2. For the devil is not to be considered only as _a roaring lion, going about seeking whom he may devour_: nor barely as a subtle enemy, who cometh unawares upon poor souls, and _leads them captive at his will_: but as he who dwelleth in them and walketh in them; _who ruleth the darkness_ or wickedness of _this world_, of worldly men and all their dark designs and actions, by keeping possession of their hearts, setting up his throne there, and bringing every thought into obedience to himself. Thus the _strong one armed keepeth his house_; and if this _unclean spirit_ sometime _go out of a man_, yet he often returns with _seven spirits worse than himself, and they enter in and dwell there_. Nor can he be idle in his dwelling. He is continually _working in_ these _children of disobedience_. He works in them with power, with mighty energy, transforming them into his own likeness, effacing all the remains of the image of God, and preparing them for every evil word and work. 3. It is therefore an unquestionable truth, that the God and prince of this world, still possesses all who know not God. Only the manner wherein he possesses them now, differs from that wherein he did it of old time. Then he frequently tormented their bodies, as well as souls, and that openly, without any disguise. Now he torments their souls only, (unless in some rare cases) and that as covertly as possible. The reason of this difference is plain. It was then his aim to drive mankind into superstition. Therefore he wrought as openly as he could. But ’tis his aim to drive _us_ into infidelity. Therefore he works as privately as he can: for the more secret he is, the more he prevails. 4. Yet, if we may credit Historians, there are countries even now, where he works as openly as aforetime. “But why in savage and barbarous countries only? Why not in _Italy_, _France_ or _England_?” For a very plain reason: he knows his men. And he knows what he hath to do with each. To _Laplanders_, he appears barefaced: because he is to fix them in superstition and gross idolatry. But with you he is pursuing a different point. He is to make you idolize yourselves: to make you wiser in your own eyes than God himself, than all the oracles of God. Now in order to this, he must not appear in his own shape: that would frustrate his design. No: he uses all his art, to make you deny his being, till he has you safe in his own place. 5. *He reigns therefore, altho’ in a different way, yet as absolute in one land as in the other. He has the gay _Italian_ infidel in his teeth, as sure as the wild _Tartar_. But he is fast asleep in the mouth of the lion, who is too wise to wake him out of sleep. So he only plays with him for the present, and when he pleases swallows him up.