Page:The Life of Sir Thomas More (William Roper, ed by Samuel Singer).djvu/83

 And as he would in this sort persuade them to take their troubles patiently, so would he in like sort teach them to withstand the devil and his temptations valiantly, saying: "Whosoever will mark the devil and his temptations, shall find him therein much like to an ape, who, not well looked to, will be busy and bold to do shrewd turns, and contrariwise being spied will suddenly leap back and adventure no farther. So the devil finding a man idle, slothful, and without resistance, ready to receive his temptations, waxeth so hardy that he will not fail still to continue with him until to his purpose he hath thoroughly brought him. But on the other side, if he see a man with diligence persevere to prevent and withstand his temptations, he waxeth so weary that in conclusion he utterly forsaketh him. For as the devil, of disposition is a spirit of so high a pride that he cannot abide to be mocked; so is he of nature so envious that he feareth any more to assault him, lest he should thereby not only catch a foul fall himself, but also minister to the man more matter of merit." Thus delighted he evermore not only in virtuous exercises to be occupied himself, but also to exhort his wife, children and household, to embrace the same and follow it. To whom for his notable virtue and godliness God showed, as it seemed, a manifest miraculous token of his special favour towards him. At such time as my wife (as many other