4. The soldiers around, the clash of the
arms wherewith the church is surrounded, do not alarm my faith, but
they disquiet me from fear that in keeping me here you might meet with
some danger to your lives. For I have learnt by now not to be
afraid, but I do begin to have more fear for you. Allow, I beg
you, your bishop to meet his foes. We have an adversary who
assails us, for our adversary “the devil goeth about, as a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,” 1 Pet. v. 8. as the Apostle said. He has
received, no doubt, he has received (we are not deceived, but warned of
this) the power to tempt in this wise, lest I might perhaps by the
wounds of my body be drawn away from the earnestness of my faith.
You have read how the devil tempted holy Job in these many ways, and
how at last he sought and obtained power to try his body, which he
covered with sores.