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104
Early Writings
corrupt their own teachings and to declare them to be adulterated.
By so doing Satan delights to throw professed Christians and all the
world into uncertainty about the Word of God. That holy Book cuts
directly across his track and thwarts his plans; therefore he leads
them to doubt its divine origin. Then he sets up the infidel, Thomas
Paine, as if he were ushered into heaven when he died, and now,
united with the holy apostles whom he hated on earth, were engaged
in teaching the world.
Satan assigns to each of his angels a part to act. He enjoins upon
them all to be sly, artful, cunning. He instructs some of them to act
the part of the apostles and to speak for them, while others are to act
the part of infidels and wicked men who died cursing God, but now
appear to be very religious. There is no difference made between the
most holy apostles and the vilest infidel. They are both made to teach
the same thing. It matters not whom Satan makes to speak, if his
object is only accomplished. He was so intimately connected with
Paine upon the earth, aiding him in his work, that it is an easy thing
for him to know the very words Paine used and the very handwriting
of one who served him so faithfully and accomplished his purposes
so well. Satan dictated much of his writings, and it is an easy thing
for him to dictate sentiments through his angels now and make it
appear that they come through Thomas Paine, who, while living,
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was a devoted servant of the evil one. This is the masterpiece of
Satan. All this teaching, purporting to be from apostles and saints
and wicked men who have died, comes directly from his satanic
majesty.
The fact that Satan claims that one whom he loved so well, and
who hated God so perfectly, is now with the holy apostles and angels
in glory, should be enough to remove the veil from all minds and
discover to them the dark, mysterious works of Satan. He virtually
says to the world and to infidels, No matter how wicked you are, no
matter whether you believe or disbelieve in God or the Bible, live
as you please, heaven is your home; for all know that if Thomas
Paine is in heaven, and so exalted, they will surely get there. This
error is so glaring that all may see if they will. Satan is now doing
through persons like Thomas Paine what he has been trying to do
since his fall. He is, through his power and lying wonders, tearing
away the foundation of the Christian’s hope and putting out the sun