once they should transgress the law of God they would be subjects of
God’s wrath, like themselves. Their transgression would place them, also,
in a state of rebellion, and they could unite with Adam and Eve, take
possession of Eden, and hold it as their home. And if they could gain
access to the tree of life in the midst of the garden, their strength would,
they thought, be equal to that of the holy angels, and even God Himself
could not expel them.
Satan held a consultation with his evil angels. They did not all readily
unite to engage in this hazardous and terrible work. He told them that
he would not entrust any one of them to accomplish this work, for he
thought that he alone had wisdom sufficient to carry forward so important
an enterprise. He wished them to consider the matter while he should
leave them and seek retirement, to mature his plans. He sought to impress
upon them that this was their last and only hope. If they failed here,
all prospect of regaining and controlling heaven, or any part of God’s
creation, was hopeless.
Satan went alone to mature plans that would most surely secure the
fall of Adam and Eve. He had fears that his purposes might be defeated.
And again, even if he should be successful in leading Adam and Eve to
disobey the commandment of God, and thus become transgressors of His
law, and no good come to himself, his own case would not be improved;
his guilt would only be increased.
He shuddered at the thought of plunging the holy, happy pair into
the misery and remorse he was himself enduring. He seemed in a state of
indecision: at one time firm and determined, then hesitating and wavering.
His angels were seeking him,
