Робінзон Крузо
Friday’s Education
howhehadasecretaccesstoourpassionsandtoouraffections,toadapthissnaressotoourinclinations,astocauseuseventobeourowntempters,andtorunuponourdestructionbyourownchoice.
Ifounditwasnotsoeasytoimprintrightnotionsinhismindaboutthedevil,asitwasaboutthebeingofaGod. NatureassistedallmyargumentstoevidencetohimeventhenecessityofagreatFirstCauseandoverruling,governingPower,asecretdirectingProvidence,andofthe6quityandjusticeofpayinghomagetoHimthatmadeus,andthelike. Butthereappearednothingofallthisinthenotionofanevilspirit; ofhisoriginal,hisbeing,hisnature,andaboveall,ofhisinclinationtodoevil,andtodrawusintodosotoo; andthepoorcreaturepuzzledmeonceinsuchamannerbyaquestionmerelynaturalandinnocent,thatIscarcelyknewwhattosaytohim. IhadbeentalkingagreatdealtohimofthepowerofGod,Hisomnipotence,Hisdreadfulaversiontosin,Hisbeingaconsumingfiretotheworkersofiniquity; how,asHehadmadeusall,Hecoulddestroyusandalltheworldinamoment; andhelistenedwithgreatseriousnesstomeallthewhile.
AfterthisIhadbeentellinghimhowthedevilwasGod’senemyintheheartsofmen,andusedallhismaliceandskilltodefeatthegooddesignsofProvidence,andtoruinthekingdomofChristintheworld,andthelike. "Well,"saysFriday,"butyousayGodissostrong,sogreat;isHenotmuchstrong,muchmightasthedevil?" "Yes,yes,"saysI,"Friday,Godisstrongerthanthedevil; Godisabovethedevil,andthereforewepraytoGodtotreadhimdownunderourfeet,andenableustoresisthistemptations,andquenchhisfierydarts." "But,"saysheagain,"ifGodmuchstrong,muchmightasthedevil,whyGodnokillthedevil,somakehimnomoredowicked?"
