Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol VIII: Pseudo-Clementine Literature.: Chapter XI

Chapter XI.—Why the Serpent Tempts to Sin.

“For he knows the original law, that if he bring you to the persuasion of the so-called gods, so that you sin against the one good of monarchy, your overthrow becomes a gain to him.  And that for this reason, because he being condemned eats earth, he has power to eat him who through sin being dissolved into earth, has become earth, your souls going into his belly of fire.  In order, therefore, that you may suffer these things, he suggests every thought to your hurt.