6. Though the Devils be said to be reserved in everlasting chains of darkness, yet are they said sometimes to be loosed, and _to go to and fro in the earth_, and to walk up and down in it, and _that Satan doth like a roaring lion walk about seeking whom he may devour_. Which must be understood (as we have shewed before) that in respect of his evil will, malice and envy, he seeketh and desireth the overthrow of all mankind, but yet is so restrained that he doth but act, what, where, when and so far only as God doth limit and order him. For though it be usually said that God doth permit him, yet it cannot be understood as a bare and nude permission, as though God should suffer him to go so loose and at liberty, that he may exert and exercise his power to the uttermost, for then all the godly should be destroyed both in Souls and Bodies, and God should only sit by as a bare spectator, not as an Orderer, Ruler and Governour, even as though an hungry fierce Lion that had been chained up in a grate, should be let loose to rage and run where he would, and to kill and devour what he could, and thus the Witchmongers do suppose of him, which is false and contrary to the testimony of Gods word. But when the Almighty maketh use of Satan or his Angels, they are only so let loose that he hath a hook in their Nostrils, and their Necks in a chain, that they can act no more nor no further than he ordereth, and gives them leave to accomplish, and thus are they limited not only by his irresistible will and decree, but they are also watched over and ruled by the good Angels that are as it were their keepers and overseers. So when the Devil is used as an instrument to afflict Holy _Job_, he is first let loose to afflict him in his Children and Goods, but not to touch his Body; and the second time he hath leave and power given him to lay his hand upon _Jobs_ Body, but not to take away his life: which do plainly shew, that he is not only and barely suffered to do what he will, but hath his limits set how far he shall act, and no farther. And when God maketh use of him for the punishment of the wicked, he giveth him power, and ordereth him how far to act or prevail. As in the case of the lying spirit in the mouth of _Ahabs_ Prophets, the evil spirit is sent forth with this commission, _And God said thou shalt perswade him and prevail also: go forth and do so_. By which it is manifest that he prevaileth more by the virtue of Gods command and commission, than by his own proper created power. [Sidenote: _Vid. Lambert. Dan. Isagog._ _c._ 24. _p._ 68.] [Sidenote: 1 Cor. 10. 13.] [Sidenote: _Exages. Aphor._ 14. _p._ 133.]