Later in the same book:


[quote:726eba6a95]
He observes the natural temper and constitution.

[i:726eba6a95]Omnium discutit mores [/i:726eba6a95][He attacks the character of all]. He does not know the hearts of men, but he may feel their pulse, know their temper, and can apply himself accordingly. As the husbandman knows what seed is proper to sow in such a soil, so Sa_tan, finding out the temper, knows what temptations are proper to sow in such a heart.

The same way the tide of a man's constitution runs, the wind of temptation blows. Sa_tan tempts the ambitious man with a crown, the sanguine man with beauty, the covetous man with a wedge of gold. He provides savoury meat, such as the sinner loves.

[/quote:726eba6a95]




So we see that Watson believed Sa_tan could not read the mind but yet could inject impure thoughts within it, by dwelling with/in and observing the behaviour of the saints.

By "giving place" or providing a "foothold" we open ourselves up to demonic influence.

__________________
Misery induces despair, pride induces presumption. The Incarnation shows man the
greatness of his misery by the greatness of the remedy which he required.
~ Pascal, Pensees 526