The Church Attacked: When, and Without or Within?

The church – the ekklēsia – is under attack
The gospel and the ekklēsia are always under attack. The
devil sees to that! As Hugh Latimer put it in 1548:
And now I would ask a strange question: Who is the most
diligent bishop and prelate in all England, that passes all the
rest in doing his office? I can tell, for I know him who it is;
I know him well. But now I think I see you listening and
hearkening that I should name him. There is one that passes
all the other, and is the most diligent prelate and preacher in
all England. And will you know who it is? I will tell you: it
is the devil. He is the most diligent preacher of all other; he
is never out of his diocese; he is never from his cure [that
is, his spiritual responsibilities]; you shall never find him
unoccupied; he is ever in his parish; he keeps residence at
all times; you shall never find him out of the way, call for
him when you will, he is ever at home; the [most] diligent
preacher in all the realm; he is ever at his plough: no
lording nor loitering can hinder him; he is ever applying his
business, you shall never find him idle, I warrant you.