Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/207

 Sir Walter Raleigh.

The last refuges of the Devil to maintain his kingdom.

[History of the World]

Now the Devil because he cannot play upon the open stage of this world, as in those days; and being still as industrious as ever, finds it more for his advantage to creep into the minds of men; and inhabiting the temples of their hearts, works them to a more effectual adoration of himself than ever.

For whereas he first taught them to sacrifii e to monsters; to dead stones cut into faces of beasts, birds, and other mixed natures: he now sets before them the high and shining idol of Glory, the all-commanding image of bright Gold.

He tells them that Truth is the goddess of dangers and oppressions: that Chastity is the enemy of Nature: and lastly, that as all Virtue, in general, is without taste; so Pleasure satisfieth and delighteth every sense. For true wisdom (saith he) is exercised in nothing else than in the obtaining of power, to oppress; and of riches, to maintain plentifully our worldly delights.

And if this arch-politician finds in his pupils any remorse, any feeling or fear of GOD's future judgments; he persuades them that GOD hath so great need of men's souls, that He will accept them at any time, and upon any condition: interrupting by his vigilant endeavours, all offer of timeful return towards GOD; by laying those great blocks of Rugged Poverty and Despised Contempt in the narrow passage leading to His divine presence.

But as the mind of man hath two ports [gates]—the one always frequented by the entrance of manifold vanities; the other desolate and overgrown with grass, by which enter our charitable thoughts and divine contemplations: so hath