A dispute between the woman and the powers of darkness

I find that if I mock these fools by staying back, it will not work. You will not be convinced if I do not come forward. So do not blame me if I come and tear you in pieces before the morning. It is the last word of your friend that will call me forward, because I find he has an opening to break out there.

Joanna. I do not believe the Lord will allow Satan to tear me to pieces. He has promised to keep me from his power. He said Satan shall not hurt me any further than through temptations, and that he will make a way for my escape from those temptations. I will trust in the God of my salvation. He is the rock of my defense. Of whom then shall I be afraid?

Satan. I will tell you before the morning. I will fool with you no longer. Now I will come to the point to convince you that your writings are not from God. If you will give them up, I will leave you and not hurt you. But if you will not break the sealed book in pieces and destroy all that is sealed against the devil, I will destroy you. You say the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord, but you shall find they are in my hands. See how many women have pleased me. I have worked in the hearts of men to enrich them. Now you know you are commanded to listen to me until midnight, and I shall keep you up until midnight. I see through you and your friends and what you say to yourself. You thought Satan was slow to answer, and so you intended to tell them you had defeated him with your words. I shall now speak fast enough for you. Is your back made of brass and your sinews of iron that you can struggle against your Maker?

Joanna. No! I cannot struggle against my Maker, nor would I for the world. I both love and fear him. The study of my life has been to know his will and obey it. Therefore, I am not struggling with the Lord, but with the Power of Darkness, who has come to plead for him-