We are here particularly admonished to "stand against the wiles of the devil." Open violence might excite alarm, especially were it understood from whence it proceeded; but secret stratagem has proved more successful, both in drawing men into sin, and preventing their return to God. In presenting temptation, he diligently studies human character, and, observing the weakest side, and waiting the unguarded moment, obtains advantage over us without awakening suspicion. Thus, in the case of Eve, the only thing she could desire in Paradise was more knowledge; of Judas, more money; and of Ananias, more honour; and for these objects, Satan, by his wily representation, induced the first to eat the forbidden fruit; the second, to betray the Lord of glory; and the third, to lie unto the Holy Ghost. Hence the proud, the passionate, the polluted, the timid, and the melancholy, are easily approached through the medium of some common failing, or constitutional infirmity; and no one suspects that a devil is near them, till the iniquity is committed: and the deed once done, the tempter laughs at their calamity, and becomes their tormentor. The same policy may be observed in the _seasons_ selected by him to ensnare and overthrow the unwary. As a cunning adversary considers when the troops are fatigued, scattered, asleep, or intoxicated; so the devil assaulted the Saviour when alone, after fasting forty days, and just before his crucifixion. As the pirate and the robber pass by and spare the empty vessels, and the poor, but watch for those that return laden with treasure; so this malignant foe resisted Joshua at the throne of grace, sifted Peter as he descended from the mount, and sent his messenger to buffet Paul when he had been caught up into the third heavens. His wiles may be also seen in the _instruments_ employed: they are such as have authority, influence, or reputation; so that a man's deceiver shall be among his friends, "and his foes those of his own house." The artifice of this great adversary is not less manifest in _the means employed to prevent our return to God_. Like a strong man armed, he keeps his palace, and his goods are in peace; and to secure the captive, he more frequently has recourse to fraud than to force, and succeeds rather by stratagem than by strength.