are attacked by a longing after many transactions,[1] and the richest delicacies, and drunken revels, and divers luxuries, and things improper, and by a hankering after women, and by overreaching, and pride, and blustering, and by whatever is like to these. When these ascend into your heart, know that the angel of iniquity is in you. Now that you know his works, depart from him, and in no respect trust him, because his deeds are evil, and unprofitable to the servants of God. These, then, are the actions of both angels. Understand them, and trust the angel of righteousness; but depart from the angel of iniquity, because his instruction is bad in every deed.[2] For though a man be most faithful,[3] and the thought of this angel ascend into his heart, that man or woman must sin. On the other hand, be a man or woman ever so bad, yet, if the works of the angel of righteousness ascend into his or her heart, he or she must do something good. You see, therefore, that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness, but to bid farewell[4] to the angel of iniquity.
"This commandment exhibits the deeds of faith, that you may trust the works of the angel of righteousness, and doing them you may live to God. But believe that the works of the angel of iniquity are hard. If you refuse to do them, you will live to God."
COMMANDMENT SEVENTH.
On fearing God, and not fearing the devil.
"Fear," said he, "the Lord, and keep His commandments.[5] For if you keep the commandments of God, you will be powerful in every action, and every one of your actions will be
- ↑ Transactions. I think the writer means, when a longing is felt to engage with too great devotedness to business and the pursuit of wealth.
- ↑ Trust … deed. Trust the angel of righteousness, because his instruction is good.—Vat.
- ↑ Faithful. Most happy.—Vat.
- ↑ But to bid farewell. The Vat. ends quite differently from this point: If, then, you follow him, and trust to his works, you will live to God; and they who trust to his works will live to God.—Vat.
- ↑ Eccles. xii. 13.
