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 2. Satan not only makes use of our natural wants, but even of our virtues, as means of temptation; urging us to carry them to excess. But virtue consists in moderation, in neither doing too much nor too little. Thus liberality lies between avarice and prodigality, and compunction is the mean betwixt assurance and despair.

3. Satan has no power to cast us down without the consent of our own free wills. He may urge to fall, but he cannot compel man to fall.

4. Satan endeavours to cast down to earth, whilst Christ is ever striving to draw man from earth, to lead man to seek those things which are above. (Col. iii. 2.)

5. We are guilty of casting ourselves down from the pinnacle upon which we are placed, whenever—

α. We presumptuously neglect the natural means of support with which God has supplied us.

β. We deliberately fall into sin, with the purpose of expiating it afterwards by confession.

γ. We undertake any unprofitable task. For a Christian should set before him nothing upon which to expend his time and energies but what is of utility.

δ. We do evil that good may come.

For it is written, He shall give His angels charge