Satan doubtless attacks mankind by diversified modes of operation, and deceives them on various occasions and by different means. In the parabolical representations of our Lord, he is described as "_sowing tares_ in the field," and as "coming immediately" where the _word is sown_, "to take away the word that was sown in their hearts." This is indeed a _figurative_ statement, but nevertheless descriptive of a fact. The essence of the representation is _real_, though decked out in the attractive garb of imagery, to win attention and to excite inquiry. To suppose otherwise in this or in other cases, would be to reduce Scripture to the standard of Tales for Children, or Arabian Nights' Entertainments. What, then, is the truth intended to be conveyed here? It is that Satan possesses some mode of access to the human mind, that he is peculiarly attentive to the impression which the ministry of the word is producing, and that he uses his utmost skill to neutralize its effect: probably, by tempting the hearer to doubt its truth, to dispute its importance, or to defer immediate regard to its holy requisitions. And in the human heart there is such an ample supply of materials upon which to work--such a tendency to evil--such depravity of spirit--such corruption of nature--such love of the world--such enmity against God, that he soon succeeds in erecting an edifice of delusory hope, in which the deluded soul takes shelter from the sharp-pointed arrows of ministerial fidelity and scriptural appeal. "Your adversary the devil," is represented as walking "about, seeking whom he may devour;" which intimates the _settled enmity_ of this spirit. He is your _adversary_--at once the most malignant, most subtle, most invisible, and often least suspected of all others. This passage describes his _powerful superiority_; he is a _roaring lion_--remarkable for fury, strength, and zeal. It represents his _incessant activity, secrecy, and watchfulness_; "he _walketh about_." It proclaims his _destructive purpose_--"to _devour_." He is not, it seems, confined to place, but fixed in torment, and destined in all ages to suffer a perpetual aggravation of his misery, in consequence of the increase of his guilt, and the frequent discomfiture of his devices.