A Guide to Grand-Jury Men

providence: for,

Devils do nothing except by God's leave.

I. These wicked and unclean spirits, he sends as the executioners of his justice, as he did among the Egyptians (Psalm 78:49); also between Abimelech and the Sichemites (Judges 9:23). So he sent an evil spirit upon Saul to vex him (1 Samuel 16:15), and a lying spirit into the mouths of the false prophets (1 Kings 22). And it is plain in Saint Mark that the Devils desired Christ to send them into the herd of Swine (Mark 5:12).

Devils cannot do what they please.

II. When he has sent them, they do not do what they please original: "list"; an archaic term meaning to desire or choose., but proceed only as far as he pleases, whether to hurt a man's body, or his children, or his goods. They are strictly limited and cannot go beyond their commission, as may be seen in the story of Job (Job 1:12 and 2:6). Indeed, even though they are not few, but a very Legion of Devils, they cannot enter into the Swine of the