The second tempting of Adam and Eve.
The devil takes on the form of a beguiling light.
Book I. Chapter XXVII.
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When Satan, the hater of all
good, saw how they continued in prayer, and how God communed with
them, and comforted them, and how He had accepted their offering—Satan
made an apparition.
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He began with transforming
his hosts; in his hands was a flashing fire, and they were in a great
light.
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He then placed his throne
near the mouth of the cave because he could not enter into it by
reason of their prayers. And he shed light into the cave, until
the cave glistened over Adam and Eve; while his hosts began to sing
praises.
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And Satan did this, in order
that when Adam saw the light, he should think within himself that it
was a heavenly light, and that Satan's hosts were angels; and that God
had sent them to watch at the cave, and to give him light in the
darkness.
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So that when Adam came out of
the cave and saw them, and Adam and Eve bowed to Satan, then he would
overcome Adam thereby, and a second time humble him before God.
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When, therefore, Adam and Eve
saw the light, fancying it was real, they strengthened their hearts;
yet, as they were trembling, Adam said to Eve:—
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"Look at that great
light, and at those many songs of praise, and at that host standing
outside that do not come in to us, do not tell us what they say, or
whence they come, or what is the meaning of this light; what those
praises are; wherefore they have been sent hither, and why they do not
come in.
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"If they were from God,
they would come to us in the cave, and would tell us their
errand."
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Then Adam stood up and prayed
unto God with a fervent heart, and said:—
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"O Lord, is there in the
world another god than Thou, who created angels and filled them with
light, and sent them to keep us, who would come with them?
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"But, lo, we see these
hosts that stand at the mouth of the cave; they are in a great light;
they sing loud praises. If they are of some other god than Thou,
tell me; and if they are sent by Thee, inform me of the reason for
which Thou hast sent them."
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No sooner had Adam said this,
than an angel from God appeared unto him in the cave, who said unto
him, "O Adam, fear not. This is Satan and his hosts; he
wishes to deceive you as he deceived you at first. For the first
time, he was hidden in the serpent; but this time he is an angel of
light; in order that, when you worshiped him, he might enthrall you,
in the very presence of God."
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Then the angel went from
Adam, and seized Satan at the opening of the cave, and stripped him of
the feint he had assumed, and brought him in his own hideous form to
Adam and Eve; who were afraid of him when they saw him.
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And the angel said to Adam,
"This hideous form has been his ever since God made him fall from
heaven. He could not have come near you in it; therefore did he
transform himself into an angel of light."
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Then the angel drove away
Satan and his hosts from Adam and Eve, and said unto them, "Fear
not; God who created you, will strengthen you."
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And the angel went from them.
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But Adam and Eve remained
standing in the cave; no consolation came to them; they were divided
in their thoughts.
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And when it was morning they
prayed; and then went out to seek the garden. For their hearts
were towards it, and they could get no consolation for having left it.
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