whole matter: “Fear God, and keep his commandments.” Eccles. 12:12, 13. 8. We are told in the parable, that the devil, when men are asleep, cometh and soweth tares among the wheat, and goeth his way. Matt. 13:25. This teaches us, that when men lay aside the works of repentance, and indulge themselves in the sleep of sin, of carnal security, of love of the world, and of temporal care and concerns; then the devil gradually scatters his seed of false doctrine in the field of pride (Gen. 3:5): whence arise various sects, schisms, and heresies. For by the sin of pride both angels and men lost the true light with which they were at first endued. Pride is the original source of all delusions and errors, which have been most unhappily brought into the world. If Satan, and Adam, the first man, had continued in a state of humility, as did Christ when he conversed among men, then never had any error or temptation invaded this world. But now there is no other means for our recovery left, except that which is taught by St. Paul: “Awake, thou that sleepest, and Christ shall give thee light” (Eph. 5:14): convincing us thereby, that no man can be divinely enlightened, who has not shaken off his sinful lethargy; that is, his carnal security, profaneness, and impiety. The same is attested by St. Peter: “Repent, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38); and by the Lord himself, in that saying: “The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him.” John 14:17. And what is the _world_, but a life passed without God?