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He goeth about every one of us; and even as an enemy besieging those who
are shut up (in a city), he examines the walls, and tries whether there is any
part of the walls less firm and less trustworthy, by entrance through which he
may penetrate to the inside. He presents to the eyes seductive forms and easy
pleasures, that he may destroy chastity by the sight. He tempts the ears with
harmonious music, that by the hearing of sweet sounds he may relax and enervate
Christian vigour. He provokes the tongue by reproaches; he instigates the hand
by exasperating wrongs to the wrecklessness of murder; to make the cheat, he
presents dishonest gains; to take captive the soul by money, he heaps together
mischievous hoards; he promises earthly honours, that he may deprive of
heavenly ones; he makes a show of false things, that he may steal away the
true; and when he cannot hiddenly deceive, he threatens plainly and openly,
holding forth the fear of turbulent persecution to vanquish God's
servants--always restless, and always hostile, crafty in peace, and fierce in
persecution.
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