Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits

Providence has taken care that the greatest part of mankind shall not be left to unavoidable deception, so as to be always abused by the mischievous agents of Hell in matters of plain common sense. But yet, it is not for sinful and foolish original: "silly" mortals to prescribe rules to the Most High in His government of the world, or to direct Him how far He may permit Satan to use his power.

I am inclined to think that there are some among us who, if they had lived in Job's days and seen the Devil tormenting him—and heard him complaining of being scared with dreams and terrified with night visions—would have joined with his uncharitable friends in censuring him as a most guilty person. But we should consider that the Most High God does sometimes deal with men through absolute sovereignty, performing the things that are appointed for them; and many such things are with Him.

If He destroys the blameless original: "perfect" along with the wicked, and "laughs at the trial of the innocent" (Job 9:22–23), who shall enter into His counsels? Who has given Him a charge over the earth? Or who has arranged the whole world? Men are not able to give an account of His ordinary works, much less of His secret counsels and the dark dispensations The way God deals with or distributes events and trials to humanity of His providence. They only "darken counsel by words without knowledge" when they attempt to do so. If we are not able to see how this or that can be consistent with the righteousness of Him who governs the world, shall we say that the Almighty will pervert judgment? Or that He who governs the earth hates what is right?