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“But the reason why the demons delight in entering into men's bodies 18 this. Being spirits, and having desires after meats and drinks, and sexual pleasures, but not being able to partake of these by reason of their being spirits, and wanting organs fitted for their enjoyment, they enter into the bodies of men, in order that, getting organs to minister to them, they may obtain the things that they wish, whether it be meat, by means of men's teeth, or sexual pleasure, by means of men's members. Hence, in order to the putting of demons to flight, the most useful help is abstinence, and fasting, and suffering of affliction. For if they enter into men's bodies for the sake of sharing (pleasures), it is manifest that they are put to flight by suffering. But inasmuch as some, being of & more malig. nant kind, remain by the body that is undergoing punishment, though they are punished with it, therefore it is needful to have recourse to God by prayers and petitions, refraining from every occasion of impurity, that the hand of God may touch him for his cure, as being pure and faithful."-Ibid. p. 158.
" For all things are done to the believer, nothing to the un. believer. Therefore the demons themselves, knowing the amount of faith of those of whom they take possession, measure their stay proportionately. Wherefore they stay permanently with the an. believing, tarry for a while with the weak in faith; but with those who thoroughly believe and who do good, they cannot remain even for a moment. For the soul being turned by faith, as it were, into the nature of water, quenches the demon as & spårk of fire. The labonr, therefore, of every one is to be solicitons about the putting to fight of his own demon. For, being mixed up with men's souls, they suggest to every one's mind desires after what things they please, in order that he may neglect his salvation." -Ibid. p. 153.
"But still, though all demong, with all diseases, flee before you. you are not to rejoice in this only, but in that, through grace, your names, as of the ever-living, are written in heaven. Thas also the Divine Holy Spirit rejoices, because man hath overcome death; for the putting of the demons to fight makes for the safety of another." Ibid. p. 159.
It was recognised that the punishment' of the soul was a natural result of sin.
