XCVI.

SATANIC SUBTILTY.

1

Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.1 2 COR. xi. 14.

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.2—GEN. iii. 1.

That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.-REV. xii. 9.

Devils soonest tempt, resembling Spirits of Light.
LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST. Act IV. Scene 3.

The devil hath power

To assume a pleasing shape.

HAMLET. Act II. Scene 2.

When devils will their blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows.

TIMON OF ATHENS. Act II. Scene 3.

Oh cunning enemy, that to catch a saint,
With saints dost bait thy hook! Most dangerous

1 Job ii. 1.

2 2 Cor. xi. 3.

Is that temptation, that doth goad us on

To sin in loving virtue.*

MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act II. Scene 2.

Oftentimes, to win us to our harm,

The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray us

In deepest consequence.

MACBETH. Act 1. Scene 3.

O, what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Act IV. Scene 1.

Let's write good angel on the devil's horn,

'Tis not the devil's crest.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Act II. Scene 4.

XCVII.

IDOLATRY.

They worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.1—Is. ii. 8.

* There is no vice so simple, but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts.
MERCHANT OF VENICE.

1 Hosea viii. 6.

Act III. Scene 2.

For health, he calleth upon that which is weak ; for life, prayeth to that which is dead; for aid, humbly beseecheth that which hath least means to help; and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot set a foot forward; and for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asketh ability to do of him that is most unable to do any thing.

WISDOM Xiii. 18, 19.

'Tis mad idolatry

To make the service greater than the god.
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA.

Act II. Scene 2.

XCVIII.

TEMPTATION TO BE AVOIDED.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.1

Abstain from all appearance of evil.2

MATT. xxvi. 41.

1 THESS. V. 22.

Jesus answered and said, Get thee behind me, Satan.-LUKE iv. 8.

1 1 Pet. v. 8; Eph. vi. 18.

2 Rom. xiv. 21.

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.1-PROV. iv. 14, 15.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

PROV. i. 10.

Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.

2 COR. vi. 17.

He is no man on whom perfections wait,
That knowing sin within will touch the gate.
PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE.

Act 1. Scene 1.

Lie in the lap of sin, and not mean harm?

It is hypocrisy against the devil;

They that mean virtuously, and yet do so,

The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.-OTHELLO. Act IV. Scene 1.

Satan avoid! I charge thee tempt me not.

COMEDY OF ERRORS. Act IV. Scene 3.

'Tis not for gravity to play at cherrypit with Satan. TWELFTH NIGHT. Act III. Scene 4.

1 Ps. i. 1, 2; Eph. v. 11.

Do not give dalliance

Too much the rein; the strongest oaths are straw To the fire i' the blood.-TEMPEST. Act IV. Scene 1.

Sometimes we are devils to ourselves,

When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,
Presuming on their chainful potency.*

TROILUS AND CRESSIDA. Act IV. Scene 4.

XCIX.

THE DANGER OF AN UNGOVERNED
TONGUE.

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips.1-PROV. xii. 13.

The lips of a fool will swallow up himself.2

ECCLES. X. 12.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles.-PROV. xxi. 23.

Many a man's tongue shakes out his master's undoing.

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Act II. Scene 4.

* How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds,

Makes deeds ill done!

KING JOHN. Act IV. Scene 2.

1 2 Sam. i. 2-16; Dan. vi. 7, 8, 24. 2 Luke xix. 22; Job xv. 6.