with "the rulers of the darkness," the intellectual darkness, "of this world," -- the ignorance, wickedness, and misery diffused through it, -- to hinder all good, and promote all evil! To this end they are continually "working with energy in the children of disobedience." Yea, sometimes they work by them those lying wonders that might almost deceive even the children of God.